We had the good fortune of connecting with Vicki “Sky” Flier Hudson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vicki “Sky”, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I was in my twenties, my biggest goal was to see more of the world. I had a corporate job, but every year or so I would ask for a leave of absence to travel. They would say no, so I would quit and fly off to Asia, Europe, the Mid-East, anywhere I could. When I returned the company would hire me back because they were growing so fast! One year I was sitting in Nepal after a huge rainstorm, writing in a journal. I wrote “What if I could start a business that combined business and culture? A new attitude for people doing business abroad.” That was the seed of my company, Highroad Global Services. In 2004 I left the corporate job for good and launched on my own. Twenty-one years later, here I am!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have always loved change, trying new things. My business reflects that! In my current work, I specialize in executive coaching across three key areas: powerful presentations, cross-cultural communication, and conflict management. I love helping clients, especially senior leaders, communicate with inspiration and conviction. In addition to change, I’ve been passionate about difference since I was a child. I grew up in Los Angeles with classmates from all over the world. I watched election debates, dreamed of traveling, anything that could expose me to differing views and ways of life. Being from LA I went to a Spanish immersion school and was fluent in Spanish by age 12. The moment I had enough money, I took off for Asia. That was my dream. I think that working for a growing corporation doing training, speaking, and coaching gave me the skills I needed to realize my goal of starting my own business. I learned what leaders respond to, how to document things well, and how to persuade without direct authority. I also learned that it was my authenticity that would help me build my brand. I have also believed in what I call work/life UPLIFT. It’s an alternative to work/life balance, which never resonated with me. Balance is precarious, but if you let authentic parts of yourself spill into your work, then each uplifts the other. I have a keynote presentation on that very subject! In my 21 years in business, I have always lived by that philosophy. So even though my work has evolved and changed, I always put authenticity, and quality, at the center. Twelve years ago I joined a professional Rush tribute band. Now I integrate music and speaking all the time! Again, letting work be uplifted by the other parts of my life. You can’t succeed with authenticity alone, of course. I did a ton of coach training and certifications. I study constantly and always strive to keep learning. But I stay committed to bringing joy into professional spaces.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Global Mall and Chinatown certainly feed my love of different cultures! So I would start there for lunch.
Then take in a show at Madlife Stage in Woodstock. My band plays there and it’s a gorgeous venue with incredible sound!
The next day, pay a visit to Yellow River Game Ranch in Stone Mountain, followed by lunch at The Stone Bowl in Doraville.
Check out downtown Roswell for a nice stroll, delicious ice cream, and coffee at Crazy Love Coffee.
Hit Cafe Amico if you want to relax with a journal and a cup of tea.
Visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center and walk the Roswell River Boardwalk.
Next, go watch the planes take off at Peachtree Dekalb Airport. There’s an observation deck and a great restaurant called The Downwind!
Take a walk around downtown Decatur, then go hiking at Panola Mountain.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom and dad encouraged me to go forward with the business. My dad was a high-level executive for a company for years, but left to start his own consulting business. He gave me great advice about working with execs, and also standing up for myself in business. My mother was a teacher. She always supported anything I wanted to try, even if it seemed outlandish. I also want to thank my mentor, Rita Wuebbeler, who opened the door to the intercultural field for me. She believed in my ability to succeed in a challenging field, and we remain great friends to this day.

Website: www.highroaders.com AND www.thespiritofrushband.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritofrushatl/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickiflierhudson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spiritofrushatlanta/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thespiritofrush4260

Image Credits
Eric Johansen

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