Athletic Greens President Kat Cole on not letting your past define you
Oct 24, 2023
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Kat Cole, former VP at Hooters, Cinnabon President, COO and President of Focus Brands, and now COO and President of Athletic Greens, talks about reinventing yourself at work, success through an owner's mindset, and taking control of your career narrative. Jodi Glickman shares tips for pitching yourself and creating new opportunities.
Perseverance and being open to new opportunities are essential for success in your career.
Taking ownership and embracing change are key factors in achieving professional growth.
Deep dives
Cat Cole's Inspiring Career Journey
Cat Cole's career journey is a true inspiration. From starting as a teenage waitress to leading international corporations in her early 30s, she has shown determination and resilience. Growing up in a financially challenging environment, Cat worked multiple odd jobs and started working at a young age. Despite facing difficulties, she had the goal of attending college and became the first person in her family to achieve that. She managed her job at Hooters while studying electrical engineering and computer sciences, eventually dropping out to focus on her career. Through hard work and seizing opportunities, she climbed the corporate ladder and became a vice president at the age of 26. Cat's journey teaches us the importance of perseverance and being open to new opportunities.
Taking Ownership and Embracing Change
Cat Cole's success stems from her sense of ownership and her willingness to embrace change. Throughout her career, she exhibited an owner's mindset regardless of her role. She believed in the potential of the companies she worked for and took on diverse responsibilities, from managing teams at Hooters to overseeing openings and training in international locations. Cat's trajectory highlights the importance of taking ownership in whatever role we have and going above and beyond to deliver exceptional results. She also had a growth mindset and embraced change, even dropping out of college when she saw a compelling opportunity. Cat's story reminds us of the value of being adaptable and willing to seize new challenges.
The Power of Pitching Yourself
Cat Cole's journey also emphasizes the significance of pitching oneself effectively. Rather than solely relying on past experiences, Cat focused on showcasing her destination—the future she envisioned—and the value she could bring. She understood the importance of connecting her skills and interests to the opportunities she sought. When pitching, Cat advises leading with your destination, looking forward, and then establishing the connection with relevant experiences or transferable skills. By emphasizing the future and aligning it with one's unique abilities, individuals can navigate career transitions, break barriers, and open doors that may have otherwise been closed. Cat's approach to pitching offers valuable insight and encourages others to craft their narratives to shape their own paths.
Kat Cole has been a VP at Hooters, Cinnabon President, COO and President of Focus Brands, and now COO and President of Athletic Greens. But before she got into corporate leadership roles, Kat was working in Hooters restaurants, trying to make ends meet. Kat and Ryan talk about reinventing yourself at work, success through an owner’s mindset, and taking control of your career narrative. Then, LinkedIn Learning course author Jodi Glickman shares tips for creating new opportunities by pitching yourself.