Born and raised in South Africa, Jo-Anne has lived all over the world and most recently has called Calgary, AB home for the past 11 years.
Jo-Anne has an executive MBA from McGill University, has attended Google HQ for women’s symposiums in the past and comes from an extensive corporate background in business administration, legal, and executive management.
Jo-Anne’s love for health, fitness and fancy cocktails became the inspiration behind Sexy AF. This is Jo-Anne’s most successful business startup to date.
Where did the idea for Sexy AF Spirits come from?
Sexy AF Spirits idea came from a girls trip i went on, sitting in Pebble Beach and seeing how socially excluded my girlfriends felt that didnt drink alcohol and they had limited choices to water, pop, tea or coffee. The more research i did, the more i found that people are not drinking for a variety of reasons whether its for health reasons, pregnancy or religious reasons. The sober curious movement is growing.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Every day is so different! From branding and marketing, zoom calls, deliveries and social media, as an entrepreneur we wear many hats and work crazy hours.
How do you bring ideas to life?
By putting them into action, along with hard work and dedication. Don’t spend too much time on perfection or else you will run into the “paralysis by analysis” issue.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The sober curious movement and alcohol free cocktails that actually taste great and look Sexy AF.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Making sure I take some time for myself. We tend to hustle and grind so hard that we can hit burnout really fast. Carving time out for self development, relaxing, spending time with family and friends is very important.
What advice would you give your younger self?
To have more confidence my abilities and to always ask…. there is no harm in asking questions, asking for favours, asking for advice, you name it.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
That i put ice in my white wine and it doesnt get watery ?!
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Read books, continuous education.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Show don’t tell. If you want to try something or have an idea, show it and present it rather than just talk about it. The proof is in the pudding with putting strategies into place and having them work.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Taking a failure personally. We need to fail fast, accept it, learn from it, and move on. I have learnt to never dwell on past failures.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Find a way to limit online shopping for stuff we want but don’t actually need. The system will shut you out for 24 hours and that will give you the time to decided if you actually need it or just want it for the sake of wanting it. Think how much money you could save not buying random stuff you dont actually need!
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
It would have to be groceries as i love to bake and cook up a storm when im not working Sexy AF Spirits.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
I would have to say HubSpot. The integration to our Sexy AF Spirits website is very cool and we use it as a great CRM system. And its Free!
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Jab, Jab, Jab Right Hook by Gary Vee. Gary goes above and beyond to help entrepreneurs find their voice and encourages us to be our unique, authentic selves and that kindness will always go along way so dont worry about negativity and what people think of you.
What is your favorite quote?
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. ” —Aristotle
Key Learnings:
- Have the courage to bring your ideas to life and don’t be afraid of failing.
- Take the time to read and learn each and every day during your entrepreneurial journey.
- Be your self! Don’t fake it till you make it. Just make it by being YOU.
- Make sure of free resources from social media platforms to apps there are so many free resources out there.
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.