Adrianne Fekete, Founder, Star Quality, Private Investigations
When someone is as driven, passionate, and fiercely independent as Adrianne, owning a business is a natural career choice. Adrianne is one of the first women to venture into running fully licensed, private investigations and security businesses in Canada; and certainly, the lady with the longest tenure in the role to date. She has led her agency to success repeatedly as a straight-talking, transparent, and compassionate leader committed to ensuring safety and uncovering compelling evidence that reflects the truth. And, supporting individuals as they were forced to face it and the impact it brought into their life. In 2020, Star Quality Private Investigations was the proud recipient of the RBC Small Business of the Year Award. She credits this recognition to her dedication to helping others, her intense work ethic and her entire team.
Adrianne began her career as a Public Relations Specialist in the Music and Film Industry. She worked for the industry’s most creative professionals who quickly identified her broader scope of capabilities and guided her experience and success beyond public relations to executive protection. Rising quickly to the challenge resulted in her working alongside some of the most legendary celebrities; individuals as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bono, Samuel L. Jackson, and Colin Farrell to share a few. Adrianne’s potential as a savvy businesswoman and multi-talented force within the industry made her the ultimate choice to manage executive protection for two World Tours with The Rolling Stones, The 360 Tour with U2, Suicide Squad, Canadian Idol, The Molson Indy, WWE, the G8 and G20.
Her ever-present passion for helping others in their personal growth and achievement led to her certification by Anthony Robbins as a Life Coach. It is the combination of her background in public relations, executive protection and life coaching with her fearless mindset and business insight that culminated in Adrianne stepping into a male-dominated industry; and launching Star Quality Private Investigations.
Over the last two decades, Adrianne has been a pioneer within the private investigation industry, tackling the under-serviced and emotionally charged sector of clients facing child custody, divorce, infidelity and all other family law matters. She established successful investigation programs, surveillance protocols and case management procedures, ensuring business success and growth year over year since she launched her business. Her compassionate, relatable nature is evident in supporting all her clients with life coaching services. Optimizing the expertise and skills found within the law enforcement industry, Adrianne chose to focus on hiring former and retired detectives and executives from police departments across Canada for her investigative team. Not only did this ensure business success right out of the gate, but she was also able to expand her business quickly to include corporate fraud investigations, risk management and security sectors over the years.
What’s your top strategy for success?
As an entrepreneur, I credit my commitment to following my inner voice over the outer influences, for my achievements.
What is the most rewarding work you do?
Adrianne pioneered the private investigation industry, tackling the under-serviced and emotionally charged sector of family law which encompassed life-changing journeys such as infidelity, relationship, divorce, child custody, divorce, youth wellness, addiction and mental health. Her passion for helping others heal and grow, led to her certification by Tony Robbins, as a Results Life Coach.
For over two decades, Adrianne has also served as a certified Results Life Coach to thousands of individuals as they navigated through life-testing, difficult moments. Her expertise continues to evolve, in part, to her amazing clients, who allow her the honour of guiding them on their personal path of healing. “I have supported women who were told they could not do it because of gender, parents of missing children, Fortune 500 CEO’s who are extremely empty in their personal lives, a wife/husband whose partner has been unfaithful, families struggling to stay committed to loved ones with mental health issues, and the individual who loves an addict, to name a few. I have helped thousands of outstanding individuals change their lives, regardless of their situation. Today they have a deeper understanding of themselves, as well as how to handle situations that are within their control. Adrianne’s personal and professional rewards stem from the mission to have clients view their most difficult obstacles as a gift of redirection. “Finding their truth and changing their narrative one word at a time, is life-changing,” says Adrianne.
Acknowledging the increased burden on mental well-being was the first step. SQPI expanded its selection of community programs and outreach for financial contributions that focused on providing support to the most vulnerable. By building new relationships with organizations desperate to broaden their mental health programs and help more community members, it was obvious SQPI needed to contribute.
“It was the right decision. A decision that proved to return countless, intangible benefits to both the team and the company, becoming a motivation that drove team commitment even deeper,” Adrianne says.
If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?
I would like to be remembered as a trailblazer for women, establishing success in non-traditional careers.
What does the word empowerment mean to you?
Living life authentically, with a gift of grace for others, while delivering what lights your soul on fire to the world. That is full empowerment.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your life? What was your life like before learning it? What was your life like after learning it?
One of the most important things I learned in my life is that everything is temporary. When you are going through hard times, this too shall pass. When you are young and going through the best times of your life, this too shall pass. Before learning this, I was often in survival mode. This meant I missed the moments, what I refer to as golden nuggets of joy. After learning this, my whole world changed. My motto is to love what you do and do what you love. This is a golden rule for every aspect of my life. When something doesn’t feel right in your gut, that’s because it’s not. Listen to your body, she knows what is best for you. When I am conflicted, I ask myself, “If this was your last day on earth, would you be doing exactly what you are doing today?” If the answer is heck no, I immediately change it regardless of the obstacles. Living in gratitude and at the moment, is key.
Who in your life has had the biggest impact on you and why?
The person who had the biggest impact on my life is my Dad. He always told me that anything was possible, regardless of gender. He taught me how to be an integral, trustworthy person, the value of family, the importance of good money management and a lot about business. The tragic loss of my father when I was 20 years old, taught me to live in the moment and spend time with those I love.
“A wise girl knows her limits, a smart girl knows that she has none.”
~Marilyn Monroe
What’s next for Star Quality Private Investigations?
Although SQPI will continue its efforts in our client support initiatives, it appears we were successful in leaving no stone unturned. As a result, this initiative, in conjunction with our communication initiatives, will return to ongoing research and development activities to ensure we remain on the leading edge of client support.
Growing our market shares in both corporate investigations and security services are firmly on the SQPI business radar as we ease back into a ‘post pandemic’ environment. The growth of SQPI’s Life Coach services was an unplanned success that grew from the increased pressures carried by so many of our clients over the last few years. Management quickly recognized the alignment of this coaching service with supporting clients as they face the compelling truths of their lives. This is translated into future growth in offering Life Coaching services.
Is it true you have a one-year waitlist to coach with you personally?
“Yes, and it has been my personal challenge to work towards having no list at all,” Adrianne responded.
Adrianne, who is a certified Results Life Coach by Tony Robbins, is committed to working with even more people as she moves ahead in a different direction with this sector of growth in her business.
“I have had the privilege of working with such amazing individuals, some who want to share their journey to aid others through similar obstacles. They were forced often into unexpected, life-changing truths and situations, ultimately staring the truth down with such grace and dedication. The next chapter is currently being written to answer the needs of clients wanting a safe space to share. Without giving away the season finale…imagine a team of supporters who have experienced the same or similar personal/professional struggles, achievements, and losses,” shared Adrianne Fekete.
SQPI is on the front line of people’s stories. Stories wrought with negative impacts to one’s mental health. This insight provides confirmation that there is a need for further support beyond the compelling truth found in private investigations. For this reason alone, Adrianne’s passion for supporting the healing process with individuals on a larger scale is now being implemented.
“My focus will be on empowering others in their efforts to face personal truths and write new chapters. Committed to the mentality that we are all in this together and no one gets left behind, all topics of experience will be open for coaching. I look to champion the tough stuff with people on an even larger scale than currently found inside my business. I am in a position, and honoured, to have the opportunity to uplift, heal and provide knowledge to others on a much larger scale,” added Adrianne.
If you could be any superhero, who would you be?
Batgirl of course!!!!
What’s something people seem to misunderstand about you?
That I make everything I do look easy. It’s not. It’s frickin’ hard work. I’m up earlier than most and always strive to be the hardest worker in every situation. Nothing I have done has ever been easy. It is steeped in sacrifice.
If you could teach the world one thing, what would it be?
YES … you can!
