Vanessa Simmons on Wellness, Self-Care, and Businesses Evolution After Pastry
This week I'm chatting with entrepreneur, actress, and wellness advocate Vanessa Simmons. Known for her role on Run's House and co-founding the successful footwear brand Pastry, Vanessa opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, sharing valuable insights on knowing when to pivot in business and the importance of mental health awareness.In this episode, Vanessa discusses her new wellness platform U4IA, an educational hub focused on fact-based beauty tips and mental health resources. She reveals how her father Rev Run's self-care practices influenced her own wellness philosophy, and shares practical advice on breaking the cycle of hustle culture through intentional breathing, journaling, and rest.Discover how motherhood has deepened her self-awareness and shaped her leadership style, while learning actionable strategies for handling rejection and transforming perceived failures into valuable lessons. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to make your next business move, someone interested in wellness practices, or simply a fan of Vanessa's journey, this conversation offers authentic wisdom on balancing ambition with self-compassion in both business and life. #VanessaSimmons #Entrepreneurship #WellnessJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #BusinessPivot #SelfCareLearn more about U4IA - https://www.instagram.com/u4ianow Takeaways:Pastry was the first business venture for Vanessa and her sister.Deciding to walk away from a business can be difficult but necessary.It's important to take breaks to refresh and gain new perspectives.Vetting new business ideas should be based on passion and impact.Mental health and self-care are crucial in today's world.Breathing exercises can significantly reduce stress.Self-awareness is key in both personal and professional life.Failure should be viewed as a lesson rather than a setback.Motherhood has deepened Vanessa's self-awareness and patience.Leadership involves accountability and original thought.
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Interviewing Oprah Via Bold Pivots - Dominique B. Fluker on Switching Careers, J-School, and Building her brand
In this inspiring conversation, I reconnect with a longtime friend of the podcast, Dominique B. Fluker, whose journey I've witnessed from PR agency copywriter to nationally recognized multimedia journalist and contributing lifestyle editor at Essence Magazine. Dominique shares the pivotal moments that shaped her bold career transitions—from quitting TikTok and moving to LA without a job or graduate school acceptance, to walking red carpets and interviewing celebrities like Oprah. With raw honesty, she discusses overcoming personal tragedy, using intuition to guide professional decisions, and balancing ambition with meaningful relationships. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone considering a career change, building their personal brand, or seeking work-life balance. Dominique's story proves that with tenacity, faith, and strategic networking, you can create the fabulous life you deserve without regrets.Dominique's website - https://dominiquebfluker.com/Takeaways:Dominique emphasizes the importance of stepping up in challenging situations.Her experiences with loss have solidified her confidence and resilience.She created her own opportunities through blogging and networking.Dominique's journey reflects the significance of authenticity in one's career.She believes in the power of intuition when making life decisions.Dominique highlights the importance of cherishing milestones and achievements.She prepares for interviews by researching and connecting emotionally with her subjects.Dominique acknowledges the struggle of balancing ambition with personal fulfillment.She defines success as a combination of personal and professional achievements.Dominique stresses that hard work is essential, regardless of appearances.
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Navigating Your Career Path with Whitney Faires - Authenticity, Leadership, and The Excellence Equation
Chatting with Whitney Faires, an executive coach with over two decades of corporate experience. Tune in to hear invaluable insights on leadership, overcoming self-doubt, and thriving in your professional journey. Whitney shares her journey from corporate sales to executive coaching, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and intentional career moves. She delves into her creation, the Excellence Equation, an eight-step framework designed to help professionals achieve big goals despite uncertainty. Whitney also discusses key tips for finding the right coach, the importance of aligning personal and professional values, and how to take ownership of your career development. 00:00 Welcome to the Switch, Pivot, or Quit Podcast00:36 Introducing Whitney Faires: Executive Coach01:09 Whitney's Journey: From Corporate to Coaching02:09 Navigating Career Pivots and Internal Moves06:21 The Importance of Finding the Right Coach08:17 Overcoming Underestimation and Proving Yourself10:36 Handling Pressure and Trusting the Process13:32 The Excellence Equation: A Framework for Success17:19 Defining Leadership and Core Principles19:40 Defining Leadership Identity20:30 Exploring People Leadership Roles21:34 Navigating Company Culture23:02 Making Career Moves25:18 Developing Your Own Playbook29:13 Embracing Authenticity31:54 Evolving View of Success34:22 Taking Ownership of Your Career35:21 Conclusion and Contact Information
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You Can't Skip the Process
It's tempting to want to find a way around the work or potential struggle, but the process often offers more than we know we need.
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Mastering Self-Leadership & Career Growth with Elizabeth Lotardo
This week the conversation touches on the importance of self-leadership, managing difficult conversations with your manager, and staying fulfilled at work amidst uncertainty. Elizabeth Lotardo offers actionable advice on upskilling, finding purpose in your current role, and maintaining meaningful workplace relationships. The episode also delves into the challenges and strategies of leading without formal authority and managing career burnout. This insightful discussion is packed with practical tips for anyone navigating personal and professional transitions.Book - https://www.elizabethlotardo.com/writingTakeawaysSelf-leadership is crucial in today's evolving work environment.The pandemic has shifted how we view job security and fulfillment.Finding purpose in your current role can enhance job satisfaction.Building relationships at work is essential for a positive experience.Upskilling is a proactive way to manage career uncertainty.Navigating career transitions requires careful consideration of personal motivations.Community support can significantly impact professional growth.AI is a tool that can enhance productivity, not replace jobs.Managing burnout involves setting clear priorities and boundaries.Self-leadership is an ongoing process, not a destination.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview01:06 Inspiration Behind 'Leading Yourself'02:37 Workforce Changes and Emotional Shifts04:58 Navigating Career Uncertainty08:09 Finding Purpose and Building Relationships at Work15:20 Promoting 'Leading Yourself' and Embracing AI19:10 LinkedIn Learning Journey22:36 Creating Impactful Courses23:21 Navigating LinkedIn Learning26:43 Promoting Your Courses27:31 Finding Fulfillment in Your Career29:18 Leading Yourself to Success36:22 Managing Burnout and Prioritization39:22 Risks of Self-Leadership40:45 Final Thoughts and Resources42:53 Outro and Personal Reflections
One of the top business podcasts in a Google search. As your host who has been there and done that (P.S. my name is Ahyiana Angel) I'm providing an intimate look at navigating career transitions on your own terms.This pod is for the person seeking encouragement, inspiration + change in a life filled with demands on who you should be. I'm here for you when you're asking yourself, "What's next?!"I speak with experts, professionals, and day-to-day doers who have learned best practices through their journey with personal and professional development work. My journey consists of having successfully switched careers from a sports entertainment publicist to a published author and now I run my own podcast production company (Mayzie Media), and give motivational talks! My goal is and will always be to provide helpful advice when you're deciding if you need to Switch, Pivot, or Quit®. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ahyiana.angel/
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