Kelly Stickel, President and Founder of Remodista

Chicago-based Kelly Stickel, a leader at the 21^st century intersection of brick-and-mobile commerce, is the President and Founder of Remodista.  Remodista is a distinctly up-to-the-minute venture, connecting the most influential and results-oriented executives with inventive, exciting retail commerce solutions. These solutions are critical to producing the most seamless, easy-to-use mobile and digital formats for customers around the globe.

Kelly is passionate about understanding the needs of the worldwide consumer, the newest directions in technology, how trends and ripple effects in businesses drive change, and the behavioral shifts of today’s customer, due to the vast use of mobile technology.

With so many projects, Kelly is most definitely the person to ask, “How do you stay focused?”  Her simple answer: “By choosing to do so.” This risk-taking entrepreneur would rather try and fail than not try at all, and says she likes moments of self-doubt.  Why not? For Kelly, they are reminders to reflect, then stand up straight and move forward.  Her creative and mentoring side extends beyond business: she also works as a mosaic artist and teaches classes in the community.

Who are your heroes?
Women who are “change agents”: Billie Jean King, Gloria Steinem, Oprah Winfrey, Hilary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Angela Ahrendts [former CEO of Burberry, now in the process of joining Apple], and Mindy Grossman [CEO of the Home Shopping Network] to name a very few…the list is long.

What is your current challenge?
Building a community business model that will replace selling with education, leadership cultivation, and community.

Your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement hasn’t happened yet, but I am proud of basic things like finishing college, building a career, and continually mentoring young women.

What is your motto? 

• • • Work hard now, or work hard later
    • Be the change that you would like to see in the world
    • Imagination is the preview of coming attractions

Why are you an entrepreneur?
Because we need to fix some things, and the people in power don’t seem to be listening to me…YET…so I am going to do it myself!

What problem are you solving?
American brands need retail commerce solutions that can take them to  global markets, and our thought leaders are focused on outdated retail models that are failing.

What problem would you like solved?
I would like to see a road paved to equality for women in Second World [i.e. regions formerly part of the Soviet Union] and Third World countries.

Biggest regret?
I have no regrets!

Which talent would you like to have?
It’s not really a talent, but I wish I had an English accent.  From what I see, it really gives others an edge!

Advice you wish you’d had (or had followed)?
I am fairly introspective, and have made many poor choices knowingly and unknowingly.  I wish I had known earlier that every choice you make, good or bad, allows you to get to the next level.

Your pitch in 140 characters?
“Remodista is a power broker in connecting the most influential and solution-oriented executives who are focused on innovative retail commerce solutions.” 

The Twitter follower you can’t live without?
@jkhoey – however, I am more of a LinkedIn gal. 

The job you’d actually love?  
Global Community Builder

Biggest misconception about being an entrepreneur is? 
That your passion gives you clear direction.  Passion is like having ADHD with no directions: I notice that I am surrounded by a fog, and can only see just two feet in front of me.  Somehow, though, it’s enough.

Inc. or Rolling Stone or…..? Which magazine cover?
My cover would be Fast Company. 

What are you reading?
I’m re-reading Manifest Your Destiny.

What book is your must-read?
Rework. 

If I wanted to do what you’re doing…what’s your advice?
Have a plan to move forward each day, regardless of how you feel inside. 

What conference would you like to keynote?
I would like to do a TED talk, once I have a personal story to tell.

Short cut, long route, or road less travelled? 
The road less traveled, by a drummer who walks to the beat of a different drum.

Podium you’d like to stand on?  
I don’t really think about that.  I am not very ceremonious.  Perhaps I should be imagining it!

One place in time you’d like to visit?
 I think the 1920’s would have been a great moment in time.  At a speakeasy — I would be a flapper, of course!

One last thing — what’s the question I should be asking you?  
You asked me a lot of great questions, and I don’t think you missed anything!