I am always fascinate with CEO’s and their story of how they go to where they are. I discovered supercollar when researching for new pet products and I found out the CEO was Jane Angelich. She was kind enough to share with us some insight on what keeps her ticking. Check out her answers below!

Where do you live?

I live in Novato, CA which is in the Bay Area.

If there was a theme song in your life, what would it be?

The theme song of my life is, My Way (as sung by Frank Sinatra) and the final verse edited by me

I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and ev’ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
“Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way”

For what is a wo/man, what has s/he got?
If not her/himself, then s/he has naught
To say the things s/he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do?

The best advice I can give a fledgling writer is to keep writing…anything and everything you possibly can write. I practice my craft by pitching stories about my pet product company, as well as responding to requests for information on any topic that I believe I can give advice or have expertise. Some of the requests I pitch require a set number of words, usually less than I would like, and that helps keep my writing crisp and to the point. Most importantly, I look at everything I write as a building block to writing better, whether it gets printed or not.

What is the key to being a successful woman in your industry?

The key to being a successful woman in my industry is the fact that I am willing to try new things. The older I get, the less I worry about “what will other people think?” If I think it’s worth exploring, I go for it. I think that the Maya Angelou quote that follows sums it up.

What is your favorite quote?

The quote that keeps me motivated is from Maya Angelou:

“Courage allows the successful woman to fail
and learn powerful lessons
from the failure
so that in the end,
she didn’t fail at all.”

More from Jane

For over 30 years, I have been a business coach, focusing on women-owned businesses, an entrepreneur, a writer and a speaker on the topics of lifestyle and family issues. As one of CNBC’s recognized experts on work-life balance issues, I have appeared on numerous national television and radio programs.

During my years in the corporate world, I held the positions of Senior Vice President of Human Resources and member of The Gap’s nine-person Executive Committee, in San Francisco and Vice President of Worldwide Human Resources for the investment- banking firm, Salomon Brothers, in New York.

After leaving the corporate world at the age of 39, I went on to found, grow and sell several companies and my entrepreneurial successes won numerous “best of” awards.

I am currently the CEO of Bright IP Concepts, the parent company for the pet product, the supercollar®, www.supercollar.com/. The supercollar®, the only patented dog collar with a built-in retractable leash, was awarded 2011 Most Innovative Product of the Year by 3M and is a 2011 British Airways’ Face of Opportunity winner. It was also a 2011 semi-finalist for ABC’s Shark Tank.

The product was launched on HSN (Home Shopping Network) and has been featured in USA Today, PEOPLE Pets, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Baltimore Sun, Haute Dog, Pet Age, The Gadgeteer, and other top-tier publications. It was also featured on CBS on The Early Show.

In addition, I wrote a business case study about the supercollar® for George Washington University School of Business, which houses the largest women’s business case library in the world. It was selected as one of a dozen of the most popular case studies in the library and is featured as a learning tool for women throughout the world.

For over eight years, I have been a volunteer for Guide Dogs for the Blind. In 2008, I became a volunteer mentor for Mentiium Corporation, a global leader in corporate mentoring models. Menttium offers comprehensive mentoring solutions that support the development and advancement of key talent in the workplace.

I am member of the Advisory Board of Marketing Zone,

I am the mother of two sons, ages 35 and 28 and a newly minted grandmother. My second book, What’s a Mother (In-Law) to Do? 5 Essential Steps to Building a Loving Relationship with Your Son’s New Wife was released by Simon & Schuster, www.inlawexpert.com/. It is the winner of the 2009 National Best Books Awards in the category of Relationships. My short story, Five New Sets of Eyes, was released by Adams Media in 2010. I am also the In-Law Relationship columnist for examiner.com.

My husband and I reside in Marin County, CA with our two Labrador Retrievers, Tess and Talbot.