“Doubt kills more dreams that failure ever will” ~ Suzy Kassem When an opportunity presents itself, do you feel a spark of excitement at first and then begin to realize the challenges that may come with it? Suddenly self-doubt creeps in and stops you from taking action. Our guest, Michelle Frymire, Chief Executive Officer of CWT, shares how taking on challenges and leaning into those tough assignments early in her career set the stage for her to advance. She has been guided by the motto: “it's n...
Jul 21, 2021•49 min•Season 2Ep. 171
We’re living in the age of influence where our personal brands precede us. How often do you audit your personal brand to find out what people say about you when you aren’t in the room? What do others perceive of you when they see your digital footprint? Whether you want a personal brand or not, you have one. In this episode, we will share why it’s important to build your personal brand and the 3 step to building your brand so you don’t miss the opportunity to make your reputation work for you. H...
Jul 19, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 170
We’ve all heard the saying, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade”. But we also know that it’s easier said, than done. Meet Jennifer Prosek, founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, who shares her story of graduating from college into a recession, unable to secure a job, moving back home and how she took those lemons and decided to make lemonade. Jennifer started her entrepreneurial journey before she was 25 years of age. She dreamed of conquering the world and promised herself that...
Jul 14, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 169
We’ve all heard the proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” Success is rarely achieved alone. Athletes don’t become Olympians without mentors and coaches to guide them. Are you are someone who has no mentors, has no idea where to find one, or are afraid to ask for mentorship? In this episode, we discuss why mentorship matters, what holds people back from seeking mentorship, and the 3 keys to finding the right mentor for you. Highlights: [01:00] Why men...
Jul 12, 2021•18 min•Season 2Ep. 168
Doing what you love is rewarding. Being able to make a living from it is a bonus. But receiving recognition for your work is priceless and brings infinite motivation to do even more. Our guest, Shalini Vadhera, Founder and CEO of Ready Set Jet, was pursuing her passion for beauty when she received a heartfelt note from a client thanking her for making his wife smile again. At that moment, Shalini knew that’s what she wanted to spend the rest of her life doing. In 2018, Shalini launched Ready Set...
Jul 07, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 167
Let's say you've got a great idea that you really believe in, but you've got no clue where to start. What would you do? Would you figure out a way or feel stuck and do nothing? Meet Merrilee Kick, CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion. Merrilee was a school teacher who had this lightbulb idea while she was grading papers by her pool. But rather than just sit on that idea, Merrilee set off on researching how to bring that idea to life. Nine months later, Merrilee launched BuzzBallz/Southern ...
Jun 30, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 166
Did you know that 20% of women never negotiate? More astounding is the research shows that women who opt out of negotiating their salary will lose approximately $7,000 in her first year. And over the course of a 45 year career, will lose between $650,000 and 1 million dollars. In this episode, we break the myths on negotiating, share why it’s important to always negotiate, and share tips and strategies on negotiating so that you can get what you deserve. Highlights: [01:10] Always negotiate [02:...
Jun 28, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 165
We’ve all heard the saying “you only live once” or YOLO in our world of text abbreviated acronyms. Most give it the meaning of “make the most out of the days you have”. Some, take it to mean, “do the things you find enjoyable or exciting”. But a few, like our guest, take it to the next level by using it as a catalyst for inspiration and the motivation to take on any challenge that comes their way. Meet Robyn Streisand, CEO & Founder of The Mixx & Titanium Worldwide, who left her corporat...
Jun 23, 2021•55 min•Season 2Ep. 164
Do you share your successes with others? Are others aware of the impact you have created? Career progression is directly influenced by how you are perceived by those who can make or influence decisions. To get ahead and advance in your career, you must take ownership of your successes. In this episode, we share how you can demonstrate your impact, put yourself in a better position to be hired, promoted and compensated well, and stop being the best kept secret! Highlights: [00:41] Hiring statisti...
Jun 21, 2021•12 min•Season 2Ep. 163
Pivotal moments are critical turning points that bring new perspectives and opportunities that alter the trajectory of our lives. As Tony Robbins famously said, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” The decisions we make define our path of success, failure, and even happiness. Meet Jennifer Lagaly, Senior Vice President at Salesforce, who shares her story of navigating the pivotal moments in her life and career, which ultimately led her to success as a corporate execut...
Jun 16, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 162
We've been conditioned to associate productivity and time efficiency with success. You often hear the saying “time is money”. But what if it isn’t about time at all? In this episode, we’ll discuss the obsession with time and why you should be managing your energy instead of your time. Nikki also breaks the myth around multitasking and shares 10 tips to help you break through the tyranny of time. Highlights: [01:01] Why we obsess about time [01:53] Manage your energy instead of your time [03:20] ...
Jun 14, 2021•17 min•Season 2Ep. 161
Albert Einstein once said, “Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” He went on to say, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Now, we all know the tremendous impact Einstein made by pursuing big dreams. So, it stands to reason that boundless curiosity fuels discovery which ultimately leads to big dreams. Meet Ana Corrales, Chief Operating Officer for Google’s Consumer Hardware business, who share...
Jun 09, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 160
James Clear stated that habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. How much time do you devote to analyzing your habits? Do you study the habits of successful people? Almost 50% of our daily activities are driven by habits – good or bad. We are the product of our habits. In this episode, we discuss the common habits of high achievers. Highly achievers don't rise to the top by behaving like everyone else. We share how you can develop new habits that make success effortless. Highlights:...
Jun 07, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 159
Do you think of your career as a sprint or a marathon? Our guest, Gizelle George-Joseph, shares why it is actually both and why regardless of what phase of the race you are in, to raise your game, you need to consistently be focused on building your skillset and competencies. In this episode, Gizelle George-Joseph, managing director and global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs, also shares her career journey, the importance of building your commu...
Jun 02, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 158
What does leadership look like? Is there a blueprint for leadership that you should be following? Our guest believes that leadership is NOT one size fits all. So, stop trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t suit you. Meet Annie Jean-Baptiste, author, founder of the Equity Army, and the Head of Product Inclusion at Google, who shares her journey to discovering what true leadership looks like and how finding her authentic leadership style led to building trust with key stakeholders and the communi...
May 26, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 157
Warren Buffet said that by far the best investment you can make is in yourself. Where do you invest your time, energy, and money? In this episode, we discuss why it is important to establish the habit of consistently upgrading your skills, competencies and knowledge. And why investing in yourself has guaranteed returns. Nikki also shares insights and strategies on how you can become a lifelong learner and aspire to success. Highlights: [01:30] The best investment you can make [05:00] Make it a h...
May 24, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 156
Are you ready for a career change but have no idea what else you could do or where to start? Or perhaps you're between jobs or just starting out in your career, but you find the whole job search and interview experience to be overwhelming and stressful. Meet Ginny Clarke, CEO of Ginny Clarke, LLC and author of Career Mapping: Charting your Course in the New World of Work, who shares with us her journey as a black female, professional and single mom, navigating through work life and managing her ...
May 19, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 155
Change is happening so fast in today’s world that it is becoming increasingly difficult to anticipate and prepare for the future. And while we can’t always predict what the future will bring, what we can do is disrupt ourselves before we get disrupted. In this episode, Nikki shares why it is no longer just about the survival of the fittest, it is also about survival of the fastest. Nikki and Monica also share strategies and insights to anticipate challenges, learn new skills, respond quickly to ...
May 17, 2021•13 min•Season 2Ep. 154
How do you learn the secrets to success? Who do you look to for guidance on becoming a better leader? Those are the intangible questions our guest, Selena Rezvani, wanted to answer, not just for herself, but for others. So, she did the smart thing, she asked. In this episode, Selena shares insights on the lessons she learned from interviewing and asking insightful questions to over 50 top female C-Suite leaders. She shares strategies on overcoming failures and setbacks, tapping into your motivat...
May 12, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 153
At a time when many people are feeling the most intense isolation because of the pandemic, there is one thing that we're all looking for - connection and a sense of belonging. We all have an intrinsic need for a sense of belonging and connection and as the majority of our time is spent at work, it is key that we identity ways to foster an environment where we can bring our authentic selves to work and be the best version of ourselves. In this episode, we're going to discuss community at work, wh...
May 10, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 152
Have you ever felt guilty about chasing your dreams? Or fearful of being judged by others for your ambition? Well, you are not alone. Research shows that women are more predisposed to feelings of shame and guilt than men. From a young age, women are conditioned through social norms to believe that putting yourself first and following your dreams is selfish. And these feelings increase when it comes to going after the life of your dreams. Our guest, Shellye Archambeau, will teach you how to shed ...
May 05, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 151
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, but struggled with the feeling that no one can do the tasks better than you can? Or felt it's going take too long to explain it to someone and will be faster if you just do it yourself? In this episode, we discuss why it’s important to learn to delegate effectively so that you can get past your fear of letting go and focus on the right things. Nikki also shares the steps to effective delegation so can achieve bigger and better results. DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS &...
May 03, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 150
Have you ever proceeded down a career path even though you didn’t feel it was right for you? Perhaps it was due to family expectations to go into a certain profession or the pressure to stick with it because you’ve already invested so much time. Expectations of who we’re supposed to be or what we’re supposed to do can often lead us down the wrong path. Regardless of the reasons, one thing is certain – your success gets accelerated when you are aligned to your purpose and passion. Meet Elizebeth ...
Apr 28, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 149
Did you know that many of the skills of today will be obsolete in 18 months? In the next 3 to 4 years, 50% of employees worldwide are going to need to be reskilled. Companies are doing their best to keep up, but it’s not enough, which is why it is more important than ever for individuals to develop the muscle of consistent learning. In this episode, we share why it’s important to develop the superpower of learning, the different styles of learning, and Nikki also shares her learning strategies t...
Apr 26, 2021•11 min•Season 2Ep. 148
What does it really take to stand out as a high performer who gets bigger opportunities? That’s the question we’ll be addressing in this episode. Being great at your job is important, but to accelerate your career success, your value-add must go beyond your job description. Your ability to solve hard problems and create value in new ways IS what makes you more valuable. In this episode, Elisa Steele, CEO and Board Director, shares her perspective on creating value through relationships and probl...
Apr 21, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 147
When we think of celebration, we think of holidays, birthdays, and big milestones like graduations and anniversaries that typically happen just once year. But do you ever take the time to think about and celebrate your small wins? In this episode, we share why it’s important to celebrate your progress on the way to achieving your big goals and share your small wins with the world. You’ll also learn a fun and easy way to motivate and inspire you on your journey to attaining your goals. DISCOVER Y...
Apr 19, 2021•14 min•Season 2Ep. 146
Do you wake up and head to work every day with the feeling that you are just going through the motions? Have you experienced that nagging feeling that something is missing and that you aren’t living your life’s purpose? Our guest, Claudia Castellanos, Co-Founder and CEO of Black Mamba Foods, had a successful corporate career but couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant to do more with her life. To the surprise of her friends, Claudia quit her corporate job to volunteer in Africa in search o...
Apr 14, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 145
Most of us having been working remotely for the past year and the boundaries between our work and home lives have become blurred. Women have been disproportionately affected by these blurred boundaries and burnout is on the rise. As organizations explore the right collaboration model (onsite vs. remote), it is very likely that the future workplace will be a hybrid environment. It’s not just about where you work, but also when you work. So, how do you ensure high performance without losing yourse...
Apr 12, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 144
Are you passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion? Do you courageously say something when you see something happening to you or others that just doesn’t feel right? Or do you feel yourself shying away from it because you don’t know what to do in those moments? How would you like to learn some game-changing strategies that you can implement to help disrupt unconscious and systemic bias? Our guest, Stacey Gordon, CEO and Chief Diversity Strategist of Rework Work, shares how her journey was ...
Apr 07, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 143
Do you struggle to ask for what you want? Whether it be asking for a promotion, a raise, or a business opportunity, many of us struggle with the fear of rejection or even with phrasing the ask in the right way. In this episode, Nikki and Monica share experiences where they’ve struggled to ask for what they wanted and the results they obtained when they overcome their fears and learned to ask. Nikki also shares the 5 keys to getting up the courage to ask and getting the results you desire. DISCOV...
Apr 05, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 142
