Empowerment in Entrepreneurship
Interview with Aya Shlachter
Aya Shlachter is the CEO and founder of MG Shlachter (MGS) an architectural consulting firm, MGS Graphics a graphics production firm with offices in the U.S. and the Philippines, and co-founder of Tabléa Chocolate, a chocolate manufacturing company and café chain in the Philippines. Aya maintains an active presence in these business ventures, and recently took on the role of design director in Armson Corporation, a family-owned holding company vested in media, real estate, manufacturing and hospitality. In this role, Aya leads the design team for all commercial projects.
Her role as a respected businesswoman and thought leader did not go unrecognized in Cleveland. She was invited by John Carroll University in 2018 to join its Women’s Advisory Council. In 2020, Aya was invited to join the LaunchNET Advisory Board for Kent State University.
It was a venue to share her knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship to help develop business programs for students.
Being a serial female entrepreneur and a noted business expert is but a part of her daily activities. She remains balanced by practicing a lifestyle of health and wellness. Quality time with her husband and two children, however, is where she draws her strength from.
Below is a short interview of her personal journey, value system and insights:
Keeping track of three businesses in two countries must be very demanding of your time, how do you prepare for work?
I meticulously plan my days down to the very hour and when necessary, to the minute. It keeps my long and medium term goals aligned with my short term plans.
This sounds very intentional and focused. How does it translate to decisions affecting your companies?
Planning is important because it helps me see the big picture and what it potentially takes to hit our targets. I cannot do it alone. Fortunately, I have the backing of a strong leadership team during crucial stages of the decision-making process. Through it all, I am guided by my value system.
Can you share what your value system is comprised of?
There is simplicity and power in the Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
This has helped me forge excellent business relationships and grow my network. My career and material pursuits must however yield to health and wellness. Exercise and proper nutrition has provided clear benefits in all areas in my life.
It has allowed me to become a better wife, mother, friend and leader. I am able to have more energy to spend additional time with my family, parents and myself.
Finally, I value generosity. I am a servant leader and always prioritize my people before myself. My dad has ingrained in me the idea of living with an open and giving hand. If you live your life with a closed fist and are selfish, you will never receive blessings from people. In other words, generosity is the key to success. Help people all the time without expecting anything in return.
How did you hone and develop your skills? It appears that your childhood is a good place to start.
I was not the outgoing type or as academically inclined as a young girl in the Philippines. My severe asthma also kept me from participating in physical activities. Growing up as a second child in a family of intellectuals and leaders in our community exerted a certain amount of pressure as well.
It was my parents that helped me push past my perceived weaknesses through my interests in art, music and creativity. My competitive drive propelled me to accept impediments as challenges. I was eventually able to join marathons and triathlete events despite my asthma as well as pursue my architecture degree abroad.
Studying in another country must have posed a new set of challenges for you.
Yes, it did. I was 19 years old when I went to the U.S. for my architecture degree. I missed my friends and family dearly but had to remain focused on my purpose there. The accompanying culture shock and homesickness of being in a foreign country only helped strengthen my resolve.
Graduate school was ever tougher. I went to an Ivy League graduate school where everyone is super smart and competitive (all type-A personalities). We worked in groups all the time, and that’s a serious challenge when everyone wants to be the leader. Plus, I was the youngest in my grad program which made my experience more difficult emotionally and intellectually. It was no place to be passive or shy. Aided by my innate competitiveness, this experience further helped me come out of my shell and become a better leader.
Focus, planning and balance appears to be some of the essential aspects in your life. Can you provide an example on how you utilize these traits?
I am a big planner. Every year, I establish 8 to 10 personal and professional goals. Some are aspirational goals and are very challenging and difficult to achieve, while the others are committed goals that can be achieved over a period of time.
Once my goals are set, I use the Full Focus Planner together with the Bullet Journal method to create monthly, weekly and daily plans to keep me focused and intentional about reaching those yearly goals. I list out my “Big Daily Three” – my three most important tasks each day – and make sure these are met. I am notorious for planning my days by the hour ... even by the minute.
Not everyone is able to plan their professional life and their personal life. How do you allocate your time when at home?
One-on-one quality time with each member of my family is key. I like to plan out-of-town trips with my daughter, a movie or ice cream with my son and date nights with my husband. The kids won’t remember how many hours I worked or how many business trips I took when they were little, but they will remember our quality time and bonding experiences.
I make it a point to be there for my children when they come home from school. Being with them gives me my strength and keeps my heart full. Having your own business provides this flexibility and I take advantage of it whenever I can.
Do you have a particular style of parenting?
My husband and I practice an authoritative parenting style. We encourage communication with the children and respect what they think of certain topics. It helps them develop their own beliefs and act more independently.
This does not mean, however, that they are free to do whatever they want. There are still rules which must be followed and at times, strictly enforced.
We also give the children some leeway to discover things on their own. There is no need to plan every moment of their day. They become more creative this way since they are free to pursue their interests. It is probably due to how my parents raised me, for which I am always grateful for.
Much of your time is spent on your businesses and with your family. How do you allocate the rest for yourself?
There is plenty left over if you remain consistent and intentional with your actions. I am able to visit the gym in the morning, have regular massages and read a book before going to bed at night. Like anybody, I also enjoy watching an episode or two on Netflix if there is anything good on.
It seems you have found your formula for success. How do you remain hungry and motivated to grow?
My value system calls on me to live a life with an open and giving hand, instilled by my father. This in turn, calls upon me to assist fresh graduates and out of work individuals to find employment. It is possible for them to find good paying jobs through the companies I am a part of. I seek to employ as many as I can and will need to find ways to expand my business interests to continue to make this possible.
When it comes to my clientele, I aim to increase their capabilities and accelerate the advancement of their own businesses through my services.
How do you arrive at important decisions which affect your company?
A mentor once told me that success is not years away – it’s decisions away.
I recognize that the success of the business depends on my mindset as the leader. I must think clearly – but not overthink – while keeping up with a rapidly changing business environment. I also recognize that any decisions I make will affect my family and employees.
I always look at the big picture and long-term effects on the company and my people to see whether my decisions align with my values. I take calculated risks and trust my instincts. I also have a strong leadership team that helps me process my options. This formula has worked for me.
How can your success as a female entrepreneur and thought leader encourage young women and teenagers to pursue their dreams?
Approaching life with a growth mindset has been highly beneficial for me. I did not let any of my early impediments weigh me down and instead, used them to learn where I must improve.
Failures and weaknesses are chances for you to develop your strengths to eventually achieve success. Do not back down from these challenges.
It is true that you must work hard to achieve your dreams but do it smartly or you will waste a lot of time.
Be patient, focused and deliberate in your actions. As the noted American author Adam Grant stated, “You plant the seeds of greatness in your daily grind.”
What is your definition of being empowered and poised?
Always be confident and secure regardless of the situation you are in. Embrace the amazing journey that your life path is on.
Know that you have the power to change its course by being intentional with how you spend your time and who you spend it with.
I love life – it’s been an amazing journey that I continue to embrace. Enjoy. Do not take yourself too seriously and celebrate every milestone.
