March Employee Spotlight: Helina Patience

 In recognition of International Women’s Day, we sat down with our CEO, Helina Patience, to ask some questions, and get to know her a little bit better. Let’s meet our fearless leader!

Helina Patience, CEO

Born: Edmonton, AB

What did you study?

With a giggle, Helina listed her previous post-secondary studies as; English Literature, Lighting Design, Acting, Accounting, and Education. Needless to say, one of those beat out the others for her favourite.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

While most children think of impossibilities, Helina’s dream was to be a dancer. While this isn’t her professional career, she enjoys practicing ballet in her spare time.

What was your favourite subject in school?

Theater and Physics. A wonderful balance of artistry and critical thinking, which shines through in her daily work.

Can you explain quickly what your job is all about?

Steering the ship and firefighting. Fearlessly, I might add.

What do you love about your job?

Interesting people doing cool things in the world.

What do you like most about Entreflow?

We bring together cool people with amazing skill sets to do incredible things. We are also extremely tech forward.

What do you like most about working with startups and small businesses?

Their innovation. Simply put, it’s astounding what people think up to better society, we get to experience it first hand!

What tip(s) could you give to small business owners to reach success?

Keep your finances up to date, keep accounting up to date, budget, and HIRE AN ACCOUNTANT! That last point cannot be stressed enough.

Who is your inspiration?

Brian Tracy, positive psychologist, law of attraction, and business guru.

If you could have coffee with one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) He was a badass yogi.

What book are you reading right now?

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen.

If you could travel to one city where would you go and why?

After a long pause and much consideration, Helina settled on: Quito, Ecuador, for the food and the scenery.

What is your favourite thing to do in Vancouver?

Go to concerts. Easy decision.

Secret talent that no one knows about?

I can do a pirouette en pointe.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

A backflip. Very different than what she can already do.

What activity do you like to do in your spare time?

White water kayaking, snowboarding, ballet, play music.

Guilty Pleasure?

Wet gin martini with an olive.

A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?

“Here are your fish tacos. Which way to the beach?”. I wonder where he got the fish tacos from?

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

I sent one of our employees to the kitchen to get the cake for our accountant’s birthday, and forgot that the cake was also doubling as a congratulations to that employee for her recent engagement. I went bursting out of the room but it was too late. At least the cake was still delicious.

Thank you for your time! We hope that this has given you a bit more insight into our captain, and happy International Women’s day!