Shira Abel is the CEO of Hunter & Bard, an award-winning design & public relations agency. She focuses on using creative strategies to achieve omnichannel results.
Years of experience working with clients across industries – from start-up to enterprise – has provided Shira with a clear understanding of what it takes to grow a company organically.
Q: What would you like to see your team accomplish in 2019?
For the rest of 2019, our focus is on process and structure – we’re growing, and our clients want more – which is fantastic. Now we are putting processes in place so that we can have a smooth ride as we grow.
2020 will be about growth.
Q: Who is your role model or hero?
The women who have paved their way in business are my heroes: Ginni Rometty, Indra Nooyi, Barbara Corcoran, Sallie Lee Krawcheck, Sheryl Sandberg, etc.
Q: What is your favorite book?
This is a hard one; I can’t name just one. Getting More by Stuart Diamond, Alchemy by Rory Sutherland, and Influence by Robert Cialdini. Not necessarily in that order.
Q: Do you use any specific method or system to run daily operations?
I’m used to Lean / Scrum methodology, but now we’re mixing that with some waterfall – depending on the project.
Q: Why did you choose your present industry at this time?
I looked at the market and went where I knew our interests, experiences, and skillsets would bring the most value.
Q: What is the best/worst moment you can remember in your career?
I’ve been lucky to have a lot of great moments. I’m having an impossible time choosing one. I will say I’m super excited to be teaching Marketing for Technologists at Berkeley this Fall.
Every new account, every new project, every new challenge – I love them all. Even a mistake means I’ve learned something new.
Q: Looking back – if you could advise a younger version of yourself to do something different – what would it be?
Don’t wait to be ambitious. Take that risk. Ask the question. Make the request. Open a retirement account early – compounding is no joke. Everything is sales.
Connect with Shira on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter: @shiraabel
