Co-authoring two best-selling books, co-hosting your own television series and appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show could have someone thinking they had done it all.
Not so for Andrea Baxter.
The co-founder of the Smart Cookies, a money-mentoring group comprised of four women focused on making financial information interesting and engaging to young women, hasn’t let success slow her down.
The brand made $1 million in its first year.
While still managing the company’s day-to-day operations, securing sponsorship and global partnerships with the likes of American Express, Baxter found time to start her own company, Bratface Marketing.
Having honed her skills in Vancouver’s marketing scene, with senior positions at 1-800-GOT-JUNK and Blast Radius, she wasn’t ready to go back and work for another company after the whirlwind of Smart Cookies.
“I’ve learned a lot in terms of what it takes to run a business on my own,” said Baxter.
Her goal is to take the business international and she has already started actively courting a New York clientele.
Bratface is just Baxter and one other employee for now, but it allows her the flexibility she needs to focus on her other commitments.
Baxter volunteers frequently and is active with organizations such as the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, offering business mentorships to fledgling companies.
“Being in an entrepreneurial world like Vancouver, there are so many people out there willing to help out, regardless of what level you are at,” Baxter said.
“I certainly wouldn’t be where I am if I had not had certain mentors in my life.” •
