BEYOND BARRIERS

Have you ever felt torn between doing your best at work and giving your best at home? As a working mother, do you carry a constant sense of guilt or overwhelm? About 72 percent of American women with children are in the workforce(fulltime & partime). Is this trend good or bad? Are kids with working moms different from kids whose moms do not work? In this episode, we will share research with you that proves that you don’t need to fix anything and that it’s time to celebrate who you are, just as you are.   Highlights: [00:40] Benefits of working moms [03:16] Nikki’s mother – a woman focused on contribution [11:37] Monica’s mother – a woman with enduring grace [17:13] 10 takeaways for working moms [24:36] Homework for the week   Quotes: “So much of who you become is a result of modeling after the greatest inspiration in your own life, and for me, that was my mom.”– Nikki Barua “I get my optimism from the mindset that everything works out. I'm a product of my mom and her optimism and her grace.” – Monica Marquez “One of the most important life lessons I got from my mother was never giving up, no matter how hard it gets, no matter what it entails.” – Nikki Barua “For every working mom out there, it's important to remember that, it’s not so much in the hours that you give, but in who you are and how you show up.” – Nikki Barua “My mother taught me to always live in a state of gratitude.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.   Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/  

In this anxious and stressful time of COVID-19, it’s hard to know what to do. Over a few short weeks, the pandemic has brought the hospitality industry to its knees. Our guest, Nick Champagne, is one of the premier connectors and luxury consultants in the hospitality industry. The pandemic brought Nick’s business to a standstill, but rather than dwell on his own challenges, he pivoted his energy and expertise from crisis to contribution. Nick’s love for his hometown New York City and the people in it, led him to launch HOSPITAL-ity, an initiative to feed and protect frontline hospital workers while supporting local restaurants and meal-prep businesses in an effort to preserve jobs. In a little under a month, the team has sent over 6,500 meals to hospitals in NY and NJ, and has also started to deliver protective face shields and masks as well. In this episode, Nick shares his vision of not only giving back to those who need it, but also spreading positivity in even the most difficult of times.   Highlights:  [02:29] Nick’s story  [08:18] Contribution and fulfillment [11:43] Who are you serving [13:53] Pivoting in a crisis [32:41] Building your community [37:30] Focus on helping others   Quotes: “If you live in gratitude, contribution and searching for fulfillment, not only for yourself, but for others, then the future is very bright.” – Nick Champagne “If you don't build rapport, you're going to read things incorrectly. The other person that you're meeting with, or the people that you're dealing with, are not going to be receptive, because you're not going to be in alignment.” – Nick Champagne “If you bring awareness to what you're doing, those people on the sidelines can support you, and it will amplify your message.” – Nick Champagne “If you see things in a better light for the future, you can get what you want and help others get what they want, in a positive way.” - Nick Champagne “If something's not going your way, change the channel. There are plenty of options out there.” - Nick Champagne   About Nick Champagne: From a very early age, Nick Champagne was blessed with an unsurpassed entrepreneurial talent. Absorbing business acumen through immersion from his grandparents who owned restaurants and liquor stores, Nick has always welcomed the challenge for growth. Nick studied marketing at Saint John's University and has always been a natural in hospitality. He has 20+ years of experience in the hospitality industry ranging from food & beverage, events, marketing, brand relationships, lifestyle concierge services and luxury networking.  While many times under the radar, Nick is considered to be one of the premier connectors and luxury consultants around. He's been called the "voice of luxury". Over the years, he has hosted groups, large and small, all over the world. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ibiza, Mykonos, Cannes, Monaco and Florianopolis are some of the highlights. Experiencing new places and new cultures has always been fascinating to him. Nick loves connecting like-minded individuals and watching the magic happen. Nick and his Status Luxury Group staff and partners are almost always represented and serving clients at worldwide premium events such as Film Festivals, The Grammys, The F1 circuit, Art Basel, Super Bowl and the Fashion Week series in New York, Milan and Paris.    Links: Website: http://www.statusluxurygroup.com/HOSPITALity/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickandreottola/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nickchampagne Instagram: @statusluxurygroup Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickchampagne/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickchampagne  

What do you do when you put your head down, work really hard, strive to do everything right but still see yourself being quietly sidelined and marginalized? Are you exhausted from battling toxic workplace cultures, and realizing you have slowly started to lose yourself by assimilating and down-playing who you are in order to succeed in a workplace built for straight white males? Meet Daisy Auger-Dominguez, who has made it her mission to make workplaces more equitable, compassionate and inclusive. As a workplace culture and social impact strategist, Daisy inspires and equips global organizations to think inclusively, lead with purpose, embrace courage and shape the future of work. In this episode, Daisy shares her inspiring story and also provides her perspective on how to stand up and stand out in the digital age.   Highlights: [02:30] Daisy’s story [09:24] Keep your head up and question [11:37] Dealing with systemic bias [14:35] Advice on handling microaggressions [20:54] Learning from failure [25:17] Standing up and standing out [30:40] Building your network organically [39:10] What is means to have a coach [42:57] Daisy’s success habit   Quotes: “Identify the people who will be your allies and champions - the people who will lift up your voice when you can't.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez “Put your own comfort aside so that you can create comfort for someone else. That's what an ally does.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez “Be very clear on what are the times when you will not bridge a gap in your values.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez “Those that are forward-thinking, agile and care about how the team is engaging and connecting – those are the future leaders who will get us through this.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez “Ask for help and do it in a way that is mutually beneficial.” – Daisy Auger-Dominguez “When you lean on your bravery and your courage and put yourself out there, you're reducing that gap of humanity that we’ve built.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez “In these moments of deep uncertainty, ambiguity and real pain and loss across many levels, lean on calmness, empathy and connection.” - Daisy Auger-Dominguez   About Daisy Auger-Dominguez: Daisy Auger-Dominguez has made it her mission to make workplaces more equitable, compassionate and inclusive. A workplace culture and social impact strategist, Daisy inspires and equips global organizations to think inclusively, lead with purpose, embrace courage and shape the future of work. Following two decades leading organizational transformations at Moody's Investors Service, The Walt Disney Company and Google, Daisy founded and leads Auger-Dominguez Ventures, a workplace culture consultancy. A dynamic and sought-after speaker and writer, Daisy also serves on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, and Facing History and Ourselves.   Links: Website: www.daisyauger-dominguez.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisyaugerdominguez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/daisyad Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisyaugerdominguez/  

Have you ever experienced temporary paralysis when you are faced with a difficult decision and you don’t know what to do? How do you handle those situations? What’s your “go to” state - fight, flight or freeze? In this episode, we share our own lessons learned as we navigate through crisis and adversity. You'll learn from our experience and understand how to assess your risks and make decisions with confidence and certainty using powerful habits and hacks.   Highlights: [01:12] Launching a new business during a pandemic [07:42] How past experiences prepared us for this crisis [09:03] Adapting and pivoting your business model [10:45] How crisis can unlock innovation [14:59] Switching lanes in your career [20:39] Remaining calm in a crisis [26:28] Learning to create boundaries [30:36] What Monica wishes she had known at the start of her career [32:59] What Nikki wishes she had known at the start of her career [43:09] Nikki’s favorite word [44:18] Monica’s favorite word [45:13] Assess risk & make decisions with confidence [47:57] Homework for the week   Quotes: “Do you wait and watch, and then respond? Or do you get proactive, rethink everything, and reimagine a whole new future?” – Nikki Barua “Adopt the mindset of disrupting yourself before you get disrupted.” – Nikki Barua “Don't wait for a pandemic to disrupt your plans. Anticipate change and be prepared for disruption.” “Thinking back on my corporate career, I wish I’d asked why more often and challenged the status quo sooner.” – Monica Marquez “Every time I have achieved a big dream, I realize how much more is possible. That’s how I’ve learned to dream big.” – Nikki Barua “Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable helps you dream bigger.” – Monica Marquez “You can’t be outstanding, if your standards aren’t high enough.” – Nikki Barua “Crisis can unlock innovation, but don’t let a crisis be the only reason you innovate.” – Nikki Barua “There's nothing better than that feeling of being ahead of the curve. It builds tremendous confidence.” – Monica Marquez “Don't be afraid to let go of your past, no matter how attached you may be. There's something more beautiful, more exciting, more meaningful that's waiting for you.” – Nikki Barua “Recognize the power of your dreams. The size of your dreams defines your destiny.” – Nikki Barua “Don't let what you think is possible, get in the way of what is achievable.” – Nikki Barua “No matter what you do, go above and beyond. Aspire to more, because you are limitless. Whoever you are, you can go beyond what you think is possible.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.   Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/  

Have you ever been stuck in the slow lane but didn’t know how to get ahead? Our guest is C-suite advisor, Elizabeth Shaw, who shares how taking risks and changing lanes helped her build her career. Elizabeth Shaw is an industry thought leader and expert in marketing innovation. She brings over 20 years of experience at leading companies including Sephora, Forrester, Gartner, Cisco & Omnicom. Elizabeth is an advisor to Fortune 500 corporate leaders and guides them on how to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of business and marketing. In this episode, Elizabeth shares her perspective on what her successes and failures have taught her, how to step into your personal power, and why human connection is the key to success in the digital age.   Highlights: [01:57] Elizabeth’s journey [07:02] Discovery of career path [06:33] Switching lanes [09:39] Embracing change [12:40] Advice on taking advantage of opportunities [14:56] Proudest accomplishment [19:07] Show up as yourself [21:45] Guidance to women on the future of work [29:31] Adapting to change [34:58] Building an authentic network [37:38] How to ask for help [40:15] Dream contact [42:22] The power of community   Quotes: “You take a big hairy problem, and you start to break it down in parts. And once you start to attack the parts, then you get momentum to get to where you want to go.” - Elizabeth Shaw “One of the highlights of my career was also one of the biggest failures that I've had and learned from.” – Elizabeth Shaw “Don’t be afraid to help shape a job or role. It doesn't have to be this thing that lives on a paper that can't move or be tweaked.” – Elizabeth Shaw “Ask not, get not, put that in practice. Just start asking.” – Elizabeth Shaw “You can never lose an argument with data.” – Elizabeth Shaw   About Elizabeth Shaw: Elizabeth Shaw is a Senior Analyst at Gartner, a global research and advisory firm. She consults with Fortune 500 chief marketing officers and senior leaders on digital transformation, marketing innovation and marketing operations. Elizabeth’s held various marketing practitioner and thought leadership roles focused on innovation and digital marketing for over 20years at leading companies including Sephora, Forrester, Constellation Brands, Cisco Systems & Omnicom Group. Prior to Gartner, Ms. Shaw helped develop and launch Sephora’s Innovation Lab which is responsible for piloting first-to-market digital opportunities and emerging trends for the brand. During her time at Sephora, she helped launch Sephora Virtual Artist, integrated augmented reality in stores and their subscription box Play! And worked with cross-functional teams to develop a 3-year strategy for digital in Sephora’s entire fleet of North American stores. She was also responsible for managing strategic partnerships with leading technology companies and managed employee-focused innovation education initiatives. The Innovation Lab also acted as a consultative expert on digital innovation for global leaders and peers at other LVMH Maisons. Before Sephora, Ms. Shaw managed digital marketing for a portfolio of global brands at Constellation Brands, was an analyst at Forrester Research focused on emerging technology and trends and was a senior social media marketing consultant at Cisco Systems. Ms. Shaw began her career at Ketchum and worked at two Omnicom Group agencies in account management roles.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-shaw-410bb53/  

What do you do when you plan for the future of work, but the future shows up overnight? What if this COVID-19 pandemic was the colossal catalyst for the transformation and disruption of work, culture and talent development in organizations that many HR execs have long advocated for but have never been able to advance? In this episode, Enrique Rubio shares his perspectives on Hacking HR and looking at the strategies and technologies that will help you enable those changes while elevating humanity in workplace. Enrique Rubio is an HR, Tech and Future of Work expert and keynote speaker and founder of Hacking HR, a global learning community at the intersection of future of work, technology, business and organizations, with thousands of members of all over the world. He came to the United States from Venezuela as a Fulbright Scholar. Prior to coming to the US, Enrique was the CEO at Management Consultants, a firmed specialized in Human Resources in Venezuela. Enrique has over twenty years of experience and is an Electronic Engineer with an Executive Master’s in Public Administration from Maxwell School.   Highlights: [02:35] Enrique’s journey [07:02] From Engineering to HR [11:01] Transforming Human Resources [22:20] Work-Life integration while working from home [30:43] Gaining access and proximity to influential leaders [34:43] What the workplace look like post pandemic [39:06] Advice for success during this time   Quotes: “To meet this new world of work, we really have to put people first, in the center of all the things that we do.” - Enrique Rubio “Successful business leaders of the future have to do two things that are very difficult. One is to see the invisible. And the other is to believe the unbelievable.” – Enrique Rubio “Sometimes you have to believe things that contradict your own assumptions. Because it is in those things, where the next innovation is lying.” – Enrique Rubio “Social distancing does not mean that you have to be isolated from the world.” – Enrique Rubio “Post-pandemic, the most important thing of all is that we become way more human than we have ever been before.” – Enrique Rubio “If we learn how to embrace that uncertainty and chaos, we will be better prepared to deal with future crisis and able to embrace future opportunities.” – Enrique Rubio   About Enrique Rubio: Enrique is an HR, Tech and Future of Work expert and keynote speaker and founder of Hacking HR, a global learning community at the intersection of future of work, technology, business and organizations, with thousands of members of all over the world. He came to the United States from Venezuela as a Fulbright Scholar. Prior to coming to the US, Enrique was the CEO at Management Consultants, a firmed specialized in Human Resources in Venezuela. Before Management Consultants, Enrique worked in the telecommunications sector as a Senior Project Engineer for Telefonica. He is also the cofounder of Cotopaxi, a recruitment platform focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. Enrique is a guest author in several blogs about innovation, management and human resources. Most recently Enrique worked as an advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Inter-American Development Bank. Enrique has over twenty years of experience and is an Electronic Engineer with an Executive Master’s in Public Administration from Maxwell School.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioenrique/ Website: https://hackinghr.io/  

Do you struggle to differentiate yourself professionally? According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media profiles to screen candidates during the hiring process. Does your digital presence set you apart from your peers? In this episode, you'll learn exactly how to define what you want to be known for and stand out with powerful habits and hacks so that you will be able to position yourself correctly in the marketplace.   Highlights: [01:08] Crowded employment marketplace [04:10] Growth of the gig economy [05:42] Employee vs. Freelancer [07:00] Selection criteria for hiring [11:36] How to differentiate yourself [13:18] Highlighting your superpower [17:23] Homework for the week   Quotes: “Your reputation isn't just built on what you say it is. It's how people perceive you. That’s why differentiating yourself is so important.” – Nikki Barua “If you stand out as the expert with the solution to most pressing problems, you start attracting opportunities instead of chasing them.” – Monica Marquez “Get really specific about who benefits from what you bring to the table, and then help them understand the transformation that you create.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.   Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/  

Have you ever struggled to find the right job only to get passed over because you didn’t interview well or know how to position yourself? Or, have you stayed in the wrong job because you were afraid to take a leap of faith and pursue your dream? Sarah Johnston, founder of Briefcase Coach, shares her own journey of struggle being in roles that were not a good fit. And, how even after she landed jobs that aligned to her interests, her self-doubt and limiting beliefs got in the way of her achieving more. Until, she finally just pushed past her fears and became The Briefcase Coach helping countless clients land roles at top companies like Google, Deloitte, Medtronic, and more. Sarah Johnston is a former corporate recruiter and industry "insider" who got tired of seeing talented high achievers get passed over for opportunities because they did not know how to position themselves effectively. She has been featured in Inc, BBC, and Business Insider. Sarah was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in 2019 and a "top to follow" by JobScan in 2019 and 2020.   Highlights: [02:07] Sarah’s story [04:25] Discovering your superpower [05:55] Overcoming limiting beliefs [09:12] The Briefcase Coach [09:59] How the Briefcase Coach helps people pass hurdles [12:12] Common traits of successful high performers [14:35] Common traits that hold people back [21:58] Essentials for success on LinkedIn [23:30] LinkedIn Top Voice of 2019 [26:35] Trends that will shape the future of work [29:05] Favorite success habit [30:30] Advice on juggling priorities [32:09] Key to accelerating success in the digital age   Quotes: “Just being a hard worker, doesn't mean you'll get the opportunities you want. Sometimes, it means you have to create that opportunity.” - Sarah Johnston “My special sauce is that I can help people see the best version of themselves, better articulate their value and tell their career stories.” – Sarah Johnston “Not moving forward was worse than failure.” – Sarah Johnston “I just started taking small actionable steps towards this goal of running my business. And every time I took a step forward, it was kind of relieving.” – Sarah Johnston “Sixty to seventy percent of executive jobs are landed through networking.” – Sarah Johnston “Networking doesn't necessarily mean you're asking for a job.” – Sarah Johnston “Ask for advice. And then often the job will come.” – Sarah Johnston “It's about talking to the right person at the right time about the right opportunity.” – Sarah Johnston “Research indicates that for most job seekers, they need to have an average of 42 decision maker conversations.” – Sarah Johnston “When you allow the reader to see the value that you bring, it positions you as a thought leader.” – Sarah Johnston “Having a service mindset has been really key to my success.” – Sarah Johnston   About Sarah Johnston: Sarah Johnston is a former corporate recruiter and industry "insider" who got tired of seeing talented high-achievers get passed over for opportunities because they did not have the right marketing documents or know how to position themselves in interviews. She has had the privilege of helping job seekers land jobs at top startups and employers like Alphabet, Amazon, Medtronic and Deloitte. She's been featured in Inc, BBC, Business Insider and more and was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in the career space in 2019 and a "top to follow" by JobScan in 2019 and 2020. Links: Website: www.briefcasecoach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdjohnston/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahDJohnston  

Are you looking for a mentor and having a hard time finding one? Dora Maria Abreu shares with us her mentorship journey in male dominated industries where she often found herself to be the “only one”. Dora is a Regional Program Manager for Engineering Excellence at Amazon. She has worked in the Technology, Education, Telecommunications, Aerospace and Financial sectors. She is also an Executive Director of the John Maxwell Team where she contributes her expertise as a Leadership Expert, Motivational Speaker, and Mentor. In this episode, Dora talks about how to build your community of mentors. Dora encourages us to bond with role models outside the comforts of your environment by simply thinking outside of the box and letting go of the notion that “you need mentors that look like you”. Dora also shares how she integrates work and life to create opportunities that allow her to shine and be her best.   Highlights: [02:14] Dora’s story [04:06] Switching lanes and accelerating success [06:02] Overcoming limiting beliefs [08:18] Showing up with confidence [11:40] Staying ahead of the curve in the digital age [14:41] Juggling competing professional and personal priorities [18:05] Building your community [24:50] Getting over the fear of networking [28:48] Who would you love to learn from [31:58] Dora’s superpower [34:20] The key to accelerating success   Quotes: “Don't have just one mentor. Get a variety of mentors, so you can get different perspectives.” – Dora Maria Abreu “Take a moment and celebrate the wins.” – Dora Maria Abreu “Your vibe attracts your tribe.” – Dora Maria Abreu “Having a variety of people that you mentor keeps you in sync with what's happening today.” – Dora Maria Abreu “I frame a lot of what I do by thinking about how to make things happen so that I can help others.” – Dora Maria Abreu “Go into networking events with good intentions and assume positive intentions of others as well. That’s the key to positive outcomes.” – Dora Maria Abreu   About Dora Maria Abreu: Dora Maria Abreu is a Program Manager based in NY on the Engineering Excellence Team. In her previous roles she has been an avid technology and education professional. She has progressive work experience in IT Support and as a Software Engineer / Developer, IT Support, Trainer, Educator but also in career, professional and personal development skills. She has worked in the Technology, Education, Telecommunications, Aerospace and Financial sectors. Dora has received a Bachelors of Science in Computer Information Systems and Applied Math and a Master’s of Science in Management Information Systems as well from Stony Brook University and then a Master’s of Education in Technological Information Systems from Columbia University. Outside of work, you can find her on some adventure with her family and friends, listening to audiobooks/podcasts, reading books, helping youth of all ages and community at large through mentoring, coaching and providing a variety of programs and workshops on internship preparation, leadership / professional development such as public speaking as well technical classes for those within and outside the STEM field. By being part of the John C. Maxwell Team / Toastmasters she has been able to build on these skills and reach a wider audience. She enjoys music, dance, movies, sports, photography and poetry.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmabreu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmabreu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmabreu  

Do you have clarity on what makes you valuable? Are your skills and competencies aligned with what’s in demand in the marketplace? In this episode, you'll learn exactly how to keep track of market demand so you can position yourself in line with it. According to a recent report from McKinsey & Company, by 2030, more than 800 million people will lose their jobs to automation. Could some of your tasks be easily automated? What percentage of your role might be automated in the future? That’s why it’s so important to understand what’s growing in demand, so you can keep learning the skills and developing the competencies you will need in the future.   Highlights: [01:08] The effects of automation on the workforce [03:58] The shelf life of skills is getting shorter [04:34] Focus on solving business problems [06:55] Learning to run two races at the same time [07:32] Hacks to identify future demand [14:26] Homework for the week   Quotes: “Digital transformation is unlocking organizations and making them faster, more efficient, more innovative, and ultimately creating more value for their customers.” – Nikki Barua “You have to know exactly what is in demand so that can you can develop the right skills.” – Nikki Barua “Focus on solving a business problem and doing it in the fastest, most elegant, most effective way.” – Nikki Barua “You have to run two races at the same time: be great at what you're doing today, while mastering the skills to be great at what you’ll be doing tomorrow.” – Nikki Barua “Your future is truly in your hands and you must start making changes today.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki and Monica: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader.   Contact Nikki and Monica: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambeyondbarriers/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbarriersco/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeyondbarriers/