Lola Gazivoda’s life shaped the purpose behind her business
Lola Gazivoda arrived in the United States at 14. She did not know English, and her new high school in the Bronx felt like a different world. She worked through every challenge with determination. By 18 she was married. By 20 she was a mother. She completed her college degree while pregnant with her second child, balancing full-time work and night classes.
Those years shaped her understanding of work ethic and opportunity. She learned that when someone gives you a chance, you give your best back. Later, after more than twenty years in corporate banking, she recognized a pattern she could no longer ignore. Every business owner she worked with struggled to find reliable talent. The issue crossed industries, income levels, and business sizes.
This realization, combined with her personal story, became the foundation of Bota. Lola knew there was remarkable talent in Albania, and she wanted to connect that talent with companies in the United States. Bota became her way of proving that a small country with smart, capable, and disciplined people could deliver results that meet global standards.
Bota isn’t just about outsourcing. It’s about rewriting what ‘good talent’ means and giving businesses the reliability they’ve been searching for, with heart, pride, and excellence.”
The services at Bota focus on reliability and connection
Bota provides U.S. companies with access to skilled professionals in Albania who specialize in areas like administration, client management, operations, marketing, and technology. But Bota was never meant to feel like a typical outsourcing firm.
“At Bota, we combine that same corporate-level structure with genuine human connection,” Lola explains. “We don’t just place people, we build teams that feel like extensions of our clients’ businesses. Every company that works with us knows who’s on their team, trusts them, and feels their impact. That’s rare in outsourcing.”
Lola’s years in banking taught her the importance of systems and precision, but she also wanted her business to keep its soul. “Our work ethic comes from Albanian roots, loyal, resourceful, and relentless, and our systems come from years of corporate refinement,” she says. “It’s that balance that makes Bota stand out. We’re proof that you can run a tight ship without losing your soul in the process.”
Lola faced challenges and rebuilt herself through Bota
Starting Bota meant stepping into the unknown. “Starting a business has been the biggest challenge of my life, not because I was afraid of hard work, but because I had to completely recreate myself,” she shares.
“After more than 20 years in corporate banking, I was used to structure, systems, and predictability. Suddenly, I was the one building those systems from scratch. There was no manual, no HR department, no IT team, just me, my laptop, and my vision.”
The shift forced her to rediscover her strengths. “It was humbling to go from managing multimillion-dollar portfolios to designing workflows and learning software platforms on my own,” she says. “But it also reminded me how much I thrive in structure, and how I was made to create it.”
Every obstacle became a lesson. “Every obstacle, from hiring to scaling to earning trust, became another opportunity to innovate,” Lola explains. “I learned to trust my instincts more than the old playbooks. And now, seeing Bota grow from an idea into a firm with real impact on both sides of the ocean, I know I didn’t just start a company, I reinvented the way I lead. And I’m loving every minute of it.”
Her Albanian heritage influences every part of Bota
“My Albanian heritage is in everything I do, my work ethic, my grit, my instinct to figure things out even when the odds don’t make sense,” she says. “Growing up in Shkodër, you learn early how to make things happen with whatever you have. Coming to the U.S. at 14 with no English and starting high school in the Bronx taught me the same lesson, just in a different language.”
Lola sees those experiences as the foundation of her business mindset. “Those experiences built a muscle for resilience, and a sense of humor about how tough things can get,” she says. “That mindset became the backbone of Bota.”
“In Albania, people are brilliant, capable, and hungry to work, they just need the opportunity. I wanted to be the bridge that made that possible,” she adds. “I didn’t just want to prove that Albanians could compete globally, I wanted the world to expect excellence from us.”
She smiles when she quotes an old saying from home. “Kur je Shkodrane, tana i ban,” she says. “When you’re from Shkodër, you can do anything”. And honestly, it’s true. We’ll find a way, fix it ourselves, or build a new version that works better. That’s exactly how I lead, with determination, creativity, and a little bit of that Shkodrane ‘watch me do it’ attitude.”
Bota gives back through mentorship and opportunity
Giving back is part of Bota’s structure. “Through the Bota-Her Fund, we support young women in Albania who want to build careers in finance, tech, or management,” Lola explains. “We’ve trained and mentored dozens of them, especially mothers re-entering the workforce.”
She sees each job placement as a life-changing event. “Every time we place someone in a U.S. role, I think about how it changes their family’s life, not just their income. It gives them confidence, independence, and pride. I know that feeling. I lived it.”
Lola’s vision for the future keeps people at the center
“The vision is to make Bota a global platform where U.S. companies can connect with Albanian professionals at the click of a button, simple, seamless, and human,” she says. “I want to create something that outlives me, that keeps helping people find opportunity across borders.”
“Eventually, I want to expand beyond Albania, but always keeping that same heart. No matter how big we grow, Bota will always be about people first, business second.”
She shares advice that comes from experience
“The advice I’d give to any entrepreneur is this: don’t wait for the perfect time, and don’t wait to feel ready,” Lola says. “You’ll never have it all figured out. Start anyway. Life doesn’t slow down for your dreams, you have to build while everything else keeps moving.”
“Be disciplined. Be humble. Work harder than you think you need to. Don’t expect shortcuts or applause, focus on consistency. That’s what wins over time.”
“Remember that your background isn’t a barrier; it’s your foundation. The fact that you came from somewhere that taught you to work, adapt, and survive, that’s your advantage. Use it.”
“And most importantly, define success your own way. Money comes and goes, but integrity, reputation, and peace of mind stay.”
Connect with Bota and learn more
Readers can learn more about Bota’s mission and services by visiting the company online or following its work on social platforms. The company welcomes clients, partners, and professionals who believe in building teams rooted in trust, reliability, and opportunity.
Bota Consulting Group is based in White Plains, New York. Visit their website: www.botaconsultinggroup.com
Explore Bota Consulting Group’s listing in the ALB Connection business directory, or visit botaconsultinggroup.com to learn more.
Discover more Albanian-owned businesses in our New York business directory.
Explore the local community in our guide to Albanians in the Bronx.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Bota Consulting Group?
Bota Consulting Group was founded by Lola Gazivoda, its Founder and CEO. According to the company’s website, she founded Bota in 2023 after more than two decades in banking leadership.
Where is Bota Consulting Group based?
The company is based in White Plains, New York, and describes itself as New York based with Albanian talent.
What does Bota Consulting Group do?
Bota recruits, onboards and supports professionals in Albania who work within U.S. clients’ systems and business hours, in fields such as administration, operations, marketing, accounting and technology.
Where is Lola Gazivoda from?
Lola Gazivoda grew up in Shkodër, Albania, and came to the United States at 14, where she attended high school in the Bronx.
Author: Val Demiri
Valbona is an editor and writer at ALB Connection, where she covers the people, businesses, and culture shaping the Albanian diaspora. A journalism graduate of the University of Iowa, her work spans community profiles, success stories, and features on Albanian life across the US, Europe, and beyond. She is drawn to stories that celebrate Albanian achievement and keep the community connected across borders.
