Ilana Zivkovich is the founder and CEO of Werq, an executive and team performance coaching firm headquartered in Austin, TX, USA , serving clients around the country and abroad. An experienced executive leader and Certified Executive Coach, Ilana helps leadership teams align their people, processes and strategy so that businesses can achieve exceptional results. Ilana currently resides in Austin with her husband and daughter. She enjoys raising her young family in such a vibrant and growing city.
Entrepreneurial Role Models:
- Ilana’s Grandfather
- Ilana’s Father
When business started difficulties overcame:
“before being an entrepreneur, I felt this itch and I felt in one capacity or another for years and the itch was… I named it different things… But the itch was essentially to build, to create, to do something that was of my creation. And one of the challenges was figuring out what were the pieces that I needed to put in place, what support did I need, what resources, what strategies, what confidence… What did I need to be ready to make that leap?”…[Listen for More]
Favourite Books:
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change Book by Charles DuhiggFavourite Quote:
- “The bird does not fear the branch breaking beneath her feet for she trusts her wings” Illana’s mother Robin
Also mentioned
- “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Recommended Online Resources:
Loom – Free Screen & Video Recording Software. Easy and free screen recorder for Mac, Windows, and Chromebooks Record your camera and screen with audio directly from your Chrome browser and share the video with your team, friends, and family
Best Advice to Other Entrepreneurs:
“just keep going. The difference between making it and not making it often times comes down to actually getting out there and doing it. Just keep going… You have to do the work. You can’t think about it and talk about it and just imagine it into being you have to do it. So get out there do it and keep going”…[Listen for More]
More About Ilana Zivkovich:
Neil’s Quote at the Beginning:
“If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” Unknown
Other Quotes From the Chat with Ilana Zivkovich:
- “the learning curve itself has been also valuable. Every conversation I’ve had that I walk away and go ‘oh I don’t know like how I handle that’ that was what enabled me to have the next conversation better”
- “don’t hide from yourself. The times that I am the most effective have been when I am able to be really thoroughly honest with myself first and foremost, and so have not stick your head in the sand, and about what’s working what’s not working et cetera. Really be explorative and to look for the lessons and then your learning curve inevitably is shorter because you are not hiding from the lessons as they come up”
- “I spent a lot of time talking with others, those who had done it successfully, those who had done it not been successful, those who hadn’t tried it but who I could share ideas with. The first business plan I wrote which we certainly did not follow at all… But the first one that I wrote I passed it through five people who I really trust who are wonderful friends as well as very talented professionals – passed it through the types of people that I knew would tell me when it wasn’t good enough and when there was things that could be better”
- “when are you ready? It’s more about the mindset of being ready to struggle and fail and keep going”
- “surround yourself with those who motivate and inspire you to be better. And that’s different for each of us”
- “having that attitude of grit and perseverance and real gratitude for the whole process and all the missteps along the way. Just keep the attitude keep your eyes wide open. When it goes wrong be grateful for the lesson rather than get really down on yourself or risk talking yourself out of trying again. So, surround yourself with the right type of people and have the right mindset”
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