In this episode of Career Journals Podcast, we sit down with Leslie, the founder of Produits Artisanaux, a fine foods company dedicated to elevating artisanal food brands and connecting them with specialty food retailers.

Leslie shares her journey from corporate sales leader, eventually becoming a VP before discovering her true passion, food. Now, she’s the “middle woman” helping local and emerging brands find their way into grocery stores and markets, building bridges between creative makers and innovative retailers.

Whether you’re interested in small business ownership, the specialty food world, or pivoting careers to follow your passion, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

Ever wondered what it takes to keep trains running safely, smoothly, and on time? In this episode, we sit down with Busayo, a Manager of Locomotive Operations, to talk about the high-stakes, fast-paced world behind the scenes of rail transportation.

Busayo shares how she got into the industry, what a typical day looks like, the leadership skills it takes to manage crews and schedules, and the challenges that come with making sure everything stays on track, literally.

Whether you're curious about operations, logistics, or careers beyond the classroom, this one’s for you.

Tune in and take a ride through the world of locomotive operations.

Ever wonder how your favorite pieces end up on store shelves or trending online? In this episode, we chat with Nishi, an Assistant Product Merchandiser at one of the world’s top fashion retailers, about what it really takes to break into the fashion industry.

Nishi shares her path into merchandising, what her day-to-day looks like, how trends are forecasted and managed, and the teamwork that brings each product to life. She also opens up about navigating corporate fashion, finding your voice early in your career, and what she wishes she knew before getting started.

Whether you're dreaming of a career in fashion or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode is full of insight.

In this episode, we sit down with Auzoyah, a former NFL player who swapped the playbook for project plans and found a new purpose in construction and real estate. 

He shares what it was like to walk away from professional football, how he discovered a second career in the world of building and infrastructure, and what it’s been like to lead teams off the field. From discipline to decision-making, you'll hear how lessons from the field translated to leadership on the job site.

If you're curious about life after sports, career pivots, or what it means to rebuild from the ground up, this one’s for you.

What’s it really like working in medical sales? In this episode, we chat with Allison, a Territory Manager in the medical device industry, about what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure sales environment.

Allison walks us through her journey into the field, the skills that matter most, how she builds relationships with healthcare professionals, and what people often get wrong about this career path.

If you’re curious about breaking into medical sales or just want to hear the behind-the-scenes of a job that blends science, strategy, and hustle, this one’s for you.

What does it really take to become a surgeon? In this episode, we sit down with Ben, a fifth-year ENT surgical resident on his way to fellowship, to talk about the demanding, eye-opening journey through med school, residency, and beyond.

Ben shares the highs, lows, and sacrifices that come with pursuing a career in ENT surgery, from long shifts to the first time scrubbing into an operation. He also talks about an identity outside medicine, mental resilience, and what he wishes more people knew before choosing this path.

Thinking about med school? Interested in surgery? Or just curious about what it takes? This is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 And be sure to check out Ben’s own podcast, Black Surgeons - https://open.spotify.com/show/0BY6Gr09h7EKb2uX0LAXaw?

It's never easy making a life-altering decision, but when Sarah Bekele realized that the pre-med track wasn't for her, she made a hard turn to journalism. That one decision changed her life for the better. Bekele is currently a News Anchor & Producer for NBC Universal, and she shares the journey that got her there. 

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Making a switch in your career is never easy. Andrea Martinez shares her story of working in one of the four largest public accounting firms in the world to working in Big Tech. Andrea dives into her experience working in the US as an international hire and the steps she took to get to where she is today. 

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Today's guest owned her own private law practice and was invited by the United Nations to speak at the Commission on the Status of Women about her work in social development in Nigeria. Outside of her career, she invested in stocks and property with her now-late husband. They both believed in making your everyday job help build financial freedom.

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