The Journalist turned Sales Manager at Dreamdata ft. Laura Erdem

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

From dreaming of becoming a journalist in Lithuania to excelling in the world of tech sales, Laura Erdem—a dynamic sales executive at DreamData—opens up about making bold career pivots and overcoming fear through financial security, which is crucial for empowerment, especially for women.

Laura shares candid insights on making the leap from established enterprise roles to early-stage startups, building her personal brand on LinkedIn, and how her background in communications and journalism continues to shape her success in sales. She also discusses the importance of diversity, the power of cultivating a strong support network, and offers practical advice for anyone looking to redefine their professional story.

Timestamps

0:00 – Preview

0:58 – Meet Laura Erdem

4:56 – Laura’s Early Career & Educational Background

8:16 – Pivoting Into Sales

10:57 – Transitioning to Startups: The Jump to DreamData

15:24 – Career Pivots & Mindset

18:10 – Overcoming Fear and the Role of Financial Security

25:25 – Navigating the Lack of Diversity in Tech

29:36 – Recognition as the "Best Inside Sales Employee"

30:43 – Brand Building & Influencing Broader Audiences

31:44 – Advice on Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn

35:31 – Empowerment of Women and Giving Back

39:13 – Balancing Choices, Self-Care, & Trade-Offs

42:17 – Managing Guilt as a Working Parent

44:00 – Closing

Connect with the guest:

Laura Erdem: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lerdem/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

Keywords:

career prioritization, career advancement, sales and marketing integration, mentoring for women, career pivot, women in tech, financial security, personal brand, LinkedIn strategy, sales career, B2B marketing, revenue attribution, startup culture, enterprise sales, Dreamdata, Gartner, Red Hat, female empowerment, diversity in tech, work-life balance, mentorship, women leadership, career transitions for women, C-suite women

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.