Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivian Sayward.
Hi Vivian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am really passionate about helping others. This has been a constant theme throughout my career.
I have held positions in finance, marketing, and business development at Fortune 500 high tech and healthcare companies. I also have consulted for start-ups in the healthcare and fashion/beauty industries. More recently, I founded and ran an inclusive women apparel line called Vivacity Sportswear www.vivacitysportswear.com.
During the pandemic, when I realized how many businesses need support and fresh starts in times of economic upheaval and constant market changes, I decided to launch Vivacity Advantage www.vivacityadvantage.com. Vivacity Advantage is a consulting firm that offers business strategy services for successful and sustainable market entries. We work with purpose-driven organizations that want to make the world a better place.
I was inspired by my Colombian-born, entrepreneurial parents who immigrated to the US in the 1960s and built a successful manufacturing business in Orange County, California. Besides a strong work ethic, my parents also taught me the importance of giving back to the community.
I am active in the local community, volunteering time and resources to educational and healthcare-related foundations including Pro Kids/First Tee of San Diego and Verde Valley Archaeology Center, both of which I serve on their boards. I have worked on the small business advocacy council for the National Retail Federation and volunteered as a mentor for various business incubator programs, including Connect All @ the Jacobs Center and the Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs at Smith College.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is never a straight and easy path – that’s for sure! I definitely have dealt with naysayers in the past. When I was in the process of launching my sportswear company, I had ‘people in the industry’ tell me that focusing on women’s sportswear for golf and other activities would not work. They didn’t understand why I wanted to offer well-made, comfortable fashion for women of different shapes and sizes. Meanwhile, I was hearing from customers and others how they could find clothing like we offered. Our initial target into golf turned into an expanded market that included travel and resort. So much for the industry experts who were telling me otherwise!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Vivacity Advantage offers business strategy services for successful and sustainable market entries and growth. We specialize in helping organizations, big and small, with:
* Business Development
* Project Management
* Strategic Planning
We have years of in-depth experience in different industries, including healthcare, fashion/beauty, and nonprofits.
We love helping others – we want to work with purpose-driven organizations that want to make this world a better place.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
For an organization, be it a startup to an established enterprise, it’s sometimes hard to step back and see where you are heading. Will this path lead your team to success? Do you need to pivot? Or do you need to get back to the basics and develop a new path?
This can be overwhelming at times, especially if you and your team are already stretched thin: this is where we come in. We’re an objective voice, able to dig deep and help analyze and bring forth a new roadmap. We work really well with your staff and others involved to gather their feedback and to ensure that there is transparency and open communication throughout. We want to leave you with tools and processes that help you achieve your organization’s future success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vivacityadvantage.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viviansayward/
