Episode 40 another milestone in my podcast journey! Join me as I recap and highlight key characteristics, strengths, ah ha moments and words of wisdom from the last nine interviews (31-39).

Join me for the career story reflections of Erica Duran, international business coach & lifestyle mentor. A journey of transition and evolution -- transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship to coaching while continually evolving her areas expertise.

After fifteen years moving up the corporate ranks in the hospitality industry, she finds herself feeling stuck. Determined and self-reliant she gets licensed in not just one new area but three! Real estate, securities and life insurance, where once again she’s successful, until the market crashes in 2008. Leveraging her natural OCD tendencies, she becomes a certified professional organizer. With her success in this area, other organizers seek her counsel, launching her into the coaching space and on a path of continuous evolution and growth for herself and her clients.

Join me for the career story reflections of Bob Neuman, business partner with BBSI, a management consulting firm. His is a story of transformation, a theme he discovers about his career later in life.

Early on it was about transforming workspaces to help people be more productive, then recognizing this notion of transformation also applies to himself and wanting to help others be the best versions of themselves. He combines leadership coaching and his love of adventure to create his own consulting business which ultimately leads him to BBSI. His lessons learned: “trust your instincts, do that next right-feeling thing and don’t overthink it!”

Join me for the career story reflections of Cheryl Campbell, independent director on two boards. A journey navigating the gas utility industry, working her way up the corporate ranks and now sitting on the board of the director’s side.

She attributes her success to raising her hand for new opportunities, stepping outside her comfort zone. She is confident that she can figure anything out. And BTW no one else has done it before either, so by raising her hand she knew she’d learn a lot, expand her skill set and get noticed for more opportunities. Of course, she also knew that she needed to prove herself by knocking it out of the park, which she did -- regularly!

Join me for the career story reflections of Kaitlyn Tucek, Artist. At a young age she knew she wanted to be an artist when she grew up, figuring out how to get there, and what “there” looks like, that is her story.

It takes some pretty disruptive measures, meeting her husband, moving to Colorado, becoming a mom, and paying off student loans to free up her creative edge giving her the confidence to boldly put herself out there. Where she finds “the more you are really putting yourself out there, the more momentum you get!”

Join me for the career story reflections of Chris Koch, Director of Membership and Strategic Partnerships at Colorado Thought Leaders Forum (CTLF). A Colorado native and ski racer whose journey starts by discovering careers that aren’t a fit.

Then, to appease his father, he tries ski instructing -- which he loves -- and that evolves into a series of successful roles within the ski industry, at a guest ranch and the eSports realm. Experiences that prepare him for his current role at CTLF leveraging all of his unique talents around leadership, coaching, creating strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and building coalitions. All with the intention of helping elevate business leaders in the Colorado community.

Join me for the career story reflections of Helen Raleigh, CFA, Founder & Chief Investment Officer of Red Meadow Advisors, LLC, and author. Hear her story about growing up in China and how being the youngest of three children -- and the adventurous one -- got her to America!

More than once she’s started from zero but with ambition and persistence, she achieves high levels of mastery and success. Early on she’s driven by making money and being successful because her entire family sacrificed and invested in her to come to America -- there’s no way she’s letting them down! Now looking to make a bigger impact on the world, she wants a seat at a bigger table, the corporate boardroom table -- where she’s part of the decision making!

Join me for the career story reflections of Brian Strandes, owner of 9 to 5 Search and 10 til 2. A journey based on a philosophy that it’s all about what you make of it, which started in school for Brian, where he played sports, was student rep on student council and a member of a fraternity.

A lifelong learner, not just from school and books, but also learning from others. One of the smartest things he did was joining a peer advisory group to learn how to work “ON” his business versus just working “IN” his business. When learning from others he’s all about being transparent with the good stuff and the challenges. “It feels good when we help others, so let others feel good about helping you. Don’t be afraid to share when you’re struggling. Give others the chance to serve.”

Join me for the career story reflections of RH Hinkson, business owner and writer. A perfect example of living the American Dream -- where he starts out as a young man sweeping floors and then ends up owning the company!

A journey based on strong work ethics, an obsession with gaining efficiencies, always making things right for customers, learning & growing, inviting and teaching employees how to have an owner’s mindset, and sharing profits. He’s a "multipotentialite" – meaning he excels at a number of different things. His words of wisdom: find your path, there is success in non-traditional roles, and never say no to an opportunity because it scares you.

This episode is a bit different, since it is Episode 30 somewhat of a milestone, I thought it was the perfect time to pause and reflect on what I've been learning, share a few fun facts and highlight some of the words of wisdom from the last nine episodes. Nine might seem like an odd number, but it has been nine episodes since I last reflected and recapped in Episode 20.