We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristina Swift a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristina , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
I have 3 businesses.
First Serendipity Executive Search which I started 3 years ago after being corporate sales executive for many years building high performance teams. I love the definition of Serendipity – “the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy and beneficial way” Companies hire me to find top talent to join their management teams. Many times the candidates are not looking for a new opportunity when I connect with them. It is incredibly rewarding playing a part in career match making when it leads to a bigger title with more responsibility and higher compensation and a very happy client who found exactly what they were looking for in a candidate.
www.serendipityexecutivesearch.com
Serendipity Smiles is my laser teeth whitening business. Every client leaves feeling happy and more confident about their smile. There is no bad day in this business and the before and after pics say it all, A chance meeting that leads to a positive outcome……..Serendipity.
www.serendipity-smiles.com
Lastly, Bark and Lather is our mobile grooming business that is 3 years strong. I really wanted the name, the logo, the brand and the website to resonate with dog lovers around the valley. Christian Toraya, our Manager has done an incredible job building strong, loving customer relationships with our clients and all the fur babies that we consider family.
www.barkandlather.com
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have spent my career as a corporate sales executive with amazing companies like Avon Products, Stella & Dot, Isagenix to name a few. In these roles I have built strong teams that supported entrepreneurs in building part time and full time income streams. I saw every day the power of entrepreneurship allowing people to have flexibility to raise their children, put them through college, travel the world, buy a house or literally just put food on the table, At this stage of my life I was craving time freedom to do more on my terms and create limitless income.
When I decided to start my own business I wanted to continue to make a difference in peoples lives and leverage all the relationships I have built throughout my career with companies and key decision makers.
One of the most important things I try to do is really understand what companies are looking for not just in skills/experience but also who will be a good culture fit. Conversely with candidates I try to steer them towards opportunities that will enhance their career, maximize their experience and improve their earning trajectory. When the two collide into the perfect match, it is Serendipity!
This is a testimonial from a candidate I just placed:
“I am thrilled and blessed to have worked with Kristina who found me a job that not only offers a great work/life balance, but provides long term career growth opportunities. The added bonus of mentorship from a successful CEO, a larger scope role, and challenges that will elevate my personal and professional development. Kristina was urgent, responsive, transparent and most of all, had my best interest the entire process. It was seamless and I appreciate her dedication and hard work finding the perfect fit for me”
-Oliver Dibblee, Vice President of Sales
In terms of Bark and Lather, we have a really great backstory. Our Manager, Christian Toraya was my sons college room mate and best friend at Grand Canyon University. Christian and his 2 brothers were raised by an amazing single mom but things were never easy financially for their family. When he graduated he was going to have to back to California with no great job prospects. I decided to team up with him to start a business that he could count on. He went off to grooming school and learned the trade and I worked on the branding and marketing as well as our custom vans. Now, 3 years later, lots of loyal clients, we have 2 more groomers that he oversees as well as the day to day business.
Christian has since gotten married to his college sweetheart right in our Scottsdale backyard and we continue to grow the business together.
Serendipity Smiles is my fun business, and I loved building this brand through really great reviews and referrals.
I love making people happy and hearing the joy in their voice when they look in the mirror after 50 minutes with me. It is amazing what a bright, white smile can do for people.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
People need to feel appreciated, valued and recognized. It’s the little things. When they do something well – tell them and be specific instead of just saying “great job” – what was great about it and why?
Give all the credit away! Give others credit for success and wins.
Surprise and delight when they expect it and least expect it.
Honor them on their birthday, holidays and sprinkle in a few “just because” moments.
Time with you not just gifts is really important. Your undivided attention.
Always ask for opinions and ideas to evolve and improve the way you work together as well as new business tactics.
If you can, help them when they need help. People fall on hard times and unexpected situations and if you can provide a solution that allows them to manage through those times you will have a very loyal employee.
Being a mentor means also having the hard conversations. Giving honest and transparent feedback in a respectful way means you care about their success and want to make sure they are the best version of themselves at work.
Team building activities are really great and people get to know each other outside of work and can strengthen the team bond.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think results builds your reputation. The more successful placements I do, the more I get. The more smile make-overs I do, the more appointments I get as a result from referrals. Showcase your results on social, linked in, website – all the channels where your target customer is.
Tell people’s stories – we all love a great success story.
Always having an “at your service” attitude” especially when it is difficult will build your reputation in a positive way.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Angela Marie Photography