Alumni Spotlight on Jane Stoller

Jane Stoller, also known as Organized Jane, has helped transform hundreds of businesses with her six-step system. She used her Master of Business Administration degree from Vancouver Island University to help her pivot her career in the direction she wanted. 

Today, she’s a sought-after expert in productivity, performance and decluttering, appearing on international talks shows, podcasts and interviewed in magazines such as InStyle, Forbes and Real Simple. She is the co-founder and CEO of Drink Glimmer Wine – Canada’s top premium non-alcoholic sparkling wine – teaches business at VIU and her latest book, Organize Your Business Like a Boss, launched last month. This fall you’ll find her touring around Canada and the United States to promote her book. 

She was happy to share more about the benefits of a solid business education. Jane graduated from VIU’s MBA program in 2006.

Why did you choose VIU for your education?

I wanted a smaller, more intimate school environment with strong professors. During my undergrad at McGill, most of my classes had 100 to 500+ students and I often felt disconnected from both professors and classmates. At VIU, I found the sense of community and personal connection I was looking for.

I was also drawn to the quality of the professors – many came to the island later in their careers, bringing impressive experience and knowledge, while enjoying a quieter lifestyle. In addition, the dual program with the University of Hertfordshire was a huge benefit, as my goal was to work for an international company and build a career abroad, which I was able to achieve.

Why an MBA?  

After working for two years at an insurance company as an account representative, I saw a clear path to growth within the organization and a bright future if I stayed. However, I also realized that there were many exciting opportunities beyond insurance, across different industries and on a global scale. To access those opportunities and pivot my career in the direction I wanted, I knew I needed a solid business education.

An MBA gave me not only the technical knowledge in areas like finance, marketing and strategy, but also the credibility and confidence to move into new industries. I also saw it as a way to expand my network, gain international exposure and prepare myself for leadership roles in a more diverse business environment.

Tell us a bit about your experience at VIU

What I valued most was the intimacy of the program — the smaller classes gave me the chance to really get to know my professors and classmates. I loved the opportunity to present in teams, collaborate closely and feel supported by the entire community.

The biggest highlight was the internship. I worked with Hub City Paving, a local Nanaimo company that was part of a global cement group. That experience gave me the chance to apply what we were learning in the classroom directly to a real-world business setting. My boss at Hub City Paving became a lifelong mentor, and even now, at more than 80 years old, he sits on the board of a large public construction company. I’m fortunate to still work with him on consulting projects. That internship also continued on to my career where I stayed with the company and moved overseas to be a consultant with them for 15 years before returning back to Canada to start my own business.

I didn’t anticipate how supportive the broader VIU community would be. From classmates to administrators, everyone was invested in helping students succeed. That sense of belonging and encouragement became a huge part of my MBA journey, and it gave me the confidence to pursue international opportunities after graduating.

Can you share an experience where one of your profs or learning community made an impact on your experience? 

Professor Bonia Russell made the biggest impact on my learning. She brought real-world expertise into the classroom, drawing from her experience managing a smelter plant. Her lectures were riveting and she had a unique way of connecting theory with practice, which made learning both engaging and memorable. What stood out most was her ability to share the realities of leadership in high-pressure environments, which gave me insights I still apply today. I continue to keep in touch with her and her mentorship has extended well beyond the classroom, shaping the way I approach challenges in my career. 

What’s next for you?

Since 2017, I have been instructing one course each fall at VIU — Principles of Management. Students appreciate that I bring my corporate experience into the classroom. Last year, I officially launched a new venture: Drink Glimmer Wine, now recognized as Canada’s No.1 premium sparkling non-alcoholic wine. My focus is on scaling the company over the next 1-2 years with the goal of positioning it for a successful sale.

What are you most proud of since completing your program? 

The first is starting (and failing) a tech start-up in the construction industry — because failures are some of the most valuable learning experiences.

The second is launching Organized Jane, where I help women entrepreneurs organize their businesses in six steps. My third book, which was just released, shares this proven framework.

Co-founding Drink Glimmer Wine and teaching at VIU, a school close to my heart, are also on the list.

What advice would you give VIU students following a similar trajectory as yourself? 

My biggest is to embrace both the successes and the failures along the way. Starting out, I launched a tech start-up that didn’t work out — and that failure became one of my most valuable learning experiences. Don’t be afraid to take risks, because every step (even the missteps) teaches you something that will help you later.

Second, leverage the VIU community. The small classes and accessible professors are an incredible resource. Build those relationships — they can turn into lifelong mentors, collaborators and supporters.

Finally, think globally and act locally. I’ve found that blending local roots with a global outlook is a powerful formula for growth.