76.7 F
San Fernando
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024

LEADERSHIP: 20 IN THEIR 20s, continued

Nathan Ryan Co-Founder and President, Proxart Age: 23 Career: Proxart, an arts and media organization, was started as a side project while Ryan worked at Disney. A few friends complained about the lack of art-related opportunities in Santa Clarita and decided to put on an art show. “When 75 people came, we decided to continue to publish suburban artists and started Proxart Magazine, and Proxart Radio.” Their readership is worldwide and with more than 12,000 views a month. Each issue of the magazine has been downloaded or purchased more than 3,500 times. Goals: Ryan plans to continue with the design business and to move forward with his friend Antonio Diaz on Kreative, which will open this April. Kreative is a cooperative workspace for creative people. They hope it will become a cultural hub, not only Santa Clarita and the suburbs, but for Los Angeles as well. Mentors: “I’d say that my dad, Jim, more than anyone else in my life, he has mentored and influenced me the most.” Bradley Grose, creative director at Disney taught him a lot about being efficient, meeting deadlines, and working hard. Zachary Zigmond Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Age: 22 Career: Zigmond currently specializes in risk management and is licensed to sell life, disability, long-term care and health insurance products. Zigmond, who works with individuals and business, is in the process of obtaining his investments license. He decided to apply to work at Northwestern Mutual after the company sponsored a marketing competition at his university. Zigmond obtained the licensing he has now while working at the company in Woodland Hills, where he has been since June 2010. Zigmond also serves as the state director for the San Fernando Valley Jaycees. Goals: “I’d like to continue to growth within (the company). There’s a lot of opportunity here.” Mentor: Edgar Vega, financial representative at the same company Jonathon Nostrant Founder and CEO, Interactive Voice Inc. Age: 23 Career: When Nostrant was a junior at USC’s entrepreneurial studies program and studying abroad in China, he encountered voice recognition technology that led to the creation of his business. Using the technology, he and his father launched Moshi Lifestyle in 2008 with its signature voice-activated alarm clock that responds to commands. The company has sold to retailers including Bed, Bath & Beyond and Brookstone. In January, Nostrant took the alarm clock and other products under a new company he is heading called Interactive Voice Inc. Goals: Nostrant said he would like to make his products do more things, such as telling the weather in any city upon command or telling a company’s stock quote. “We’d (also) like to get into Best Buy, and we’re hoping to break what we’ve done in the past with Moshi and break $2 million in sales this year.” Mentor: Dag Kittlaus, CEO and founder of virtual personal assistant phone application company Siri. Michelle Boyer Director of Marketing, Momentous Insurance Brokerage Age: 28 Career: After graduating from college, Boyer worked as an underwriter with Networked Insurance Agents. She then relocated to Los Angeles, and joined the associate program at Arthur J. Gallagher in 2004. After three years with Gallagher, Boyer hoped to move on and pursue a more creative career. In January 2007, she acquired a marketing position with Russ Reid, a marketing and communications firm that serves non-profit organizations. In October, she began working with the non-profit organization Create Now as well. In 2008, Boyer was able to combine her experience in insurance and marketing when she was hired as Marketing Director at Momentous Insurance Brokerage. Goals: “I would like to do some public speaking or article writing. I would also like to further develop as a leader within Momentous, because I have a lot of plans and goals for the company.” Mentors: Debbie Russell and Sue Ruvolo at Arthur J. Gallagher; David Toth, Diane Brinson, and Sherrie Zenter at Momentous. Jordan Landes-Brenman Co-owner, Haute House PR & Marketing LLC Age: 27 Career: Landes-Brenman entered the industry through a Chanel internship in San Francisco. After other internships, she joined Red Light PR in Hollywood where she was the director of product placement and publicity and headed the women’s division. In June 2008, Landes-Brenman and a co-worker started their own fashion, lifestyle and beauty marketing company, Haute House PR & Marketing LLC. Since the Sherman Oaks-based company started, its client base and revenues have more than doubled. “We’ve seen a huge jump in getting celebrities wearing our brands on the red carpet and also around town in paparazzi shots.” Goals: Landes-Brenman’s goals include doing more events for luxury brands, moving the company’s office to Hollywood and eventually opening an office in New York. Mentor: Nicole Fife, my former boss at my Chanel internship Kelly LaRussa Co-owner, Haute House PR & Marketing LLC Age: 28 Career: LaRussa got her start as an intern handling luxury product placement for Primary Action in Los Angeles. She next worked for Red Light PR for three years where she was a senior account executive. There, she helped head and expand the men’s apparel and accessories division. LaRussa and co-worker Jordan Landes-Brenman then ventured off to form Haute House PR & Marketing LLC in June 2008. The company started with a clientele focus on women’s fashion brands but now also includes men’s fashion and accessories, skin care and beauty and fashion Web sites. Goal: “Just to continue bringing on high-end fashion and accessory lines and to expand into a larger office and hire full-time employees.” Mentor: My cousin, Paul Schiada, who is a small-business attorney. Nicolas Ramirez Co-owner, “The Whiskey Girls” Age: 27 Career: In 2009, Ramirez became the co-owner of “The Whiskey Girls,” which is a private event boutique bartending agency that specializes in cocktail services, DJs, private security, and themed events. Ramirez interviewed over 150 applicants during their initial start-up, and hired over 20 full-time staff members. Since officially opening six months ago, their first few private events have been a success. Ramirez said that enthusiasm and persistence were what helped him achieve his goals. “You also have to be flexible, and be able to roll with the punches.” Ramirez also currently serves as the executive vice president of the San Fernando Valley Jaycees, and is an executive board member/secretary for the Police Activity League Supporters-West Valley Chapter. Goals: “Aside from increasing sales, I’d like to host a special event for The Whiskey Girls family as a way of thanking them for their support. Also, serving as best as possible for the Jaycees in 2011.” Mentors: His fellow Gamma Sigma Alpha fraternity members. Troy Werner Associate Attorney Law Offices of L. Rob Werner Age: 25 Career: Werner started working at his father’s firm as a law clerk in March 2009 while he waited for the results of his bar exam. He began working there as an attorney in December 2009 and now manages the daily affairs of the firm’s Santa Clarita branch office. He acts as a lead attorney on numerous civil, personal injury and criminal cases. He also meets and retains new clients and provides consultations on a daily basis. Werner is also treasurer of the Santa Clarita Valley Jaycees. Goals: Werner is set to take over the firm as his father prepares to retire. “I do want to expand the firm. I want to continue the success. … I want to expand to different areas of law. One area is employment law.” Mentor: His father, L. Rob Werner.

Featured Articles

Related Articles