For many creatives, the journey towards success may be arduous and filled with uncertainty. Somehow Tori Haber seems to have manouevred all these obstacles to create the life she envisions. Carib Voxx sat down with the accredited photographer, marketer and content creator to find out the answer to everyone’s foremost question: How does she do it all?
CARIB VOXX: Even though you have built a multifaceted brand as a marketing and communications specialist, your first noteworthy creative venture was as a photographer. What was the first camera you owned and how old were you?
HABER: I got into photography as early as 14yrs old and my first noteworthy camera (which I saved my own money and bought) was a Canon T3i, which I still have, gathering dust. Nine years later, I’m still a Canon baby, shooting mirrorless now with an EOS R.
CARIB VOXX: Since you started receiving acclaim for your creativity all the way back in high school, how did your alma mater’s motto of “Life More Abundant” influence your entrepreneurial spirit?
HABER: “Life More Abundant” really reminded me that my life should reflect an abounding fullness of joy and strength in every area, including my career. I also drew from the word “more” when manifesting my entrepreneurial journey. There was always an innate desire for more; to learn more, discover more, create more, inspire more, and overall DO MORE.
CARIB VOXX: You evolved from lifestyle photography to health technology, sports marketing and business development. What were the cerebral steps you took to build this dynamic circle of competence?
HABER: The foundation of my growth is simply from a place of faith and vision. Where I am today also started with my love of the performing arts. I had so much experience in media and the creative industry from a young age, that it fostered my introduction into photography. I envisioned myself being a professional photographer and I knew that would only happen the more time I took to hone my craft. My professional career started at SLEEK Magazine while I was still attending high school. I then decided to take it a step further by getting accredited as a trained photographer after completing a course at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. As an established photographer of lifestyle, events and sports in Jamaica, this really opened the doors to excel and diversify my areas of expertise. Through strategic networking, the dedication to learn more and always be a better version of myself, I quickly embraced new challenges and embarked on a fulfilling journey. My vision of exploring, creating and inspiring quickly led me to working in event management for some of Jamaica’s biggest entertainment and sporting events. I soon after delved into the professional world of sports; working in Marketing and Media at SportsMax TV for 2 years. There I learnt a plethora of indelible skills such as: team work, leadership, time management, embracing increased responsibility, handling pressure and greater commitment. I took what I learned in this field and applied it to a whole new venture within my young career. With no prior experience, having stepped into Health Technology and Telemedicine certainly expanded my desire to learn and gain experience. Every lesson I learned and each goal I tackled led me to becoming a 22 yr old General Manager of the region’s #1 Telemedicine platform, MDLink. I am confident that my faith, vision and dedication will continue to elevate my entrepreneurial mindset and eventually propel me into my greater purpose.
CARIB VOXX: How has the experience been working as the General Manager for MDLink in the midst of a global pandemic?
HABER: Managing a company is no walk on the beach but doing so during a global pandemic, especially when that company becomes a necessity, is beyond a challenge. The lines between working time and private time become blurred, tension runs high and it’s really “business as unusual”. You are now thrust into new territory with several more tasks and deliverables to complete in a limited time period. At MDLink we definitely didn’t anticipate such a drastic influx of patients so quickly, but we were definitely prepared. While most other businesses were playing catch up trying to include technology within their day to day, MDLink’s entire business model is enabled by technology to provide remote online health care services. Regardless of the stress that came along with COVID-19; this entire period has been truly rewarding as we have been able to provide instant access to affordable, quality healthcare for everyone including vulnerable, at risk groups everywhere in the Caribbean.
CARIB VOXX: How has the initiative towards online healthcare proven to be beneficial thus far?
HABER: Amidst the outbreak of COVID-19, telemedicine has not only manifested as a convenient solution but also as a necessary, effective and sustainable solution for precaution, prevention and treatment of various infectious diseases. It gives patients the ability to see doctors using secure systems at their safety, comfort and convenience from a mobile device or computer wherever they are. Telemedicine helps to reduce the spread of the virus to mass populations and streamline intake processes, making encounters safer and more efficient for patients, providers and the entire healthcare sector. MDLink online healthcare also facilitates treatment of 90% of the most common health conditions. We take pride in having 24/7/365 availability, an average wait time of under 5 minutes, and treatment at lower costs without compromising on the quality of care.
CARIB VOXX: Working both in the health care sector and also being a sports media & marketing specialist; how do you feel about professional sports being resumed without the inclusion of fans?
HABER: As a huge sports fan, I am more than happy knowing I can turn on my tv again to watch a live match. I am also personally satisfied with the measures being implemented to ensure the safety of players, which include biosecure environments without fans in the stands. No live fans and noise in the stadiums can be a very weird dynamic, but if games are going to continue, there has to be strict protocols adhered to in order to protect the ones actually making it possible.
CARIB VOXX: Obviously you are a sports fanatic but are there any sports that you are good at?
HABER: I was a swimmer and actually taught Learn to Swim programmes with SwimJamaica. I played cricket in prep school, but am I good at it now? Well I won’t tell you to check my cover drive LOL.
CARIB VOXX: “Tori Knows” is a series of Instagram posts you captioned to document your travels across the globe. Where was the most memorable place you have traveled to so far and what was the most poignant lesson travel has taught you?
HABER: #TravelTors under my Tori Knows brand was created to really share my personal travel experiences through my documented content, with persons who might be interested in visiting or learning more about a particular destination I have been to. So far, my two most memorable trips have been to Israel and Spain, and both deserve the title at the top of the list because each country impacted me so greatly in different ways. The greatest thing that travel has taught me is that there is no singular outlook on life. There are so many different cultures, people and perceptions that coexist in this world, but being able to experience this first hand and appreciate these differences can really broaden our minds and allow us to achieve personal growth beyond measure. Travelling can definitely be a greater learning opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, become more sociable, try new things, enjoy life and find beauty in simplicity.
