Lisa Winning
Who are you, and what do you do?
I am an entrepreneur and Aussie in New York City. The first company I founded is called HeTexted. It’s a platform for young women to discuss the issues they care about most. I’m passionate about entrepreneurs from emerging and developing markets – specifically the Middle East – and am on the Advisory Board of the United Nations Youth Assembly.
Where were you when the idea for HeTexted came to you?
I was in New York in Nolita and had the idea for a company where all the questions you couldn’t Google would be answered. And the most important questions, are usually about relationships so that was the jumping off point.
How do you craft your identity?
I always want the brand to be young, fun and empathetic – like a great friend. Depending on who you’re speaking with, as in, either your consumer audience or your business partners, you tailor the message.
What motivates you?
In the past it was insecurity, the need to create something to prove a point. Increasingly I create because it’s fun, and exciting and I believe it connects us all in meaningful ways.
What skill / quality do you value the most?
I value tenacity the most and the ability to rally. When things have been tough I think it’s important to remember how lucky we are and keep pushing forward.
What is the greatest risk you’ve taken? What was your process in making your decision?
Leaving Sydney and moving to New York to found the company was a big risk. The process wasn’t rational – I was obsessed with the idea and knew I had to see it live.
What do you do in your free-time to decompress?
I meditate, do yoga, ride horses, have dinner parties and play poker.
What is something you’ve had to learn on your own that you’d like to pass onto the next Creative?
Self belief is really important, it pushes you and it’s also the spark that other people can see that compels them to work with you.
What forms of media have influenced you the most?
Growing up in Sydney, I fell in love with pop culture because it was an escape from suburbia. I love highly visual directors like Anthony Minghella, Baz Lurhman, and Andrew Niccol. Not high brow, but more compelling because they created films that resonate easily, and on a universal human level. Bryce Courtenay’s The Power of One, I must have read 10 times, and Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby over and over – because they are such visual stories. Nowadays, I love reading Monocle, Tatler and am a recovering Daily Mail addict.
What hardware / software do you use?
I am pretty old school! I usually ink down all my goals on a Moleskin and also really enjoy making decks with Slidebean or Prezi.
What would be your dream creative setup?
Going to a place where you feel under-stimulated because it builds more of a hunger in you to create. When I’m in New York City or London I’m so thrilled to be there, I just want to go out all the time. Personally, I find it easier to be creative when everything is quiet, and less exciting. So ideally with just a notebook and some colored pens at the beach…and no email.
