Podcast Episode 3 - Vicki Wright Hamilton
Speaker1: Welcome to the Passionate Magazine podcast. I’m your host, Anna, and I’m thrilled to bring you inspiring conversations with leaders who are redefining what it means to be passionate in their work. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Vicky Wright Hamilton, the CEO of VW consulting, a strategic business and leadership coach, dynamic speaker and accomplished author. So get comfortable and let’s dive into another insightful episode of the Passionate Magazine podcast. Hi Vicky, I hope you’re doing well. Thank you so much for being with us today.
Speaker2: Oh, I’m doing great. Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker1: Vicky Wright Hamilton, CEO of VW consulting, is a visionary strategic business and leadership coach, dynamic speaker and accomplished author. With her expertise, she helps leaders drive Strive transformation, optimize strategies, and achieve success. So let’s get started with some questions so that our audience can discover more about you and your work.
Speaker2: Absolutely.
Speaker1: All right. So we would love to know about your professional journey if you could brief us about it.
Speaker2: Sure. So I have been around a while. But my professional journey started in technology. I’m a technologist by trade, and I spent many years in in corporate America working my way through the ranks. Most recently on all the way through the C-suite. And working across multiple industries, everything from pharmaceutical to manufacturing products to manufacturing to media, you name it. I have been across many industries, and the good thing about that is that it gets me exposed to many different businesses. With that said, I spent the last, you know, 17 years of my corporate career in the media and cable industry. And then I started my own business, started my own business. And I’ve been in business now for 14 years. And did not start the business necessarily because I wanted to, but that’s another story. But from a professional perspective having all of that experience, corporate experience behind me allowed me the opportunity to see things with a little different lens. In looking at requirements and what people are looking for and moving forward, etcetera, so that I could start my business to be more successful. As I continued the trajectory of building growth. And so I began as a solopreneur, and now I truly have, you know, a company.
Speaker1: Wow. That’s wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. So my next question is, you know, virtual reality and generative AI, they are very emerging technologies right now. How do you see these tools transforming forming business operations and leadership development in your perspective?
Speaker2: Well, you know, Jen, AI is a very interesting concept. You know, AI’s been around a long, long time. It just was not the buzzword. You know, we were using it in different ways. However, as AI has matured and gen AI is becoming, you know more of the norm and the conversation, I think what has to happen is leaders have to change their paradigm of how they think about AI. So and then that is what enables the employees to think differently. So let’s think about this when A.I. comes in. And it can do something faster and quicker and it can make it happen. What’s the first thing employees think about? Oh my gosh, I’m going to lose my job. They don’t need me anymore. Whereas that’s not true. If the a gen A.I. is a capability to make your job easier, better and faster not to replace you and leaders have to start thinking about it that way. Leaders have to also remember that just because I’m using something to get faster, we don’t do things and automatically get a return on investment quickly when we do it necessarily. Because remember, AI is a learning tool. It you teach it, you train it, it learns. It has to develop to not only develop your voice, your company, your understanding, but even when you’re using it on the open internet to do research for you and things like that. So I think that leaders have to begin to model the behavior that look, we’re going to use AI to help us, to advance us so that we can get more done.
Speaker2: But the not to replace you because it can’t do everything you do. People still run the organization, right? Organizations don’t run themselves. And we have to continue to upskill our employees because as AI comes out and as things are happening, they have to have additional skill sets not only for their growth and advancement, but to keep the company going. I often say to people, let’s think about this. Think about your parent. Think about your grandparents. We went from covered wagon to automobiles. That was a major change. That was something where there was an advancement. But what did it do? It created mechanic jobs. It created computer jobs. It created, you know, building jobs of manufacturing cars, etc.. So every advancement has an expansion. And we have to think about this one the same way. Everything we do that advances and gets better doesn’t mean that we’re closing doors. It means that we’re broadening our capability and we’re opening doors. And I think leaders need to think about it in that kind of growth context. And remember that, you know, the more we invest in our people to upskill, and the more that we look at AI to make us more efficient and not waste expense dollars and not waste money, the better we’re going to be as a company.
Speaker1: Wow. That was an insightful perspective and I would say hopeful as well. So as an author and speaker, how do you use your platform to inspire and educate leaders about the future of business and leadership?
Speaker2: So my in everything I do, you know, my premise is all is I want to serve. I want to serve others. And I believe that every platform you have is an opportunity to be able to share experiences, wisdom, knowledge, education as you continue to move forward. So I ensure that when I have people on my show, that I have knowledgeable individuals that can leave with tips and tricks and and insights and perspectives to get people thinking. I want to make sure that when I’m dealing with any kind of whatever I’m writing, whether it’s about a concept that I, you know, that I’m, you know, exploring or whether it’s a skill set or regardless to what it is that I’m writing, I want to make sure that whatever perspective that I provide, I am giving a an education element within it, because I believe that the more we share our nuggets of wisdom, the more that we help to bring others up, the better this world will be, but the more advanced we’ll be able to become as an entire community and world and make things better for all people, right? So I believe it’s an obligation for me that if I’m going to have these platforms, I have to use them for what’s right and good and continue to pull and help others up. So that’s my philosophy around whether it’s a book, whether it’s a podcast, whether it’s a television show, no matter what you have as a platform, it becomes your requirement to be able to assist and serve other people.
Speaker1: Wow, that was brilliant. So next up, I want to know how do you approach helping organizations. We just talked about, you know, leadership. So how do you approach helping organizations achieve operational excellence? That’s what I want to know.
Speaker2: Okay. So you know, operational excellence in, in my opinion, is all about the back office and how things run. It’s all about the efficiencies. It’s all about how we enable our capabilities, for whom we serve, whether it’s a client, customer or otherwise. So everything that happens in the back office from that operational perspective is important. And a lot of times we’ll think about back office. We think about just the the computer systems and things like that. And that’s not true. Operations is everything. How do we operate when we sell? How do we operate when we market? How do we operate in our accounting? How do we operate in technology? How do we operate around our products operations? Is that entire spectrum from end to end of what you’re doing within your business now? You know, you can add as you talk about operational efficiencies, this is one of those places where, yes, can technology help us? Yes. There’s a lot of lot of areas where technology can come in and help us to be more efficient. But it’s not just about technology, it’s about our ability to work as a team, our ability to work collaboratively to be successful across the operational areas. Well, how well are we working together? So I think there’s a people component of the operations, and I definitely work on a people component side with leaders so that they understand, you know, we always say people are our most valuable asset. Well, if that’s the case, how are you treating them? What is the culture like? What is the process like? How are they feeling? Are you giving them skill sets? Are you allowing them to grow so they want to stay with you? So your intellectual property is not gone out the door when they leave, and you have to start over, because we all know that there’s a price to pay when you hire somebody new, even if they’re knowledgeable in their field, they still have to learn your company, your culture, etc.
Speaker2: so there’s a certain amount of time before they’re really 100% productive. So there’s a price tag to that where you’re paying and you’re not necessarily getting that ROI. You’re educating them on what needs to be done. So people are your you know, that’s one of the most expensive line items you have, is when you start talking about payroll and training and all the rest of that, you need to make sure that you’re investing and that you’re keeping people there so you can do less of that uplift when you have to replace. Likewise, you have to make sure that you have systems in place that not just technology, but you have tools in place and things that is that are needed by each functional area in the operational area to ensure that they’re able to meet the metrics that they’re being measured on and what’s going to help the company to be successful. I can tell you that I want something, but if I don’t give you the tools and the capabilities to be able to do it then I’m not serving you in a way that’s going to allow it to be done quickly and with quality. It’s not just about pace, it’s about quality as well. And then it’s about our service, you know, because we always want to make sure that we’re giving that great customer service no matter what We’re, you know, operating under both internally and externally to our internal customers that we may have and to our external customers who buy our products or services.
Speaker1: Well, brilliant. That was very comprehensively explained. Thank you so much for that. So this is this is the next question and also the last one, and this is also the most anticipated question on our podcast. So with your extensive experience across various industries till now, what would be your top piece of advice for someone looking to build a career in strategic business leadership?
Speaker2: I think one of the first things that you have to think about is I love thinking outside of the box. I love creating when you love to create and build and think outside of the box, you can create different kinds of strategies and unique ideas to take things forward, make them better, etc. I work my passion, so my first advice is make sure it’s your passion. Make sure it’s something that you love to do that you want to do, because there’s going to be hills and valleys in it, just like there are in other things. But when you’re working your passion and you love it, it makes it a little bit easier. From a skill set perspective, I think that there are two components that you need going into strategic planning. One is mindset. You have to be adaptable. You have to be flexible. You have to have the right mindset in terms of going to be open, especially when you’re working across multiple industries to help clients. No matter how much knowledge you have in terms of your experience, seek to understand before being understood when it comes time to work with your clients. So I think from the the intellectual side of really thinking internally, it’s about mindset.
Speaker2: The second piece, I would tell you that’s along with that same advice, but more on the on the professional skill set side is to make sure that you read and read and read more. It’s not just about the book knowledge and the degrees, it’s about the application and the breadth of your knowledge. And if you read and you understand more in different case studies and how people are doing things differently and different ways to perceive things, you bring a value to a company that they may not have had the time to do all of that research and read and learn and stay on top of that crap. You’re able to help them to move forward quicker and faster and with that quality. So I can’t tell I can’t say enough how important it is to read about your industry. Stay on top of your industry and your functional areas of strategy. If it’s a particular industry you’re in that you want to expand on that. You stay on top of it because your value is going to be as much as you have continued to grow and learn as things change, because that’s the. After all, that’s the only thing we can count on is change.
Speaker1: Wow, that was amazing. Thank you so much for joining us today. It was really a good experience talking with you today, Vicki.
Speaker2: Well, thank you so much for having me and I truly appreciate it.
Speaker1: Thank you. Brilliant. I hope you have a great day ahead.
Speaker2: Vicki you do the same.
Speaker1: And that wraps up this episode of the Passionate Magazine podcast. A huge thanks to Vicki Hamilton for joining us and sharing her expertise and incredible journey. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll continue to explore the stories of remarkable individuals making a difference in their field. Until next time, I’m your host, Anna. Stay passionate and keep chasing your dreams.
Industries are changing rapidly today due to technological changes, shifting consumer expectations, and changing global economies. The technology sector leads, with innovation in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital transformation reshaping how businesses work. Meanwhile, corporate consulting is very important in assisting organizations in any sector in changing their approach, optimizing processes, and aligning strategies to goals. Entrepreneurship and small businesses are the dynamic engines for economic growth and require scalable solutions to respond appropriately to market demand. Leadership development and professional services revolve around making people and organizations ready to handle new challenges in the face of a rapidly changing environment. Growth and innovation are the very atmospheres that consumer products belong to since they include self-care and wellness in their products because more and more customers are requiring comprehensive solutions. The interlink of these industries signifies that all three innovations, adaptability, and growth are integrated within the contemporary business environment. Vicki Wright Hamilton is the CEO of Business Transformation Partners Inc. (VWH Consulting), an expert in disruptive technology strategies and leadership development to grow small businesses. She has developed the documentary film, The Diary of Successful Black Single Mothers; written Game Face; and established Victorious Skin, a skincare line. She holds knowledge in both technology and corporate consulting and has been equipping organizations and people with the instruments for transformative success.
From Vision to Impact: A Journey of Leadership, Excellence, and Holistic Transformation
VWH consulting has become the leader in this industry, with a wide scope of transformative offerings that support the growth of the organization and empowerment of the individual. She empowers and partners with companies to create innovations and use aligned change management and long-term planning to stay in tune with their ever-changing marketplace through a Disruptive Technology Strategy and Change Management plan. Through the Leadership Coaching and Transformation programs, her leaders develop and inspire visions within teams and traverse complexities with full confidence and authenticity. The Growth Strategies for the Small Business give entrepreneurs practical ways to achieve fast revenue growth using innovative approaches at no cost compared to advertising. Outside of the business, she also has the Vicktorious Skin skincare product line, showing that self-care is the way to confidence and leadership, where people remember, empowered, with a new beginning every day. In addition, the passion for giving a voice to the underrepresented is reflected in her documentary project, The Diary of Successful Black Single Mothers, which inspires change through the display of resilience and strength.
“My journey to where I am today has been anything but straightforward,” Vicki says, reflecting on her path from corporate boardrooms to entrepreneurship. As one of the few Black women in many high-stakes corporate environments, she often faced the challenge of proving her worth beyond symbolic representation. “I vividly remember walking into these spaces, feeling both proud and challenged,” she recalls. Her corporate rise appeared seamless, with promotions every two years, but the reality was far more complex, often driven by diversity goals rather than merit alone. This duality of reality led her to work much harder to get a seat at the table as an effective and impactful leader.
Entrepreneurship was not planned; she transitioned because of caregiving obligations. VWH Consulting sprang from this move, allowing her to marry her corporate background with the desire to empower others. Every experience she had- from running projects to mentoring up-and-coming leaders shaped her way of purposeful leadership. “Every challenge becomes an opportunity to learn and grow,” she says, the epitome of resilience, vision, and commitment to meaningful change.
Visionary Traits and a Guiding Philosophy: The Basis of Transformative Leadership and Success
Vicki’s story is all about the power of visionary thinking, resilience, and empathy; all traits that have shaped her career and personal growth. Her visionary thinking allows her to see beyond the immediate challenges, identify opportunities that other people might pass by, and take advantage of them. This foresight enables her to design innovative strategies, predict market shifts, and boldly move through complex changes. Resilience, another pillar of her success, has been built into a life full of challenges. Failure is viewed as a “first attempt in learning,” and she turns obstacles into stepping stones that propel her forward even in the face of adversity. Deep empathy complements these traits as she can establish meaningful relationships and gain trust. Understanding the specific needs and challenges of her clients, she provides customized solutions that bring about lasting impact. She believes that empathy not only encourages collaboration but also serves as a basis for sustainable success.
At the very core of her success is a guiding mantra, “See the unseen, inspire the possible, and act with intention.” It reflects the very ability to seize hidden opportunities and envision solutions followed by purposeful action. As she puts it, “My ability to read between the lines and understand unspoken dynamics has been instrumental.” Success is very personal to Vicki, who believes in the “why” that makes her do things. She wants people to discover their potential and to celebrate each of their successes as if they were her own.
Continuous learning is also a major pillar of success for her. She reads widely, attends seminars, and networks with leaders in the industry to stay on top of trends and provide her clients with leading-edge solutions. She also explains the importance of mindfulness and self-care as essential components of leadership effectiveness. “Sustaining long-term success requires taking care of oneself,” she explains, underscoring the connection between personal well-being and professional impact. Together, these principles define her transformative journey and the profound legacy she continues to build.
Landmarks of Success: Milestones That Have Shaped a Legacy of Leadership and Transformation
One of the most notable milestones of her career has been the founding of VWH Consulting. “It was the entrepreneurial experience that allowed me to blend my corporate experience with a passion for working with leaders and businesses on transformation,” she elaborates. Here, Vicki offers organizations a customized strategy to help them grow and thrive with an emphasis on leadership development and change management through VWH Consulting. Her book Game Face, which has inspired thousands of readers on how to overcome professional challenges with resilience and confidence, is a great source of inspiration. She has also contributed to several anthologies, which have enabled her to reach a wider audience and leave an indelible mark on emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.
She has also mentored women in leadership, especially in the technology sector, where female representation is often scarce. “Watching these women break barriers and achieve their dreams has been deeply fulfilling,” she shares. Her work with small business CEOs has also been transformative, helping them achieve financial freedom while maintaining work-life balance. “Scaling their businesses and seeing them thrive is a constant reminder of why I do this work,” she says. One of the most poignant projects that characterizes her craft so far is the documentary Diary of Successful Black Single Mothers, a project that speaks to the power and strength of single mothers. This project is a source of hope and community for many women. She also introduced her line of skincare named Vicktorious Skin as a testament to her belief in self-care. “How you start your day influences how you show up in your professional life,” she says, demonstrating her dedication to connecting personal well-being with effective leadership. Through these milestones, she continues to make a profound impact, empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential.
Legacy, Vision, and Impact: Shaping the Future Through Current Projects and Future Goals
Vicki is one of the epitomes of resilience, visionary thinking, and commitment to empowering others. Currently, she has identified three major areas of business: Corporate Consulting, Business Coaching, and Product Expansion. In Corporate Consulting, she works with organizations on the strategy of disruptive technologies and leads the charge in managing change to stay competitive in this changing landscape. Through her Business Coaching services, coaches potential coaches to help them find and seize opportunities for growth in their businesses and careers. Vicktorious Skin is a skincare brand all about self-care and confidence, and that remains an area of emphasis as she ties the importance of self-care with effective leadership. Additionally, Her documentary project, Diary of Successful Black Single Mothers, remains a labor of love; it continues to shine a light on the resiliency and strength of single mothers while also inspiring and bringing hope.
She reflects the deep commitment to uplifting others it mentoring women in technology, supporting small business CEOs, or amplifying underrepresented communities’ voices. Not only is her journey of personal achievements but it also helps to leave a permanent mark in the lives of people she touches. Through her various ventures, she has created transformative programs that inspire both individuals and organizations to thrive. As she continues her expansion and inspires future leaders, she remains a beacon of strength, resilience, and purpose. All positive and challenging experiences have led her to become the leader she is today. She exemplifies visionary thinking, resilience, and empathy, testifying that success is not only about individual achievement but also a long-term difference in other people’s lives. Her journey inspires and empowers the audience to move beyond the challenge, embrace change, and lead with authenticity and impact.
