SM: What can we do when we’re being patronized?
Stefani Schaeffer: That will happen in business, especially if you’re a young female professional, but I would say always take the high road. Don’t sink to the level of condescension or being sarcastic. No one can ever fault you for being too professional. People don’t usually remember what you say to them, but they will definitely remember how you make them feel.

SM: Many female leaders get a reputation of being power-hungry or a bitch. How can we overcome that image?
Stefani Schaeffer: People make a quick judgment call about how they think you are personality-wise and you have no control over that. But what you do have control over is [knowing] that being professional doesn’t mean you have a chip on your shoulder. There’s no excuse for being less than professional, there’s no excuse for being nasty to people. “Oh, she’s the b-word or she’s snobby;” people might think that, and you can’t control that, but you can smile, you can be friendly and you can go about your business. And don’t worry about the people who are going to think ill thoughts.

SM: You are a former model. How do you deal with attention from your looks in the business world?
Stefani Schaeffer: For beautiful women in general there’s always that preconceived notion that “Oh, you’re going to get by professionally on your looks.” The best way to overcome that is to shock people with brains. Strive to be the best you can be and do something everyday that makes you a little bit smarter, that broadens your horizons a little bit more. You can have beauty and brains and be a nice person too. And that’s the real kicker. Drop the attitude, check the ego at the door and then don’t care what people think.