Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindy Huang Werges.
Lindy Huang, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I spent the first decade of my career in corporate finance & accounting with global, publicly traded companies before I transitioned to the start-up world in 2005. After successfully building two boutique executive search firms (2005 and 2011), in 2014, I took the plunge and launched my own firm, Integritas Resources, Inc., an award-winning executive search & talent acquisition firm specializing in finance & accounting. Our client base includes tech start-ups, entertainment studios, creative agencies, real estate / asset management firms, and service industries. In addition to providing our clients with diverse, strategic staffing solutions, our firm is well-cemented into our community philanthropically.
While growing Integritas Resources, an opportunity presented itself to develop an ergonomic yoga / stretching strap to help a friend with her daily stretching and yoga practice. This opportunity transformed into Zen Yoga Strap in 2016, an ecommerce business that has assisted athletes and non-athletes alike the ability to stretch with ease and more regularly while countering the negative impacts from hours of sitting.
ADVOCACY & PHILANTHROPY
Philanthropy and advocating for others have always been a big part of who I am. So, naturally, it is also integrated into the DNA of our companies. I have had the privilege to serve as a member of the board of directors for the Fulfillment Fund (the Fund) and advocate for young people from under-resourced and economically-disadvantaged communities by providing them with educational resources for college success and career opportunities. Concurrently, throughout my career, I have loved advocating for the advancement of women & minorities, and mentoring women professionals, female founders, and entrepreneurs. Witnessing these individuals’ successes has continued to fuel my desire to serve my community, the Fund, TuesdayNights LA, and Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The journey certainly had many obstacles, failures, and wins. Life happens for all of us and I have certainly had my share of hurdles navigating the business world as a professional and as a single mom of four for many years. The obstacles and failures made me stronger and more determined to succeed so I could provide my kids with opportunities I didn’t have. It certainly wasn’t easy, especially without family support, but I had a couple of great friends and love that was afforded me by my aunt and uncle at an early age, which provided me the anchor to persevere during hard times.
The road is never smooth as an entrepreneur and there are always unexpected issues and obstacles. It has always served me well to take a step back and go back to the basics when things became challenging. I was fortunate to have some great mentors along the way and those individuals over the years have become my ‘mini board of directors’ for advice and/or guidance. The constant has been to keep my eye on the prize and push on.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Integritas Resources + Zen Yoga Strap – what should we know?
Integritas Resources, Inc. is an award-winning Southern California based executive search & talent acquisition firm specialized in the finance & accounting industry.
In the same way, we believe businesses achieve financial health and integrity through its people, we also believe communities thrive because of a symbiotic relationship between its people and its local businesses, thereby achieving wholeness, integrity, balance, and health.
Our consultative and strategic approach focuses on ensuring corporate culture fits; fully vetted candidates including a 360-degree professional references vetting process and verification of the legitimacy of the provided references for accuracy; and continuous client and candidate engagement post-placement, which result in lower industry turnover and overall costs for our clients.
Zen Yoga Strap’s unique 3-loop yoga / stretching strap is an ergonomic stretching accessory for professionals, beginners or advance practitioners, and/or athletes to not only incorporate regular stretching in bite-sized chunks into their daily routine but also achieve safer and deeper, more meaningful stretches at home, at work, or while traveling. The strap is a great tool and resource for corporate wellness programs and desk-bound employees.
To make the most impact as a small company within our community, we regularly bring in under-resourced first-generation college students from the Fulfillment Fund, so we may personally develop and mentor them as well as assist them land the most ideal role upon graduation from college.
We believe the best way to make a positive economic impact is to support our local businesses and bring opportunities or ideas to them to help them stay relevant and thrive in an ever-changing economic climate.
We shop, purvey, and dine at local, minority, and/or women-owned businesses as much as possible. On average, 23% of our total procurement spend has been with marginalized businesses including local-, LGBTQ-, minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve had many advocates and mentors along the way and the list is long but there are some highlights including my former controller Greg Levy, who trained me well within finance & accounting, and the skills came in handy when I became an entrepreneur. My former executive, Keith Anderson, who showed the importance of perspective. Former mentor Gerry Gilberti, who emphasized the importance of relationships, routine, and consistency. My dear friends Diane Reichenberger and Diane Holland on how to lead with compassion and to have fun along the way. Clients and colleagues who became great friends throughout my journey and have supported me unconditionally: John Kennedy, Nino Rodriguez, Cura Franklin, Ron Takasugi and Ankit Brahmkshatri. My dear friend, Julie Bollinger – thanks for being such a dear friend and inspiration for Zen Yoga Strap! The ladies of TuesdayNights LA (Justine Lassoff & Melinda Moore) and MSMU (Kim Kenny & Emerald Archer): thanks for all your support! Most importantly, my husband, Tom, who supports me in all my business and philanthropic endeavors, and many times, the only man in the room!
Pricing:
- Zen Yoga Strap (8 Colors Available): Sale: $14.96 + tax ($19.95 reg price)
- Zen Yoga Mat Strap (5 Colors Available: Sale: $13.46 + tax ($17.95 reg price)
- Zen Yoga Strap Tank Top (White): $15 + tax
- Zen Yoga Strap Flowy T (Charcoal Black or White): $25 + tax
Contact Info:
- Address: 12304 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Website: https://integritasresources.com/ + https://zenyogastrap.com/
- Phone: 310.584.7295 + 866.936.3569
- Email: [email protected] + [email protected]
- Instagram: @integritasreinc + @zenyogastrap
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/integritasresources/ + https://www.facebook.com/ZenYogaStrap/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/IntegritasReInc + https://twitter.com/Zenyogastrap
Image Credit:
Tom Werges Photography; Andrew Chenault Creative
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