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Claire Riggs

Managing and Strategic Communication Partner
Riggs Creative Group LLC

What inspired you to join/start your business?

Family... It's hard to believe, but my husband and I met in a print shop some 37 years ago! Though our professional paths diverged for several decades, we found ourselves working together again in the family business he started in 2008. The business morphed from offering primarily traditional tools to an integrated marketing communication firm. I joined him in 2016, adding more strategic communication and relationship management expertise. With my increased involvement came the recent realignment of the business to a woman-owned, minority-owned business status.

We're blessed to have a number of fantastic female team members here at Riggs Creative Group. One we recently celebrated is our Creative Director Melody Edwards, who marked 10 years of employment with our company on February 15!

What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?

Finding balance with the myriad responsibilities, opportunities, obstacles, and desires before me. I've been and continue to be involved in our local community. I also have a passion to teach the next generation of strategic communication practitioners, so I maintain my role as a Rowan University Adjunct Professor. I also have college-aged and young adult children and a few grandchildren with whom I love to stay connected... and a ton of "girlfriends". In caring for the needs of our clients, and in each of these roles, I seek to be the best me I can be. That may mean disappointing myself (and, at times, others), so I've learned to say "I'm not perfect, but I am still enough!"

What was your most satisfying moment in your career?

We recently launched our new brand, the culmination of a year's worth of hard work from our talented, dedicated, and resourceful team members. Our launch day was quite exciting and fulfilling.

How do you define success?

Being present, attentive, caring, responsive, and -- most important -- thankful for the life I've been given and the people I get to share it with.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

"Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part. "

What women inspire you and why?

My mother, for sure. She is part of the Haitian diaspora and a widowed mom of four. She relocated to the U.S. with her non-English speaking children and went to night school after working all day to secure her Bachelor's degree, while successfully guided us through our childhood, educational and vocational challenges. Her sisters held professional roles in Healthcare and Government (my aunt Claudette Werleigh served as the first female Prime Minister of Haiti), so I have countless role models within my family who aspired, achieved, and overcame life's challenges.

What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?

Be you and do you... but don't do it alone. We are better together, so embrace a community of women who can inspire you to be your best and whom you can inspire to be their best.

Describe yourself in three words.

Keeping it real!

Fill in the Blank:

  • When I face a challenge, I... pause and pray... then seek advise from others who may have faced a similar challenge.

 

  • If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… the best is yet to come!

 

  • The one thing I couldn’t live without is… faith!

 

  • By this time next year, I will be… entering a new decade of life!

 

  • The best thing that happened to me last week was… celebrating 35 years of being married to my Managing Partner in business and life, Steven Riggs!

 

  • To get my creative juices flowing, I… exercise (walk or ride a bike), or get away (vacation, spend a day at the beach, or relax in an epson salt bubble bath)! 
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