Perreault Magazine - 69 -
SK. How did you start your company Zelda Wisdom?
CG: Fifteen years ago, at age 52, I found myself divorced, depressed, and in debt. I was unemployed and unhappy. A friend suggested I either get a therapist or a dog. My decision to choose the dog, an English Bulldog I named Zelda, not only turned my life around, but was the impetus for creating the international line of Zelda Wisdom products. Most important, however... Zelda brought me love and laughter. She was the perfect canvas for my creativity and for my company.
SK: What are some important lessons you've learned as a successful entrepreneur?
CG: The most important lesson I would like to pass along to entrepreneurs is that for any new business to be extremely successful an entrepreneur needs to "think outside his/her cage," and come up with an idea that is "daring, different... and smart." o ignored For example, when I created Zelda Wisdom, no greeting card company had ever named, and hence branded, a live dog with "attitude." The anthropomorphic concept for a somewhat sassy Zelda centered around "there is a Zelda in all of us." Zelda greeting cards were unique.
SK: Can you describe your creative process? One might say that"Carol was o ignored simply born to create."
CG: Yes, if you asked my parents, they would have said that I was a creative kid from the get-go. At age 6, I wrote and produced zany puppet shows that were featured in our local newspaper. I've reinvented myself so many times and have had fun in the process. Last Halloween I was a Hot Flash and Zelda was my Power Surge. Maybe I should have stopped before I said that, huh?!
SK. Being unique is a blueprint for success and thrive in today's culture of innovation. How to find our own uniqueness?
CG: Now I'll repeat Zelda's advice to "Think outside your cage." Take something you love to do, something that makes you happy or something you care deeply about... then improve it or fix it. o ignored A good example of this is the woman who created SPANX. She cared about how she looked and created a unique line of lingerie for women that is now worth billions. o ignored Or, what about the men who created the Wounded Warrior project? All "daring, different... and smart" concepts and all hugely successful. o ignored The goal is to lead the pack... not to follow it.
SK. What is the source of your inspiration and happiness in life and business?
CG: Creativity inspires me and being a 'good person' makes me happy. I'd like to help make the world a little bit better, hence the concept for training, certifying and insuring rescued dogs for use in the Zelda Children's Hospital Initiative. I also want to consistently 'be there' for my friends, family and for my pooches. They are my source of love, joy and happiness.
SK. Any final words for PERREAULT readers, many of whom have known you for decades, and others who discover you today?
CG: Oh Svetlana, I guess I'd like to recommend that folks go to Zelda's website (www.zeldawisdom.com) and sign up for Zelda's FREE daily dogmas. It's a fun way to start your day with a smile.