*This interview was conducted on Skype while Ingrid was in the drop zone waiting her turn to SKYDIVE...* How's that for a no- excuses attitude. IV is the host of "On the Road with IV" and is the founder of the "Billionaire Girl club".
Photos and videos on Diva Maverick Mavens courtesy of Lyn Graft, LG Pictures www.lgpictures.com.
I read on your website that you were born with "learning disabilities"? Can you tell us about this experience and how you overcame this problem?
Ingrid Vanderveldt
Sure. When I was in the 4th grade my parents were told I had learning disabilities. I was put on a special bus for special kids in a special school. The school boards didn't think that I was going to make much of myself because I was learning disabled. My parents didn't believe it and they fought the school boards to continue running tests. They soon found out that I had hearing problems and once solved- I was able to excel. The thing that I really learned and knew this back then even as a kid was that had my parents not believed in me and that the school boards COULD be wrong. I might not have made any more of myself because other people didn't believe in me as anything other then "learning disabled" so that inspired what is now my life's work which is to seek out other people who aspire to be, do and have more with their lives by sharing my story and the stories of other successful entrepreneurs. Providing the tools, training and learning are available to enable people, anyone can be successful despite what others might have told them (or their environment, background, resources etc).
Would you say that if your parents hadn't been as supportive as they are you might not have been the person you are today?
IV
Without a doubt, it was my parents who taught all of us kids (there are four of us) that we can be anything we want in life --we were and continue to be very blessed that way.
How did you go from architect to TV personality?
IV
I knew ever since I was a kid that part of my calling was to do big things in the world in terms of connecting with as many people as possible to spread the message of "Possibility" and "Hope". The transition from Architecture to TV was a natural progression in terms of knowing that this was a great way to talk to a lot of people in one shot and the transition was actually very natural. When I was an architecture student, I became (was elected) national director of the American Institute of Architecture Students and American Institute of Architects. In this role, I was talking/ working with architects, city planners, politicians and business owners all over the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. I realized that that if I knew more about business and law that I could be even more effective in terms of having an impact with these different groups of people because being very young at the time- I actually had no idea what I was doing or talking about a good chunk of the time so I went to get and JD/MBA. I never finished law school because I was too busy launching new companies. My mentor was a guy by the name of George Kozmetsky who also mentored Michael Dell. It was in working with him and hearing his own success story that I then know- the Universe was guiding me to start making the transition into television. I KNEW that the time/ access I was getting with Dr. K in terms of mentoring was access that other people needed to see so I basically drew upon my Rolodex of mentors to share their stories and we put it on film so we could share it with people around the world and that's how it happened.
What can you tell women about the importance of being mentored?
Ingrid Vanderveldt
There is nothing more important other than that KNOWING your dream is possible then having a strong mentor. Mentors will not only help you get where you want to go, but they will open their Rolodexes to make it happen. They will coach you through challenges that they have seen before and provide value you just can't place a dollar figure on.
Why sky diving?
Ingrid Vanderveldt
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE adrenaline sports.There is nothing more empowering then pushing yourself to your limits and KNOWING that you can do it next to motorcycle racing which btw is the only thing that gets my mind to shut off. Skydiving is one of those sports that is very risky and you fall VERY fast (120 MPH) and you have to allow your mind to be still and think because it's possible your chute might not deploy- or you might have to cut away. You have to KNOW what your plan is to open your second chute and so you can do that. It's incredible mental training for people in business without question. When you handle skydiving well...there is no doubt you can handle tough business situations with grace.
Tell us a story about one of your adrenaline sport adventures?
Ingrid Vanderveldt
Beating Alanis Morrisette and her coach on the race track!!!! She was being coached by my coach. She had a much bigger and faster bike than mine and her original instructor (another women) I think was feeling the pressure of needing to look good for Alanis and certainly given the fact that my coach Todd was working with Alanis and I. Know what I mean...? So anyways. Alanis was easy to beat. I rode faster than she did (grins) but her coach tried to run me off the race track so it was the first time on the track that I knew the only way I was going to beat her coach was by going into a 90 degree turn to the left as fast as I could to stay on her inside. So, I basically rode as hard and as fast as I could, literally felt like I "dumped" the bike left (almost laying it on the ground) and prayed that I would make the turn. I did...her coach couldn't handle the turn and instead went flying off the track into the dirt. I have to admit- it felt pretty good given I knew she was trying to run me off the track. My coach was racing behind us to see what was going to happen. It was nice to WIN!
Tell me about your experience with opening multiple businesses and what characteristics would you say were required?
Ingrid Vanderveldt
Great question! Okay- well first of all the biggest thing is being honest with yourself about what you are good and not good at doing. In my case, I am a great starter, leader, team player but a horrible manager. I am also terrible at being involved with just one thing- my gifts come into play when I basically stay focused on driving business and going from one project to the next. So for me, starting and running multiple businesses is preferred- but I absolutely have to have VERY talented people around me to help make sure that they are run well.
My advice is:
1) Know what you' re good or not good at
2) Get great people around you to support your gifts and stay out of their way to do what they're great at
3) Listen to advice
4) Set priorities
5) Do what you are passionate about
6) Be persistent
7) Have a great mentor
8) Know that anything is possible
In this economy, people are facing bankruptcy and depression, can you speak about your experiences on this subject?
Ingrid Vanderveldt
I have faced both and its horrible. I've never filed for bankruptcy but I did go broke. And depression I have dealt with twice and the thing I have told myself is that "its okay". When you are pushing yourself to the limits, sometimes things are going to go so completely sideways that it just hits you from the side and its understandable that we get depressed when things go horribly wrong such as going broke- whatever. I DO KNOW that from experience. I have overcome both and I know that anyone can. Even in the darkest hours, I know that I just need to hang on a little longer and all of the sudden one sliver of light will come through and then another and then another and it will pass...it also helps to have VERY supporting, loving people around. Its also a good time to dump anything that is NOT working or moving you in the direction you choose to go.
What is your most cathartic experience to date that brings you back to fighting form for the corporate world?
Ingrid Vanderveldt
Hmmm. There really have been so many. Lets see...I actually thought this past fall. Truly for the first time in my life, I was worried that I wasn't going to "make it". My engagement ended (good thing- boys can be trouble - as can we!!!). An investor did a hostile takeover and I lost all my business money trying to save the company which ended up in lawsuits and I lost my "home" (the one I had with my fiance). In terms of coming out of that- and there was more- but to sum it up. I guess it really came down to just accepting that maybe I wasn't supposed to be RICH RICH in the dollar sense (which is funny as a founding member of the Billionaire Girls Club). I realized I am here because I have been called to do something great and when I REALLY believe that and follow that KNOWING...things seem to have a way of working out and when I FINALLY internalized that sure enough...opportunities stated coming back into my life out of no where and now that seems like an eternity ago. Does that make sense?
Your a believer of social networking tell me about your business and clubs and how you marry these concepts?
Ingrid Vanderveldt
So yes- I absolutely believe in social networking because just like we are texting right now and connecting with one another. People learn from one another when they can talk and share stories and ask for advice and in social networking its takes all the ego out of things: simply, in text formats etc. It allows people to build community focused around topics of interest so that's why I love it so much- we really get great things done this way.
Any parting words of advice for women entrepreneurs and what contact info would you like in the article?
IV
Thank you so much for asking. I really first of all want to thank you Angelia for doing something so great for women. In showing others that anything is possible beyond that. I would love to encourage women to be strong. We have been given voices and gifts to be great. It is in all of us. There are women just like you and me that in coming together- will continue to change the world.... In fact, I am working with a newsgroup from CNN, factually speaking- women are the ones that are redefining emerging countries and setting the new standards in the world for how things are done. There is no better time than now to do what you have been called to do. I wish you the best of luck and please feel free to email iv@ingridvanderveldt.com or call 310-945-8659 if we can be helpful to you...love to all!!!!
www.lgpictures.com, www.ontheroadwithiv.com, and www.billionairegirlsclub.tv
IV will be launching her new website soon and you can follow her by visiting the websites above.
IV
I also want to thank- SKydive Miami for letting me office out of their location so I can do things like this and my other business in between throwing myself out of planes. Love you all xoxoxoxo.
Angelia Miller is the founder of Diva Maverick Mavens www.divamaverickmavens.com a new bread of feisty, non-conformist adventure loving adrenaline-high entrepreneur. The tag line is: Empowering Women by Interviewing Empowered Women...Inspiring "You" to Take ACTION! Casting exceptional dynamic talent for fresh content is the mission of Diva Maverick Mavens. The interview is in the original transcript form with minimal editing to preserve the integrity of the content.
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