Episode 66: Owning Your Story with The Latinista Founder, Yai Vargas

If I were to go online and review your professional profile, right now, would I be able to understand who you are beyond your “JOB”. Would I know your brand, your values and your story?

Well, in this episode, you will meet Yai Vargas – who is the founder of The Latinista, a national network for Latinas and women of color invested in professional development and career mobility. She’s also been called THE LinkedIn Ninja and hosts workshops to help individuals harness the power of the platform.

Yai is also a career & diversity strategist where she helps organizations develop engaging programming focused on career and leadership development. With a background in multicultural marketing and communications, Yai is a natural-born community builder and an expert networker.

 

Highlights:

[02:17] Yai’s journey

[03:56] Having the courage to switch lanes

[06:12] Honing your skills and competencies

[09:03] Tap into your network for help

[12:58] Showing up with confidence

[16:43] Learn from failure and setbacks

[18:36] Staying ahead of the curve

[21:28] Managing competing personal and professional priorities

[24:57] #1 recommendation for LinkedIn profile

[27:56] Building your network

[30:03] Getting over the fear of reaching out

[31:30] Most important formula to building your community

[33:53] Who Yai admires

[36:13] Yai’s advice on accelerating your success

 

Quotes: “Ask yourself what you can offer someone, whether it is a connection for a better job opportunity, a PowerPoint, or helping them with speaking in public.” – Yai Vargas

“Before asking someone for something, I would always offer first. Reciprocity makes this whole world go round.” – Yai Vargas

“Mistakes have taught me how to present a better product and service.” – Yai Vargas

“Someone else can help you be productive and it's going to cost you way less than you sitting in front of a computer for six hours trying to figure out a template.” – Yai Vargas

“The misconception with LinkedIn lies in others thinking it is only useful when looking for a job and they do not need it because they have job security. Until they don’t.” – Yai Vargas

“Develop a personal Board of Directors, 5 or 6 close colleagues or friends that have a unique interest in something that you're not great in. Rely on them whenever you have a big decision to make that you don't want to make on your own.” - Yai Vargas

 

About Yai Vargas:

Yai Vargas is founder of The Latinista, a national network for Latinas and women of color invested in professional development and career mobility. Today The Latinista offers a series of skill-building, activity driven, hands-on sessions, specifically designed to help identify and sharpen career and business skills required to achieve professional goals. The Latinista has chapters in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami.

Yai is also a career & diversity strategist where she helps organizations develop engaging programming focused on career and leadership development. With a background in multicultural marketing and communications, Yai is a natural-born community builder and is known as the networking and LinkedIn Ninja.

Yai has lead the Financial Women’s Association Emerging Leaders network of New York, has worked to develop money investing workshops for women with Ellevest, featured in MakersMoney, spoken on Yahoo Finance, featured in Forbes for her work in Latina Equal Pay Day and works in partnership with orgs like: Luminary , WE NYC and The Financial Gym.

Links:

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

Website: www.yaivargas.com