In episode #3 of My 2.0, guest Aurelia Flores, Managing Member at Athena Digital Media Group, shares stories of her career transition. From a successful corporate attorney for nearly 20 years, to an entrepreneur, as she fulfilled her lifelong dream of running her own business. She found her passion and calling when she started playing with the digital marketing media world on the side. And the transition was propelled by the birth of her daughter, and Aurelia’s desire to seek more freedom and flexibility with her time. It did not take the risks away from her, being the sole provider of her family. But she was determined to take this chance on herself, for her own personal growth.

Listen to Aurelia talk about the importance of a sound financial cushion, a full sales and marketing pipeline and a strong cheerleading network as the must-haves for making career transitions.

She describes the trials and tribulations of being an entrepreneur; that you are in a constant push-pull with your self in being an optimist and a realist. From being the chief cook to the bottle-washer! And how the process makes you humbler, wiser and instills more confidence in yourself. 

She ends with debunking these transition myths:

• I could never do that (career transition)
• It’s easier to stay (in current career)

Resources: 

• “Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life By Bill Burnett and Dave Evans”
• “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones By James Clear” 
• Citrine Angels: Angel Investing for Women by Women
• Pipeline Angels: Creating Capital for Women and Non-binary Femme Social Entrepreneurs

In episode #2 of My 2.0, guest Kristina Bouweiri, the President and CEO of Reston Limousine, shares stories of her career transition. On how she embarked on a non-profit career in Somalia, transitioning into a commission-only Sales position in the US. On how she joined Reston Limousine with her then husband, and eventually took over running the company from him. 

Listen in as Kristina opens about how she dealt with imposter syndrome, and her insecurities with being the only female CEO in rooms crowded with male founders and CEOs. And how she worked with a slew of business coaches in growing her ability and confidence to solve complex business problems, including becoming a master speaker, as she scaled the business exponentially. And the importance of self-care and cheerleaders, including the struggles of being a successful business woman, while being a single working mother.

In episode #1 of My 2.0, guest Melissa Boatwright, a Global Insights Leader at LinkedIn, shares stories of her career transition. From the Military to the civilian world. And from communications to engineering. She talks about her journey from a small town in Wyoming into the Military, and then transitioning out into the civilian world. 

Listen in as Melissa opens about how she dealt with imposter syndrome, and her work with being vulnerable, and shining the light on shame. Melissa also talks about the transition challenges experienced by a female vet, and the part we as an individual, corporate America and the society at large can play to make these transitions smoother. Melissa proposes her transition toolkit, the advice she would give her pre-transition self and what she and her partner do to be better prepared for their next transition.