Forty Over 40

Forty Women to Watch Over 40

By

Forty Over 40 Asks: 10Qs for Diana Verde Nieto, Co-founder of Positive Luxury

dianaverdenietoWelcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This week’s Q & A is with Diana Verde Nieto, Founder of Positive Luxury. Positive Luxury rewards luxury lifestyle brands with the Butterfly Mark, a trust mark which legitimizes a brand’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.

1. What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?
When I sold my previous business, I realized that although businesses had come a long way in embedding within their business processes…still not far enough.

2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?
I’m so lucky to have met some amazing people throughout my career, such as Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum; Jonathon Porritt, British environmentalist and writer, and Katherine Garrett Cox, who not only inspire me but who I continue to learn from. Karen Hanton MBE, my co-founder, has been a mentor and inspiring figure in my career.

3. What is your biggest goal right now?
To change consumer buying habits by encouraging luxury lifestyle brands to tell their stories about their journey towards putting social and environmental good at the heart of their business.

4. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?
I wake up between 6 to 6:30 to go to the gym, most mornings at least! I need a cup of strong English breakfast tea before I can do anything though.

5. How did you feel on your 30th birthday?
I love getting older. Granted that perhaps the appearing wrinkles are not the most enjoyable but I love feeling comfortable in my own skin, something that wasn’t happening in my 20s.

6. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?
By hanging out with friends, going out to exhibitions, concerts and/or doing sports; the reality is that I never quite completely unplug.

7. What was the last business book you read?
Hooked by Nir Eyal – but the most inspiring business book I’ve ever read is Little Bets by Peter Sims.

8. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
A wise woman once told me ‘you know Edmund Hillary did not climb Everest by looking at the top, he concentrated on the place where he would next put his hand.” I keep that in mind.

9. What is your “keep me going” quote?
“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”.

10. What is your secret indulgence?
Playing golf and getting lost in nature.

Check out Diana Verde Nieto’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson

Whitney is the author of the acclaimed Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare to Dream. She has been named on numerous Smart Thinkers and People to Follow lists by major media such as Inc. Magazine, Business Insider and Huffington Post and is quoted in Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fast Company, Forbes and more.
Whitney Johnson