We all know the North Shore, like its neighbor Chicago, is full of exceptional women.
But how many of those women rise to lead companies? And how do those few CEOs manage to rise through the ranks? According to Fortune’s 2011 rankings, there are only 12 women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies—a measly 2.4 percent. While many women have broken the glass ceiling in recent years, the progress can seem slow.
So, we sat down with five local CEOs to learn their secrets, tips and ideas. Much of their advice was variations on a theme: Find work that you love. And we also got a glimpse of their daily lives—from how they juggle parenting and work to how they spend their money, and what they do when they just need to get away from it all.
Lindsay Gaskins, Marbles: The Brain Store
Chicago
Her success story …
Lindsay Gaskins knows a thing or two about failure. When she started her Brain Store, it was a kiosk in Schaumburg’s Woodfield Mall, and days went by with no merchandise sold. “It was a career low,” she recalls. But Lindsay also knows about comebacks, from playing basketball at Wesleyan University, where her team lost for an entire season. She restarted the Chicago-based company with a brick-and-mortar store later the same year, and every year since Marbles’ revenue has more than tripled—from $250,000 is 2008 to approaching $9 million in 2011. The company, which offers healthy, expert-tested brain games for people of all ages, now boasts 18 stores and a website, and Gaskins is rapidly expanding, targeting 100 major malls across the country. Her ultimate goal is to take the company worldwide.
Recent best …
Her daughter, Louise “Lulu” Gaskins Barnard, now almost 2 years old, with her wife, Laura Barnard.
Role models …
“My parents had a huge impact. My dad, who was President of the Burlington Northern Railroad at one point, inspired me to be a business leader. My mom raised me with careful attention to morals and being a good person.”
Road not taken …
Lindsay has a teaching degree and completed her student teaching, but then decided to go in a different direction. Her business career has included working at the Boston Consulting Group, and on the corporate strategy team and as a buyer at Sears.
Indulgence …
“Shopping—I love clothes! My dream is hands-free shopping, with no bags or purses, just trying on tons of things.”
Best job perk …
“I get to play with games! One of my favorites is Hive, a two-player strategy game that’s kind of chess-like. A new one is Telegruve, a memory game that combines a game of telephone with dancing.” Marbles has started to invent their own games—they’ll be coming out with 25 new ones this year.
The entrepreneur’s life …
“I don’t think any entrepreneur has a good work-life balance, because you feel responsible for your business, so you’re always thinking about it. It’s hard to put it down. I really love working, but I also value family time. Luckily, I have a great support system at home.”
Her “me” time …
Going to the movies.
Giving back …
Lindsay is an occasional speaker on the subject of entrepreneurship, most recently with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), which brings entrepreneurship training to high-school students, particularly in low-income communities.
Her best advice …
“Surround yourself with a good team—with people who match your weakness and can help you be a better businessperson and leader. Listen. It’s easier to be with people you just get along with, but you’ll benefit from alternate points of view and a challenging environment. We wouldn’t have been successful without a lot of opinions, and different personality types working together.”
