BEYOND BARRIERS

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 if she got closer to her goal each year, she would continue on that path. Jennifer did just that. Today, Prosek Partners is a leading international public relations and financial communications consultancy with offices in New York, London, Boston, Los Angeles, and Connecticut. The firm ranks among the top financial communications consultancies in the U.S. and UK. Prosek Partners was named among Forbes’ America’s Best PR Agencies in 2021 and is ranked among the Top 25 firms in New York Observer’s PR Power List. Jennifer was also listed personally among Insider’s list of top financial communicators in the United States. In this episode, Jennifer shares her story of turning bad luck into good, how to get comfortable asking for help, tips on building your personal brand, how to effectively execute, and advice on accelerating success in a world that is constantly changing. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.   Highlights: [02:42] Jennifer’s story [05:41] Overcoming your fears [08:57] The art of asking [13:04] Taming the voice inside your head [17:30] The key to building your personal brand [21:07] Jennifer’s daily success habits [27:50] How to recover quickly from mistakes [33:36] Tips on effective execution [38:21] Advice to women on accelerating success   Quotes: “Figure out what makes you feel confident. Because once you get that confidence and tame the voice inside your head, asking becomes easy.” – Jennifer Prosek “Your emotional energy is so important to conserve. Don’t waste it on something you can't control. Put all your precious energy into solving something and good things will happen.” – Jennifer Prosek  “It's really important to know what you stand for and align it to where you work or what you do.” - Jennifer Prosek About Jennifer Prosek: Jennifer Prosek is the founder and Managing Partner of Prosek Partners, a leading international public relations and financial communications consultancy with offices in New York, London, Boston, Los Angeles, and Connecticut. The firm ranks among the top financial communications consultancies in the U.S. and UK. Prosek Partners was named among Forbes’ America’s Best PR Agencies in 2021, has been listed as an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company for nine years running, and is ranked among the Top 25 firms in New York Observer’s PR Power List. Jennifer was also listed personally among Insider’s list of top financial communicators in the United States. Jennifer is a published author and frequent speaker. "Army of Entrepreneurs," her first book, received praise from Columbia Business School, Wharton and INSEAD. Her second book "Raising Can-Do Kids," co-authored with Richard Rende, Ph.D., was published by Penguin Random House in 2015. She is on the board of directors of the Arthur Page Society, BritishAmerican Business, Nasdaq-listed Better World Acquisition Corporation, and sits on the advisory board of Signal AI and iConnections. She is also a venture investor in a number of communications technology platforms, including Qwoted and The Marque. Jennifer received her MBA from Columbia University and a B.A. in English Literature from Miami University. Links: Website: https://www.prosek.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-prosek-14a73550/  

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 mentorship matters [06:18] What holds people back from getting mentors [08:33] Three keys to finding a mentor [10:03] Mentorship at all stages of life [13:05] Mentorship through content [16:19] Homework for the week   Quotes: “Mentors shorten the learning curve by imparting their wisdom and their experience.” – Nikki Barua “One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” – John C. Maxwell “Be very specific about your areas of growth and mentoring needs.” – Nikki Barua "A mentoring relationship is a privilege, treat it with the respect it deserves.” – Nikki Barua “Don’t think of mentorship in terms of a specific individual that is ahead of you. Think of mentoring in the context of a mentoring circle.” – Nikki Barua “When you are focused on yourself and doing great work, people will come to you and be excited to help you.”- Monica Marquez   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez  

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 Jet, with the mission to positively impact women around the world through a globally inspired and socially responsible brand. Shalini Vadhera is the recipient of the 2019 Hind Rattan/Jewel Of India Award from the Prime Minister’s Office, which is the highest honor bestowed on a Non Resident Indian. She is also the winner of the 2017 Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award from the House of Lords, British Parliament. Her global influence with women and young girls stems from her entrepreneurial passion to build companies and create products for women to empower women. In this episode, Shalini shares how she found her passion and purpose on her entrepreneurial journey, and how success comes faster when you focus on your strengths. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Shalini. Highlights: [02:37] Shalini’s story [04:35] Finding your passion and purpose [07:12] Pivotal career moment [13:08] Overcoming uncertainty [19:11] Launching Ready Set Jet [27:30] Advice to female founders [31:09] Gaining access to decision makers [33:50] Shalini’s daily habits [35:41] Focus on what you do best, let others do the rest [37:02] Shalini’s message to women around the world   Quotes: “It is so important to be open to receiving feedback, it’s what's going to help you grow.” – Shalini Vadhera “Be sure to be diligent in your research of different investors, because once you raise funding, it is like you're getting married to these individuals.” – Shalini Vadhera “Learn how to manage your self-talk. You can make or break yourself just on your thoughts.” - Shalini Vadhera “Focus on what you do best, and bring in the best of class to do the rest.” - Shalini Vadhera   About Shalini Vadhera: Shalini Vadhera is the recipient of the 2019 Hind Rattan/Jewel Of India Award from the Prime Minister’s Office (the highest honor bestowed on a Non Resident Indian) and the 2017 Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award Winner - House of Lords, British Parliament. Her global influence with women and young girls stems from her entrepreneurial passion to build companies and create products for women to empower women. Her rise from jewelry and fashion entrepreneur, celebrity make-up artist, bestselling author of Passport To Beauty, favorite guest of Dr. Oz and Today, to the founder of a multi-million dollar global cosmetics company is nothing short of remarkable. Vadhera has transformed this platform while using her business acumen to create global beauty, lifestyle and business solutions to empower women globally.  Vadhera is the Founder of Ready Set Jet, a next gen impact beauty and lifestyle edu tech brand. The brand focuses on bringing skills and training with unique product technology tied to a strong social impact initiative to empower women globally and help break the cycle of poverty for disenfranchised girls in India. Vadhera is the Founder of Passport To Beauty, a luxury beauty and wellness brand that curates and creates the world’s best discoveries from around the globe. Vadhera launched Power Beauty Living in 2014, a social platform for women that shares the knowledge of top female thought leaders and experts from around the world. In 2016, Vadhera took Power Beauty Living global at the United Nations. In 2019 Vadhera turned Power Beauty Living into a 501c3 Foundation to empower women with skills development and livelihood enablement globally. Vadhera is best known for her innovative formulations and packaging design and works with a number of companies in product creation, sourcing and development i.e. Baywatch Beauty brand, TCM beauty brand, products for Fab Fit Fun and numerous private label projects for celebrities and influencers. Vadhera was named the #1 Person To Watch by The Economic Times of India, Recipient of The 2019 Woman Of Excellence Award- Women Economic Forum, Nominated for the 2019 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award, Recipient of the Game Changer Of The Decade Award in Beauty, and the Winner of the Oprah Beauty O~ward. Links: Website: https://readysetjetofficial.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalinivadhera/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/shalinisworld Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalinivadhera Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalinisworld  

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 Champion, becoming the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States. Merrilee is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University. In this episode, Merrilee shares her entrepreneurial journey and the lessons she's learned in building her business. She also shares advice on the best ways to get unstuck, how to unlock your motivation and bring your ideas to life. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Merrilee. Highlights: [02:42] From teacher to entrepreneur [05:12] Idea to product launch [06:58] Information will help you get unstuck [08:08] Finding your customer [09:27] Navigating the barriers in retail distribution [11:36] Developing the BuzzBallz brand [13:25] Biggest surprise along the journey [17:13] Family business [19:12] Trusting your instinct [22:59] Non-negotiables when it comes to hiring [24:35] Decision-making framework [26:36] Bootstrapping vs. VC funding [27:49] Lessons learned in building a business [29:51] Merrilee’s big dream [31:09] Merrilee’s daily habits [32:59] If you build it, they will come   Quotes: “If you’re stuck or need motivation, you likely aren't researching enough. You need to go out there and dig for information. Ask people for advice.” – Merrilee Kick “Get your pitch down so that when you talk to somebody, within one minute, they know who you are and what you do.” – Merrilee Kick   About Merrilee Kick: Merrilee Kick is the CEO/Founder of BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, the only woman-owned Distillery/Winery/Brewery combination in the United States. The company is in Carrollton, Texas, and makes ready-to-drink cocktails called BuzzBallz, as well as spirits like rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, and some private label brands. The products are sold in 49 states and 21 countries. The company is family owned/operated and home to over 150 employees in the Dallas area. The company supports education-based causes. She is a winner of the Dallas Business Journal’s 2019 Most Admired CEO Award, the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award Southwest, EY's Winning Women Award 2016, Winner of the Enterprising Women's Award 2017 and 2020’s Top 20 Award, Winner of the WPO’s 50 Fastest companies, Ranked in the Top 50 DFW Businesses by D CEO Magazine in 2020, Winner of the Top Women in Grocery in 2020, Winner of the 2020 Nielsen Brand Growth Award for Product of the Year Award-Spiked Beverage (BuzzTallz), and Winner of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman’s University. Merrilee has a BS/BA from the University of Montana, an MBA from Texas Woman’s University, and she is currently attending Harvard Business School. She is a former high school teacher in Plano, Texas. Merrilee’s two sons, husband of 33 years, and daughter-in-law all work for the family business. Links: Websites https://www.buzzballz.com/ https://southern-champion.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrilee-kick-65328aa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrilee.kick Twitter: https://twitter.com/kickmerrilee

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 [02:23] Statistics on negotiating [04:15] Impact of not negotiating [05:35] Nikki shares negotiation tips [06:07] Myths about negotiation [14:42] Share your questions   Quotes: “Don’t think of negotiating in terms of salary. Think of it in terms of anything that you value and that could be PTO, education, eligibility for promotion.” – Nikki Barua “Myth # 1 about negotiation is that it is about conflict, it isn’t. You need to reframe negotiation to be about discovery and alignment.” – Nikki Barua “Negotiation is about establishing a long term win-win outcome.” – Nikki Barua “Negotiation is not about money, it is about value exchange.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez  

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 corporate job to pursue her mission of creating something for the greater good. Not wanting any regrets or any would have, could have, should haves, Robyn launched her entrepreneurial career and has never looked back. Today, Robyn is now one of the most successful leaders in her industry as she celebrates 25 years of guiding The Mixx agency. As a community builder, Robyn was determined to open doors for others, so she launched Titanium Worldwide, the world’s first collective of certified-diverse agencies in the marketing, media, and communications space. In this episode, Robyn shares her inspiration for entrepreneurship, why we shouldn’t deny ourselves the once in a lifetime chance of bringing our gifts to the market, and how building the right company culture isn’t something you can buy. Robyn is a recognized figure in the LGBT community, featured in Out Magazine as most influential OUT 100 people in the United States. Her commitment to working with diverse-owned businesses has always been a point of passion, where she continues to focus on leveraging the business potential of independent, diverse companies. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Robyn. Highlights: [03:02] Robyn’s inspiration for entrepreneurship [05:35] Advice on taking the first step towards entrepreneurship [10:07] Landing the bigger clients [14:23] Robyn’s proudest moments [23:10] What fuels Robyn [27:18] Establishing self-care as a non-negotiable [35:52] About Titanium [48:17] Inspiration and influencer for LGBTQ community [53:34] Robyn’s message to the world   Quotes: “You have just one life and you don’t want to have those would have, could have, should have regrets.” – Robyn Streisand “Having a company that believes in itself and the people believe in each other, transcends outward as an energy, as a mindset, as a way of working. It's not the kind of thing that you can just buy anywhere.” – Robyn Streisand “Diversity isn’t about checking the box. The real energy comes from within, when a company starts from the right place and takes the right steps around getting educated and trained. That can transcend inside a company and then be shared outside.” – Robyn Streisand About Robyn Streisand: A 30-year marketing veteran, Robyn Streisand is the perfect blend of business savvy and creative prowess. In March of 2018 her agency The Mixx celebrated its 25th anniversary of delivering visionary creative that ignites emotion and generates action across the Fortune 500. She works with industry leaders who appreciate the key insight she brings to the table, along with the top-level strategy, creative, and execution her team provides. Her clients have her number on speed-dial and appreciate that they can count on her for solutions that get to the heart of their business goals. Clients include Mercedes-Benz USA, Disney, and Deloitte, amongst many others. Robyn is a recognized figure in the LGBT community, recently featured in Out Magazine’s 2016’s most influential OUT 100 people in the United States and is a co-founder of the NGLCC NY in Manhattan. Her commitment to working with diverse-owned businesses has always been a point of passion, where she continues to focus on leveraging the business potential of independent, diverse companies. This same entrepreneurial instinct and passion for diversity led her to launch a second venture, Titanium Worldwide. The world’s first collective of certified-diverse agencies in the marketing, media, and communications space launched in 2014, and offers integrated solutions for today’s business needs. Her knack for connecting the right people, and her strong belief in finding ways to work better together paid off when the collective landed contracts with Fortune 500 companies within its first year. Robyn and her wife Linda have raised two beautiful girls together and reside in New York City. Links: Websites: https://themixxnyc.com/ https://www.titaniumww.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynstreisand/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/robynstreisand https://twitter.com/themixxnyc Instagram: https://instagram.com/robynstreisand  

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 statistics [01:52] Why achievements of women executives are less visible [04:08] The struggle with promoting yourself [08:44] Make your greatest hits list   Quotes: “There are things known, and there are things that are unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Monica Marquez “When you finish a project, you must share your results with a little self-promotion to gain the necessary visibility to advance.” – Monica Marquez “Every accomplishment builds upon the previous one and amplifies your value to the world.” – Monica Marquez “Your reputation allows other people to know how you can help them.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez  

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 executive and a mother of five. Jennifer shares advice on finding clarity on your career path, how motherhood prepares women for management, and why it is important for women to stay in the game and have their voices heard. Jennifer serves on the board of FinancialForce and has held a variety of sales roles in her 18 years at Salesforce guiding the success of her team and clients. She recently gave a TEDx talk inspiring both women and men with strategies to balance successful careers and a fulfilling parenting experience. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Jennifer.   Highlights: [02:29] Jennifer’s childhood career aspirations [04:15] Advice on finding clarity in early career stage [07:07] Path to Senior Executive in sales [11:17] Pivotal career moments & decisions [15:13] The catalyst behind Jennifer’s ambition [18:53] How motherhood prepares you for management [25:28] Demystifying sales [31:08] The best predictor of successful salespeople [34:32] What’s in the future for Jennifer [39:23] Advice to women in the workplace [40:49] Paying it forward   Quotes: “Employees perform best when they feel their leaders care and support them.” – Jennifer Lagaly “The best predictor of one’s future success is what they’ve done in the past.” – Jennifer Lagaly “Life is the journey, it is not the station. Striving and solving problems is life.” – Jennifer Lagaly   About Jennifer Lagaly: Jennifer Lagaly is a Senior Vice President, GM of Industrial Products at Salesforce. In her 18 years at the company, she's served in a variety of sales roles across the organization. Prior to Salesforce, she has experience in technology sales across several companies including Forte/Sun and Motiva/Siebel, and providing Siebel and Remedy call-center solutions to Siemens ICN. She is on the board of FinancialForce and has recently given a TEDx UCDavis talk inspiring both women and men to stay in the game while they balance successful careers and a fulfilling parenting experience. Lagaly lives in the Bay Area with her husband and five children and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering at University of California, Davis. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlagaly/

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] We all have 24 hours in a day [04:49] Focus on what you want to create [05:53] 10 tips to break through the tyranny of time [10:52] Multi-tasking does not equal productivity   Quotes: “Being busy and filling every minute of your day does not equate to creating impact.” – Nikki Barua “Time doesn't matter. It matters only when we're trying to do something that isn't joyful.” – Nikki Barua “One of the biggest myths is that multitasking increases productivity. Its saps your energy and your focus and actually slows you down.” – Nikki Barua “Once you choose your top priorities for the day, be sure you know the reasons why those matter.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is a senior corporate leader, ex-Googler, and diversity expert. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez  

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 shares her career journey and how curiosity helped her to gain clarity and led her to the perfect role. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Made by Google hardware and Nest products --phones, laptops, Google Home, Chromecast, Nest Thermostat --and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. She also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Hardware business. Ana previously led Google Hardware’s first-party retail efforts, including driving the growth of e-commerce channel, Google Store. Ana has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business, and as one of the most powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). HITEC (Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council) has recognized her as a top technology executive. She is known in the industry as a seasoned leader who can successfully grow startup businesses into multi-billion dollar companies. In this episode, Ana shares how mentors helped her unleash her curiosity and to dream bigger and pursue audacious goals. She also shares insights on making opportunities happen, overcoming fear and limiting beliefs, the importance of creating your own narrative, and challenges listeners to ask themselves, “Are dreams are really big enough?”. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Ana.   Highlights: [03:33] Ana’s journey [05:54] Gaining clarity through a love of learning [09:54] Making opportunities happen [12:41] Overcoming fear and limiting beliefs [17:57] Creating your own narrative [24:08] Ana’s success habits [30:03] Asking for help from your community [32:32] Dreaming big   Quotes: “Continuous learning is important and you will go further faster if you are deliberate in your learning.” – Ana Corrales “Don’t let your calendar manage your time .” - Ana Corrales “Success is not a linear journey.” - Ana Corrales “If every day goes perfectly well for you, you are likely not challenging yourself.” – Ana Corrales  “Be genuine and intentional in sharing your story lest others tell it for you.” – Ana Corrales   About Ana Corrales: Ana Corrales is the Chief Operating Officer for Google’s Consumer Hardware business. As COO, Ana leads the development process for Made by Google hardware and Nest products --phones, laptops, Google Home, Chromecast, Nest Thermostat --and manages getting those products into the hands of customers. Ana also drives the end-to-end IT efforts and customer experience work across the Google Hardware business. Ana previously led Google Hardware’s first-party retail efforts, including driving the growth of e-commerce channel, Google Store. Previously, Ana served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Nest. She also served as Senior Vice President of Product Operations at Cisco Systems. In 2006, Ana co-founded a startup solar company. As the acting CEO, Ana sold the company in 2010. Ana serves as a member of the Women@Google board and is an executive sponsor for HOLA, Google’s Latino Employee Resource Group. Ana serves on the board of directors for Watermark, the Bay Area’s largest women leadership organization, as an advisor to Roli, a company reinventing instruments that extend the joy of music-making to everyone. Ana has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business, and as one of the most powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). HITEC (Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council) has recognized her as a top technology executive. She is known in the industry as a seasoned leader who can successfully grow startup businesses into multi-billion dollar companies. Ana is a native of Costa Rica and earned a Masters of Engineering from Stanford University. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two children. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anacorrales/