Meet Bossbabe Eliza Leigh, a Juris Doctor, the Senior Operations Manager at Tofer & Associates and among her various responsibilities, the main focus is managing the firm’s San Bernardino County Branch. She is the most senior employee in the firm and has worn many hats including demand writer, pre-litigation case manager, and litigation department manager.
Never heard of Juris Doctor? This is the highest education available in the legal profession in the United States and is considered a professional degree. The J.D. will prepare the student to take the state bar exam allowing them to practice law in their state.
We interviewed Eliza Leigh in this article. She spoke to us about her legal work, as well as giving some advice to young women.
What inspired you to pursue a career as a JD?
I was born and raised in the Philippines and at 16, I was elected to our town’s youth council (Sangguniang Kabataan) and it exposed me to public service, politics, law and the many injustices one can experience without help from the right people. That’s when the idea of going to law school first came to me.
How do you make sure you keep your clients happy and satisfied?
Our clients are the ones who are injured and vulnerable because they just had an accident. The easiest way to keep them happy is to listen to their concerns and then be able to address those issues. They appreciate it when you patiently explain every step that needs to be done in order for their case to move timely and efficiently.
I keep my clients satisfied by making sure I deliver what I promised and I deliver it on time or earlier than they expected it to be done. Of course, there are times when unexpected hurdles get in the way of delivery but if you are able to update them of what is happening, then that will be appreciated as well. The key is always keeping them in the loop because it is THEIR case, after all.
What activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I love travelling – exploring new places and experiencing different cultures and I also enjoy a lot of socializing outside of work whether with family, friends or colleagues. However, I do appreciate my me time and love journalling and writing my thoughts whether in my blog, social media or my little notebook. I also watch Korean drama as well as spend a lot of time in Smule (a singing app) where I can sing to my heart’s content.
What advice do you have for someone young (or old) looking to build a career as a Senior Operations Manager?
I always say that there are three things that you need to succeed in any career – hard work, great work ethics and confidence. Hard work will always move your career because it will show what you can do and how you do it. It is almost impossible for anything not to move if you are working really hard.
Great work ethics is a bit different. Some people are born with it while others need to learn it. This is something I really believe in. When you have this, you will gain not just the trust of your employers but also the people around you. It shows a lot not just about the way you work but your own trustworthiness.
Lastly, confidence. A healthy competition never hurts but it is always best to compete with yourself. Each time you beat your own record, your confidence grows and when you have real confidence, everyone around you can feel it and it will be a strong driving force for your career to grow.
How would you describe your leadership style and what has made it so effective?
My leadership style is that of a coach. I am supportive of my team and my goal is for them to develop their strengths and to help them recognize their weaknesses so they can find ways to either eliminate or transform those limitations into something they can use to their advantage.
I think it is effective because it creates a positive and motivating environment for our team. When you provide positive reinforcement with your feedback, team members are most likely to appreciate your efforts, respect you, and most of them, if not all, will feel motivated to do better as they see their own progress.
Share with us the must-haves for working women
In general terms, working women need to have some “me time” where we are able to relax and enjoy ourselves. It is important to take care of ourselves – mentally, emotionally and physically.
In specific terms, my must haves are (1) my journal to organize my schedule, to dos and thoughts, (2) a skin care regimen to make sure stress and working a lot don’t contribute to my natural aging and (3) reliable high heels that will allow you to feel confident but will not punish you after standing on it for hours.
To what do you attribute your success?
I believe success is attained because of the help of so many people around you so the answer to this question will be my family and friends. Sepcifically though, I attribute what I have achieved:
- To my parents who raised me well, gave me the best education that they could give and supported me through my ups and downs in life.
- My grandma – “lola mama,” who always brought me with her as she did her business and this instilled in me an entrepreneur mindset.
- My aunt Raquel who is my constant cheerleader and backer.
- My husband, Stephen, my kids, Reisz, Sophie and my fur baby, Boba for being my source of strength, courage and love.
What is your next big goal? How do you think you can achieve this one?
My next goal is to create a program which can be a resource for Filipinos who are in California. The vision is for them to have a safe place to ask questions, to find people who can help them with their issues and to help them promote their own businesses.
It is quite a big dream so I will need help from a lot of people. For now, it is in the planing stages and in order to reach the end goal, I need to find people who have the same dream and figure out a way to work together.
How do you think modern women can be more fulfilled in their lives?
It is all about balance. Modern women need to find the balance between career and personal lives. What makes them happy, what makes them fulfilled, what makes them content may have different answers and finding an equilibrium between all that is important.It isn’t easy and the more they learn about themselves, the better the chances to find fulfillment.
What steps do you take when you want to get through a less of a good business day?
When I am having a bad day at work, I will take a breather. I will close my door, close my eyes and not do anything for 5 minutes. This helps clear my mind and calm me down. After that, I try to reflect on why my day is going down the slopes. I try to figure out what is in my control and what isn’t. Then I do the things that are within my control and let go of the emotions associated with what I cannot control. This way, I know I did my best to transform that day for the better.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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