2021 Influential Businesswoman Awards

44 Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2021 Sustainability Businesswoman of the Year (Italy): Laura Gori & Award for Innovation in Translation Services 2021 ay2Global is a female start-up founded in 2017 by Laura Gori and is the first benefit corporation in the language industry worldwide, as well as a certified B Corp since 2019. With a mission to enhance communications for businesses in all languages and in all markets, Way2Global is a passionate advocate for the disruptive and sustainable business model of benefit corporations. The firm’s translation, interpreting and localisation solutions promote brand identity on a global scale in highly regulated markets, such as Financial, Legal, Life Sciences, Fashion, Luxury, Technical and Marketing. Now with a global footprint, a unique business model as a benefit corporation certified as a B Corp, a triple ISO Quality Certification and the willingness and grit to stay at the forefront of innovation, Way2Global is developing pioneering technology as a driver of human talent. Laura’s journey as an entrepreneur started back in 1988 when she set up her first ‘creation’ — a micro enterprise with three employees and a few hundred euro in revenue. For the following three decades, Laura led it with blood, sweat and tears through the major disruptions of globalisation and the digital transformation, growing the business into one of the top 100 global forces in its industry. “It was at the very peak of these achievements, while leading this profit- making machine, that I was overwhelmed by a perfect storm,” she explains. “A cruel twist of fate beheaded and split my company and, at exactly at the same time, it shattered my marriage.” Looking back, Laura now believes it was all a “stress test” that brought down her entire life, in order to test her resilience, for it was in that same year of 2017 that she discovered the fascinating world of benefit corporations. “It gave me the courage and energy that only a new passion can trigger,” Laura enthuses. “I decided to start again from nothing and I set up Way2Global as a benefit corporation while reinventing myself as a start-up entrepreneur over 50.” A benefit corporation is a new legal form that defines a new way of conceiving and pursuing business. It is a hybrid business model, halfway between for-profit and non-profit, and has a dual purpose: in addition to revenue, benefit corporations voluntarily commit themselves by law to pursue social and environmental impact. “They are visionary, trailblazing triple bottom line businesses that have sustainability embedded in their business plan as the backbone of their corporate strategy to restore, renew, and grow People, Planet and Profit.” W Laura was hooked and she committed to generating value for the world that outweighed the resources used to run her business, operating as regenerative businesses by boldly giving back more to society and the planet than she took. “Leading my beloved star-tup has become my ikigai — the thing that makes me get up in the morning, driven to partner with all the other Benefit Corporations to work and change the system for the better.” Though it is only a small company, as well as a start-up still scaling up, in only three years since its inception it has developed a unique business model based on a strong social vocation. This has enabled Laura to set new inspirational standards, compete with the biggest players (multinationals) in the industry and rank among the biggest B Corps in transforming economy into a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable system. “I am proud to lead Way2Global which - as a benefit corporation - is at the forefront of major national and international collective B Corp initiatives for the improvement of the environment and society.” Laura is also actively involved in supporting other women to succeed. Within her company she aims to empower women and entrust them with leadership, both in technology and in other traditionally male roles. For her efforts, in 2018, she was selected among the Italian Inspiring Fifty together with 49 women leaders in business, research, and higher education who have distinguished themselves in innovation and technology. More recently, Laura has been awarded two further prestigious accolades, these being Sustainability Businesswoman of the Year (Italy) and the Award for Innovation in Translation Services 2021 in the Influential Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2021. “I am proud that, despite economic and financial restraints, even the pandemic didn’t prevent us from keeping on with our commitment to a sustainable development,” she says. I am convinced that investing in social impact and using the power of business as a driver for solving the great challenges facing humanity is the only driver for a sound growth in the long term. “I firmly believe that we as entrepreneurs shall take on a new consciousness and be accountable for the social impact of our businesses on the planet. There is no planet B and we can’t tolerate social inequalities - we are running out of time to regenerate the world and its depleted resources.” Laura Gori found herself having to start again in business and, rising from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix, she is now the head of a successful benefit corporation that is taking the word by storm. We speak to Laura and find out more about her journey. Jul21227 Contact: Laura Gori Company: Way2Global Srl SB Web Address: www.way2global.com Way2Global Srl SB