Carolyn Lawrence is the president and CEO of Women of Influence Inc., a company dedicated to the advancement of professional women through the production of national events  and a magazine, designed to inspire and celebrate as well as create mentoring opportunities.

What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?

There is no typical Thursday.  Last Thursday I woke at 6:45am to the sweet babbles of my 6 month old.  Days start with breakfast for baby Jack, then me, then I head to work for 8:30am, race through 3-4 meetings on marketing the fall event season, hiring a new director, flushing out year-end financials and then taping an interview with one of the Top 25 Women of influence for the Winter Issue of the Magazine and our 2nd annual ranking.  My time in the office is always full of meetings – internal and external, phone calls, a litany of emails and one of these days I will find time to do the follow up work from all those great meetings.  I strive to be back out the door by 4pm so I can spend my favourite window of time with babe, 5-7pm, to go for a walk with him and my partner, and bath time, which is the best!  Once that’s done I eat dinner and if I’m lucky make it to bed before falling asleep on the couch.  It didn’t use to be this way.  Thursday’s used to mean I would go out to Reds or Bymark, or even One… not anymore!  Sigh.  

What was your first job out of school?

Marketing Assistant at TD Waterhouse.  Loved it!  Had a great female boss. 

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Traits: a lot of Passion, energy & grace under fire
Skills: Sales, Leadership and operations
But best is to know where your gaps are and make sure you are covered! 

What do you love most about your career?

Everything.  Meeting inspiring women who’ve done it, helping eager women who want to and learning along the way. 

Do you have any warnings?

Call me, or someone else experienced, before you take over a business from its founder.  There are risks to consider, that I didn’t.  Could save you some grief. 

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

Ski instructor. (I don’t ski enough and I love it!)