MEET LAURA TEDESCO

THE HAMILTON ISSUE
INFLUENCE
BUSINESS. BALANCE. BOTTOM LINE. BRILLIANCE
INTRODUCING | LAURA TEDESCO

Contents
Business. Balance. Bottom Line and Brilliance.

EDITOR’S NOTE
BY THE NUMBERS
90 SECOND
SCHOOL
MEET LAURA
PEAK PROSPERITY
THE FOOD VIRGIN
WHAT ALI WORE
STRAIGHT SPEAK

the influence factor | editors note
The motto of Influence Magazine is Business. Balance. Bottom
Line and Brilliance. And have we got a lot of sparkly brilliance
to share with you in this special Issue!

Issue | hamilton, ontario
Laura Tedesco, a celebrated young
Canadian jewellery designer embodies
the word brilliance. Her imaginative
jewellery designs turn heads with their
bold originality, steal hearts as intimate
storytellers and will stand as timeless
pieces of art. A Laura Tedesco design is
crafted from precious metals, exquisite
stones and from the delicate history
of the women lucky enough to have
commissioned it.
This Issue’s Brilliance goes beyond
jewels and gems. Our always engaging
Contributing Columnists are at their
very best bringing you great business
and lifestyle reading whether you’re at
the office, the beach or somewhere in
between.
Sharon Ricci
Editor/Publisher

So you’re feeling like a real
smarty pants today?
Not so fast there brainy.
1
Where parents rank in terms
of a prodigy’s development
3
The age Amadeus Mozart
began playing piano
4
The age Amadeus Mozart
began playing the violin

8
The age Amadeus Mozart
wrote his first symphony
11
The age Amadeus Mozart
wrote his first opera
1956
The year Bobby Fischer won the
US Jr Chess Championship
16
The age of Bobby Fischer when
he became the US Champion
11
The age of a Harvard frosh
named William James Sidis
2
The age William James Sidis was when
he was reading adult-level books

90 SECOND
SCHOOL
WITH JAMIE SHANKS
Jamie is one of North America’s leading Social Selling experts. He has personally built
Social Selling solutions in nearly every industry, ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500
corporations. Sales for Life is now the world’s definitive Social Selling training and coaching
company. Jamie is also the Toronto chapter President of the American Association of
Inside Sales Professionals and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of
Ottawa, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of South Australia.

SHOULD I CONNECT WITH
PEOPLE WHO CHECK ME
OUT ON LINKEDIN?

Issue | hamilton, ontario
Before I met Laura Tedesco in person, I fell
in love with her ring. Now, before you jump
to the conclusion that I must be a jewellery
junkie, let me correct you – I’m the exact
opposite. For me jewellery has always
been take it or leave it. Mostly leave it.
That all changed when I walked by the Laura Tedesco store on one
of my favourite neighbourhood streets. In her window I saw a ring so
unique, so unapologetically fresh and so beautifully designed, I fell in
love instantly. I kept missing her at the store each time I walked by,
but life graciously put us together at a business lunch. I was a guest
panelist and the woman in the front row introduced herself as Laura
Tedesco. The rest, as they say, is history.
When I got to know Laura I knew why I was so powerfully drawn
to her designs. It’s because each of them is a love story filled with
meaning. Whether she’s starting from scratch or reimagining a piece
that’s been in a family for generations, the end creation will turn
heads and warm hearts.
In our signature Influence Spotlight style, I sat down with Laura to
ask her about her business, her roots, what motivates her, what she
draws on for creativity. I know you’ll find her story as inspiring as I
did. Enjoy…
Sharon Ricci
Editor/Publisher

the influence factor | spotlight
hamilton, ontario
MEET
LAURA TEDESCO
We commission one-of-a-kind jewellery. I
sketch and hand-draft each design based
on my clients’ lives and stories. The end
result is a well crafted, unique piece of
jewellery created with precious metals and
the forces of my imagination.
”

LAURA TEDESCO JEWELLERY DESIGN
I’ve heard you say fine
jewellery is like a fingerprint.
Our company mantra is Jewellery
with Meaning. No two designs are alike
because I believe jewellery is an extension of the
person wearing it and should be as unique
as their fingerprint.
Where does your love of the jewellery
business come from?
Those are deep roots.
I’ve always loved jewellery. My
parents owned Venetian Jewellers in
Hamilton and I have fond memories of
being a little girl watching my Dad behind the
bench grading diamonds or adjusting watches. I
loved watching my Mom buy and order exquisite
pieces and how she made them all glitter through
the showcase. Alot of my style comes from her.
I’m a third generation jeweller. My Nonno,
Alessandro Tedesco, founded Venetian Jewellers
first in Italy and then in Hamilton in 1954..

the influence factor | spotlight
Your strong family ties are a constant the bond between Mother and Daughter,
theme in your story.
but also my infinite love for my mother,
I loved my childhood. I was surrounded Linda, a source of inspiration and beauty.
by love. My family dynamic was the best
imaginable. I could honestly say that it
Transforming from a
was perfect. I had a
friend in my sister (when
we didn’t fight like cats
and dogs). My Mom
was the definition of an
amazing Mom. My Dad,
a hard worker, bevy of
knowledge and cheesy
Dad jokes. My Mother
died of brain cancer when
I was 14 and we were all
crushed. I cherish our
family memories so much.
Creativity and
quality work takes
time, you simply
can’t rush it.
young girl into an
award-winning
jewellery designer must
have had some ups
and downs.
There was a time in my
mid 20’s where I really
wanted to give up. I felt
that I wasn’t fully satisfied
working at my Dad’s
jewellery store – there was
something missing.
I understand this
ring you wear is linked
to your Mom. I don’t
think I’ve seen a more
memorable ring.
This ring was one of my first jewellery
designs and I designed it for myself. It’s
built around a beautiful marquise diamond
that belonged to my mother. The key
I didn’t know what to do.
A few books I was reading
gave me the spark to
leave Hamilton and go
on a bit of a spiritual journey. I pursued
jewellery design in Florence, Italy. My trip
to Florence was life altering. It was where I
fully realized my love of design and started
envisioning myself as a jewellery designer.
design element is two looped, stylized “L’s”
locked together in infinity. They represent

Issue | hamilton, ontario
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST WITH YOUR CUSTOMER IS KEY
and to be grateful for all business that comes your way (big or small).

the influence factor | spotlight
Do exactly what you are
doing because all of your
experiences, all of your
mistakes led you to where
you are today, so relax and
stop worrying.
What is your role within the
company? What kinds of things do
you do?
I wear many hats. I’m CEO, certified GIA
diamond grader and my favourite part
of my job, designer. And when my son
Alexander comes in for visits I also wear
the Mommy hat. That’s actually the best
part of my company, having the flexibility
to see Alexander whenever I want.
A favourite business quote:
Making money is art and working is art and
good business is the best art.
— Andy Warhol
Your most proud professional
accomplishments?
Winning first place for Best Diamond
design in Canada for the 2010 Excellence
in Jewellery Design Competition with the
piece featuring my Mother’s diamond.
If you’ve learned one thing in the
world of business it would be....
Building relationships and trust with
your customer is key and to be grateful
for all business that comes your way
(big or small).
Any advice you received that really
made sense to you?
My dad reminds me all the time that Rome
wasn’t built in a day. Creativity and quality
work takes time, you simply can’t rush it.

Issue | hamilton, ontario
If you could talk to your 20 year old
self, what advice would you give?
Do exactly what you are doing because all
of your experiences, all of your mistakes
led you to where you are today, so relax
and stop worrying.
I give you a million dollars to spend
on business and you...
Design the collection I’ve been dreaming of.
Night Owl or Early Bird?
Night owl all the way.
What do you wish you were better at?
Finding lost car keys.
Your one superpower?
Making my son laugh hysterically.
What motivates you to get out of bed
every day?
My Family... to prove to my son that
Accolades for Laura Tedesco Designs:
2010 Excellence in Design
1st place Best Diamond Design
2013 Excellence in Design
3rd place Platinum Design
dreams do come true and to continue to
make my Dad proud by continuing a
family tradition.

SPOTLIGHT
STARTING A
BUSINESS?
ST P
FIND A MENTOR

As founder of Cypress Strategies, an organizational growth
coaching and consulting firm, Shelley is the Peak Prosperity
by SHELLEY MCQUADE
coach that gets cities, associations and companies clear,
confident and ready to prosper.

THE WORLD IS FLAT
Well not really but figuratively. In a knowledge-based economy
industrial age hierarchies are less than optimal to develop a creative
and innovative workforce. Many companies are jumping on the flat
organization band wagon to grow their people and their company.
Creativity and innovation means multiple people from diverse
backgrounds and disciplines need to learn to play nice in the shared
sand box so to speak. This requires engaging in ways many of us
traditionally haven’t done or thought of. To help with this challenge, try
working the New Economy model. These 4 pillars provide the right
structure for a flat world:
CONTEXT – Thanks to the internet the amount of codified knowledge
is doubling every 5 minutes. In an era of information overload we need
context – models or frameworks – to make sense of content. With
shorter product and business lifecycles change is the norm and context
will help you build your success formula to stay relevant and profitable.
ALIGNMENT – With complex value chains and multiple stakeholders
-
alignment is critical. Right fit matters. For your team this means having
the right people with both the skill – ability and will – attitude required
for peak performance.
COLLABORATION – Gone are the days of “knowing it all”.
Organizational success requires a highly engaged team that can park
their ego at the door and work together for the greater good.
Sometimes you’ll lead, sometimes I’ll lead and we both need to know
when to back off and step up.
ACCOUNTABILITY – With less rigid rules and more grey than black
and white; freedom is required to get the job done. That being said we
need to get results. Providing your team with clear goals or outcomes
and holding them accountable, creates a deep level of personal
satisfaction and drives performance.
Less jobs today fall into the “just tell me what to do and I’ll do it”
category. Critical thinking is the new world order and individuals with
high social and analytical skills are the cream that rises to the top. So
loosen up your button down approach and at the same time create a
structure with accountability to solve your customer’s biggest problems
and to win big in the new economy.

straight speak | spotlight
DAVID &
GOLIATH...
actually it’s
Leonard & Goliath
When it comes to influence, size
matters ... and it comes in all
shapes and sizes.
There’s a reason David kicked
Goliath’s butt.

Issue | hamilton, ontario
Leonard H. Goodman knows a thing or
two about life insurance and influence.
After all, he’s been a stalwart in the
industry for more than half a century.
Today, Leonard is persona non grata with
the life insurance companies because he’s
fighting for change. Big change that they
don’t want. He’s up against a Goliath who’s
fighting for the status quo.
The Canadian life insurance industry wields
considerable power and influence and, like
Goliath, it is seldom challenged, unless your
name is David ... or Leonard.
Goodman, on behalf of Canadian seniors,
is fighting for their right to access the fair
market value in their life insurance policy,
an asset they own. He says, “Canadian
insurers are ignoring the needs of seniors
and the advancements experienced in the
United States and around the world.” He
adds. “In the US alone, seniors are receiving
more than $7 million a day by accessing
the fair market value in their life insurance
policies through life settlements. But in
Canada, nothing. Because of the power
of insurance companies – big money,
big influence.”

straight speak | spotlight
A well-regulated life settlement industry
provides seniors with a secondary market
where, on average, they receive four
times the cash surrender value of their
policy, and in the case of term insurance,
much more.
Votes influence
Goodman is advocating on behalf of 5.6
million Canadian seniors. “That’s a lot of
votes and a lot of influence,” he says. “And
that’s why I wrote my book, Why Are
Canadian Seniors Worth More Dead Than
Alive? and why seniors need to know what
their insurers won’t tell them.”
Leonard H. Goodman (photo
courtesy: Northumberland Today)
In Ontario, more than 15 years ago, the
government supported establishing a life
settlement industry and recommended to
change Section 115 in the Ontario Insurance
Fifty-two years in life
insurance and he’s
reloading his slingshot.
Act, an egregious law that prevents seniors
from accessing the maximum value in
their life insurance. But nothing happened.
Seniors are still waiting because the
influence of the insurance lobby and the
inertia of bureaucracy trumped political
will – so far. Now Goodman has reloaded
his slingshot.

Issue | hamilton, ontario
Doing what’s right
Malcolm Gladwell in his book David and
Goliath, said, “Davids defeat Goliaths
all the time.” And when the Davids are
advocating for fundamental rights, the
Goliaths eventually fall. Goodman, who
has burnished his influence over the years,
knows he is on the side of right, for seniors,
the economy and the future of Canada.
Leonard H. Goodman’s book,
Why Are Canadian Seniors Worth
More Dead Than Alive.
A life settlement
pertains to the sale of
an unneeded in force
life insurance policy for
an amount that’s more
than the policy’s cash
surrender value but less
than its death benefit.

What
Wore
This is Ali. He walks past Zoe Spawton’s office in Berlin, Germany every morning wearing
great clothes. She snaps pictures of him and shares them with the world.
We in turn are sharing them with you. Why? To kick your ass so you’ll give up that beige
suit and those worn shoes … it’s time to up your fashion game gentleman and Ali is just the
man to be your guide!

INFLUENCE
BUSINESS. BALANCE. BOTTOM LINE. BRILLIANCE
NO PRESSURE... NO DIAMOND...