Meet Veronica Richards: Vice President at CALLS Contact Center and WW CALLS CANADA

Veronica Richards is a businesswoman with more than two decades of experience in supporting companies to connect with their potential clients and to grow globally. She is the founding partner and Vice President at CALLS Contact Center in Mexico, a company with 23 years of experience and founding partner and Vice President at WW Calls Canada, a consulting company based in Hamilton, helping companies from Latin America to do business in Canada and vice versa. She was panelist at the Economic Forum of the Americas in Toronto to share her experience and success story, and has participated in the development of the business guide “Doing business in Toronto (Ontario) and Peru” for the General Consulate of Peru in Toronto.

My first job ever was…Marketing Manager at Grupo Productos e Ideas en Expansion, a Mexican company for IT solutions. My job was to develop strategies to present new technologies to the Mexican market and generate new business.

I decided to be an entrepreneur because… That´s what I lived in my family, my father was an entrepreneur and he showed me that having my own company, I was able to create something unique to serve others, develop new ideas and products, and having the chance to grow without limits.

My proudest accomplishment is… That I had the opportunity to expand my business and to become an international company, with presence in Mexico and Canada, having the opportunity to reach clients from all American Continent.

My boldest move to date was… To accept the challenge to come to Canada to expand my business, I left my country to start a new life, a new business, and now I am proud of my decision as it has been a great experience to start all over again and get to know a new business culture.

I surprise people when I tell them… I started my own business when I was 23 years and now my company has grown international with more than 100 employees.

My best advice to people starting out in business is… To trust in themselves and take the risk, opportunities are to take them. Being an entrepreneur gives you the opportunity to fully develop and grow without limits.

My best advice from a mentor was… Life is about joy, if you enjoy what you do, then you will become successful. Serve others is the only purpose in life.

I would tell my 20-year old self… Everything is going to be perfect, every situation will make you stronger, trust life and enjoy every experience, life is rich only in experiences.

Every day is a gift and I know everything happens for the best, and life is about enjoying every moment and every experience.

My biggest setback was… When I arrived in Canada nobody knew me, my entire career had been left behind and I had to start from scratch to build a new network and get immerse in a new business culture.

I overcame it by… Approaching governmental institutions and non-profit associations that helped me to know the Canadian culture and to meet new people to generate business relationship.

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would… Dedicate that time to my family, read books and practice meditation. I also enjoy being outside walking or running.

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… That I am sensitive, empathetic person and that I like to share my knowledge and experiences with people around me.

My advice for entrepreneurs who need funding is…  To approach to institutions like startups to receive support and to take advantage of all the funds that the government offers to entrepreneurs.

The one thing I wish I knew when founding CALLS Contact Centre is… That I was going to be able know so many people from different places around the world and have the chance to grow internationally.

I stay inspired by… When I can create something new, to change someone’s life, being open to new experiences, knowing that every decision I make, will have an impact in my company and my community.

The future excites me because… Every day is a gift and I know everything happens for the best, and life is about enjoying every moment and every experience.

My next step is… To help Canadian companies to get into the Mexican and Latin American markets, connecting them with their potential clients and helping them to succeed.

Hear the rest of her incredible story at the season premiere of the Women of Influence Luncheon series: The Americas Powerhouse Luncheon. With Women Who Rock we are shining a spotlight on The Americas Diversity story during the PDAC 2019 Convention. Tickets are available here.