An Inspired Chat with Hilary Foster

Hilary Foster shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Hilary, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I love being creative which is one of the things I love most about my job but personal creativity often takes a backseat to running my business, family obligations and just life in general. This summer I have dedicated myself to feeding that need. I have been taking pottery lessons which I love. The feeling of the clay in my hands, watching it be worked into a beautiful object is just magic. I am a very neat person and for some reason the messiness of clay splattering everywhere gives me joy. I also bought a new camera recently and have loved taking evening walks, capturing the fading light over the harbour where I live. I look forward to taking the camera with me when I travel and documenting those trips!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure. I’m Hilary. I work with hotels & resorts, private clubs and specialty retailers creating branded merchandise for their retail shops, special events, amenities and VIP gifting. We are known for providing unique, high quality products that our client’s customers will proudly use. Our out of the box approach sets us apart. From strategy to sourcing to standout design, I approach every detail as an opportunity to make my client’s brand unforgettable.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My Dad. He was a businessman and an entrepreneur; He is someone who was always curious about how something works or what benefit it provides. Most importantly he is where my strong work ethic comes from. I remember when I was in grammar school, dinnertime was lively. All of my friends’ families ate dinner at 5:30 – not our house! We always waited for my Dad to come home from work, change his clothes and have a cocktail before we sat down together at 7 or 7:30pm, whatever time was necessary. And at the table we had lively debates about current events.

He always told my siblings and I to clean our desks off every night and return every call within 24 hours. Technology has changed how we do business but the ethos of his lessons remains relevant. And at 90 years old and still going strong, he often asks “how’s business?” when I check in!

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think anytime you fail there are lessons to be learned. Of course I have had setbacks in my career – but I am tenacious by nature and tend to go back and try again. I am very good about being objective, even when I am the main character in the story, so I try to look at all sides and come up with a new approach.

I don’t give up easily. I don’t consider not succeeding to be suffering per se. To me a no gives me the opportunity to try again. However sometimes you can’t turn a no into a yes; It is also important to know when to move on and not waste time.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
We live in a instant gratification time and it feels like we are constantly bombarded with information, whether it be product ads, celebrity endorsements or partisan news. Add to that everyone with a cell phone posting everything online, sometimes without context and we have a breeding ground for Fads like Tik Tok dances, Instagram challenges and new slang all which tend to last a few weeks, not months.

To me real foundational shifts tend to be generational and come about more organically as each new generation grows and puts their stamp on the society they live in. These foundational shifts build momentum and have real staying power. The 80’s was about brand consumption, the 90’s merged technology and pop culture while the turn of the millennium ushered in a need for eco consciousness and for authenticity. As each new shift emerges the previous ones remain, just in a different way.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow I think my customers would miss my fresh ideas, the fun we have in meetings, whether that’s in person or on Zoom, and my attention to detail. I am often told that our customer service is the best in the industry. I have a group of clients that have been with me since the beginning, almost 8 years. We have become friends and are invested in each other beyond the business relationship.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Christina Hickey
@mediabychristina

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than