Livia has always referred to On Q as her first baby. Eleven years later she has three more
babies, however “On Q is the only profitable one”, she laughs. Her other start-ups, all under four
years of age, provide oodles of dividends in the forms of silly moments of laughter and extreme gratification.
In speaking with Livia, it’s easy to see that she takes great pride in any endeavour she journeys on, whether it’s business or personal. She has transferred her lessons, learned from her years of experience in marketing, into consulting with clients across various industries, as well as lecturing about social media in her management level courses at Schulich School of Business. Livia manages to share her time between the business she co-founded and managing her family with her husband. From the looks of it, both are growing well.
In one sentence explain what you do at On Q Communications.
I grow the business through proactive communication strategy building for current and potential clients. Also, through designing and teaching courses that help management level executives stay on top of changing marketing trends.
What does a typical work day look like to you?
No two days are the same for a business owner, but my favourite days allow for catching up on industry news in the morning, strategy meetings with our team, lunch and learns with potential clients and maybe even working on a proposal or two.
If you could have one superpower what would it be?
Wiggle my nose like Samantha in Bewitched to have any superpower I need in that moment.
What do you do when you’re not working?
Enjoy my three year old twin girls being funny for their five month old baby brother as he stares at them with complete fascination.
Finish this sentence. I can’t start my day without_________.
Feeding my baby…he won’t let me 😉 But I try to grab my lemon water before heading to his room (which is the one thing I really can’t start my day without).
What’s the most memorable campaign you’ve worked on with On Q?
Baskin Robbins BRight choices campaign was pretty fun as it allowed me to mix my favourite things—ice cream and fashion—for a super fun, attention grabbing combination that the media and customers alike just loved!
What’s your favourite spot in Toronto? Why?
NE corner of Bay St and Yorkville Ave…especially on a Tuesday afternoon in the summer. It became a ‘tradition’ for my husband and I to take a day off here and there for a massage at the Four Seasons, followed by a nice swim in that perfect temperature pool playing music underwater, finished with a nice smoked salmon sandwich and sangria at D bar. It’s right smack in the middle of a bustling city but can feel like you’re the only person in the world when you take some time out to unwind and reflect.
What’s one thing that makes you a unique, but a dynamic team player?
Although creativity is commonly described as a virtue, I’ve been praised for my pragmatic style which has been key in crossing business challenges and strategizing future direction of our business.
What are three words your co-workers would use to describe you?
Dedicated, motivated, trustworthy
What advice do you have for young PR or communications professionals looking to break out in their field?
It’s just as important to find out what you don’t like as it is to know what you like. When
you’re young and have lots of unchecked energy, it’s the best time to try out everything and see what makes you happy and excited and what doesn’t. By showing initiative you can carve out a position for yourself in a company that may otherwise not be ‘hiring’, if you can prove they need your skillset.
I was very lucky to land a dream ‘intern’ job at Style magazine back when I was in high school. Pat MacLean, the magazine’s publisher and president of the communications company at that time allowed me to try my talent in all the departments. I experienced everything from writing to design to advertising, and quickly realized that experience is the only thing that answers the question ‘what do I want to do when I grow up?’ The internship turned into a job that I had for many years throughout university. I learned many valuable lessons about running a business at a young age. I also gained a lifelong mentor in Pat MacLean, and to this day I fondly think back to my days at Style when I hire interns at On Q who end up growing and flourishing within our company.
To speak to Livia to learn more about what she does at On Q, or to pick her brain about the industry, feel free to email her at Livia@onqcommunications.ca
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