Kind Communication: Effective and kind communication is crucial within our team and extends to how we interact with clients. I recall a situation where a client was dissatisfied with a service. Instead of defensive responses, we engaged in kind communication, understanding their perspective and finding solutions collaboratively. This approach not only resolved the issue but strengthened our client relationships.
Asa part of our series about 5 Things You Need To Run A Highly Successful Family Business, I had the pleasure of interviewing Hanna Olivas.
Hanna Olivas, CEO of She Rises Studios and the co visionary behind the “Becoming An Unstoppable Women” book series and movement, is a multifaceted entrepreneur with a proven track record of achieving multi-figure earnings. Through her platforms, she has established a community that empowers women, while strategically involving her daughter, Adriana Luna Carlos, CEO and co-founder of She Rise Studios. and two sons, Ron Billings and Michael Luna in leadership roles within the company. As the founder of the Brave and Beautiful Foundation, Hanna demonstrates a steadfast commitment to empowering women and advancing noble causes.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Westarted She Rises Studios in the middle of the global pandemic and at first it was because I was trying to solely help women across the globe who were struggling during that time. Little did I know that I was struggling also and longed to find a network, a community of women to belong to during this time. My goal has always been since I was little was to find my place in the world and at 50 this is the first time I found it. I have found relationships with women around the world but also have been able to focus on my relationships with my children. Working with your kids is possible, you just need to establish boundaries.
I would never work with my husband, he is too bossy haha. He is though my biggest cheerleader but working together wouldn’t work. The Family business goal is to build a legacy so my kids and grandkids don’t have to worry or stress.
Can you tell us a bit about your family business and your role in it?
As the CEO, my primary responsibility is to ensure the seamless daily operations and optimal functioning of the team within a safe workplace environment. When it comes to work, I maintain a firm and focused approach, recognizing that accountability is paramount. While I may hold my children to a higher standard, it is rooted in a deeper understanding of their capabilities and a commitment to fostering a culture of diligence and responsibility within the team.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began this career?
One of the most intriguing moments since assuming the role of CEO occurred during my trip to New York. It was a blend of excitement and uncertainty as I navigated the city, grappling with the realization of my newfound responsibilities. At the time, the mindset associated with being a CEO hadn’t fully developed, leading to challenges in finding my place and asserting myself. During interviews, I recognized a hesitancy to let my true potential shine, hindered by doubts about my worthiness in such a pivotal role. This experience marked a crucial phase of self-discovery and growth in my journey as a CEO.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the funniest mistakes I made in the early stages was during an interview with Laura Trump when I overlooked hitting the record button. I was so nervous that it didn’t cross my mind. Might I add here, I am not tech savvy. I learned an important lesson: Hanna shouldn’t be in charge of tech and the importance of hitting the record button!. LOL Despite the blunder, the interview with Laura Trump was incredible.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
What sets our company apart is my personal, hands-on approach with clients, offering them exceptional treatment despite my CEO status. I actively engage with women who reach out, fostering a culture of respect and transparency. One memorable instance was during a recent vacation with my husband I found myself driving a golf cart while responding to emails and messages. Why, because I want to make sure our clients voice is heard, valued, and cheered on, reinforcing the unique and attentive nature of our company.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Currently, I am deeply invested in two exciting projects that hold significant potential for impact. The first is the EmpowerHer Women’s Literacy campaign, aimed at fostering literacy and empowerment for women. This initiative contributes to personal and professional growth, enabling individuals to aspire to leadership roles, including becoming CEOs or simply realizing their best selves.
The second project is the SRS Academy EmpowerHer Hub, which will become a household brand name, bringing together industry experts and content creators and providing a safe space for women to learn and connect. This hub is designed to be a leading educational platform for women, fostering a supportive environment for learning and personal development.
Ultimately, both projects are geared towards empowering women, whether through literacy or education, and are poised to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Success is a collaborative journey, and I owe a debt of gratitude to various individuals who played pivotal roles in shaping my path. On one hand, there were those who doubted my capabilities, and their skepticism became the driving force behind my determination to succeed. Simultaneously, my husband, children, and a steadfast group of supportive women became the cornerstone of encouragement, consistently affirming that anything is achievable. It’s not a singular person but a collective force comprising my family and a select group of unwavering supporters. Over time, the doubters have shifted their stance, now seeking involvement, while my close circle rightfully wonders, “What took you so long?” These experiences underscore the valuable lessons gained from different individuals — some guiding lights and others lessons in what not to do — in a journey marked by moments of learning, growth, and eventual success.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
My commitment to using success as a force for good is rooted in building a platform where every woman can be seen, heard, and known. Through this, I emphasize the importance of their voices, conveying that they matter and are inherently worthy. The impact is evident in a series of success stories, particularly through my private coaching in Unstoppable figures, where individuals are not only achieving personal growth but also connecting the dots in various aspects of their lives, be it health, wealth, and intimacy. It’s about empowering women to thrive holistically and fostering a positive ripple effect in their businesses and beyond.
Ok thank you for that. Let’s now pivot to the main parts of our interview. How do you define a family business? How is a family business different from a regular business?
A family business, in my definition, is one where the dynamics go beyond the typical employer-employee relationship. It involves a continuous collaboration where family members are not just working side by side but actively creating, building, and moving forward together. In this unique structure, there are higher standards and expectations, as there’s a collective commitment to delivering the best of the best. Unlike a regular corporation where employees may be seen as numbers, in a family business, everyone is considered a team member. This distinction fosters a more cohesive and flexible environment, reinforcing that we are in this together, whether facing success or challenges.
In your opinion or experience, what are the unique advantages that family owned businesses have?
In my experience, family-owned businesses enjoy unique advantages that stem from a sense of camaraderie and shared commitment. Team-building exercises become enjoyable, fostering stronger connections between colleagues who are also family members. Vacations with work associates create a community, emphasizing that shared experiences go beyond monetary transactions and further strengthen our bonds. While challenges may arise, learning how to effectively run and operate a business with family members is not only possible but can lead to a more cohesive and interconnected professional environment.
What are the unique drawbacks or blindspots that family owned businesses have?
In the initial stages, there can be assumptions that family members may not be as concerned about certain aspects, leading to potential blind spots. For example, there might be a misconception that, since my mom is the boss, I can take an extra 20 minutes for a task or that deadlines don’t necessarily apply to me. This sense of entitlement can emerge within family-owned businesses, where the familial connection might be misconstrued as a pass to deviate from standard expectations or protocols. It’s essential to address and mitigate such assumptions to ensure a fair and efficient working environment.
What are some of the common mistakes you have seen family businesses make? What would you recommend to avoid those errors?
Common mistakes I’ve observed in family businesses often revolve around challenges in establishing clear boundaries between work and family life, as well as making assumptions that family members automatically get a free pass in certain aspects of the business. To avoid these errors, I recommend implementing well-defined boundaries that separate professional responsibilities from personal relationships. It’s crucial to establish a framework that ensures fair treatment and accountability for all team members, regardless of familial ties. Open communication, regular check-ins, and a commitment to professionalism are key elements in maintaining a harmonious and effective family business environment.
What advice would you give to other CEOs or founders of family businesses to help their employees to thrive?
My advice to fellow CEOs or founders of family businesses is to proactively manage expectations by individually understanding each team member’s goals and finding ways to support one another. Engaging in open and honest conversations, even if uncomfortable, is essential, especially when it comes to discussions about pay structure and bonuses. Operating as a cohesive family unit requires transparency, and it’s crucial not to make promises that cannot be kept, as family members, in particular, will remember and value integrity. Working together with clear communication and a shared commitment to everyone’s success fosters an environment where employees, whether family or not, can truly thrive.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean with a story or example?
1. Leadership is a big word! It comes with great responsibility. Part of leadership is to practice what you preach. If I’m leading others to do something I am then doing it too. Be Integrally with your words and acknowledge when you made a mistake.
2. Trust is huge, people need to know they can trust you!
3. Effective Communication is Key
4. Emotional Intelligence- As a leader you have to be able to be unaffected by other people’s opinions.
Here is our main question. What are the “5 Things You Need To Run A Highly Successful Family Business”? Please share a story or example for each.
1. Kind Communication: Effective and kind communication is crucial within our team and extends to how we interact with clients. I recall a situation where a client was dissatisfied with a service. Instead of defensive responses, we engaged in kind communication, understanding their perspective and finding solutions collaboratively. This approach not only resolved the issue but strengthened our client relationships.
2.Transparency: Transparency is a cornerstone, whether the news is good or challenging. In a tough scenario, we had to address negativity within the team. I initiated an uncomfortable conversation, emphasizing the need for change. By being transparent about the challenges, we collectively found solutions, fostering a more positive and productive work environment.
3. Leading By Example: As a CEO, embodying the values I expect from my team is non-negotiable. Recently, during a team project, I took on a task traditionally outside my role to demonstrate that no job is too small. Leading by example means consistently showing up, maintaining humility, and being open to learning, a principle integral to our team’s ethos.
4. Making the Journey Fun: Creating a fun workspace is paramount. During a team trip to New York, despite Adriana hitting every pothole, we turned mishaps into laughter. Whether it’s team-building exercises or finding humor in our mistakes, fostering a lighthearted atmosphere contributes to a stress-free work environment, allowing everyone to enjoy the journey.
5. Creating and Forging a Safe Workplace: Nurturing our team is akin to tending to seeds, ensuring growth and opportunity. Regardless of race, culture, or creed, we emphasize our shared humanity within the company. Acknowledging and appreciating each individual’s unique contributions creates a safe space where everyone feels valued, fostering a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
At the top of my list is Michelle Obama. I have immense admiration for her as a strong example of an elegant and virtuous woman, truly embodying the essence of becoming an unstoppable force. Her inspirational qualities, both inside and out, resonate deeply with me. A private breakfast or lunch with Michelle Obama would be a remarkable opportunity to gain insights into her life’s work, learn from her experiences, and be inspired by her journey. I believe her brilliance will continue to shine through her impactful contributions.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would expand and deepen the impact of our existing “Becoming An Unstoppable Women” movement, with a specific emphasis on empowering the younger generation. Targeting girls from elementary grades and beyond, this initiative aims to instill the belief that even little girls can be unstoppable, evolving into empowered and worthy individuals as they mature. The objective is to break the notion that the sky’s the limit; instead, we want young women to recognize their boundless potential. Other Corporations, with their expansive reach and significant audience engagement, should play an active role in teaching and empowering women from a young age through adulthood. We all should be fostering a generation of empowered, unstoppable women no matter the age.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sherisesstudios
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/sherisesstudios_llc/
Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-rises-studios/
Or visit our website at https://www.sherisesstudios.com/
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
Thank you so much for having me!
About The Interviewer: Jason Hartman is the Founder and CEO of Empowered Investor. Jason has been involved in several thousand real estate transactions and has owned income properties in 11 states and 17 cities. Empowered Investor helps people achieve The American Dream of financial freedom by purchasing income property in prudent markets nationwide. Jason’s Complete Solution for Real Estate Investors™ is a comprehensive system providing real estate investors with education, research, resources and technology to deal with all areas of their income property investment needs. Through Jason’s podcasts, educational events, referrals, mentoring and software to track your investments, investors can easily locate, finance and purchase properties in these exceptional markets with confidence and peace of mind.
Starting with very little, Jason, while still in college at the age of 19, embarked on a career in real estate. While brokering properties for clients, he was investing in his own portfolio along the way. Through creativity, persistence and hard work, he earned a number of prestigious industry awards and became a young multi-millionaire. Jason purchased a California real estate brokerage firm that was later acquired by Coldwell Banker. He combined his dedication and business talents to become a successful entrepreneur, public speaker, author, and media personality. Over the years he developed his Complete Solution for Real Estate Investors™ where his innovative firm educates and assists investors in acquiring prudent investments nationwide for their portfolio. Jason’s sought after educational events, speaking engagements, and his popular “Creating Wealth Podcast” inspire and empower hundreds of thousands of people in 189 countries worldwide.
While running his successful real estate and media businesses, Jason also believes that giving back to the community plays an important role in building strong personal relationships. He established The Jason Hartman Foundation in 2005 to provide financial literacy education to young adults providing the all-important real world skills not taught in school which are the key to the financial stability and success of future generations. We’re in a global monetary crisis caused by decades of misguided policies and the cycle of financial dependence has to be broken, literacy and self-reliance are a good start. Visit JasonHartman.com for free materials and resources.