In December 2008, Jive Communications co-founders Lindsay Nahmiache and Almira Bardai were working a Vancouver media event. They soon discovered that although they had followed very different paths that converged at that moment, they had a lot in common.
Nahmiache had lit out for London at 18 to waitress for three months and stayed for four years, trading tables for a principal position at the nascent E Entertainment Europe office. (There were five of us, then; now theyre a 200-strong operation.) A decision to backpack India led her to Mumbai and a job producing films and television at one of the largest production companies in India and work in international sales and marketing.
At 23 I would walk into meetings that I would never have been able to elsewhere and brokered amazing deals. It was very stressful but I went to incredible parties it was a lot of fun.
Bardai had followed a more traditional career trajectory: while finishing her communications degree at SFU, she was snapped up by Wilcox PR, one of the biggest PR firms in Canada. In search of new challenges, she went to work for Cobra, an international brewer in London and within two years I was their global communications manager.
This was followed by a stint Down Under at a communications firm in Sydney.
Upon each of their returns to Vancouver, the pair shared a common dilemma.
I couldnt get a job; my international experience was worth nothing, Nahmiache sighs. Bardai concurs, I was told I was unemployable.
Dejected yet determined, they began freelancing. After their chance meeting they had a couple lunchesand decided to merge their resources. Jive communications was born.
This spirit of grabbing the moment has come to define define their partnership and their approach with clients. If something feels right you just go for it, says Nahmiache.
Most of our clients have been with us if not from day one, then within the first six months, Bardai notes with pride. And as clients have scaled up so have we: Granville Island Brewing [recently went] national and weve gone national with them.
Unlike many entrepreneurs, Jive is actively managing their growth doing the things that most people dont want to do, like writing the manuals and documenting all our processes.
The companys fast-paced environment necessitates self-motivated individuals who possess an entrepreneurial spirit. Nahmiache recalls warning their new intern that we dont throw you in the shallow end; you go right in the deep end.
As a result, in her first week we were teaching her how to pitch, write press releases and press packs. She loves it and is absolutely thriving.
Bardai adds that teamwork and freedom are also essential as everyone takes on an ownership of whatever division theyre in, and we allow them to shape it.
But they also preach balance.
We work hard but we have fun doing it. We have champagne at staff meetings, take the staff to Vegas every year and go to the opening game of the Canadiens .
Clearly their strategy is working: named one of the top boutique PR firms in Vancouver, Bardai adds they surpassed our financial goals for 2011, and already need to set higher goals for 2012 a problem any business would envy.
Their advice for budding entrepreneurs? Just jump in, Nahmiache enthuses, but it has to be at your own pace. Join an organization, for women. Id suggest the Forum for Women entrepreneurs, as it will give you a taste of what its like.
She smiles. And when your business reaches a certain point, ditch your day job.
And dont get bogged down in the details. Bardai remembers the advice she heard at a seminar. [He said] you always hear that business is 80 per cent plan and 20 per cent do. Thats crap! Its 20 per cent plan 80 per cent do.
Nahmiache sums up their philosophy this way: at the end of the day its all about relationships with clients, media, and the public.
And each other Bardai adds. The key to our success has been and always will be strong relationships; our clients love our team.
