TranscendWithM

Margo is an experienced Chief Technology Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the insurance industry. She shares with us her journey from agency ownership to shifting into the Insurtech space and how navigating the hoops of the industry provided her with the tools to lead authentically and transform her company into something unexpected.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

Insurance plays an important role in the industry especially when solutions are not viable. Now more than ever, the drive to disseminate the advantages insurance can provide should become bigger and wider. Even when your people do not know what to do and how to create an answer to a problem, insurance is the answer and way to go out of any challenge.

Resources:

Linkedln

Website

Elisa is an ex-perfectionist and a part-time dreamer. After a decade in the insurance industry and a year of personal horror, she started conversations with people in the industry about their stories and the culture that the insurance industry created. She believes in the power of people, of community, and of coming together for a bigger purpose. Elisa believes that showing up is a superpower that we can all wield - even when we think we are powerless.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

No matter how small we have to give, we still, extend it to the community. Coming together can lift us all up because even little by little, our tiny contributions gather together to create one big catalyst for transformation. So, share your story and shed light on the rare and hidden experiences that anyone, too, may be undergoing.

Resources:

LinkedIn

Website

When Lauren first began her career she found herself in customer service/operations-type roles. Unfortunately, after several years in the workforce, the Great Recession hit, and she got laid off. At the time, she was heartbroken. Despite that, it was the best thing that happened to her because a short time later she landed what became her dream job.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

Other than making a profit, the industry should also shift its focus to the mental and overall welfare of the people within. Sometimes, struggles that are more than what meets the eye tend to gather no attention at all. Support fellow entrepreneurs who are undergoing mental illnesses. Their conditions take medication but most of all, backing them up amidst their battles while being in the industry can promote an improved quality of life for them.

Resources:

Linkedln

Website

Stacey knew at an early age when she was “playing” with her Easy-Bake Oven that she wanted to be a chef.  At age 11, she wrote to Bobby Flay telling him how she twisted around one of his recipes; three months later she received a call from his producer asking her to come to New York City to see a taping of his show and to go to his restaurants.  Unfortunately, she couldn’t as her family had just moved from Michigan to Florida where her dad became a minister at a small church.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

Someone opened my doors to venture into business by modeling me how to do baking. Immersing myself in it and committing to what was once a hobby has now become my bread and butter. Learn to appreciate simple little things and make something big out of them.

Resources:

LinkedIn

Website

Greta Bajrami is the CEO and Founder of Golden Group Roofing located in Westborough, Massachusetts. Greta migrated to the USA at the age of 9 from Tirana, Albania. Greta Bajrami grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts where she attended Worcester State University. Greta speaks, educates, and inspires, on various toppings such as; “Success is a state of mind”, “Getting over your forever failure mindset”. She is the Massachusetts President and Chair of the National Woman in Roofing Council, Executive Board of Director and Treasurer of the New England Roofing Contractor Association, and a Foundation Board Member and Scholarship Committee of Worcester State University.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

"Skills can lead to passion"

Resources:

LinkedIn

Website

Dulce Orozco is a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts. She holds a master’s degree (MS) and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling from Suffolk University. She is committed to bringing compassion, warmth, and authenticity to her work. Dulce’s first language is Spanish, and she is also fluent in English and Portuguese. Dulce has extensive experience working with individuals who and their families are not native to our country. Because of her personal and professional experience, she is fascinated by culture's role in our mental health and how we perceive ourselves. She works using mindfulness, whole-body integration, self-compassion, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

"I think talking about what we want to do is far easier than really putting the processes into practice. I want women to understand that they can be whoever and whatever they want to be."

Resources:

LinkedIn

Website

Taylor Perkins is a Loan Originator at US Bank, 6.5 years ago she started in processing and made her way into origination. Starting in the processing department gave her the advantage of working with underwriters and learning the backbone of the business. Taylor love's being a loan originator and helping borrowers from start to finish and seeing the result of their achieving homeownership. Seeing her mom going through a foreclosure pushes her to always stress the importance of financial literacy and making sure my clients are making educated financial decisions.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

"Women need to support one another. Be a girl boss and surround yourself with strong, independent women."

Resources:

LinkedIn

Twitter

Alicia Ramsdell, CCSP,  GCDF, MST, is the Founder and CEO of Mindful Career Path, elevating an institution's / client’s professional brand through intentional organization/career development plans. Alicia launched Mindful Career Path, just as she began to unite her professional passion and energy with her career in a sincere way. It was at this alignment that Mindful Career Path set its vision and thrived, guiding clients to develop their institution/career stories in a mindfully enthusiastic approach. Coinciding with her own daily meditation practice, she brings a unique holistic approach to career coaching.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

"I compare career development to social media: you'll only hear and see the perfect pictures; you won't see the 15 outtakes that came before that perfect picture. Career development takes time. It's a process."

Resources:

LinkedIn

Company Website

Personal Website

Jojo was born in the North End of Boston. She went to Berklee College of Music as a singer/songwriter. JoJo never graduated due to the promise that she made to her Dad that if he died she’d take over the family business. She worked on Boston's Waterfront for 35 years as a Vendor selling Balloons, Novelties, T-Shirts, and Boston Souvenirs. Jojo took her pushcart and turned it into a Children's TV show "JoJos DreamCart" (helping kids to believe in themselves and their dreams) which aired on PBS in RI and in many countries throughout the world. From her DreamCart she continued as a Filmmaker helping many people to advance their careers. Jojo was nominated 4x for the local Emmy for her Expertise in Audio as well as her Children’s TV show, JoJo’s DreamCart. Her podcast "Somerville Connects" (what's your Somerville story) brings Somerville to life by chronicling the unique personalities that shape the diverse city. Her passion and business are creating your sales pitch to use as your Video Email Signature or in your Social Media, Website, QR Code, and Business Profiles.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

"You can achieve anything if your mind, body, and spiritual side are in harmony."

Resources:

LinkedIn

Website

Katherine Debs has redefined the word “normal”. Born in war-ridden Beirut, Lebanon in the mid-80s, has taught her a thing or two about survival and living every moment of her life to the fullest. Her father being Lebanese, and her mother American gave her a chance to explore different sides of the world. She has since lived in Montreal and Boston.

Episode Highlights:

Key Takeaway:

"It's important to keep in mind that you are valuable in your current form, to center and ground yourself, and to always remember this. It makes no difference if you're young, old, wealthy, poor, large, or small. Being alive proves that you are deserving."

Resources:

LinkedIn

Website