Surina Piyadasa, a Silicon Valley exec turned coach, is the force behind Dynamically Speaking LLC. Launched in 2004, her boutique consulting firm is based in Pleasanton, CA and recently expanded into Idaho to better serve customers in the Northwest. Designing holistic executive coaching solutions that help leaders and high potentials amplify their business impact is Dynamically Speaking’s specialty. Ready to soar as an engaging storyteller and dynamic leader? Book a free consultation or visit their website.
Q: Tell us a little more about your journey as an entrepreneur – how did you get started?
Surina: My entrepreneurial journey started with a burning desire: empower leaders to amplify their business impact in times of triumph and adversity. Effective leaders multiply their influence at all levels of an organization – above, below, and side-by-side. They are people developers. When they develop a team, the organization thrives, and customers benefit.
I used my experience in dealmaking and C-suite connections, from being a senior executive at a well-known Silicon Valley financial company to launching my own business. Recruited by the Executive Vice President of Corporate Finance, I spearheaded business development, driving strategy and sales of interim financial management services to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and advising venture-backed startups on funding strategies.
This dot.com boom coincided with a remarkable time in the Valley before the bubble burst. Living in the heart of vibrant Silicon Valley was thrilling, with Sandhill Road, Stanford University, and NASA Ames Research Center nearby. I will always cherish the invitation from Heidi Roizen, an exceptional investor and amazing human being who championed women leaders in technology by opening her home to them.
When the horrific tragedy of 9/11 hit, it was my wake-up call. Just days earlier, I had been on a flight to Michigan, pitching a deal to the Automotive Consumer Services Group at Ford Motor Company. This heartbreaking attack caused a period of deep reflection on my future path.
As the news unfolded, I couldn’t help but question everything about my life and career trajectory. Was I spending my energy on the right things? A quote by MLK, “Only in the darkness can you see the stars,” replayed in my mind. This profound period of self-introspection led to quitting my job, moving back to my East Bay home, and pioneering a personal development program for a talented group of teenage girls at church. A year later, I launched my company, boot-strapped with funds from the sale of my home.
Unleashing the potential within leaders is my daily motivation, inspiring me to develop innovative coaching strategies. Being an entrepreneur also provided more flexibility in my work day to re-ignite my acting career. I joined SAG-AFTRA in 2004 and soon worked on projects representing fabulous brands like E*TRADE and Iomega on-camera.
Q: What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive?
Surina: As Benjamin Franklin said, “The early morning has gold in its mouth.” Here are some of the things I do:
- Rise early: by front-loading my day, it is amazing how much more I can get done by 10 a.m. when working from home.
- Give thanks: before my feet hit the ground, I thank God for His goodness and for all of the wonderful people I will meet during the day.
- Energize: I drink a full eight ounces of room temperature water first thing, followed by a glass of warm water mixed with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, cinnamon, a dash of cayenne pepper, and honey. Throughout the day, I sip, drink green tea and bone broth.
- Stretch breaks: when working from home, I will do ten minutes of stretching on a ballet barre every couple of hours.
- Nourish: organic greens, colorful fruit, quality proteins, and high anti-oxidant foods make up a big part of what I eat during the day.
- Hydrate: drink at least 68 ounces of water throughout the day.
- Stay positive: with everything happening in the world, it’s easy to lose focus and heart. I limit the amount of news consumed during my workday. Instead, there is something uplifting playing in the background while I am working at my desk.
- Make time for big-picture thinking: I am intentional about scheduling time on the calendar for strategic thinking around personal, professional, and business goals.
Q: How do you stay organized with such a busy schedule?
Surina: On my desk, I keep a hand-written, to-do list and cross off each task when it gets done. Friday afternoons are typically reserved for consultations with prospects interested in learning more about the value Dynamically Speaking delivers.
Q: What would you do if you had a magic wand?
Surina: Wow, that’s a huge and complex question that requires wisdom from God Almighty. If left to my tiny and limited human brain, the three transformations I would love to see in this world are:
- Igniting awe and reverence for the Divine Creator who spoke the universe into existence;
- Reinventing education by focusing on STEM, soft skills, and character building;
- Hiring talent based on character, competency, and growth mindset above all else;
- Grounding every conversation in truth, salted with love, and peppered with kindness to bring out the best in people
Q: If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
Surina: I would name it “The Little Engine That Could”
Q: What motivates you?
Surina: Being around caring people who live with purpose and bring passion, enthusiasm, and excellence to their work and lives.
Q: What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?
Surina: Before we tied the knot, my then-husband-to-be and I enrolled in a six-week “before you say I do” marriage boot camp taught by a loving couple from church who were happily married for 36 years. It was the best investment of my life, as I learned a lot about myself, my future husband, and the marriage commitment. I discovered that it is really about how you respond to everything that happens after your wedding day. Sixteen years later, my husband still rocks my world, is fun to be around, challenges my thinking, and turns my head in a crowded room.
Q: What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs invest their time in?
Surina: Read good books and listen to podcasts from entrepreneurs who have been there and done that. Develop a fitness discipline that you enjoy and will stick to; When the journey gets hard, keep a file to remind you of all the nice things people you care about have said about you; Learn from every set-back and rise with optimism; Develop a high-quality professional network and remember to give back; Invest in quality relationships; Take time to celebrate each milestone reached with your team; Stay hungry; Be grateful; Do nice things anonymously for folks who can’t pay you back.
Q: What is your ‘one-sentence’ piece of advice you’d like to give to someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
Surina: Find a trusted advisor who cares enough about you to tell you the truth, listen attentively, and take good notes.
If you’re ready to take the next step in amplifying your leadership impact, book a free consultation with Surina at Dynamically Speaking. For more insights, follow Surina on LinkedIn.