INTERVIEW: Corrine Sandler: why enthusiasm is the success ingredient for this single mother of four [video]
When you think of “intelligence gathering,” what might come to mind is the CIA.
That is what Corrine Sandler, founder and CEO of Fresh Intelligence Research Corp, a Toronto-based innovative market research company, does for a living: she gathers intelligence — but of a different kind.
It was while working in brand marketing for packaged goods companies that Sandler — a single mother of four young children — felt there was a lack of the kind of market intelligence she desired, so she opened her own company to provide “fresh intelligence.” In a nutshell, she designs research methodology, takes the data and turns it into intelligence to show clients how they can use it to grow their businesses.
Founded in 2004, her company went from zero to being ranked #20 of PROFIT Magazine HOT 50 in 2012. The company enjoyed astronomical growth of 453 per cent in 2011 alone, and today has offices around the world including New York, London, Sydney and Moscow.
The former South African who fell in love with Canada while visiting and decided to make it her home, has been recognized by the Women’s Post as “Top 20 Women to Watch in 2012,” a finalist in RBC ‘s Canadian Top Women Entrepreneur 2012 awards and was ranked 20th in the annual W100 ranking of Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs, by PROFIT and Chatelaine magazines.
And yet, while Sandler, who admits to embracing risk and dreams of one day going into space, appreciates the recognition, she is quick to humble herself and point out that it takes a phenomenal team. “Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, which is what I do,” says Sandler.
What I think is particularly interesting about Sandler, who is also a speaker and writer (with a new book in the works), is that she created her business with her heart – and did it as a single mother — and sole provider — of four young children.
So what is the secret to her success?
“Do whatever you want in life, but do it with passion and enthusiasm because success will ultimately follow.”
The reason she loves her career of gathering intelligence so much? The answer might give you some insight into this highly accomplished entrepreneur: “It’s kind of like the CIA.”
To find out more, I invite you to watch my interview with Corrine Sandler on Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner, who discusses her journey to success as a single mother, how success impacts our relationships, why enthusiasm is key – and the importance of market research and what every business needs to know about it.
Check out my new “Get Known in the Media” events series
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GET KNOWN IN THE MEDIA
with Shannon Skinner Events Series Check out Shannon’s upcoming live webinars and workshops to help YOU get known in the media and get more exposure. Live Webinars: Publicity on a Shoestring: D-I-Y Do-it-yourself publicity: You will discover the steps to get publicity for your business, products, events – and raise your public profile – to ultimately grow your business and increase sales, including: what you need to know about the media; how to pitch a story idea; media relations Do’s and Don’ts; the right media materials to consider; tips on writing effective news releases; and preparing for media interviews. If you can’t afford a PR agency and wish to “do-it-yourself,” with great results, this webinar is for you. How to Shine in Media Interviews You will get tips on how to prepare for interviews; how to conduct yourself in radio and TV interviews; how to navigate difficult interviews with challenging journalists; what media are looking for; what is appropriate attire for TV – and what is not; what you need to know about the journalist or talk show host in advance that will save you from disaster; and how to craft your message so it goes from your heart to the heart of your audience. Position Yourself as an Expert You will discover ways to position yourself as an expert and become a “go-to” authority for the media who are looking for stories relevant to your industry; how to be more “visible” in the digital and real world; and what you need to know about protecting and nurturing your public image and credibility in an age where everything is now public. How to Create a Media Kit You will discover what makes news criteria; how to develop a news hook; how write media materials that look professional, such as a news release, bios, backgrounders; samples of news release templates; writing tips for effective news release; get useful checklists; how to put all your media materials together; and more.
Shannon Skinner is an author, inspirational speaker, media consultant, and host of the talk show, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner. As an interviewer, Shannon has profiled hundreds of influential people and celebrities from across North America.
Shannon is the author of The Whispering Heart: Your Inner Guide to Creativity; and a regular featured contributing blogger to Huffington Post. She has more than twenty years of public relations experience helping top organizations, experts and celebrities get their messages out to their audience via the media. ©Shannon Skinner 2013. All rights reserved.
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 Live Webinars:
(Click on title of webinar below to purchase.) Publicity on a Shoestring: DIY
Jan. 24, 2013; 3-4PM EST How to Shine in Media Interviews Jan. 31, 2013: 3-4PM EST Position Yourself as an Expert Feb. 7, 2013; 3-4PM EST How to Create a Media Kit
Feb. 14, 2013; 3-4PM EST Cost per webinar: $97 plus tax Package of 4: $367 plus tax. Enter promo code WEBBUNDLE on checkout or click on the link below. PACKAGE OF 4 WEBINARS
Workshop: (Click on the description below to purchase) How to Get Great Media: Find Your Voice – Raise Your Profile March 22, 2013 (9AM-5PM) Location: Toronto, Canada Cost: $797 plus tax
Early BIrd (if booked by March 1st) $747 plus tax (Enter promo code EARLYBIRD on checkout) Contact: Talk Show:
www.ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com Enquiries: phone: 416-576-8809 email: info@skinnerpublicity.com Newsletter: Subscribe to Extraordinary Women TV (it’s free)
Watch one of Shannon’s interviews:
 Ariel Garten
CEO, InteraXon (click on image to view) |
Internships with Shannon
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We’re looking for PR/marketing interns!
If you just graduated from a communications/marketing or media programme, are still a student, or are interested in breaking into the PR/media/marketing fields and developing your skills to do so, we have some great opportunities for you!
Tasks include:
Media relations, publicity, research, writing, social media, marketing materials, special events coordination and more. Strong emphasis on creativity.
The ideal candidate has:
- Good verbal communications and writing skills.
- General computer skills; particularly with Internet.
- Knowledge of graphic design, photo editing (i.e. Photoshop), Illustrator.
- Creativity.
- Is well organized.
- Any other marketing skills would also be a bonus.
Details:
Toronto-based
Positions start immediately
Deadline: Ongoing
Contact: Shannon at shannon (@) skinnerpublicity.com or 416-576-8809
Extraordinary Women TV announces media partnership of ‘Brand U Fabulous’
For Immediate Release
Shannon Skinner’s Extraordinary Women TV is pleased to announce its support of ‘Brand U Fabulous’ event as media partner
Hosted by Positive Fabulous Women
TORONTO, October 24, 2012 – Shannon Skinner’s Extraordinary Women TV is pleased to be the media partner of Brand U Fabulous, an all-day event that will provide women entrepreneurs with tools and tips to help market and build their businesses. Hosted by Positive Fabulous Women, the event is taking place on Nov. 1, 2012, in Toronto.
“The event is designed to help women entrepreneurs create the business of their dreams,” says Shannon Skinner, creator and host, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner. “Events like these that provide much needed support to women who run their own businesses are important, and I am honoured to be a part of facilitating it.”
The day will feature an all-star speaker line-up, an interactive discussion panel and breakout sessions to cover a variety of topics from marketing, writing, branding to social media. Speakers and panelists include: Donna Marie Antoniadis, Amber Mac, Steve Lowell, Laura Furtado, Bobby Umar, Casie Stewart, Julia Rosien, Melissa Ramos and Andrea Orozco.
Along with donating a portion of proceeds to Nellie’s women’s shelter, the event will showcase jewelry from the Work for Widows collection, with 25 per cent of sales also going to the shelter.
The event will be held at St. Paul Bloor Street (227 Bloor Street East), from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Toronto.
For more information, visit Extraordinary Women TV and Positive Fabulous Women.
Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner is a first-of-its-kind web TV talk show that is a unique, inspirational, informative and relevant online resource for women everywhere who want to follow their hearts and dreams. More than 160 one-on-one interviews with successful women from all walks of life — Canadian and international — have been conducted and archived since its inception in Sept. 2010.
For information, contact:
Shannon Skinner
Creator/Host, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner
416-576-8809 (cell)
info@skinnerpublicity.com
www.ExtraordinaryWomenTV.com
www.ShannonSkinner.com
