Your Say – Ricki Harrison
Ricki Harrison
Business Development Manager at Nutra Organics
I’d name my autobiography: Life, Love And Other Mysteries…
To me success means: To blaze a trail for myself. To stand on my own two feet knowing that effort, talent, the support of a team you trust and sometimes a little luck is all you need. A full belly and a vino helps too.
My most treasured possession: My wedding ring. I was married at 19, so at the time we a had zero dollars! It is worth about $500, but it is the most precious thing to me as it is a symbol of the commitment that we made. Still one of my best decisions.
The gender stereotype I can’t stand: That women are weaker than men (generally). I have always lifted heavy and can pull my weight in any situation (especially in the warehouse).
Best advice I’ve been given was: The love is a choice, and not a feeling. Sometimes you won’t feel in love, but that is the time to honour your decision to love. Life will reward your steadfastness.
Biggest ‘pinch me’ moment: Shipping our first massive international shipment. Multiple pallets. I cried.
I made my first dollar: Lemonade stand. I’m sure it was just with my parent’s friends and I couldn’t have been older than 5.
Biggest frustration for women in the business world: Being seen as a serious business person through hips and boobs. Yes, I have those things and yes, they are amazing, but I have other, much more serious business skills too.
In five years’ time, I see myself: Working a bit less, playing a bit more and spending some good quality time overseas, with my family, as part of my business role. Taking a few more holidays and reducing the franticness that a fast-growing business incites.
Life motto: I’ve got this
Favourite book: Currently (I have so many favourites) Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business by John Mackey & Raj Sisodia.
Signature scent: Si by Giorgio Armani
Movie with the best ending: For me, any movie that resolves. It has to have a happy ending. First thought – Love Actually, painful but beautiful depiction of life and love and all that comes along with it. A bit corny, I know!
The women who inspire me: Modern day inspiration – Lisa Messanger (The Collective Magazine, CEO, game changer), Old World inspiration – Amelia Earhart (First female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, record breaker, best selling author). Both women blazing a trail for women everywhere and breaking down stereotypes with what is possible, which is ANYTHING!
I believe we can make a change to gender diversity: By paying both genders the same. This is how it should be, regardless of gender. Positions based on results and not vagina’s.
The biggest change I would like to see in the world in 2018: World peace, kidding, though that would be great. I would like to see less violence and a little more understanding for each other. We are not long suffering as people, everything these days is instant, but we need patience if we are to get along well. General I know, but that’s it.
I believe pay equity is important: Abso-jolly-lutely. It is the quality and quantity of the work that is important for remuneration. Anything else is an insult.
