An Interview with America's Sexiest CEO: Hilary Rowland

BloggingStocks: What do you expect for the future on e-commerce?

Hilary Rowland: I expect that more and more people will become comfortable with making purchases online, and discover the convenience and selection. I think that it will force the prices in stores down because of all the online sample sales. I buy absolutely everything online -- from soda to shoes.

BloggingStocks: What new tools have you used to bring traffic and increase growth for your websites?

Hilary Rowland: It's all about promoting. Promote, promote, promote through online ads, through events, through word of mouth. It can make or break a person or business. You have to be out there, especially if it's your business, or people wouldn't know what you are about or what you are working on.

We charge a subscription fee for an online portfolio and we have a huge list of success stories of models and actors who've gotten work through their portfolios. We have ads on the site as well, so the revenue is a bit of both. The magazine is free to read. Right now, I think subscription based models with a free option are where it's at, but you have to have a really strong offering to beat out all the free sites. Eventually, I believe almost all content sites will be free and ad-supported.

BloggingStocks: How do you feel about being frequently labeled as 'Sexiest Geek' or 'Sexiest CEO'?

Hilary Rowland: Stereotypes and blind beliefs are dangerous. That being said if being the 'Sexiest Geek' or 'Sexiest CEO' opens people's eyes up to the charity and to what is being done to help others, I'm not opposed to it. I will end up in an early grave if I take everything people say to heart! I believe that intelligent and evolved people do not judge people based on superficiality or hearsay, and instead treat everyone as if they are from the same extended family, with love and benefit of the doubt.

BloggingStocks: In what ways have you been able to empower women entrepreneurs and help them reach their goals?

Hilary Rowland: We interview female entrepreneurs in Urbanette magazine and hope to inspire others by their stories. That was always a big motivator to me -- to write articles that inspire women to be strong, confident and ambitious. So many woman have done wonderful things with their lives. They have slaved over their craft through better and worse. I want other women out there to know it's alright to shoot for your dreams even if you fall a bit in the beginning. That's what life is all about.

BloggingStocks: What female business leaders do you admire most? How is your strategy similar or different to theirs?

Hilary Rowland: One of my favorite quotes is from Gloria Vanderbilt. She said "I've always believed that one woman's success can only help another woman's success." It's something I believe as well. If I can empower one woman with my magazine, I've done my job. If I can help another woman launch her career, no matter what it may be, I've helped. Oprah Winfrey is another one that I admire. She reminds us to 'be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough!' I agree with her whole-heartily. I'm a bit different in that I moved towards technology before it was even cool to have a website. Now everyone has one. I've taken years to perfect what I do with the magazine. It's all about empowering women in a positive way.

BloggingStocks: What online business leaders do you admire most?

Hilary Rowland: I admire Mark Zuckerberg, for having a vision that changed the way people interact and network on a fundamental level, and being confident enough to not sell and stick to growing his company the way he saw it. I think user-generated platforms are popular because people naturally like to share ideas, and have control over their image online. I also think it's a smarter business model because it's way less work for the proprietor.

BloggingStocks: While multitasking a business and your non-profit, how have you been able to leverage off your initial success to pursue philanthropic ventures such as Project Migration? Please describe!

Hilary Rowland: Well it is New Faces that has funded the startup of Project Migration. I have always wanted to start a philanthropic venture and charity. I hope to sell a lot of shirts, bags and bracelets to raise funds to build wells and donate medical supplies. To be more involved than just wearing our apparel, we will be hosting Migration Vacations, which allow people to use their vacation time in a positive and constructive way by coming with us to Africa and helping us donate supplies. My hope is that the trips will aid in creating a global community outreach, attracting more and more people to support the struggling single mothers of Africa.

BloggingStocks: What is your goal with project migration and how do you plan to influence change in underdeveloped areas of the world?

Hilary Rowland: My goal is to raise funds both through the sale of shirts and fashion accessories, and also through events and donations. With the funds we will give grants and mentoring to help single mothers in Africa start businesses. We will build wells and maternity clinics, deliver much-needed medical supplies, purchase mobile medical clinics, and work on initiatives to rescue young women from the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army).