In this episode of the She’s So Suite Podcast, Kristi Faltorusso sits down with Shannon Plumb, CEO of Purl Advisors, to discuss resilience, reinvention, leadership, and empowering women in revenue.

Kristi shares her unconventional journey from dancing professionally at BalletMet to breaking into enterprise sales, navigating the SaaS boom in Boulder, Colorado, and ultimately stepping into the C-suite. She opens up about losing her identity after a career-ending ballet injury, navigating tech as a woman without role models, leading through mergers and acquisitions, getting laid off unexpectedly, taking the leap to launch her own advisory firm, and building and mentoring women in revenue.

This conversation is honest, empowering, and packed with leadership insight for ambitious women, founders, and revenue leaders.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview & Introduction

1:11 - Meet Shannon Plumb

2:30 - Being A Paasionate Dancer

4:45 - Losing Identity & Rebuilding from Scratch

6:48 - Choosing College & Studying Interior Design

8:50 - Breaking into Sales

10:30 - The Power of Real Sales Training

13:35 - Moving to Boulder & Discovering SaaS

16:20 - Why SaaS Changed Everything

18:30 - The Challenge of Leading as a Woman in Revenue

20:33 - Navigating Authenticity in Male-Dominated Spaces

25:45 - Coaching Women Differently in Sales

29:00 - Leading Through an Acquisition & Keeping 100% of Her Team

32:10 - Getting Laid Off & The Emotional Impact

35:20 - Launching Purl Advisors

36:31 - Women in Sales & Techstars Mentorship

40:20 - The Myth of Work-Life Balance

43:00 - Don’t Wait to Be Empowered

Connect with the guest:

Shannon Plumb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonplumb/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depths of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

In this inspiring episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with the remarkable Kathleen Rouse, founder and principal of CultivateCX. Kathleen opens up about the pivotal moments, hard-won lessons, and bold decisions that shaped her career—from her childhood dreams of becoming an international spy to her reality leading teams across continents and founding her own impactful business.

Together, Kristi and Kathleen dive deep into the exciting and challenging world of entrepreneurship, discussing everything from business failures and resilience to the unique challenges of balancing life in the “sandwich generation,” supporting both her daughter and aging parent.

Tune in to hear how Kathleen Rouse continues to create space for herself and other women to rise, and why she believes compassion and courage will define the leaders of the future.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

0:40 - Meet Kathleen Rouse

2:45 - Early career aspirations and personal backstory

5:15 - Early business failure and the lessons learned

6:42 - Critical shift during the 2020 pandemic at FinancialForce (now Certinia)

8:02 - Personal life changes influencing career moves

9:15 - Rise of solopreneurs and content creators

16:00 - How losing a first business built resilience and focus

17:15 - Balancing pragmatism with ambition

18:30 - Navigating work and family pressures

20:04 - Caring for children, aging parents & self-care

25:00 - Go-to karaoke songs

27:30 - Stopping to reflect & celebrate

31:11 - Launching grassroots movements within organizations

32:11. - Building empowered teams & achieving significant business outcomes

33:42 - Recent accomplishments at CultivateCX

37:15 - Empowering other women

41:10 - Relocating to Paris and expanding business to Europe

43:55 - Closing remarks

Connect with the guest:

Kathleen Rouse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenrouse/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

In today’s episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso,  sit down with Esther Iyamu, founder and CEO of Growth Q. Esther shares her incredible story as the self-declared "pivot queen," taking us through the major shifts in her life—from immigrating to the US, switching college majors, being an NFL cheerleader, climbing the ranks at Cisco, and finally launching her own company.

Tune in as Esther Iyamu reflects on the power of community, the importance of calculated risks, and the value of learning from both successes and setbacks.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview & Introduction

0:45 - Meet Esther Iyamu

6:00 - Life in Dubai

9:45 - Career Aspirations Growing Up

11:31 - Being The NFL Cheerleader

14:55 - Reflecting on Career Pivots and Major Decisions

19:07 - The Role of Community in Professional Growth

21:02 - Struggles with Hiring Fast & Firing Slow

27:50 - Celebrating Esther's Successes

33:27 - Raising Capital as a Female Founder

37:10 - Advice for Younger Self & Listeners

42:00 - Outro

Connect with the guest:

Esther Iyamu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamestherayorinde/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women, check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of She’s So Suite. In this episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with the CMO Advisor at G2, Sydney Sloan, for a candid conversation on career-defining moments, leadership, and setting boundaries that fuel real success.

From growing up on a cattle ranch to leading at Adobe and beyond, Sydney shares the lessons that shaped her rise to the C-suite—plus empowering advice on raising your hand, protecting your wellbeing, and owning your ambition without apology.

If you’re building your path to the top, this episode delivers the clarity, confidence, and motivation you need.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview & Introduction

1:09 - Sydney Sloan’s Career Journey

5:20 - Childhood Ambitions and Early Work Experiences

7:35 - Raising Her Hand

9:24 - Building strong presentation and public speaking skills

10:40 - Navigating Career Breaks, Health Challenges, and Family Life

15:45 - Reflections on choices made in her 30s

17:35 - Advice for Women Facing Career and Life Choices

22:33 - Setting Boundaries and Learning to Say “No”

26:53 - Celebrating Major Wins at Adobe and SalesLoft

31:55 - Empowering Future Female Leaders

35:00 - Evolving Roles in Marketing and Customer Success

39:40 - Be Fearless, Take Risks, Raise Your Hand, and Don’t Apologize

Connect with the guest:

Sydney Sloan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydsloan/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the She’s So Suite podcast!

In this episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with award-winning data and AI executive Dora Boussias, whose career journey is as extraordinary as it is encouraging. Born and raised on a farm in Greece, Dora Boussias started out cultivating tobacco before boldly leaping into technology—a world she knew little about at the time. Over the past three decades, she’s not only held leadership roles in major corporations like GE, Stryker, and Prudential, but has also become a fierce advocate for driving business transformation through data, innovation, and empowering women in tech.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Dora Boussias’s pivotal decisions, resilience, and willingness to embrace challenges helped shape her remarkable trajectory—from mainframe programming to enterprise-level transformation and, most recently, to entrepreneurship. Whether you’re navigating a layoff, considering a career pivot, or searching for actionable leadership advice, Dora Boussias delivers both wisdom and motivation to help you take charge of your own path. Tune in for an honest, uplifting conversation that proves incredible things happen when you bet on yourself.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

0:45 - How Kristi met Dora

2:08 - Meet Dora Boussias

4:25 - Dora Boussias’s Childhood Dream

6:47 - Moving to the U.S. & Early Career

8:40 - Leading Change and Driving Transformation

11:13 - Standing Up for Fair Compensation and Facing Adversity

18:56 - The Shift to Entrepreneurship & Lessons

24:48 - Be the Captain of Your Ship

27:55 - Navigating Layoffs & NOT being Stuck

32:05 - Advice to Younger-Self

35:45 - Closing Thoughts

Connect with the guest:

Dora Boussias: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doraboussias/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

In this episode of She’s So Suite, I sit down with Ashley Faus, Head of Lifecycle Marketing at Atlassian — marketer, writer, speaker, and performer. Ashley shares her unconventional journey from aspiring Olympic gymnast to theater major to tech marketing leader. She opens up about identity crises, navigating career pivots, breaking into tech during a recession, and the power of falling in love with your audience.

Ashley also unpacks the importance of creating visibility for your work, building a personal brand, and showing up before the world gives you permission. From the role of theater training in public speaking to how to think about promotions, to transparent conversations about compensation, this episode is filled with actionable career wisdom.

Chapters:

0:00 – Preview & Intro

0:45 – Meet Ashley Faus

2:30 – Marketing vs. Customer Success & the 4 Ps

6:00 – Little Ashley’s Dream

9:30 – From Musical Theater to Marketing

17:00 – Breaking Into the Workforce During a Recession

18:40 – Building Opportunities Instead of Waiting for Them

26:40 – Working Across Industries & Breaking Into Tech

32:23 – Selling Out a 1,000-Person Session at Inbound with Her “Playground Framework”

35:00 – Achieving Her Director Promotion

38:00 – Empowered Women Empower Women

43:30 – Closing Remarks and Episode Wrap

Connect with the guest:

Ashley Faus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyfaus/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

Celeste Berke Knisely, founder of CBK – Sales Training & Coaching and the only certified Gap Selling training partner, sits down with me to share her winding path to entrepreneurship after a pandemic layoff pushed her to bet on herself. The episode explores the pivotal career moments, risks, and reinventions that have shaped her success, touching on everything from building life skills and changing career paths to setting boundaries and balancing motherhood with ambition.

Timestamps

0:00 – Preview

0:30 – Meet Celeste

2:40 – How and why Gap Selling

6:20 – Career aspirations growing up & early career

14:09 – Chasing financial benchmarks & staying too long

17:55 – Moving from account management to sales

20:15 – Management and leadership lessons

21:48 – Entrepreneurship after the corporate world

25:20 – Defining and redefining success

27:10 – Motherhood and career

30:18 – Work–life balance and boundaries

Connect with the guest:

Celeste Berke Knisely: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celesteberke/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

In this episode, I, Kristi Faltorusso, sit down with Ashleigh Early, CEO of Other Side of Sales Consulting and Head of Growth at MKG Marketing, who shares her unconventional career path, from studying opera performance and political science to thriving in tech sales, surviving layoffs, and building a successful consulting career.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

1:15 - Meet Ashleigh Early

2:10 - Origin Story: Other Side of Sales

9:24 - Solopreneurship: Realities and Lessons

15:05 - Financial Realities for Young Professionals

16:43 - First Business Trip & Financial Challenges

21:55 - Pitfalls of Rigid Playbook Consulting

26:35 - Acceptability of Moving Back to Corporate Roles

30:40 - Early Career & Aspirations Growing Up

35:50 - First Exposure and Transition into Sales via SDR roles

38:38 - Work-Life Regulation

40:15 - The Power of Not Disclosing Everything at Work

43:18 - Wrap-Up and Check Out Part Two

----

Connect with the guest:

Ashleigh Early: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighearly/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

-----

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

Keywords:

consulting, fractional sales leadership, revenue optimization, founder-led sales, B2B sales motion, scalable sales practices, agency growth, SEO, digital ads, small marketing teams, women in sales, sales conference, diversity in leadership, content creation, solopreneurship, networking, work-life balance, career transitions, LinkedIn personal branding, financial challenges, expense reimbursement, mentorship for women, tech layoffs, burnout, business travel policies, sales leadership, startup culture

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

In this episode, I welcome back Ashleigh Early for a powerful continuation of our conversation—one that dives into the pivotal moments that have shaped her career. From negotiating job offers and managing challenging relocations to confronting toxic leadership and making bold life decisions (including a move to Europe), Ashleigh brings candor, humor, and hard-won insight. She opens up about the highs and lows of her journey, sharing practical guidance on negotiation, navigating performance plans, and choosing which challenges are truly worth taking on in both work and life.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

0:17 - Why This Is a Two-Part Episode

1:41 - Job Offers and Benefits Negotiation

9:20 - Relocating and Returning to San Francisco

12:09 - Navigating Toxic Leadership and Workplace Conflict

13:50 - Constructive Dismissal and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs)

25:35 - Reflections on Leadership and Promotion Practices

31:21 - Saying Yes to Opportunities Without Full Knowledge or Confidence

34:30 - International Moves: Lifestyle Changes and Challenges

42:29 - Choosing Your Hard

----

Connect with the guest:

Ashleigh Early: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleighearly/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

-----

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

_____________________

Keywords:consulting, fractional sales leadership, revenue optimization, founder-led sales, B2B sales motion, scalable sales practices, agency growth, SEO, digital ads, small marketing teams, women in sales, sales conference, diversity in leadership, content creation, solopreneurship, networking, work-life balance, career transitions, LinkedIn personal branding, financial challenges, expense reimbursement, mentorship for women, tech layoffs, burnout, business travel policies, sales leadership, startup culture

_____________________

About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.

She's So Suite is brought to you by Client Success. The easiest to use, fastest to implement software to reduce churn & increase customer revenue. Request a demo at ⁠https://www.clientsuccess.com/⁠

In today’s episode, host Kristi Faltorusso is joined by her LinkedIn bestie and SVP of Growth at Besler, Randi Sue Deckard. Get ready for an inspiring and candid conversation about big career pivots, the grit required to succeed, and the messy—but necessary—role of failure on the path to growth.

Randi opens up about her unique professional journey, starting from childhood dreams of becoming an archaeologist, pivoting through STEM and clinical research, and ultimately landing in healthcare tech leadership. She shares her hard-won wisdom on resilience, betting on yourself, and finding joy after overcoming workplace challenges—including tough lessons from toxic leadership. Randi also dives into the importance of building a supportive personal brand, investing in continuous learning, and empowering other women along the way.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview

0:40 - Meet Randi

2:13 – Overview of Besler

3:00 – Childhood Aspirations & Early Career Decisions

6:38 – Transition to Pharmacology and Commercial Career Growth

8:08 – Does Subject Matter Expertise Drive Career Success?

9:28 – Navigating Failure & Learning from Mistakes

12:34 – Leadership Growth & Team Management Lessons

13:50 – Betting on Oneself and Avoiding Regrets

16:15 – Learning Gaps & Team Building

19:07 – Experience with a Toxic Female Boss

21:35 – Impact of Leadership Style on Team Well-Being

24:10 – Navigating Toxicity at Work and Knowing When to Walk Away

28:25 – Pivoting Away from an Established Career and Reinventing Yourself

28:55 – Developing a Personal Brand: Podcasting, Public Speaking, etc.

31:30 – Strategies for Starting a Personal Brand on LinkedIn

38:20 – Empowering & Giving Back to Women

40:30 – Commitment to Personal Growth & Lifelong Learning

42:15 – Plans for a Book and Merchandise on Career & Leadership Insights

43:52 – Final Advice & Episode Wrap-Up

Connect with the guest:

Randi-Sue Deckard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randisuedeckard/

Connect with Kristi Faltorusso:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristifaltorusso.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Podcast

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvmKTIOWzy8e3kbzHr4f9VMr1oGfK5Qc_⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pf1SZMvfwvSJTA6WnpNjP⁠⁠⁠⁠

Apple Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shes-so-suite-podcast/id1730535499⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about Wednesday Women check out their

Website: ⁠https://www.wednesdaywomen.org/⁠

LinkedIn page: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wednesday-women/⁠

Connect with the Show Producer:

Manali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manalibhat/

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About She's So Suite Podcast:

Embark on a journey with Kristi in each podcast episode as she engages in insightful conversations with accomplished women in the C-suite. Explore their unique stories, triumphs, challenges, dreams, and valuable advice that will inspire and empower you. Tune in for an enriching experience as Kristi delves into the depth of their professional journeys and brings you closer to the dynamic world of female leaders at the top.