December 16th, 2009
Inspirational Women: Six Questions with Entrepreneur Aurea Crotty
Give us your “Elevator” Speech as to WHO you are and WHAT it is that you do for a “living”. And how should we “know” you?
I help women realize their full potential by providing a community both online and offline that provides support, mentorship and inspiration to help them achieve personal and professional success.
I am the founder of Savoir Faire Professionals Inc. a revolutionary personal and professional development community specifically catering to women in their 20’s and 30’s.
I am also the founder of PrettySavvy.com / .ca an online magazine promoting personal and professional development in women 20’s and 30’s.
After working in the advertising world for several years, I was clear that I did not want to work in the corporate world for anyone any longer. I wanted desperately to do something that would provide a sense of fulfillment, a sense of purpose and that would allow me to be in control of my life and vision.
My vision was and still is to contribute something to this world that will help make it a better place (tissue please!). Our time here is short and I want to make it the best experience I can not only for myself but for those around me.
As my dissatisfaction for the corporate world grew and my desire to leave it consumed me, my mother who was in breast cancer remission, was given 6 months to live. It actually ended up being less than 3 and in that time I quit my job to be by her side as she transitioned from this life to the next.
My mothers passing filled me with a sadness that has been unparallel to anything else I have ever experienced. It was also the most powerful and life changing experience to actually watch the transition of life into afterlife.
Since that moment I have become acutely aware that I have one chance at this life and I want to make it the best life possible. I know the material things we can consume our lives with have no value or meaning in the end (that’s not to say I don’t love my shoes –lol). I want to consume my life with relationships and experiences of impact, meaning, and love - the things I know I can take with me for eternity.
After my mothers passing I decided to take control of my life and began a “life audit”, looking at times in my life I felt “in my element” where I felt a sense of peace and true excitement and fulfillment. I was using my soul to find my passion and not my head.
I believe the answer to our soul’s happiness lies within us and the clues to uncovering it lies in our life experiences. We remember these experiences with fondness and excitement…. they are imprinted within us so strongly that we cannot forget them. By going back to those moments in our lives and analyzing why they meant so much to us, and what it was in those experiences that fueled us –we begin to uncover who we are and what we’re passionate about.
My life audit showed me that I was a natural leader, planner and mentor. I was and still am fascinated by communication and the unconscious minds effect on our life. I am a philosopher at heart who despite my down days (I am human after all) is an eternal optimist.
I began by my entrepreneurial life as a personal brand coach focusing on the psychology of communication, specifically understanding image as an integral part of human psyche and launched Coutura Consulting.
Since starting my business in 2005, I have worked with hundreds of women and became increasingly aware of the struggles they face in their careers and the need for balance.
It was clear that many young women didn’t have mentors, lack confidence, and craved help in building their careers. Knowing how important these pieces were to my own success, I wanted to find a way to inspire young professionals to take the necessary action in achieving their goals.
Enter Dorothy my mentor!
I met Dorothy at a networking event, she was the keynote speaker and was fabulous. Everything about her moved me. She radiated…I felt a connection and wanted to learn more about her and her life.
Dorothy agreed to meet me for Coffee (I had tea) and in the brief time we spent together she transformed my career and life! In the few yet very poignant questions she asked, a picture of my life began to unfold and the possibilities for my potential unveiled… it was a trip!
And now I had to do something about it!
In Dorothy I found a mentor, she was and continues to be a very big part of my life. The gift a mentor brings is that of wisdom and motivation. My learning really was in letting myself BE mentored and realizing that success cannot be attained on my own, I needed to rely on others to help me (this was a big deal for me, because I have always been of the mind that I will do it myself). By opening myself up I allow life to happen, by giving to others and allowing others to give to me I create a synergy of energy with people that is very powerful.
Savoir Faire Professionals Inc was born. Along with Pretty Savvy.
I feel very confident and blessed knowing that I have found my calling. Through SFPinc and Pretty Savvy I inspire and motivate women to become more confident –I help guide them in their life journey. I create an open and engaging learning environment, which instills thought, love, and passion.
What is your personal “motto” or “mission statement”?
Love your life today
Dream big for tomorrow
Become who you are meant to be
Besides your business, what are you passionate about?
So much! I love the arts (all kinds) and books.
The mind and soul –the human experience
I am passionate about the possibilities which exist within all of us once we abandon fear.
I am passionate about creating a world of peace and social concisionsness.
I am passionate about embracing my life as a precise gift and amercing myself in all of life’s opportunities.
What advice would you give to other women wanting to follow your career path?
- Love what you do! Being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 gig truly –you sleep it, breath it, eat it, it is in everything you do… it is a level of accountability and responsibility that is so personal that only true passion can take you through the ups and downs (and it does get nutty).
- If your can think it and feel it –it’s right for you!
If you can just think it - probably not right for you. - Surround yourself with the best –don’t waste your time with people or things that drag you down.
- Be open to the journey –listen to your soul not your head…as long as you feel you are on the right path, then you are exactly where you are meant to be –don’t try and figure it all out, you can’t.
- Have a mentor
- Do what inspires you! Not what you think others will be inspired by.
- There is no such thing as competition! You are unique and who you attract to your business will be exclusive to you.
Pimp yourself! Where can we find you on the web, in bookstores, at the movies, on TV, etc?
