We chat with the founder of International Women In Business (IWIB) which connects women in business all around the world. IWIB has grown to a large membership of women who not only have business in common but also a spirit of positivity. Sarah Lofthouse Pavlou has a passion for not only helping businesses but helping women in business reach new heights. On a daily basis, she creates environments in business that thrive and supportive environments for women to thrive by connecting with others just like them. There are simply some women you just need to know and well… Sarah’s one of them.
Minus business, who is Sarah the woman?
Behind the scenes of my business life I am a very proud Mum of two beautiful little boys aged 4 and 7. I am also married to the most incredibly patient and supportive husband from Cyprus who stands next to all the ambitious decisions I make and together we work hard to ensure a balanced and happy lifestyle, trying our very best not to neglect any part of our life, which is as you can imagine, not always easy.
I am a person who generally believes that where there is a will, there is always a way to do anything you want, whatever the situation. I take great joy in encouraging those I work with, train, consult and indeed my children, to adopt the same mindset, which in turn builds confidence, drive and determination to invest in themselves, manage their time ( kids not quite yet) and pursue anything they put their minds to. “We have one life to live, so let’s live it!”
Tell us about your interest in the arts and/or music? Did this experience prepare you in anyway for your current endeavors?
I grew up as an active member of the Girl Guides Association for 14 years, and during such time I represented the UK in Canada’s worldwide Jamboree Camp at the age of 14 with 3000 Girl Guides from across the globe. Later at the age of 15 I represented the UK as part of the Tall Ships Race, onboard for two weeks with 40 other girls where we as teams supported the operations of the boat.
I was a committed member of my local village Church where I sang in the choir for 10 years and at the same time I was part of the school Orchestra, a local Scuba Diving Club, played the piano and clarinet whilst loving the world of art, regularly attending art classes outside of school.
All these incredible experiences developed in me the confidence, social skills, teamwork, ability to think out of the box, inspiration, motivation and beyond anything else the passion for making a difference and experiencing life to it’s fullest.
Fundamentally being part of a creative community as a child laid the foundations for the working world to strive to become a leader, a successful team player and a problem solver with a ‘can do’ attitude.
With your experience in cultivating companies in the growth of their sales, marketing etc., what company-if you could pick one- would you love to get your hands on and why?
My business works with International Retail Expansion and Brand Management and one brand I would be delighted to have the opportunity to work with is the House of Fraser department store. This is a brand with heritage and is historically renowned for its high quality product and customer experience, providing an elegant shopping environment and one that I believe is so very important to maintain within the high street. Now in the hands of investors, the world is House of Frasers Oyster and the opportunities for growth and international presence is incredibly exciting.
How do you consistently develop new ways to network and expand your territory? How do you make real connections with those networks as they grow?
Networking starts with the willingness to reach out to others, to be authentic and transparent in your approach and not to be afraid to share and at the same time ask.
It is important that when networking, you dedicate quality time to networking. Often the process of connecting with others is mis-understood as an invitation to connect on Linkedin, a follow on Twitter or the swopping of business cards at a networking event; however this is just the beginning.
Are you willing to take the time to invest in others, learn about others, really listen to others and consciously go out of your way to support others with connections, opportunities, guidance and support… this is networking and this how real connections are formed… by being consistent, honest and reliable whilst being willing to give before looking to get.
When you first founded IWIB (International Women in Business) what was your original mission. Did that change and evolve since starting?
IWIB was founded based on the need to connect with like minded women in business who recognize the importance of investing in themselves and others to bring about positive change both in their personal and professional lives.
I started this process by being fundamentally what many had told me was a weakness all my life yet something I was sure would one day prove a strength and that was being open, honest and often vulnerable.
In taking the decision to leave my position as a CEO of a major UK retailer based in Cyprus and launching my own retail consultancy, I began expressing the lessons learnt, the challenges overcome, the times of complete despair with that of others which brought sheer joy and over whelming happiness whilst holding that all important ‘top’ position I had spent a lifetime aiming to achieve; and all this took place on a Linkedin group online.
After two years we now stand with more than 1500 Members across the globe who together embrace our six values of IWIB, sharing, learning, inspiring, empowering and investing in one another to bring about positive change.
Post launching our own networking platform almost one year ago and addressing the needs of our incredible members we are now furthering the benefits for our Members. We intend to bring greater exposure for those entrepreneurs, increase the learning resources for those seeking professional development, mentor those seeking advice on where best to take their professional future, and for those many senior executives and business owners who are passionate about connecting with like minded women in business and acting as key persons of influence, paying forward their experiences to those growing in the business world, we bring a premium membership opportunity later this year.
What we set out to do evolves everyday as we meet more and more incredibly inspiring International Women in Business and whilst we remain close to our market we are able to further the growth and development of both our Members and ourselves at IWIB furthering the opportunities for us all to grow together.
What experience(s) do you think connects you to the other women that you bring together?
The subject matters I and we discuss together on IWIB are vast and take place daily and hourly on many occasions; however in general we all carry the common connection of the ambition and drive to make a difference whether that be for ourselves or indeed others in both the personal and professional arena.
There is that continuous challenge of a work life balance and we all accept and acknowledge that through learning and listening to others, we only grow and greater our chances for making even more of a difference in our own lives and indeed those around us.
It is the openness, the authenticity and ability to be real and express real life situations that has encouraged those within our Organisation to connect and feel part of a ‘safe’ environment where one can feel proud and comfortable as a woman in business whilst also feeling comfortable to express themselves.
Giving, sharing, investing, learning, listening, and so on, all within a non judgmental environment; we are able to work together as a global team where together everyone achieves more. TEAM.
Any success stories that you recall that make you particularly proud?
For me the most successful moments in my life where I have felt so incredibly proud are where I have had the opportunity to support the growth of another individuals confidence, giving them the power, passion and determination to fulfil their dreams and pursue their goals against all odds. This is something I pursue through IWIB and at the same time through my Retail consultancy whilst growing not only a business but the most important part of a business, its people.
You mention you enjoy spending time with your children telling as well as writing children’s stories. Is this something you have published and if not do you see publishing children’s stories in your future?
I have not yet got a book published but it has been an ambition of mine for many years. I do have a book series in mind of which I hope to pursue within the next year.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love the outdoors and walking the hills is probably the most relaxing hobby in my life at the moment. However being honest, I don’t always make enough time to embrace these moments, something I must work harder at prioritizing in my life. Ass like many of us women in business there is that tendency to love our work so much that it starts not only to be our profession but our pastime too.
What do you value the most in your day to day life?
Believe it or not, QUIET. Moments of complete silence, to leave my mind to rest and recharge.
Find out more about IWIB and Sarah online at www.iwib.org or via Social Media :
Facebook: @facebook.com/internationalwomeninbusiness
Twitter: @iwibnetwork
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/IWIB-International-Women-In-Business-4408775/about
