We share entrepreneurial stories to inspire great ideas...
Gay Hamilton
I spent the first half of my career in treasury operations; learning the business side but also participating on the team that transformed IT from a gigantic IBM mainframe to desktop computing. Just over 20 years ago I moved into technology, I’ve witnessed the growth and expansion of security teams, the advancement of AI everywhere, hybrid work forces and the push into cloud solutions. I’ve helped customers get comfortable with using the internet, managed the tech groups responsible for ensuring security and stability, and been part owner of a software company. Connect with Gay at https://wwworks.com/
Join us for a live and unscripted interview with Maya
Business Mentorship; Keepin It Real and if you’re on the move here is the podcast.
A special edition of Business Mentorship; Keepin It Real – International Panel Discussion on Family Traditions
 
Director of Business Development, Gay Hamilton
- Contributed By: Gay Hamilton
Tell us a little something about your business...
I am the CEO and founder of GoInnovation.ca, a technology consulting firm and am currently loving a new side hustle role in business development with an IT infrastructure company. What attracted me to this company was partly their outstanding product suite but also their amazing approach to tech support. They partner with their customers to ensure that their technology dollars are spent well, with the future in mind, that their systems are as safe and stable as possible and if there are any technology issues the customer has only one phone number to call – we handle all the tech support for the customers environment. As hiring has become more difficult and technology increases in complexity a hosted IT solution is the answer!
When was your lightbulb moment?
I have many but here are my top two – the first was in 2009 I was doing some executive coaching and did a conative assessment that focused on what was right with me, not what I needed to improve. It was life changing to find out that I wasn’t wrong, or the odd one out, and that my skills were terrific strengths to be celebrated!
The second one was last year when I found out a friend had been hit by a ransomware attack. To hear the details of what happened, the threat to her business and the time and effort it took to recover really opened my eyes to just how devastating a cyberattack can be. It helped me focus my attention on helping other companies improve their IT infrastructure and avoid cyber threats wherever possible.
What are your three words of advice?
Education, flexibility and risk – they matter to me because it’s taken a long while to be comfortable with them, learn how to lean into each of them, and keep coming back to them in times of turbulence. I’ve learned that education isn’t just school based, life and real events are the best sources of learning. I’ve been open and flexible both professionally and personally, which has led me to the best experiences in my life. And when given the option I almost always take the risk. By combining the risk, flexibility and learning I know that any decision doesn’t have to be the final one and there is always room to modify the plan.
Three words of advice...
Take the risk!
I spent the first half of my career in treasury operations; learning the business side but also participating on the team that transformed IT from a gigantic IBM mainframe to desktop computing. Just over 20 years ago I moved into technology, I’ve witnessed the growth and expansion of security teams, the advancement of AI everywhere, hybrid work forces and the push into cloud solutions. I’ve helped customers get comfortable with using the internet, managed the tech groups responsible for ensuring security and stability, and been part owner of a software company. Connect with Gay at https://wwworks.com/
Join us for a live and unscripted interview with Maya
Business Mentorship; Keepin It Real and if you’re on the move here is the podcast.
A special edition of Business Mentorship; Keepin It Real – International Panel Discussion on Family Traditions
“May your legacy create a footprint of success for the next person who steps into your shoes”
