Modern Entrepreneur - Diondra Filicetti of Driven By...
In conversation with Mississauga’s Diondra Filicetti, owner and founder of Driven By…
1. What does your company provide/do?
Driven By… builds engaged and motivated teams/individuals.
Knowing that low motivation and engagement are key contributors to low productivity, poor work culture, low innovation and even high employee turnover, the company offers workshops, team building, and education (online course development and delivery) that empowers participants to learn new skills, get engaged and take initiative in their own development.
The company also sells an interactive Self-Awareness Journal called “Illuminate Your True Self, The Self-Awareness and Reflection Journal” to help uncover any unconscious beliefs, patterns or behaviours that might be hindering them.
2. What inspired you to start your company?
Like many people, I have experienced what it is like to be in an environment with people who are disengaged, unmotivated and uninspired. Even if we don’t want to admit it, our environment has a massive impact on our potential.
If we surround ourselves with people who love to drink beer and bet on sports all the time, chances are, we will find ourselves drinking beer and betting on sports.
If we surround ourselves with people who gossip, chances are, we will find ourselves engaging in gossip at some point.
If we surround ourselves with people who are disengaged and unmotivated, over time, it reduces our own engagement and motivation. It happened to me!
What I recognized was there are several key drivers behind a disengaged and unmotivated environment. I knew that if I could help teams rebuild their environment, I would be helping people increase their potential and create a more fulfilling experience for them.
3. What's been the most impactful lesson you've learned being an entrepreneur?
It’s one that I wish I learned much earlier in my journey; not to overthink your strategy. Simply analyze what is working well and what is not.
Here is a valuable exercise for Driven By
Every 3 months, create a chart with 2 columns “What is Working in My Business” and “What is Not Working in My Business”.
Keep the good.
For what is not working, either seek guidance to fix it, or simply get rid of it.
4. How do you unwind?
Tea, Popcorn & Netflix: Most often, I find myself brewing a cup of tea, making some popcorn and watching my favourite movies! Pirates of the Caribbean anyone?
Guided Meditation on YouTube: When I am really stressed or anxious, I find guided meditation very effective at bringing my heart rate down and making me feel more relaxed. The best part is, there are really great guided meditation videos on YouTube!
Journaling: In a sense, journaling is like decluttering the mind! Taking all those thoughts floating around your mind and organizing them in a journal works wonders in reducing stress. I found this process so valuable that I created my own Gratitude journal in order to have something that aligned perfectly with how my brain operates. So if you haven’t found the perfect journal for you, you can check it out here.
5. What succinct advise do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Start before you’re ready! You will learn far more in “doing” than you would by “thinking about it”.
Think about what would happen if you started now, instead of one year from now. If you started now, you would have a year’s worth of experience and practical knowledge versus if you started one year from now. Don’t underestimate the power of time!
6. What are your goals for 2024?
I am focused on expanding my reach. I am looking to bring my workshops, team building and Self-Awareness journals to even more teams and individuals in the GTA, so that more people in our community can experience what is possible when they are engaged, motivated and inspired! So if you’re reading this, let’s connect!