Q&A Focal Point

Lisa & Benjamin Nissanoff, Founders, ME! Bath
www.mebath.com

The Nissanoffs had more to say than print space allowed in GCI's August Added Value Q&A. There full answers are here.

Who is your business role model?
LN: Heidi Rosen, a venture capitalist, successful entrepreneur, networker, wife and mother.
BN: Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric.

You can ask your role model one question. What is it?
LN: How are you able to read each one of your emails and respond in such a timely manner? During one of her speeches at Stanford Business School, she said that she answers every one of her emails, and, as she probably receives easily a few hundred a day, I found that to be quite daunting—if nearly impossible. Most of the students thought that surely she was exaggerating. Well, four years later, I contacted her with a question, and—although we only met once, briefly, at that speech—she responded to my email within 10 minutes.
BN: How do you maintain the drive and energy of work without burning out?

What is key to balancing your business and personal lives?
LN:  I try to set realistic goals for each day based on my priorities (i.e. spending an hour alone with each child, adhering to pressing work issues, etc), and I create a weekly schedule that allows me to balance both personal and professional goals. But the real key to accomplishing anything is a good support system.
BN: Making sure that I have the ability to delegate responsibilities and entrust key decisions to capable employees that will allow me to spend time with my family.

How do you relieve stress?
LN: Hugging my kids.
BN: Exercise, reading, watching television, vacation, massages.

What is your favorite destination?
Both: Morocco.

It’s mandatory karaoke night, what are you singing?
LN: Me & Bobby McGee (as sung by Janice Joplin).
BN: Ha! Have you heard me sing!?

Would you prefer a trip to the spa or an outdoor adventure?
LN: Trip to the spa.
BN: If I just want to close my eyes and relax, a trip to the spa; if I want to feel energetic and take in the world’s beauty, then an outdoor adventure.

Do you choose a good book, a great movie or 150 channels of television?
LN: TV–unless it is a really good movie.
BN: A great movie.

What cosmetic/personal care product can’t you live without?
LN: ME! Bath!!!! Okay, and dental floss.
BN: ME! Bath, of course.