Boss Women Collective

🌟 Embracing Risk for Unlimited Growth🌟 I recently logged back into my UCLA email and found a plethora of emails from when I was applying to jobs after graduation. One email that particularly stood out was for an entry-level role at Girlboss. Not only did I apply, but I also submitted a custom deck showcasing why they should hire me. 👀 Despite my efforts, which I thought were quite unique at the time, I got rejected and did not hear back from anyone on the hiring team. But, I learned an important lesson in being passionate and persistent that I still carry with me today. I've noticed that younger professionals generally fearlessly put themselves out there, undeterred by rejection. However, as we advance in our careers, this boldness can fade, and the fear of failure often holds many of us back. Yet, true innovation and growth happen outside our comfort zones. Every risk we take opens the door to new opportunities and potential successes. 🔹 Overcome fear: Rejection is just a step towards the right opportunity. 🔹 Stay bold: Continuously challenge yourself and what's deemed as the norm. 🔹 Think long-term: Embrace the discomfort now for future rewards around the corner. The best opportunities are often just one step outside our comfort zone. You never know what can come from sending that one bold email. In my case, it didn't lead me to joining the Girlboss team, but I did end up founding Boss Women Collective in 2018, which would have never happened if I had not received that rejection. 💡 #ProfessionalGrowth #Leadership #Innovation #Opportunities #WomenInTech #BusinessSuccess

Today in NYC, while sipping my latte and enjoying my morning routine, I saw the founder of one of the most significant beauty brands built in the last 15 years—one might even say they pioneered the 'no make-up make-up' aesthetic. I instantly was taken back to my 2016 area, when I was obsessed with the book ‘Girlboss’ and the notion that my idea of what it means to be a CEO of a large company could be different. I vividly recall following this founder's journey, listening to her podcast interviews, and hoping that after graduating college and securing a job, I could afford to attend the panels and conferences where she spoke, delving deeper into the realm of entrepreneurship. (Hint: this was the inspiration behind starting Boss Women Collective.) When I moved to NYC in 2017 for an internship, I realized that one of my favorite coffee shops was across the street from their HQ, so I would often go there in hopes I would catch someone IRL on a coffee break so I could ask them for a job referral (Side note: this audacious strategy did pay off—I secured a referral and interview, lol.) But seeing her today also brought me back to 2020/21, what some call the rise and fall of the “girlboss” area, where what felt like every day, a new leader was in the news and being ousted and criticized in a way that felt back to back and non-stop. While I am 100% not undermining some of the serious concerns that led to these opinions and accusations, it was definitely a wake-up call for me that leaders who are female will more often than not be criticized through a different lens than their male peers, regardless of their performance and capabilities. As I reflected on all this, I contemplated saying hi, but considering she was with her child, I decided against it. As she was leaving, her hands were full and no one was around to help open the door, so I spontaneously rose to assist. She said thank you, and I said ‘you’re welcome’ to which she replied, 'have a nice day!'. In less than a 7-second interaction, a spark (re)ignited within me. I aspire that one day, someone spots me in a coffee shop, and I can have a similar impact on them—to encourage them to persevere, challenge the powers that be, build something meaningful, follow their passions, use their voice to uplift others, and/or, most importantly, to look up from their dang phone. Every moment is fleeting, and if you're glued to your phone, you'll never know what opportunities, conversations, and people might pass you by. 💡