Beedie Luminaries Mentor Spotlight: Paola Yawney
“When overwhelmed, take it one step / segment at a time.” Meet Beedie Luminary Mentor, Paola Yawney
Work Title / Company:
Director of Business Development / Balfour Pacific Capital Inc.
Why did you decide to become a mentor with Beedie Luminaries?
I’ve had many mentors in my life and have benefited greatly from them. I wanted to give back, particularly to those who don’t have some of the advantages I’ve been blessed with.
What was your favourite subject in school?
Business & Finance. I was fascinated with the different aspects of business, how they work together to create value and how they impact peoples’ lives.
What was your first job? What was your biggest takeaway from that experience?
Wholesaling pomelos in my early teens. I didn’t need that allowance after all! I also learned that trust and reputation are those soft aspects of business that are oh, so important.
What are the three qualities that got you where you are today?
- Discipline 2. Reliability 3. A sense of humour.
Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?
Entering Engineering (a quota degree) in university and having to leave the cohort in exchange for a passing mark in a critical math subject. Ouch! I had to recalibrate, which led me to a Business degree and where I am today.
What book(s) have greatly influenced your life?
In order of age, and my takeaways:
- Little Red Riding Hood – Trust your gut. Don’t end up in someone else’s. Ha!
- The Little Prince – It’s not all about numbers. This made me feel better about not finishing Engineering 😉. Lots of other good lessons, including take care of the planet. We don’t have others to fall back on.
- The Swerve – Never be overconfident about your beliefs. Be wary of thinking you have it all figured out. Chances are, you haven’t.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
Never the Prettiest or the Smartest: How I Overcame My Shortcomings (and Discovered New Ones!)
What advice would you give to post-secondary students as they prepare to transition into the working world?
Be a few minutes early for meetings. Be mindful of how people’s names are spelled and pronounced. Read and re-read your emails / work! When overwhelmed, take it one step / segment at a time. Take notes.
What / where is your happy place?
Anywhere and everywhere. For me, happiness is a state of mind. But if you must insist on one – at home, where my family (and dog) are.
What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?
To grow old happy, healthy and fulfilled.
