We had the pleasure of sitting down with Patrizia Lipari in celebration of International Women's Day! Since 2019, Patrizia has taken on the exciting challenge of launching our latest Maison Lipari store, located on Decarie. From the very beginning, she poured her heart and soul into this endeavour, from envisioning the concept to securing the perfect spot within the former Union Lighting store extension. Her determination was evident every step of the way. With unwavering dedication, she meticulously oversaw every detail, from constructing the warehouse to handpicking the product selection, leading up to the grand opening on November 20th. With a lifelong connection to the business, it's clear that Patrizia was destined for this role, and her work shines through every aspect of her work.
What obstacles have you faced as an entrepreneur and specifically, as a female entrepreneur during your career?
Definitely people. They're fascinating yet challenging to sway. Trying to nudge them towards change, especially when I was young and inexperienced, posed hurdles like resistance to my own limitations. Managing various personalities, coping with setbacks, and handling pressure added to the mix. Surprisingly, gender-related obstacles didn't seem significant to me, but maybe I haven’t realized them at times.
What do you consider your biggest career accomplishments to date?
Certainly, our business at the Decarie location has seen significant growth, particularly over the last two years. It's not just about opening the location, but more about the evolution and development we've achieved with our team and product offerings. I'm genuinely proud of where we stand today, especially considering the past year. I feel like I've poured a lot of myself into the business. Our team deserves a special mention; many of which have stuck with us through all of the whirlwinds and have played a pivotal role in our growth. I’m also really excited about the next steps we will take in expanding our business because I feel like we finally got it to the place it needs to be in in order to expand.
What leadership traits and values got you to where you are today, and where Maison Lipari is today?
I'm not sure if it's a traditional leadership trait, but I believe I possess a significant amount of energy that enables me to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. While I admit that not everything is executed perfectly, I'm adept at swiftly pivoting to address new priorities and take on various responsibilities at once. I thrive on responsibility and dislike being confined to one task. My approach is highly solution-oriented; I love finding quick solutions to problems and view each challenge as a puzzle to be solved and that energy has played a significant role in our journey. For instance, when we decided to open the Decarie location, I signed the lease in September 2019, and within just two months, by November 20th, we were up and running. Despite the intense pressure of stripping down the old space, setting up the new store and warehouse, stocking shelves, and ensuring operational readiness, we managed to pull through. And then COVID-19 hit, adding another layer of complexity. While it was an overwhelming experience, I'm grateful for the support network that helped me navigate through it.
What drives you?
I feel a strong sense of responsibility towards my family and close circle, which constantly motivates me to strive for more. When I set my mind on something, I weigh its feasibility before diving in. Once convinced, I pursue it relentlessly. Whether it's opening a new location within months or tackling a marathon within a short time frame, I'm driven by an intense need to see things through. This drive extends to maintaining my physical fitness, which fuels my energy and the ability to manage the chaos of leadership. Ultimately, my main goal is to be there for my family, which requires me to excel in business, maintain my health, and have the energy to support those around me.
Which women in the public sphere inspire you the most?
My mom, she's absolutely amazing in her own unique way, she does not second guess herself. I would love to not second guess myself. I tend to think more, I get that from my dad. He was super inspirational to me as well – dedicated, steady, hardworking and grounded. Wish he was still alive to see what we’re doing and where we’re going with the business he’d be so stoked. And the women who make up our team at Lipari, each one of them is truly special and plays a crucial role in our success. In the public sphere, there are women like Joan of Arc—a total badass. I admire women who stand up and make a difference, whether it's on a grand scale or in small, impactful ways. Have you heard of the Night Witches, the female fighter pilots who terrorized the Germans during WW2? Their bravery blows my mind—I love stories like that. And in the contemporary scene, Amal Clooney stands out to me—she's intelligent, stylish, and incredibly inspiring. But there are countless other women out there who inspire me, from female medics to scientists to engineers. Their achievements never cease to amaze me, women are just so amazing in their own ways.
How do you balance the dynamics of being both business partners and family members?
We argue often but it’s cool because at the end of the day, we love each other and we do what is best for our family and for the business despite sometimes having different points of view. Our intentions are in the right place.
Can you share a pivotal moment when being a woman influenced your decision-making process in business?
Well, you know how it goes—time flies, and the biological clock starts ticking. Lately, I've been making decisions with the future in mind, considering how to balance running the business with the possibility of starting a family. Currently, I feel like I'm too consumed with work to even think about having kids, which doesn't sit right with me. So I’ve been trying to make better decisions and setting up processes that can ultimately free me up so if ever I do want to have kids, I can give them the time that I want to give them and the time that they need. My biggest want in life is not financial necessarily, it’s time and freedom. Specifically, the freedom to spend time with those you love, or on things you love doing. – but I guess you need financial liberty to do those things so it’s all intertwined. I hate things that waste my time.
What challenges did you face as a women entrepreneur, and how did you overcome them?
Sometimes we’re not taken seriously… but I attribute that to being a clown, not necessarily to being a woman.
How has your relationship as mother and daughter contributed to the success of your business?
Our approach is very much “Let's tackle this together”. Our aim is clear: we're focused on what's best for both our family and the business. As a result, our decisions naturally align to benefit that.
In what ways do you think being women in the business world has given you a unique advantage?
World of homewares is primarily a woman’s world. We can connect with our customer base, we understand the needs.
Do you want to share a personal anecdote and lesson learned from the journey of a mother-daughter duo in entrepreneurship?
I learn so much from my mom… she’s been living in the future for many years. She sees things that takes many people years to realize… for example toxicity of added chemicals in food, in beauty products, in household detergents, etc. she understood this decades ago, which meant life growing up was also a little abnormal to others.
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