LEAD LIKE A GIRL

In this episode of 'Lead Like a Girl', the host shares the heartfelt story of her grandmother, Hortensia Aviles, who recently passed away, reflecting on her life, values, and influence. Born in Texas, Hortensia Aviles led a life filled with love, resilience, and dedication. She met her husband at a young age and they shared a life together until their 90s, overcoming challenges including military service, incarceration, and domestic abuse, but ultimately finding redemption and happiness. The host emphasizes the importance of family, the impact of her grandmother's hard work and resilience, and encourages listeners to reconcile with family members and honor their parents. She also hints at upcoming episodes, promising more stories and insights in the Lead Like a Girl 2.0 season.

00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl & A Quick Update

00:46 A Tribute to My Grandmother: A Story of Love and Legacy

14:11 Reflecting on Family, Sacrifice, and the Importance of Honoring Parents

20:20 Looking Ahead: Lead Like a Girl 2.0 and the Power of Storytelling

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In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, host Jessica Smith shares her transformative weekend in Minneapolis with her best friends Coraline and Jamie, emphasizing the power of female friendship and leadership development. Jessica reflects on the importance of self-improvement over work, the warmth of friendships, and the valuable lessons of walking and experiencing church in a new light. Through storytelling and heartfelt discussions, Jessica underscores the need for authentic leadership, highlights her Toastmasters experience, and reiterates her passion for empowering women. She also previews the exciting journey ahead for Lead Like a Girl, including upcoming episodes with guest speakers, aiming to inspire, motivate, and support listeners through their personal and leadership growth.

00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership

00:30 A Weekend of Friendship, Cold Adventures, and Empowerment

03:22 Embracing Self-Care and Work-Life Balance

05:59 The Power of Faith and Community in Leadership

18:01 Toastmasters: A Journey of Growth and Leadership

24:40 Leadership Insights from the Toastmasters Conference

28:58 Reflecting on Childhood Dreams and Leadership Aspirations

30:52 Closing Thoughts: Stay Inspired and Lead with Purpose

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This episode of the Lead Like a Girl podcast, hosted by Jessica Smith, dives into Jessica's personal journey and the challenges she faced in her professional life. She recounts a pivotal moment during a panel interview for a director level sales role, highlighting the unexpected turn of events and how it veered off into an apparent ambush rather than a genuine job interview. Jessica shares the defeat and frustration she experienced when realizing the opportunity was slipping away, especially after showing her real estate practice exam instead of her presentation. Despite this setback, Jessica reinforces the importance of integrity, hard work, and the belief that God has a better plan for everyone. She reflects on her adjustment to a different role that aligned more with her calling as a people leader rather than chasing a higher salary. Furthermore, Jessica shares inspiring stories of perseverance and the importance of soft skills in the workplace, evidenced by her hiring a highly successful salesperson with no prior sales experience. The episode emphasizes resilience, faith, and the power of sharing one's journey to inspire and guide others through similar challenges.

00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Embracing Inner Leadership

00:19 Back to My Story: A Journey of Growth and Partnerships

01:11 The Big Deal: A Turning Point in My Career

02:46 The Interview That Wasn't: Facing Workplace Challenges

07:26 Reflections on Integrity and Work Ethic

10:52 Navigating Leadership and Personal Growth

22:12 The Power of Talent and Work Ethic in Leadership

30:21 Closing Thoughts: Empowerment and Purpose

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In this episode, Jessica Smith shares her personal journey grappling with illness and the important lessons she learned about the necessity of rest and self-care. Despite being under the weather, Jessica pushes through to deliver a heartfelt episode for her listeners, reflecting on her recent experiences of overworking and neglecting her health. She recounts the ordeal of attending her grandfather's funeral, getting sick afterwards, and ignoring her body's warning signs until she was forced to seek urgent care. Diagnosed with a severe strain of the flu, Jessica realizes the folly in pushing oneself too hard and the importance of listening to one's body. She discusses the societal pressures to constantly be productive, her reluctance to seek medical help due to upbringing, and the transformative realization of the need for self-care. Jessica uses this platform not only to share her own epiphanies but also to inspire her listeners to prioritize their health and well-being. She weaves in anticipations for upcoming events and projects, emphasizing the significance of inclusivity and diversity. The episode is a mixture of personal anecdote, motivational advice, and a glance into the future direction of the 'Lead Like a Girl' podcast, including the expansion of discussion topics and co-hosts.

00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership

00:30 The Importance of Self-Care and Listening to Your Body

01:07 A Personal Journey Through Illness and Recovery

04:47 Learning to Prioritize Health Over Hustle

10:49 Celebrating Milestones and Planning for the Future

17:58 Embracing Diversity and Inclusion: A Sneak Peek into Future Episodes

20:34 Staying True to the Mission: Consistency and Self-Care

22:45 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

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In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Jessica Smith shares a deeply personal journey surrounding the passing of her grandfather, Mr. Gregorio Manuel Aviles Jr., reflecting on the celebration of his life during his funeral on Easter weekend. She explores the themes of legacy, family values, and leadership through her family's experiences and her own life lessons. Jessica emphasizes the importance of building a lasting legacy based on authenticity, integrity, and the impact on others. Through anecdotes and reflections, she encourages listeners to self-reflect on their own legacies, the values they want to pass down, and the importance of living with purpose and passion. The episode also touches on generational curses, the significance of family traditions, and the role of generational wealth in aiding others. Jessica aims to inspire listeners to think about their personal and family legacies and how they contribute to their communities and beyond.

00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership

00:22 A Personal Detour: Remembering Grandpa and Embracing Life's Challenges

07:23 The Power of Legacy: Reflecting on Family, Love, and Life Lessons

13:28 Building Your Legacy: Insights on Personal and Family Legacy

26:40 Embracing Integrity and Generational Success

28:35 Closing Thoughts: What Will Your Legacy Be?

30:06 Stay Inspired: Join Us Next Time on Lead Like a Girl

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In this episode of 'Lead Like a Girl', Jessica Smith digresses from her typical programming to share a heartfelt tribute to her recently deceased grandfather. She recounts his journey from battling addiction to becoming a devoted man of faith, emphasizing the importance of legacy, purpose, and making a positive impact. Jessica shares personal stories of her grandfather's life, his teachings, and the role he played in her family and community, ultimately reinforcing the values of reflection, faith, and the pursuit of one's calling.

00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership

00:51 A Heartfelt Tribute: Remembering Grandfather's Legacy

02:24 Reflections on Life, Legacy, and Love

06:38 Grandfather's Journey: From Struggle to Spiritual Leader

15:01 Celebrating a Life Well-Lived and the Impact on Future Generations

20:51 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement to Share the Journey

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In this episode of the Lead Like a Girl podcast, Jessica Smith shares her personal journey of career growth, strategic networking, and the importance of seizing stretch opportunities. She details a transformative lunch meeting at the Cheesecake Factory that led to a significant business deal for her company's new business unit focusing on mobile cleaning and maintenance. Jessica emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, telling one's own success stories, and setting measurable goals with deadlines. She also discusses the challenges and learning experiences she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including homeschooling her children and launching a new sanitization product. Throughout her narrative, Jessica highlights the power of relationships in career advancement and the importance of resilience, time management, and faith in navigating life's trials. Her story serves to inspire and empower women to embrace their inner leaders and navigate their professional and personal lives with purpose and passion.

00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women's Leadership

00:16 The Power of Networking: A Success Story

01:55 Embracing Opportunities and Navigating Corporate Environments

04:28 The Importance of Telling Your Own Success Story

07:59 Setting Goals and Overcoming Challenges

11:49 Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic: Personal and Professional Growth

17:04 The Impact of Relationships and Recognizing Opportunities

30:32 Reflecting on Achievements and the Journey Ahead

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This episode of 'Lead Like a Girl' features Jessica Smith, who shares her journey of navigating career challenges and opportunities with faith, strategic networking, and mentorship. Wrapping up season one of her podcast, Jessica announces a partnership to bring wider conversations on women and leadership. She recounts her career focus in corporate America, detailing a challenging yet fruitful path within the sales engineering sector. Jessica highlights the importance of having a 'board of directors' for one's career, people who provide advice, accountability, and support. She shares a pivotal moment when she recognized the value in entrepreneurial spirit and decided to align her career towards mobility within her company. Through strategic planning, networking, and a remarkable meeting with a new mobility sales leader, Jessica positions herself in a promising role by leveraging her unique skills and faith. The episode encapsulates the essence of seizing opportunities through preparation, timing, and the power of belief.

00:00 Welcome to Lead Like a Girl: Empowering Women in Leadership

01:09 Jessica's Career Journey: Challenges and Triumphs

03:38 Strategic Planning and the Power of Mentorship

05:05 Embracing Entrepreneurial Spirit in Corporate America

07:17 Navigating Corporate Mobility: A Strategic Pivot

09:29 The Power of Networking and Strategic Alliances

19:12 Leveraging Faith and Determination for Career Advancement

26:16 Securing a Game-Changing Business Deal

31:33 Reflections and Encouragements: Wrapping Up the Episode

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In this episode, Jessica Smith shares her journey through corporate America, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. From starting in a role where she felt underqualified to navigating the complexities of advancement and leadership, Jessica's story is one of resilience and perseverance.

As a sales engineer supporting accounts in California, Jessica found herself in a unique position, surrounded by colleagues with automotive backgrounds. Despite lacking the traditional qualifications, she embraced her transferable skills and led with grit and determination.

Her experience sheds light on the reality of corporate culture, where qualifications often overshadow potential. Jessica challenges the notion that success is solely defined by experience, advocating for the recognition of diverse talents and capabilities.

Through setbacks and disappointments, Jessica remained steadfast in her belief that every obstacle is an opportunity for growth. Her story serves as a reminder that resilience and faith can lead to unexpected blessings, even in the face of adversity.

Join us as Jessica shares her insights, lessons learned, and the unwavering determination that propelled her forward in her career journey.

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Join us on this episode of Lead Like a Girl as Jessica Smith shares her inspiring journey of navigating career transitions with unwavering belief, seizing opportunities, and following her passion for people. From starting with supernatural favor to embracing new roles and challenges, Jessica's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and resourcefulness in achieving professional success.

In this episode, Jessica reflects on the importance of self-belief, networking, and asking questions to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities. She shares valuable insights on building diverse networks, embracing new roles with confidence, and staying committed to personal and professional growth.

From her experiences in inside sales to stepping into the role of a sales engineer, Jessica's story highlights the significance of staying true to one's word and embracing unexpected opportunities, even in the face of uncertainty. Through her journey, listeners will gain practical advice on navigating career transitions, finding purpose beyond industry confines, and trusting the process of personal and professional development.

Tune in to Lead Like a Girl and embark on a journey of empowerment, resilience, and unwavering belief in one's potential to lead and succeed.

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