Ask the Influencers: Marissa Levin, CEO Information Experts

I recently had the opportunity to moderate a panel of woman business owners for the SECAF Women's Forum, and took a personal interview with CEO Marissa Levin, founder of Information Experts, a $10M powerhouse in instructional design/e-learning, human capital and strategic communications for government agencies. 

(Marissa and husband Adam Levin at an Information Experts Dinner)

Marissa has ambitious growth plans for 2010 and 2011, and reflected on the risks taken during her journey that she attributes to making her a stronger leader today. 

--  Elizabeth Shea
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I understand that you took some risks early on with your business, but I also have heard you say you are very analytical. How do you enable the two to coexist?

I am someone who has always considered the consequences of my actions, both positive and negative. Every action results in a series of reactions, both bad and good. I am also someone who believes in the universal law of exchange… you get out of something exactly what you put into it. So when I think of risk, I always think of it as a calculated risk. I think, “what will be the worst possible outcome if I go down this path, and is that something I can live with?”

That’s not to say that risk isn’t incredibly stressful. It is. But when you are in the middle of the ocean, you have to keep swimming. Failure is not an option. But when I am faced with a precarious situation or an overwhelming challenge, I try not to get caught up in the emotion of all of it. I try to apply logic to my situation, and focus only on those things that I can control. Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair. You can do it all day long and it won’t get you anywhere. So the goal for me is to be actionable.

I also am someone who embraces growth. A yoga instructor told me many years ago that every stretch is in preparation to go further. And I think life is like that too. Every situation prepares us for the next adventure or next learning opportunity. Even the most painful, devastating events in our lives… situations in which we truly believe we don’t have the strength to overcome… we somehow push through them, and then when we look back, we are able to see why things happened the way they did. I know this doesn’t apply to all situations, but I think my sense of faith, and my commitment to faith also plays a very large role in me being able to handle very difficult situations.

No matter how difficult things get for me, I can still look at my big picture and appreciate the miracles in my life, and know that I am very blessed.

Your business has grown very quickly, particularly in the last several years. What motivates you to strive for the next level?

I have tremendous faith in my business and my employees. I believe that what we do truly makes a difference. The government gets a bad rap very often. But the truth is that there are some incredibly passionate, intelligent, committed people in agencies all across the government and it is an honor to serve them. Also, there is so much opportunity for growth and change, and I am definitely a believer in Yin/Yang… within crisis lies opportunity.

My growth over the last few years is directly related to how much energy and time I need to give to my family. Now that my kids are a bit older, I am able to shift my energy to the business. But for quite a few years, I sacrificed the growth of my business for the development of my children. One needs to have patience to move forward and progress. I’m not in a race… I simply want to give 100% to whatever I am focusing on at the time.

I am very focused on the journey, and not so much on the next level.

(Marissa with her two sons)

Describe your decision-making process when you assess the options around the risks you have taken. What factors do you consider?

I’m definitely at the point where all of my decisions are very strategically focused. I question the link between all of our business decisions – whether it is to attend a conference, join an association, make a hire, or implement a technology - and my strategic objectives. Again, I try not to get caught up in the emotion of the decision.  I question whether the decision will ultimately move me toward my goal.

Have you ever second-guessed your decisions made around the path you chose?

I think reflection is all part of the human experience. But I don’t live with regret. I don’t believe in regret. All of the decisions we have made have led us to other experiences and paths that otherwise would not have happened if we didn’t choose them. That’s not to say that I believe I have always made the best decisions. Of course I’ve made bad decisions. But these decisions have provided me invaluable learning opportunities. And I own those decisions 100%. I don’t assign blame for those decisions to anyone else.

My path has certainly been one that a younger version of myself would not have predicted. But it’s been a great journey. I believe I have grown, and experienced, and learned, and shared, more than I ever thought possible for myself. For me, it’s always been about making the most of life, living with intention and passion, and connecting with others. And despite all that I’ve already done, I am convinced that I haven’t even scratched the potential of what I can accomplish, of what I can learn, and what I can share with others. I truly believe my best life is ahead of me.

What would you do differently if you had the chance? 

I wouldn’t compare myself to other women business owners who seem to have it all together more than I do.

What personally drives you day-to-day, that we can learn from you?

I am driven by the quest for continuous improvement, and by the desire to help others learn from my successes and failures.

What impact, if any, do you think being a woman-business owner had on your success? And what obstacles, if any, did you face? 

I’m very proud to be a woman business owner. I think it drives me to excel. I have faced the typical obstacles that women face: being shut out of traditional men’s networks, questioning of my experience, ability, and credibility, and being told that my emotions get in the way of my ability to be productive.

What personal qualities do you rely upon to be focused in your role as chief executive?

I am very committed to my personal value system. I am very focused on the emotional well-being of my employees. I am an excellent communicator. I strongly rely on my ability to connect with others, to motivate, and to inspire. I am highly analytical, and a strong fact-finder. My decision-making process definitely begins with the end in mind… I am very strategic in my thinking.

What piece of advice can you give others looking to learn from you, or follow in your footsteps?

Define your personal core value system and don’t allow anyone or anything to compromise your commitment to it. Surround yourself with allies who believe in you. Surround yourself with others that can help you and teach you. Remain flexible and adaptable to market shifts. Consider life as one big continuous learning opportunity.

Marissa Levin has received numerous accolades for her role in leadership, including being recognized as a 2009 Washingtonian Technology Titan, a 2010 and 2009 Smart100 CEO by SmartCEO Magazine, a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Women in Technology's Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and a winner of the Washington Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business Award and SmartCEO's Brava Award.