Episode 30:
Becoming a successful entrepreneur is a unique journey for women as the statistics show that there are STILL significant, systemic challenges for females looking to run their own business. Since the pandemic began there’s been a “boom” in female self-starters looking for work-life balance and a career that fulfills them. So why are there still so many barriers to entry for these emerging business leaders?
Kenrick is joined by Robin Kovitz the CEO of Baskits, a specialty retailer that designs, manufacturers, and delivers unique and luxurious gifts to over 40,000 customers across Canada and the United States. After years in investment banking, consulting, and private equity, Robin overcame several obstacles to become the CEO of this rapidly growing enterprise.
They discuss the “intangible” qualities that make for a successful entrepreneur, why there is lower representation of female entrepreneurs across the Canadian business landscape, what it really means to support women-led enterprises and so much more. They also discuss the rapid growth at Baskits, why there’s been a gift basket revival, and why, according to the numbers, women-led enterprises actually perform better over time.
Guest Speaker - Robin Kovitz
Robin Kovitz is the President & CEO of Baskits Inc., one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies. Baskits designs, manufacturers and delivers unique and luxurious gifts across Canada and the US. With over 40,000 customers from around the world, Baskits makes gifting quick and easy through its online stores, catalogue/call centre, warehouse and retail locations. In 2020 Baskits was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine.
Prior to acquiring Baskits in 2014, Robin worked in private equity on the buyouts of mid-sized companies and as a summer consultant at the Boston Consulting Group, where she led part of a large-scale cost reduction project at a Canadian bank. She also played an active role in the sale of her family’s western Canadian food manufacturing and distribution businesses. Robin began her career in Mergers and Acquisitions investment banking at CIBC World Markets and was recognized with the Chairman’s Award in 2005.
As a sought-after speaker and commentator on entrepreneurship through acquisition and the topics of digital retail and “mompreneurship”, Robin is frequently a guest lecturer at both the Yale School of Management and Harvard Business School. She and/or Baskits have been featured in a number of leading publications including Forbes, House & Home, Elle Canada, Canadian Business, HuffPost, Style at Home and on Global News and Your Morning.
Robin currently serves as a consultant to the Admissions marketing team at Harvard Business School and is a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.Comm. from Queen’s University where she was a Rutherford Scholar. In 2017 she was recognized as a Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award winner. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two young children.
