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Category: Influential-Business-Leaders-May2024

Storyline Resumes: Empowering Individuals in Their Career Journey by Creating a Unique Brand

Posted on by The Fortune Leaders

The resume-writing industry has evolved significantly in recent years, adapting to changes in technology, recruitment practices, and job market trends. There here’s been a proliferation of online platforms and services offering resume writing assistance. These range from automated resume builders to professional writing services. Users can choose between DIY options or opt for personalized services from experienced resume writers.

Storyline Resumes is one such company with 24+ years of experience in resume writing company. Storyline has expanded to include 70+ team members who have all embraced Robynn’s storytelling philosophy. “We have successfully delivered over 300,000 resume packages globally, earning recognition as the #1 most searched resume-writing company on LinkedIn. Our mission is simple. It is to empower individuals in their career journey by creating a unique ‘brand’ that helps them to stand out among the competition. Through our personalized interview process to the development of the resume that tells your amazing story, we create narratives that allow hiring managers to see the true value, achievement, and impact you bring to an employer,” says Robynn Storey, Founder, Storyline Resumes.

The Inception Story

“I was tired of the day-to-day drudge of corporate America, wanted to work for myself, and entertained different types of consulting opportunities. I got into resume writing when a friend asked me to help him write his resume for an engineering role, which he landed quickly, and it grew from there,” Robynn Storey. 

Beating the Odds

“At first, it was getting new business. But after a few years, I was handling all the work on my own.  That is when I started growing my team.  I hired a few resume writers and people to conduct the client interviews, and now we have 70 staff.”

Our Services

“We provide resume services for senior-level and executive-level clients – resumes, cover letters, bios, and LinkedIn profiles. We are fully USA based, we have been in business for 24 years, and our staff is comprised of highly educated former business executives who understand industries and functions across the board. We are first and foremost family-friendly, we are 100% remote.  Everyone is free to choose the schedule that works for them.”

The Lady Behind the Curtain

Robynn Storey is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader, widely recognized as the CEO of Storyline Resumes, a prominent company specializing in professional resume writing and career services. With her unwavering dedication to empowering individuals in their job search endeavors, Storey has revolutionized the resume-writing industry and has become a trusted name among professionals worldwide.

Storey’s career journey is a testament to her exceptional expertise in the field. After completing her education in business administration, she embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between job seekers and their dream careers. Recognizing the importance of a compelling resume in the competitive job market, she founded Storyline Resumes with a vision to provide top-notch resume writing services that showcase each client’s unique skills and experiences.

Under Storey’s dynamic leadership, Storyline Resumes has emerged as a premier destination for individuals seeking professional resume assistance. With a keen understanding of industry trends and employer expectations, Storey and her team have crafted thousands of resumes that have opened doors to new opportunities for countless professionals. Her commitment to delivering excellence has earned Storeyline Resumes a reputation for providing tailored, attention-grabbing resumes that effectively highlight the strengths of each client.

Storey’s passion for empowering job seekers extends beyond resume writing. She has spearheaded the development of comprehensive career services at Storeyline Resumes, offering interview coaching, LinkedIn profile optimization, and career counseling to ensure individuals are well-equipped to navigate the competitive job market. Storey believes in a holistic approach to career development, and her dedication to her clients’ success sets Storeyline Resumes apart as a trusted resource for comprehensive career support.

In addition to her role at Storeyline Resumes, Storey is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, frequently sharing her insights and expertise at industry conferences and events. She is known for her dynamic presentations on resume writing, personal branding, and career advancement, captivating audiences with her deep knowledge and engaging speaking style.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Storey is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors aimed at supporting underprivileged individuals in their career journeys. She strongly believes in giving back to the community and actively collaborates with various organizations to provide career development resources to those in need.

Robynn Storey’s remarkable leadership as the CEO of Storeyline Resumes has redefined the resume-writing industry, empowering countless individuals to achieve their career goals. Her commitment to excellence, innovative approach, and dedication to client success make her a true trailblazer in the field. Through her transformative work, Storey has cemented her legacy as a respected authority in professional resume writing and career services, leaving an indelible impact on the lives of job seekers worldwide.

Achievements 

Robynn Storey was honored with the Top Executive Business Writer of 2023 award, as well as a nomination for the Empowered Woman award, by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for her exceptional leadership and dedication. Recognizing her achievements and community contributions, this prestigious award highlights her transition from Human Resources executive to the founder of Storeyline Resumes.  

With over a million followers on LinkedIn, Robynn’s advocacy for job seekers is globally praised. Her success is attributed to perseverance and mentorship, with a commitment to inspiring others through visually appealing, customized resumes at Storeyline Resumes.

 

Jinhee Wilde: Leading by Example

Posted on by The Fortune Leaders

Setting an example of leadership is easier said than done. It involves a dedicated individual to set a standard that urges others to replicate the same.

Jinhee Wilde, Founding Partner of WA Law Group, is one such pioneering example of a leader who makes her mark among her subordinates by leading by example. According to her, “A true leader is one who would lead by example instead of “do what I say, not as I do” type of person.”

The Fortune Leader Magazine proudly looks at the story of Jinhee Wilde and her journey towards becoming a leading attorney.

Early Years

Jinhee came to America during her teenage years. Being a minority woman with little knowledge of the English language, she faced much discrimination. Moreover, the cultural shock and discrimination made it more difficult for Jinhee.

“Being made fun of because I spoke halting English or my eyes looked slanted showed me that advocating for myself was very important,” recalls Jinhee.

As Jinhee grew up, she noticed this systemic racism against people who did not know how to speak up for themselves. She made a conscious choice to be the voice for these people through her actions.

Ensuring Client Satisfaction

Prior to starting WA Law Group, Jinhee was a partner at a few large as well as small law firms. Based on her experience, she mentions “I saw that law business focused too much on billable hours and profits of the law firm instead of providing exceptional customer service to the clients.”

Jinhee Wilde established WA Law Group with a single goal in her mind – to treat clients the way we would like to be treated ourselves. She understands that treating clients with utmost respect and bringing them success/approvals through her solutions would enable referrals for additional clients.

She points out an age-old jargon used in the Real Estate industry – if you build it, people will come.

The immigration process of the US is one that is extremely long and arduous. Jinhee claims that “It can also be very subjective with a lot of discretion given to the adjudicator. Although same criteria are met, the probative value of the evidence could be seen differently depending on the individual looking at it.”

Her job as a lawyer is to present each case with a detailed explanation for how the adjudicators should see the evidence in the same view/light, thereby making it as easy as possible for them.

At WA Law Group, Jinhee and her team have established a process that enables optimal client satisfaction in every step of the way. The team takes time to answer its clients’ questions via phone and emails within a 24-hour period, even if that might be just to acknowledge to the client about the communication.

As an immigrant herself, Jinhee understands how stressful not knowing or understanding the immigration status can be. “We don’t count billable hours for every email or phone calls with our clients so that we could take time to explain and assure them of their case progress. Again, doing what is right for our clients resulted in more business for our firm.”

The Journey

Jinhee’s journey from shifting to America, entering the field of Law, and subsequently setting up WA Law Group has been riddled with challenges. Moreover, her background also made it difficult for her to find a mentor who would guide her or groom her along this journey.

She recalls, “My work has been discounted and my ideas totally ignored by some partners, while some white male counterparts went out golfing with them and leapfrogged over me.”

Jinhee mentions that at the end of the day, she had to take detours and backtrack on her decisions and actions several times to get to the point where she is today. Further, she hoped that doing the right things for her clients even at the expense of short periods of financial loss would eventually all come together to ensure consistent profits.

This passionate attorney asserts, “Doing the right thing allows me to hold my head up high with no regrets – money comes and goes, but my integrity is forever.”

Looking back at her journey, Jinhee mentions that she would have set-up WA Law Group much sooner, instead of working with partners who did not appreciate her work or efforts.

From her own experiences, she advises emerging attorneys to look for a mentor who understands and supports their ideas and to be not afraid of striking out on your own path.

The Future

Talking about the future of WA Law Group, she claims “Our firm continues to grow even with the immigration practice that is contingent on the fickle administration policies, which is a testament to our clients’ loyalty and referrals.”

In the coming years, Jinhee Wilde and her team will continue to provide the exceptional service that they have been known for. Furthermore, she wants to maintain the stellar approval track of her firm in order to help more immigrants who suffer through this tiresome process.

Read full magazine: 10 Best Successful Business Leaders Making a Difference

Jennifer Lopez Kouchis: The Trailblazing Woman Leader, Successfully Leading at One of the Largest Credit Unions in the United States, VyStar Credit Union

Posted on by The Fortune Leaders

Leadership is not about titles, roles, or guidelines. It is about the impact of one life on another. Jennifer Lopez Kouchis, the Senior Vice President of Real Estate Lending at VyStar Credit Union, lives by this philosophy and leads by it. She adheres to the principles of servant leadership and is committed to the credit union movement, with a particular emphasis on developing innovative solutions. She holds over 10 years of experience in the credit union sector and 22 years of experience in financial services. During that time, she has learned the importance of setting an example for others to follow and supporting the upcoming generation of business leaders. Because of her excellence and leadership qualities, Jennifer Lopez Kouchis earned the “40 Under 40 ” honor in 2021 by the Jacksonville Business Journal and was recently named one of the “Most Powerful Women of Mortgage Banking”.

A Leader with Proven Experience 

In the key position of Senior Vice President, Jennifer Lopez Kouchis is responsible for managing all aspects of mortgage lending at VyStar Credit Union. VyStar was established in 1952 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville to serve the financial needs of military personnel, civil service workers, and their families. Today, VyStar serves more than 875,000 members throughout Central and North Florida and Georgia. VyStar provides it’s members with the greatest features of credit unions—individual attention, affordable rates, and superb products—with a dedication to enhancing the communities in which they serve. The commitment of employees like

Jennifer Lopez Kouchis makes that possible.

Jennifer is responsible for managing all aspects of mortgage lending at VyStar, including sales, operations, credit, risk, technology, secondary marketing, quality assurance, mortgage servicing, loss mitigation, and VyStar Title Agency. She is charged with implementing innovative technologies, process improvements, and mortgage products and programs that align with the credit union’s strategic vision.

In academics, Jennifer attended the Columbus College of Art & Design in 2002 and later completed her Executive Education Program at the School of Management, UT Austin, McCombs School of Business through a Top Talent Program in 2017. She received the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB®)  accreditation in September 2021. Prior to her role at VyStar, she led at BBVA in the USA as a Senior Vice President. She was designated as a sales manager at NVR Mortgage and a regional manager at Navy Federal Credit Union.

“Over my career, I have experienced highs and lows, but what has shaped me most is my passion and drive and not allowing those lows to define me. I have worked in a variety of roles within the mortgage industry and have made it a priority to keep learning more, working harder, and dedicating myself to mastering the trade I adore. The magnificent woman affirmed, “I too have had the privilege of working alongside some wonderful leaders who taught and encouraged me throughout the years.”

Through these experiences, Jennifer has developed into an authentic, passionate leader who is dedicated to upending the status quo, and it has motivated her to mentor the next generation of business leaders.

VyStar’s Unique Initiatives at a Glance

Jennifer and her teams have made it a priority to develop distinctive products and services that meet members where they are and assist them in achieving their financial goals  to best meet the needs of current and potential members and to contribute to the strengthening of the communities that VyStar serves. Just a few of those initiatives include:

  • Military Heroes Mortgage Program for those on active duty, veterans, and surviving spouses
  • The Everyday Heroes Mortgage Program is open to more than 200 professionals and gives back to those who give to their community every day.
  • With Jennifer’s leadership, VyStar earned its Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Certification, which strengthens VyStar’s ability to serve low-income individuals, minority business owners, and many others in distressed communities, particularly those with low to moderate incomes.
  • Expanding homeownership opportunities through partnerships with non-profits like Habitat for Humanity (HabiJax) to offer affordable mortgage loans.
  • VyStar was approved to participate in the Department of Treasury’s Homeowner Assistance Fund to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners.
  • Continued development of a full Spanish-speaking mortgage process, from   origination through processing and closing.

What Makes VyStar Credit Stand Out?

VyStar members have access to great rates, low or no fees, early direct deposit, rewards on credit cards, member-centric service and more. By offering cutting-edge solutions, products, and services, VyStar places a high priority on meeting members where they are in their financial journey. As SVP of Real Estate Lending, Jennifer places an emphasis on finding new methods to assist underserved members, particularly those with low to moderate incomes. VyStar is happy to fulfil its purpose to Do Good. VyStar donates millions of dollars annually to hundreds of nonprofit organizations that every day improve the communities the credit union calls home.

VyStar’s Healthy Work Environment

As a leader, Jennifer feels it is necessary that her team be a direct reflection of the communities that VyStar serves. Its diversity promotes the development of unique and inventive strategies. Jennifer takes pride in the fact that, via deliberate hiring and internal promotion initiatives, the diversity of her leadership has increased by 23%, and women now make up 58% of the entire leadership within VyStar’s Real Estate Lending division. Jennifer holds open forums dubbed “Catch-up with Kouchis” to encourage meaningful dialogues, talk about new ideas, and debate methods to evolve through varied, open talks to maintain an open line of contact with her team.

Overcoming the Major Industry Hiccups

The whole credit union industry is struggling with liquidity. Jennifer is already working to address this issue through her recently established secondary marketing division, where her team is able to sell mortgages and generate additional liquidity for the credit union with noninterest income. Furthermore, she and her team spearheaded VyStar’s efforts to have the service portfolio examined for reevaluation, which resulted in a substantial increase in the valuation of mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) income. The fluctuating interest rate environment is one issue that all mortgage lenders must deal with. Prior to the climate of rising interest rates, Jennifer established a purchase-first origination strategy, which led to continuous growth in the mortgage portfolio in spite of a significant decline in the market as a whole.

A Bright Future Ahead

Jennifer is committed to the “people helping people” credo of the credit union sector. Her career objectives include advancing to the position of Chief Lending Officer and ultimately CEO to advance the credit union movement. In addition, Jennifer takes pride in her involvement in the community, which she intends to keep up for the next five years. She currently serves on the following boards:

  • TransUnion’s Mortgage Advisory Board
  • Habitat for Humanity Jacksonville (HabiJax)
  • Cecil Field National POW/MIA Memorial & Museum
  • Rethreaded

Jennifer’s Advice: Be Your Authentic Self  

For our work specifically, I adore the idea that “No means Yes.” This revolutionized my life when I started working in the mortgage sector, especially when I was a mortgage loan officer trying to earn agents’ business by making presentations to them. I tried to find methods to turn the numerous “no’s” into “yes’s” rather than dwelling on them. I’ve come to understand that getting people to say “yes” requires you to gain their trust. I was ultimately successful because of my perseverance, desire, and a special method for seeing gaps that needed to be filled. When you are sincere, thoughtful, motivated, and purposeful, you can use these qualities in any situation and in any industry. What value do you add? What contributions do you make? What makes you special? It’s crucial that you learn to feel at ease presenting yourself, so you need to figure out the answers to those questions. In the end, a company, item, or group may bring a customer to the table, but they really want to do business with you. Also, the idea of failing quickly and moving forward is not new. Resistance to adversity is essential since challenges and objections are inevitable. Last and, in my opinion, most vital, is authenticity. Authentic leaders encourage openness, collaboration, and equity among their teams, which fosters trust and results in improved team performance. Remember, don’t change for anyone. Your uniqueness could be what others value most about you!