Sophia Kabler

Title:Founder

Company: Lift, Inc.

Education: University of Southern California B.S. - Finance

URL: http://www.liftwomen.com

Successful Executive turned Entrepreneur...
Read this exclusive Up Close & Virtualu® Interview with Sophia Kabler, an experienced, successful executive turned entrepreneur. Driven by the idea of making quality personal development and training accessible and affordable to all women, Ms. Kabler founded Lift, Inc. Here she offers her insights and professional strategies for success! Read the interview...

Tell us briefly about your company, your area of expertise, responsibilities.
I began my career at The Clorox Company in Marketing where I spent ten years and rose to the position of Group Marketing Manager. In addition to working within marketing, I also led a company-wide restructuring initiative, worked internationally and held a sales position. I left Clorox for a more entrepreneurial venture where I served as VP of Strategic Alliances. Homestore.com became the top online real estate portal and was taken public in September of 1999. Driven by the idea of making executive-caliber training accessible and affordable to all women, I founded Lift in July, 2003.

Describe a day in your professional life...
After saying I would never do it again, I find myself back in the early days of a start-up. My days vary immensely...from working with top experts in their fields to develop Lift workshop programming, meeting with the marketing team, leading workshops and paying the bills. I love it! I find it incredibly rewarding to see Lift’s members make meaningful progress toward achieving their personal visions.

How is technology impacting the nature of your work and how you do your work?
Technology makes Lift possible. Without the internet, electronic payment processing and small business software and networking solutions, Lift could not provide the caliber of coaching that it does for our members. Lift batches members’ monthly payments overnight automatically once a month keeping overhead costs low. Members are able to access the website to review workshop profiles, download materials and view the schedule of upcoming workshops. This would be cumbersome and expensive in the old paper world.

Tell us about your international business experience and what advice you’d have for those looking to work abroad?
I worked internationally for almost 2 years during my career at Clorox. It was one of the best experiences of my life and career. If you are serious about working abroad, learn the language. Also, become clear as to what you offer that would be added value to the markets abroad.

Has Higher Education been important in your career path? What educational advice would you give to viewers?
I am rare in that I do not have an MBA. My peers at Clorox were MBA graduates from top schools. All of them were very sharp people. My experience has been that at the end of the day, it is the person who makes the difference that advances. MBA’s alone will not make it happen for you in the business world. I do strongly advocate continuing professional development throughout your career. It makes a tremendous difference.

"Achieving success --however you define it-- is not a secret, its a process. I want more women to know the formula!"

-- Sophia Kabler

What advice would you give to potential job applicants to help them succeed in the ever-changing marketplace?
Three pieces of advice: Make sure your resume and interviewing skills are strong. Warm leads are always better than cold. Research the company. Additionally, I believe two skills are increasingly setting people apart: Communication and Adaptability. Industries are developing and maturing at a faster and faster rate. The top performers of today and tomorrow must be able to simply and persuasively articulate new concepts. Equally important, in order to succeed one must develop the ability to detect the oncoming changes and adapt in order to continue to add value.

What challenges have you faced in business because you are a woman? Share your strategies for overcoming them.
The challenges would be too numerous to mention and probably obvious. Humor served me well. Don’t isolate. Take the time to go to lunch and develop relationships with those that are in a position to help you develop professionally.

How do you maintain balance in your life? Or do you?!
The first step is to understand that you are better at anything you choose to do if you are personally balanced. I used to think that I would perform better if I worked an extra hour...now I know I am better if I go for that run.

Favorite Quote:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." -1994 Inaugural Speech by Nelson Mandelau

Three pieces of advice for Job Seekers. Make sure your resume and interviewing skills are strong. Warm leads are always better than cold. Research the company.

--Sophia Kabler

Thank you Sophia Kabler for sharing your insights and experience!

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