For many thousands of people across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for starting their own business. Despite the huge risks associated with launching a new venture during a global crisis, the number of newly created businesses has increased significantly in recent months. Data from the United States Census Bureau show that in January 2021 new business creation applications increased 73% year over year. Women have been key contributors to the entrepreneurship boom. Many who lost their jobs when the virus took hold in 2020 started a business out of necessity. Others needed greater flexibility as they juggled careers with childcare and homeschooling responsibilities. A recent survey by Gusto shows that 49% of entrepreneurs in 2020 were women, up from just 27% in prior years.
In this episode of the ISG Digital Dish, host Jeanne Cuff interviews Pam Kendall, founder of Qui Collection, a U.S.-based start-up fashion brand. Born from Kendall’s lifelong passion for clothing and vintage fabric, the venture was launched just before the world was disrupted by the virus. ISG co-hosts Lois Coatney and Julie Fernandez join the discussion on how the pandemic has radically shifted the entrepreneurial environment. Today, it might be easier than ever to create a business, but our hosts firmly believe that a desire to make money is not enough for success. Entrepreneurs first and foremost need to be driven by a deep passion for their project.
Meet the hosts
Lois Coatney
Lois Coatney has been the ideal guiding advocate for her Fortune 500 clients, whom she has consistently helped get the most value out of their service providers and supply bases. That’s because, for more than two decades, Lois was the service provider. Today, as ISG’s President of Americas Sales, she is central to driving the firm’s revenue and growth.
Past achievements for clients
Throughout her career, Lois has consulted clients on their operating models and organizational designs so that they can work most effectively internally. She’s pivoted that experience to her approach to her current role, which goes much further than looking at the numbers and bottom line. She examines what ISG’s strengths are and considers how the firm can put its best foot forward to sell its services. Pairing that with a deep understanding of clients’ needs and of ISG’s function in the market, Lois makes decisions on how the firm can enhance those same offerings. She also views her work as a worthwhile means to strengthen ISG’s client relationships, which she contributes to by mentoring ISG account executives.
Lois’s expertise in contracting, experience in supplier management and willingness to travel across the globe to create something new and modern have enabled her to:
- Lead and roll out ISG GovernX®, a tool that directly helps clients and their businesses manage third-party risk, solve governance and service integration challenges, and drive optimal performance of their sources.
- Help a large governmental client migrate their $2.2 Billion annual IT spend to a consumption-based procurement model.
Jeanne Cuff
LinkedIn Profile
