Andrea Soueidan on The Power of Connection and Following Your Intuition
Photo credit: Sayde Jabra
Do you know someone who radiates light like a human sun? Andrea Soueidan is one of those rare individuals, although her glow is anything but accidental. "I believe in energy, I believe in radiance. You sprinkle it out to receive it," she explains.
Andrea is the visionary founder of Altitude Connections, a Montreal-based company offering bespoke personal, family, and corporate concierge services. Her business is a natural extension of her lifelong passion for service and hospitality. In her words, "I am a time-saver. I give you the luxury of time." And what could be more precious than that?
She is also part of Ralia Realty’s redevelopment project on Saint Laurent Blvd, opening this Fall in downtown Montreal. She is the tenant, co-founder and principal operator of Connections a private restaurant and zen-inspired event venue that offers a home away from home for hosting wellness, corporate, and private gatherings of up to 100 people.
Andrea’s Journey
Born into a Lebanese family and raised in Montreal, Andrea earned a degree in Business from McGill University before embarking on her career at a bank. Marriage took her to Chicago, where she dedicated sixteen years to raising her son and daughter before a transformative move to Dubai. During those years, Andrea made sure she kept in touch with all her loved ones, connecting dots across the globe.
It was in Dubai that Andrea felt an insistent need to reconnect with people and revive her passion for hosting and caring for others. Despite her talents being kept under wraps during her early years, she knew deep down that she was destined for something greater.
Taking the Leap
Andrea patiently awaited the right moment to chase her dreams, which finally arrived when her son was accepted to university in Canada. Seizing the opportunity, she returned to Montreal, ready to prioritize herself and follow her aspirations. “I struggled like everybody else. I was divorcing, starting a new business, and raising two kids,” she recalls. Yet, she remained steadfast in her belief that she was meant for more.
A natural magnet for recommendations, Andrea knew it was time to turn her innate skills into a business. Determined not to return to banking, she took a bold step into the unknown, driven by intuition and passion.
Building Altitude Connections
Launching Altitude Connections was not without its hurdles. “My biggest struggle was putting my name out there,” Andrea admits. Many people misunderstood the concept of a personal concierge, often asking, “Do you clean buildings?”. Each misunderstanding was a setback, but Andrea remained undeterred.
Her resilience shone through as she attended networking events daily, tirelessly explaining her services and offering complimentary trials to prove her worth. “You have to be resilient, believe in yourself, and just keep going,” she advises. Her persistence paid off as word-of-mouth referrals began to flow. "Well, why don’t you just ask Andrea?", they would say. #AskAndreaMTL became the defining hashtag of her business.
Full Circle Moments
In 2022, Andrea co-founded Women Investing in Women with Mya Pearle, the founder of Ralia Realty, to foster a nurturing and empowering community for women entrepreneurs. Recognizing the pivotal role networking played in her own career, Andrea ensured this initiative provided a safe haven for sincere connections and mutual support. “We all started at the bottom. This isn’t just another networking event; it’s about true connection,” she asserts.
Looking ahead, 2024 marks an exciting new chapter with the launch of Connections by Ralia, an event space set to open in the fall in collaboration with Ralia Realty. This project embodies Andrea's journey: a full-circle moment from her initial urge to connect with people and her passion, to opening a space for others to do the same. Located on St. Laurent Boulevard in Montreal, Connections will unite professionals, families, and entrepreneurs in a harmonious blend of wellness and business. The venue will feature inviting overnight accommodations and a cozy café, perfect for spontaneous visits.
Andrea's Legacy
“You do good, you receive good. Look at challenges as opportunities to move forward, take leaps, do better, and learn,” Andrea suggests.
Andrea Soueidan’s story is a testament to the power of connection, resilience, and following one's intuition. Her journey continues to inspire and uplift, proving that genuine human connection is the most valuable currency of all.
Learn more about Ralia Realty’s Saint Laurent development, opening Fall 2024.
About Ralia Realty - we are sustainable Real Estate Developers that envision, operate and manage investments that prioritize people and the planet.