By: Society22

Meet Crystal Shell, Founder and CEO of Hello Guest Screen, a company known for its innovative welcome displays on Smart TVs, catering to rentals, events, and businesses. With 23 years of experience, Crystal has steered her company to deliver cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions, particularly in the hospitality and technology sector. 

Embark on Crystal Shell’s inspiring journey, a woman of multifaceted achievements. With degrees from Columbia College and F.I.T., along with certifications in software and hardware procedures, her expertise shines in various spheres. Crystal is actively engaged in her community and philanthropy, and her dedication extends to teaching children and her passion for interior design.

Q: Can you share a time when your business faced a significant challenge? How did you navigate through it?

A: As you’re aware, significant challenges often require ongoing attention. The initial challenge arose from economic downturns, leading to reduced contract funding. I wasn’t adequately prepared the first time and had to resort to employee layoffs. However, upon facing a similar situation later, I had better financial readiness through non-governmental contractual projects and was much more prepared to handle it.

Q: How has a failure or apparent failure set you up for later success?

A: Failure has caused me to strongly advocate for best practices and learn from past experiences. We make it a point to implement and document these practices, even for the most minor tasks. This establishes a standard for all future tasks and projects, which top management communicates downwards.

Q: How do you build a resilient team? What qualities do you look for in your team members?

A: To build a resilient team, I seek team members who grasp the concepts of accountability, ownership, and a team (family) mindset. Interestingly, the traits I prioritize in our Corporate office differ significantly from those of team members on a specific project. It truly depends on the nature of the occupation.

Q: How do you maintain your personal resilience during tough times?

A: My resilience is maintained by a positive outlook in all circumstances. Throughout these years, I’ve found that worrying or stressing has never been the solution to anything.

Q: What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain focus during a crisis?

A: To manage stress, I first engage in prayer, boxing, and yoga whenever possible while consistently urging management to tackle issues when they are small.

Q: How do you communicate with your team during a crisis?

A: I communicate during a crisis by approaching it with optimism, composure, and a clear strategy for overcoming it.

Q: What advice would you give to other business leaders on building resilience in their organizations?

A: My advice is simply to practice fairness, honesty, and respect. Your team will support you, and this ethos should permeate throughout your organization.

Q: How do you prepare your business for potential future crises?

A: Convening a weekly staff meeting to address potential future issues empowers your team to contribute to solutions.

Q: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about leadership in times of crisis?

A: The key lesson I’ve gleaned is that a leader’s demeanor should be transparent, and maintaining positivity is paramount.

Published by: Khy Talara