Career Changers Podcast Interview

Finding Your Way: Courage in New Experiences (How I Built My Career From Zero)

I wasn’t born into this. I didn’t have the connections. I didn’t have the blueprint. What I did have was the willingness to step into rooms where I didn’t know anyone and figure it out.

In this conversation, we go deep into what it really looks like to reinvent yourself, enter brand new spaces, and build a career when you’re the outsider.

Here’s what we covered:

[02:00] My Original Dream Had Nothing to Do With Sales
I wanted to be a pilot. I wanted the front seat. That dream didn’t happen — but life gave me a different set of wings.

[04:40] How I Became the First — In Everything
First to get a college degree. First to own a passport. First to start a business. First to work in tech. I was writing my own script the whole way through.

[09:10] Stumbling Into Sales — And Learning I Could Sell Myself
A friend spotted my storytelling gift before I did. Eight rounds of interviews later, I landed my first corporate sales job. That moment confirmed something powerful: I knew how to sell my voice, even if I didn’t fully know how to sell the product yet.

[14:20] Moving to California With No Job, No Car, and No Plan
I packed my bags, left New York, and moved to California on a gut decision. Six months later, I was recruited by LinkedIn. That one risk created a chain reaction that changed my life.

[20:30] The Mindset Shift That Happens in Silicon Valley
Coming from traditional East Coast sales culture, stepping into Silicon Valley’s leadership style stretched me in ways I didn’t expect — and taught me how to lead by empowering, not controlling.

[26:40] How I Accidentally Became a Teacher
It started with people asking me to help them use LinkedIn. Then they wanted to know how I was building a side business. Eventually, that led to online programs, coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs, and building a consulting practice teaching others how to build scalable revenue engines.

[32:50] My Approach to Coaching Leaders
The first thing I teach new leaders? Let go of everything you think leadership is supposed to look like. Empower your people to bring you solutions, not just problems.

[37:30] The #1 Skill Every Business Owner Needs to Scale
You need a Salesperson #2. You cannot scale if all the institutional knowledge lives inside your head. Build a system that allows others to sell the way you do.

[42:10] How to Build Rapport in New Markets (Even as an Outsider)
Listen first. Observe. Pay attention to where people hang out. And when you reach out? Lead with curiosity and genuine interest, not a pitch.

[48:00] Reframing Rejection
When someone tells me no? I remind myself: I’ve been rejected by people far more important than you. I’ll survive. Next.

[53:00] Expand, Don’t Contract
When you step into a new space — whether it’s a room, a role, or a city — expand. Take up space. You’re there for a reason.

[57:30] The Advice I’d Give My Younger Self
Start now. You already know what you want to do — you’re just waiting for permission you don’t need.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering if you’re ready to make a big move — this conversation is the nudge you’ve been waiting for.