Balancing Success
by
Kevin Craig
Esteem Magazine (Spring 2006)
 Farah Perelmuter radiates a contagious enthusiasm and a passion for life. She has mastered the art of balancing a rewarding career with a fulfilling family life. Known as one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs, Farah rates her family as her greatest achievement.
Farah, and her husband Martin Perelmuter, took an entrepreneurial leap of faith in June of 1995 when they founded Canada’s most innovative speaking agency—Speakers’ Spotlight. That same month, the couple quit their careers (Farah was an advertising executive, Martin a lawyer); they got married, and moved to a new house. Farah admits that others thought they were crazy for not settling for the security of their established careers, but says the shift put them in control of their own lives.
The gamble paid off. In their first year, the company broke even. Since then, Farah has been making a steady climb on Profit Magazine’s Canada’s Top 100 list of Women Entrepreneurs. Farah says that such kudos are great for marketing, but she fears others will discover she is not the corporate executive they think she is. “I suffer from imposter syndrome, as many women do.”
While studying the field of public speaking, Farah found that there were entrepreneurial opportunities, and spent a year researching the possibilities. Farah first envisioned representing and marketing about twenty speakers. She felt then, as she does now, that all types of corporations and organizations benefit from hosting forums where personal or professional development speakers share their knowledge and expertise.
Farah admits that the business is a labour of love. She is in awe of the amazing experts she represents and she, herself, enjoys the benefits of hearing such motivational speakers. Today, Speaker’s Spotlight has a stable of more than 400 speakers, far surpassing Farah’s original vision. These speakers understand Canadian business,
and their fees are a fraction of those charged by their American counterparts.
In a recent presentation for International Women’s Day at Ryerson University, Farah spoke about the importance of finding a balance in life. She admitted that she needs to spend a lot of time with her children, Jade and Cole, but that she also enjoys (and needs) the outlet that work provides.
She said women should be aware of their needs and allow for compromise
in their lives. “By letting go of control, you get [that balance],” says Farah, “If I spent all of my time at the office [the business] would be bigger, but that’s not me. I’d rather go for a walk with my kids. There is nothing more important than family.”
Giving back to the community is one of Farah’s passions. “It’s a wonderful way to increase your self-esteem and confidence. A lot of entrepreneurs look at the bottom line. They don’t realize the benefits attached to giving back to the community.”
Every March, Speakers’ Spotlight invites the public to their annual speaker showcase, providing them with an opportunity to be inspired by some of Canada’s leading speakers. Proceeds from these showcases have supported such organizations as the Ontario Literacy Coalition, the Make a Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics. In support of children battling cancer, Speakers’ Spotlight has changed the lives of many children by taking them to Toronto Raptor games, The Lion King, and other such events. They have also donated much-needed equipment to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and Farah encourages other entrepreneurs to get involved in their own communities. “It’s the best part of what I do,” she says.
As one of the top entrepreneurial women in the country, Farah is often asked how she measures her own success. “By how much balance you can achieve in your life,” says Farah. “Do what you can to be happy.” When asked about her proudest achievement to date, having two kind children tops the list. Concentrate on your strengths to reach the next level of success. “A strength makes you stronger and a weakness makes you weaker,” she says. “Do what you love and what you’re passionate about. Eventually, have others do the rest.”
Again, Farah stresses the importance of balance. “You have to know how your life needs to be, for your life to feel balanced. Accept help and learn to compromise. You can’t do everything on your own. And enjoy your life without feeling guilty.”
The staff of Speakers’ Spotlight has doubled in the past year, with new offices in Calgary and Vancouver. They now employ 15 women and 2 men. Of the female to male ratio, Farah jokes that she does all the hiring. She says the company is open to further expansion, sharing the company motto, “First find the people, and then find the jobs.” Farah will continue to hire the best in the industry, and sign on more exciting speakers. “There are no limits to where it can go from here.”
The Lawyer’s Weekly - June 17, 2009
Lawyer of the Week
The Toronto Star - March 16, 2009
Presidents don't always subscribe to free speech
Vancouver Sun - March 2, 2009
Football flash Rudy still drawing them in
Financial Post - February 21, 2009
Dubya's coming to Cowtown
MeetingsCanada.com - December 11, 2008
Speakers’ Spotlight CEO Named a Most Powerful Women in 2008
Press Release - November 27 2008
CEO of Speakers’ Spotlight One of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2008
MeetingsCanada.com - November 27, 2008
Speakers' Spotlight Wins Workplace Award
Press Release - November 2008
Speakers' Spotlight: More Than Just Talk
MSN Small Business - October 2008
Profile: Speakers' Spotlight
Millionairemom.com - October 2008
Millionaire Moms Audio Interview with Farah Perelmuter
Canadian Event Perspective - August 2, 2008
Defied Odds to Stay True to Their Dream...
Women's Post - July 11, 2008
Woman of the day
Bizbash.com - June 12, 2008
M.C.s Gone Wild - How to keep talent from going off-book and out-of-bounds
by Mimi O'Connor
Workopolis.com - April 28, 2008
4 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills
By Alan Kearns
CareerJoy.com - April 28, 2008
3 keys to a great speech Podcast
Montreal Gazette - April 07, 2008
Bill Clinton raking it in from Canadian public appearances
By Elizabeth Thompson
Alberta Venture - March, 2008
The Star Treatment
By Shannon Sutherland
AOL Canada - February 13, 2008
Couple Q&A:
Romance is....Notes on the Windshield, Bum Squeezes and Kids
By Sarah Treleaven
National Post - December, 2007
Gabbing with gracious gurus
By Shinan Govani,
Woman's Post - December, 2007
Farah Perelmuter: change to happiness
By Angela Trimmer
Midtown Town Crier - November, 2007
Midtown couple dreams their way to success
By Kelly Gadzala
National Post - September 29, 2007
Business owner by age nine, CEO proves an early start helps
By Libby Znaimer
Emprendedores
Speakers Spotlight, por hablar que no quede
Contemporary Business Communication
Business Presentations
By Scot Ober & Brad Quiring
Speaking Of Impact - Summer, 2007
Racing for ROI
By Michelle Ray, CSP
Progressive Choices - Winter/Spring, 2007
Making A Difference
By Cathy Watters
Progressive Choices
National Post - January 15, 2007
Confessions of Dynamic Duos
Running a business with your spouse
By Deena Waisberg
globeandmail.com - May 30, 2006
Married to the Job
By Sasha Nagy
Esteem Magazine - Spring 2006
Balancing Success
By Kevin Craig
The Globe and Mail - Sept. 29, 2004
Speakers' circuit not just talk
By Wallace Immen
WOMEN CAN DO ANYTHING (July 2004)
Let’s
Talk Business Interview
with Farah Perelmuter
INNOVATIVE PROGRESS (May 2004)
BUILD
BUZZ: 8 Keys to Entrepreneurial Success
by Martin Perelmuter, LL B.
SPEAKING OF IMPACT (Spring 2004)
A Tale
of Two Countries
by Martin Perelmuter, LL B.
In Conference
Supplement in The Globe and Mail - Spring 2004
Speaking Out Conferences Energized
by Successful Speakers
PROFITguide.com (October/November 2003)
How to fire your customers - Cutting
off paying customers sounds counterproductive, but it can actually
help you grow
THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS (Nov 13, 2002)
At Bridges to Business symposium - Don't quit
entrepreneurs told
MPI Newsbytes (Volume 9, Issue 27 02 July 2002)
Canadian Speakers Circuit Flying High
by
Funmi Okunbolade
Profit Magazine (June, 2002)
Heroes for Hard Times:Canada's Fastest-Growing
Companies point the way to survival and success
Profit Magazine (June, 2002)
Trends: How to Introduce a Speaker
The Globe and Mail: In Conference Magazine (Spring, 2002)
Talking About Success: The Speaking Industry
The National Post (Monday March 19, 2001)
Site helps track down celebrity speakers
by Marjo Johne
Canadian Jewish News (August 3rd, 2000)
Young Couple's Speakers' Agency Thrives
by Sheldon Kirshner
The Calgary Herald (April 22, 2000)
Mount Everest Climb Shared on Internet
by Michelle Simick
The Generator (November, 1999)
Focus
on Success
by Amy Harder
Royal Bank - Today's Entrepreneur (First Aired: March 29,
1999)
Partners in business and life
Home Business Report (Summer, 1999)
Speakers, Service and Spousal Partners:
Couple brings celebrities to Canadian events
by E.T. (Mitch) Lenko
Globe and Mail (Monday, January 11, 1999)
Couple Builds Agency on Soapbox,
by Jeff Brooke
The National Post (Monday, December 21, 1998)
When Your Partner is Your Business,
by Laura Fowlie
The Western Alumni Magazine (September, 1998)
"Well Spoken",
by Jeff Brooke
The Toronto Star (May 25, 1998)
Thinking Big - Agency puts speakers in spotlight
by Michael Schultz
Association - Canada's Association Management Magazine
(December/January, 1997/1998)
Best Speaker Bets: 1998 Forecast
The Meeting Professional (December, 1997)
"Beyond Boundaries: Speaking Across Cultural Boundaries",
by Martin Perelmuter
The Financial Post Magazine (January, 1997)
"Power Talks",
by John Greenwood
The Toronto Sun (August 18, 1996)
"Two by Two: Lessons for Couples Living and Working
Together",
by Sandy Naiman
Association Magazine (June/July, 1996)
"Helpful Hints on Booking a Speaker",
by Farah Perelmuter
The Toronto Star (November 27, 1995)
"'Canadian' the New Word in Public Speaking",
by Oscar Rojo
|
