Meet LeiLani Quiray

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LeiLani Quiray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi LeiLani, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I see it as an opportunity not only for me but everyone else in the room.

I actually had this happen very recently to me. I was the FIRST woman joining an all-male group that was established 23 years ago. That’s 22 years with only men in a business networking group. Crazy right?!

I was first invited to the group for a Poker Night and I LOVED it. I also noticed at the beginning of the event that there were very few women there. One board member noticed I was panning the room and said to me, “I’m embarrassed to say this, but we don’t have any women in the group yet, but we’re looking to change that.” I had a BLAST with the group that night and decided I’d try out one of their regular meetings.

Heading into the meeting, I was quite excited about the prospect of being the first woman, let alone the first woman minority in the room. What I was surprised MOST to feel was after I had made my formal intro (you know when they go around and ask everyone to introduce themselves) my first thought was a very powerful, “They NEED me in this room!” Not a sense of “less than” or intimidation by any of them but a sense of “I belong here.” Very powerful.

You BELONG in those rooms! 😉

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Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

When the business was started, I wrote a blog post on its first day, October 6, 2017.

“My dream…that I will influence others to be a ‘Conscious Capitalist.’ That my company will grow into several consultants who believe in great work and the betterment of the world through their work.”

The reason this business was started was to do two things at the same time: HR and philanthropy. Fast forward to today and be the change HR not only provides stellar HR Pros who have a work environment built upon their joyful positive workplace experience, not only supports small businesses with their HR function in all ways you can imagine but also gives back to the community to by providing free job readiness classes and coaching to the clients of nonprofits, helping men and women who’ve experienced human trafficking to build skills to find healthy gainful employment.

1% of the topline revenue of be the change HR is dedicated to this Job Readiness Program. In this program we provide trafficking survivors with resume, job search and interview skills in class with supportive one-on-one coaching as needed. We’re partnered with several nonprofits across the U.S.

Right now I am most excited about our Unlimited HR program that is a great way to get into be the change HR’s supportive community and get the as-needed HR help and support small businesses need.

link: https://bethechangehr.com/buy-now/

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If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

#1 Being relentless. I’m a triathlete, mountaineer, backpacker and alpine climber. Each of these disciplines teaches you resilience and being able to endure tough conditions with some amount of pain for long periods of time. Being an entrepreneur is no different. You have to be locked into the objective whether it be the finish line, a summit or a business goal and be so relentless about it that you have no other options but to get there.

#2 Risk tolerance. I don’t fear much and I think that’s such a key for me. I have been able to make bold moves over the years. Of course starting a business is a HUGE and obvious one. I’ve also sold all my stuff and traveled by car for over a year no knowing where I’d live at the end. I’ve signed up for Ironman 70.3 after only completing one Olympic Tri five years prior. It’s a big practice in leaving all the “what if” thoughts behind and just focusing on journey it takes.

#3 Always learning. If you saw my desk it currently has two books and a card deck with prompts. I am constantly educating myself on all things business solo and with my team. Really having an appetite for “what I don’t know” has gotten me far.

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Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes! I am looking for any emerging tech companies on the HR AI side. On my list of things I’d like to do in the next year is advise and be on the board of this type of company. You wanna stellar lady like me on your board? Contact me!

Contact Info:

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