BEYOND BARRIERS

What’s your story? Have you ever been asked that question during an interview and not known where to even begin? Telling stories about your professional self can inspire others’ belief in your character and in your ability to successfully take on new opportunities or make career transitions. It also can help you believe in yourself. Having a career story gives meaning to your career history; it will assure you that, in moving on to something new, you are not discarding everything you’ve worked so hard to accomplish. Unfortunately, research has shown that most of us fail to use the power of storytelling in pursuit of our professional goals, or we do it badly. Our guest, Ripa Rashid, Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen, shares her career story and why it is important to weave together your professional narrative and be able to clearly articulate your journey with clarity. Ripa is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies.  Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner. In this episode, Ripa shares how her career has been guided by a desire for continuous growth and learning, why it is important to have allies and sponsors in your corner, and advice on how to stay ahead of the curve in the digital age. 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 Ripa. Highlights: [03:07] Ripa’s story [08:05] Articulating your journey with clarity [13:29] The importance of alliances and sponsorships [17:53] Leveraging your relationship & asking for help [23:31] Setting & achieving your goals [30:26] Staying ahead of the curve [33:51] Ripa’s decision-making framework [36:06] Advice to women in the workplace [39:19] Best way to connect with Ripa Quotes: “Approach everything with a learning and growth mindset.” – Ripa Rashid “Talent exists everywhere, opportunity does not. It's about creating access and opportunity.” – Ripa Rashid “If you live a life with fear, that means that you're not discovering anything.” - Ripa Rashid “There is no roadmap and no prescribed path for innovative work.” - Ripa Rashid About Ripa Rashid: Ripa Rashid is a Managing Director and Head of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) at Cowen. Ms. Rashid is an internationally recognized subject matter expert and practitioner in the space of workplace diversity and inclusion, with a focus on gender, race and global talent engagement and development strategies.  Prior to joining Cowen, Ms. Rashid was Managing Director at Culture@Work, Working Mother Media and Bonnier’s strategic advisory and custom research group. Previously, she was co-president at the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI) in New York City, a premier think tank and content provider that studies global workplace inclusion and diversity. She has also served as a management consultant with Booz & Company, PwC and Mitchell Madison Group, and has held senior diversity and inclusion positions at MetLife and Time Warner. Ms. Rashid holds an AB cum laude in astronomy and astrophysics from Harvard University, an MA in anthropology from New York University and an MBA from INSEAD. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riparashid/

Research shows that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill or craft. That’s why it’s so important that you’re clear on your passion so that you don’t expend that energy and time on something that you simply find boring. Honing your craft takes time, but first it takes awareness of what you love to do. In this episode, we’ll share why it’s important to have clarity on your passion, the steps to identifying your passion, and how to integrate your passion with your work. Take the free assessment and get your personalized report. Go to https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com/quiz Highlights: [01:18] What do you love to do? [03:05] Why it’s important to have clarity on your passion [04:41] Marrying your passion with your work [08:06] How Monica found her passion [10:54] The steps to identify your passion   Quotes: “If you want to be the best at something, you have to put in a long amount of time honing your craft.” – Nikki Barua “If your day job does not correlate with your passion, then effectively you're spending all your free time and all your mental energy in developing a competency in something and not getting paid for.” – 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

Have you ever been called obsessed, rebellious, or even hot blooded? Meet our guest, Sunny Bonnell, Co-Author of Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different. Witnessing an alarming lack of acceptance for unique people and “crazy” ideas that don’t fit the mold, Sunny co-authored Rare Breed as a manifesto for tearing up the rule book and succeeding on your own terms. In addition to Rare Breed, Sunny Bonnell and co-author Ashleigh Hansberger are also creators of Rare Breed, the popular YouTube series, and founders of the game-changing leadership and brand consultancy, Motto. Named Inc. 30 Under 30, GDUSA Top 25 People to Watch, Sunny and Ashleigh have been featured by Entrepreneur, Yahoo!, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, The Breakfast Club and hundreds more. They have earned their way to the front of a workplace revolution and have devoted their work to inspiring people to think with the Rare Breed Mindset and demand more of themselves, their careers, and their companies. In this episode, Sunny shares the vices for mavericks, oddballs, and visionaries and how there are two sides to each vice. She also shares highlights from her book, advice on shattering the glass ceiling, and why she lives by the mantra, “learn to succeed because of who you are, not despite who you are”. 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 Sunny. Highlights: [02:40] Sunny’s story [06:42] Building a branding agency [09:53] Pivotal moments in Rare Breed’s history [14:52] Highlights from the book Rare Breed [19:30] The two sides to our vices [24:06] What companies should be asking when looking for rare breeds [27:17] Which company has most embraced the rare breeds [30:23] Sunny’s advice to shattering glass ceilings [37:35] Sunny’s message to the world Quotes: “The leadership & mindset of a company affect culture and brand.” – Sunny Bonnell “Learn to succeed because of who you are, not despite who you are.” – Sunny Bonnell “Show up and make your presence known. Don't sit back with brilliant ideas and hold your tongue because you think you're going to get experience a negative consequence.” - Sunny Bonnell   About Sunny Bonnell: Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger inspire a new kind of leadership thinking which they share in their bold talks and unconventional book Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different. For over fifteen years at their leadership and brand consultancy, Motto, the dynamic duo have been teaching leaders how to dismantle business-as-usual using Rare Breed thinking to deviate from the norm and challenge the status quo. In their book, Sunny and Ashleigh help leaders and those who strive to be leaders, develop a Rare Breed Mindset®, a thought framework based on seven unconventional traits they’ve identified as the source of radical differentiation and power in business and life. It is this philosophy that has garnered the attention of clients like Google, Microsoft, the NFL, and Hershey’s. Witnessing an alarming lack of acceptance for unique people and “crazy” ideas that don’t fit the mold, Sunny and Ashleigh responded with their book, Rare Breed, which has become the go-to business manifesto for tearing up the rule book and succeeding on your own terms. In turn, the Rare Breed Mindset® builds stronger, more inspiring, and more innovative companies and teams. Not only do they speak, write, talk, and teach, Sunny and Ashleigh also consult virtually around the globe on how leaders can think, act, and innovate more like a Rare Breed amid the COVID disruption and cultural shifts. When not leading their team of Rare Breeds at Motto, they give inspiring keynotes where they share their audacious story of dropping out of college with $250 in their early twenties to found their award-winning consultancy, as well as provocative advice on how to turn doubt into determination, failure into fuel, and angst into ambition. They’ve been named Inc. 30 Under 30, GDUSA Top 25 People to Watch, and interviewed by Entrepreneur, Forbes, Yahoo!, Wall Street Journal, The Breakfast Club and hundreds more. They’ve also spoken at Dale Carnegie’s Exceed Culture, Fossil, Small Giants, Inc. GROWCO, The Dallas Society of Visual Communicators, Radio and Audio Summit to name a few.   Links: Website: https://rarebreedleaders.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rarebreedleaders https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnybonnell/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rarebreedleaders/ https://www.instagram.com/sunnybonnell/  

“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 not that we fall down, it's that we get back up”. Michelle Frymire is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in driving growth and transformation at both public and private companies worldwide. Michelle’s career reflects a demonstrated track record as a catalyst to successful execution of transformation, large scale growth - both organic and through M&A, the transition from private to public company through an IPO, and as a leader of successful transformation initiatives. Most notably, her experience in finance and strategy, and serving as a key strategic partner to boards and executive teams, combined with strong leadership and team building skills, has prepared organizations to make a global impact. In this episode, Michelle shares her story of rising to the top, how the best way to check all the boxes for a role is to accept the opportunity and learn in the role, and how success in scaling is directly correlated to an amazing team and great culture. 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 Michelle. Highlights: [02:50] Michelle’s story of rising to the top [04:35] Overcoming your fears [06:45] Gaining clarity on your career path [11:34] Trusting your instincts [14:01] Getting unstuck and taking action [17:46] Michelle’s superpower [19:52] Seize every opportunity [24:03] Navigating risk & uncertainty at scale [28:51] Staying true to your values [33:54] Creating your own personal board of directors [38:10] Cultivating new relationships [41:24] Biggest trends for the future [45:06] Staying ahead of the curve [47:43] Michelle’s message to women everywhere   Quotes: “Lean into those tough assignments that nobody else wants to do. There's always a chance that you fail, but that chance is real everywhere in life. Or you may succeed and have it lead to something really exciting.” – Michelle Frymire “Don't be afraid to seize an opportunity.” – Michelle Frymire “You're never 100% ready for that next role. The best way to really be ready is by doing it.” - Michelle Frymire “The single most important thing a CEO does is build and cultivate a great team and culture.”- Michelle Frymire “Peer relationships will make or break your career. They are the most important factor in how you're going to elevate yourself by their having confidence and trust in you.” - Michelle Frymire   About Michelle Frymire: Michelle Frymire is a senior executive with 30 years of experience in driving growth and transformation at both public and private companies worldwide. Michelle’s career reflects a demonstrated track record as a catalyst to successful execution of transformation, large scale growth - both organic and through M&A, the transition from private to public company through an IPO, and as a leader of successful transformation initiatives. Most notably, her experience in finance and strategy, and serving as a key strategic partner to boards and executive teams, combined with strong leadership and team building skills, has prepared organizations to make a global impact. Michelle currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for CWT, the world’s second largest corporate travel management company serving over 5,500 clients across 140+ countries around the world, including many of the Fortune 500 and the U.S. military and government. Michelle has played a key role in the company’s successful evolution to the world’s leading digital travel management company, and under her leadership the company is successfully navigating the impact of the global pandemic, both operationally and financially. Prior to CWT, she was the CFO and head of strategy for Service King Collision Repair and then U.S. Risk Insurance Group in Dallas, Texas. While working at Service King she was recognized as Dallas’ Large Private Company CFO of the Year by D Magazine. Prior to Service King, Michelle spent five years at The ServiceMaster Companies, first as the CFO for TruGreen, the world’s largest consumer lawn care company, and then played an integral role in ServiceMaster’s successful IPO in 2014 as the head of FP&A and global strategy. Michelle spent almost 20 years in the travel industry working for some of the worlds’ largest and most well-known travel companies, including American Airlines, Continental Airlines and then Delta Air Lines, ultimately assuming the role of VP of Finance for Delta Airlines in 2001. She then joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2005 as the Chief Financial Officer for Starwood Vacation Ownership during a period rapid growth for the organization. Michelle currently serves on the board of directors for Spirit Realty Capital (NYSE: SRC) where she is a member of the audit committee. Michelle has also served on the advisory board for several not for profit organizations, currently serving as the Treasurer of the board of directors for Family Gateway, a not for profit organization focused on serving the needs of homeless children and their families in Dallas, Texas. She also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Greenhill School in Addison, Texas. A Texas native, Michelle received her bachelor’s degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas in Economics and her MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in Austin. She resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband of 30 years and their four children and their four dogs. Links: Website: https://www.mycwt.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellefrymire/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmfrymire  

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. Highlights: [01:16] Why it’s important to build your personal brand [01:50] Your digital presence [05:37] 1 st step to building your brand – audit yourself [08:37] 2 nd step – do an external audit [09:28] 3 rd step – identify patterns Quotes: “We leave a trail everywhere we go based on how we show up.” – Nikki Barua “If you're not aware of your personal brand and are not actively building it, you're unknowingly creating a major barrier to your success.” – Nikki Barua “We're living in the age of influence where our reputation precedes us.” – Nikki Barua  “Look at what your digital and physical footprint and what it says about you.” – 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, “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