The following is the text from a Globe and Mail video featuring me on how I started my company. The video is no longer available, but I still wanted to share my story…

Hi, I am Adriana Girdler, President and CEO, Chief Efficiency Officer of CornerStone Dynamics. I would like to share with you how I started my company. CornerStone Dynamics is a company that specializes in helping organizations improve their internal ways of working. In essence helping people, within organization, be better at what they do resulting in them work smarter and not harder.

Prior to starting CornerStone Dynamics in late 2008, I worked for large global organizations. Each organization gave me a new and different skill set that I was able to take with me and use in subsequent jobs. Each opportunity was a stepping stone for why I am here today. I believe that there are no accidents or luck. Everything happens for a reason. I have always believed in having a vision for what you want in life. I always knew I wanted to have my own company, I just didn’t know what I would be doing and how this would occur. So like everyone, I worked hard and plotted along gaining experience and making positive change for the organizations that employed me.

My turning point for leaving a secure job and career advancement was when we had global head office executives come to our facility. I was in charge of the dog and pony show for the area that I made major improvements in. The global executives were so impressed with the work I did they commented that I did more in my area than their own experts in the field of efficiency. I was told I was a square peg in a round hole and to not let ‘them’ peg me in.

I realize that at that point, I had a lot to offer, more than I gave myself credit for. When I finally realized this, instantaneously I was getting offers from people outside my organization asking me to help them. At this time I was working part-time, I was able to use my free days to help other people. In a matter of months I was so busy I had to make the decision of whether to stay at the organization or make the leap of faith and leave, focusing on working at my own company full-time. Without hesitation I started CornerStone Dynamics and have been busy ever since. I never once looked back, I’m always looking forward, looking for how I can reach more people and organizations and help them lead more fulfilling and productive lives at work.  I am now expanding my business from being service oriented to finding new product offering that can assist my clients in improving productivity. I love what I do, I help organizations, I make a positive difference in people’s lives. What a wonderful feeling to wake up to everyday! My advice to you…follow your heart, find your passion and take a risk.

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