Your Employment Matters with Beverly Williams

In this episode of Your Employment Matters, host Beverly Williams speaks with Ann Mracek, an author, musician, performer, and content creator whose life is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and creative purpose. Ann's story is anything but traditional. Once a piano prodigy preparing to debut with a symphony at 16, her career trajectory was suddenly and violently altered by a devastating car accident that crushed her top vertebra. Told she might be paralyzed, Ann chose a different path, one of relentless healing, visualization, and personal strength. Just two years later, she was singing and dancing on stage at Six Flags. That remarkable comeback became a pattern. Throughout her career, Ann has consistently adapted, reinvented, and created opportunities from scratch. Her journey includes: Turning talent into entrepreneurship—from teaching piano as a teen to launching a music studio, dance troupe, and later, interactive children's theater productions. Using trauma as creative fuel—her book Unpacking the Attic: A Path to Healing Your Inner Child explores childhood pain and healing through memory, reflection, and forgiveness. Building a YouTube channel with global impact—My Best Friends Live in the Woods blends storytelling, original music, and mindfulness teachings for both kids and adults, now with over 160,000 subscribers. Creating every job she's ever held—except for one early performance job, Ann has imagined, launched, and built each opportunity she's pursued, often combining her creative talents with business savvy. Central to Ann's philosophy is a commitment to service and collaboration. “Be of service,” she emphasizes in the conversation. “Always offer what you have, your talents, your energy, your time. The return will be far greater than the gift.” Ann's journey reminds listeners that success isn't limited by setbacks. Rather, it's defined by how one responds to them. From injury and loss to new ventures and renewed purpose, she continues to inspire by living a life rooted in passion, persistence, and generosity. For anyone navigating a career crossroads, Ann Mracek's story is a compelling reminder: reinvention is possible, creativity is powerful, and joy is worth pursuing. Ann's Book: Unpacking the Attic: A Path to Healing Your Inner Child Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this timely episode of Your Employment Matters, host Beverly Williams shares actionable advice and emotional encouragement for anyone facing the stress and uncertainty of unemployment or career transition. Recorded during Mental Health Awareness Month, Beverly speaks candidly about the toll job searching can take on emotional well-being, and why it's critical to approach a job search with both strategy and self-care. Drawing from her book Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job, she offers a step-by-step model designed to help listeners move forward with focus, discipline, and resilience. Key Takeaways: Before you start applying, stop and regroup. Take time to decompress and prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally. Set up a daily routine and treat your job search like a job itself. Plan, persist, and persevere. Beverly encourages listeners to write out a job search plan, stick to daily goals, and not be discouraged by rejection or silence. “Failure on a permanent basis,” she says, “is not an option.” Be honest with yourself. From evaluating your appearance to assessing your skills and personal brand, self-awareness is key. Seek honest feedback from people who care enough to tell you the truth. Motivate yourself with meaning. Keep a photo or symbol of your “why” near your bed, whether it's your family, a goal, or a dream, let it remind you why your effort matters. Mental health matters. Beverly honors the memory of a dear friend lost to suicide and powerfully reminds listeners: “Don't suffer in silence.” Resources like NAMI, Thrive Global, and SAMHSA are shared for those struggling during their job search. Own your employment journey. The world of work has changed. Technology, virtual interviews, and competitive markets require intentional preparation and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a thoughtful conversation on Beverly Williams' podcast, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry shared powerful lessons about potential, leadership, and navigating today's evolving workplace. Here are some key takeaways:

In the latest episode of Your Employment Matters, host Beverly Williams sits down with Tom Lenoble, a seasoned executive, leadership coach, and CEO of the Academy for Coaching Excellence. Tom shares his incredible career journey from MCI to Facebook and beyond, offering insights into the evolving job market, workplace dynamics, and career longevity.

When you think of the entertainment industry, you might picture the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, red carpets, and award shows. But behind every breakout star and successful production, there are industry professionals like Zachary Spiegel working tirelessly to bring talent to the forefront. Zach is a casting director whose journey from actor to casting professional has been filled with passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to inclusivity. Recently, Zach joined Beverly Williams for an in-depth conversation about his career, the art of casting, and what it truly takes to succeed in the entertainment business. Zach's love for entertainment started in an unexpected place: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His journey took him from New York to Los Angeles, with a stop in Italy, where he studied Commedia dell'arte as a college junior. Zach pursued his acting career, spending seven years in New York honing his craft. While most actors dread auditions, Zach found himself enjoying the process. He realized that his true passion lay not in performing but in being on the other side of the table, helping to discover and cultivate talent. That's when he made the shift from acting to casting. Zach feels it's the best of both worlds; he is deeply involved in the creative process but in a way that feels more fulfilling. Zach considers casting an art form that requires empathy, business acumen, and a keen eye for talent. He views his work as a bridge between producers and actors, ensuring that the right talent gets the right opportunities.  His work goes beyond just filling roles. It's about creating opportunities for members of historically excluded and marginalized communities. Zach is passionate about making sure every actor has equal access to auditions, advocating for inclusive and accessible casting calls. He explained one of the ways he does that is by using intentional language in casting notices. The way a role is described can either invite or discourage certain actors from applying. By being intentional with wording, Zach ensures that actors of all backgrounds feel welcome to audition. Many people dream of breaking into entertainment, lured by fame and fortune. But as Zach and Beverly discussed, success in the industry isn't about talent alone—it's about perseverance and hard work. “The most talented people don't always reap the benefits,” Zach shared. “Because the most talented people don't always have the ambition or desire to do it.” Ambition, networking, and resilience are just as important as raw skill. And networking isn't just about meeting people, it's about staying in touch and building relationships and ways to create mutual value. Beverly added her own perspective on this, emphasizing the power of genuine connections. Whether through a simple email, a thoughtful card, or a quick message, nurturing relationships can open doors in ways you never expect. Zach's career, much like the entertainment industry itself, is ever-evolving. Casting professionals often find themselves between projects, but rather than waiting for opportunities to come to him, Zach takes an active approach. He reads scripts and tracks up-and-coming actors as well as staying engaged with industry trends. As the conversation wrapped up, Beverly asked Zach what advice he would give to those looking to break into entertainment. His response? “Don't leave, don't die.” It's a humorous yet profound take on the industry—one that speaks to the resilience required to stay in the game. For anyone considering a career in entertainment, Zach's story is a testament to the power of adaptability, persistence, and passion. The path may not always be straightforward, but for those willing to put in the work, the rewards can be life changing. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's ever-evolving work landscape, employment isn't just about finding a job—it's about taking ownership of your career, whether that means excelling as an employee or stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. On a recent episode of Your Employment Matters, host Beverly Williams welcomed Garrett Delph, CEO of Clarity Ops, to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, business growth, and the importance of clarity in achieving success. As the conversation wrapped up, Garrett left listeners with three key insights for success: Be clear about what you want. The more specific you are about your goals, the more likely you are to achieve them. Know what you need to get there. Identify the resources, skills, and people required for success. Understand what's stopping you. Recognizing roadblocks, both external challenges or internal assumptions, so you can address them head-on. Whether you're starting your first business, leading a team, or simply looking to make better career decisions, this episode offers a roadmap to navigating work and business with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Robert Ramirez, a professor, investment and business expert, and someone who transformed personal and financial hardship into an inspiring success story. Dr. Ramirez faced a turning point after the 2008 financial crisis when he nearly lost everything. Instead of letting it defeat him, he found a way to rebuild, and now he helps others achieve financial freedom. I first encountered Dr. Ramirez on a webinar and was immediately struck by his story. It reminded me of the struggles I witnessed in 2008, and I knew his message would resonate with many of you. His experiences are not just about overcoming financial hardship, but about adapting, growing, and turning challenges into opportunities. In our conversation, Dr. Ramirez shared valuable insights into rebuilding after financial disaster. He emphasized the importance of having a positive mindset, adding value to everything you do, and building multiple income streams. He talks about how he had to learn new skills to make himself marketable again after losing his job as a director of IT in 2008. Instead of relying on one source of income, he found ways to diversify and build passive income, which has now become one of his key strategies for achieving financial freedom. Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation: The Power of a Positive Mindset Dr. Ramirez emphasized the importance of staying positive, even in tough situations. He shared how his positive outlook helped him move forward after losing his job and home, focusing on how things could improve rather than being consumed by his losses.   "It all comes in with one, having a positive mindset—knowing that things will get better, that the cup is half full and not half empty." Investing in Yourself and Adding Value   One of the most powerful lessons Dr. Ramirez shared was the need to continuously add value—not just in your work but in every interaction and relationship. He spoke about the importance of learning new skills to stay relevant, something he had to do when he found himself out of work and needed to update his technical skills.   “I had to rebuild my skills... we have so many tools available to learn skills, and we can teach ourselves these skills.” Building Financial Resilience After his experience in 2008, Dr. Ramirez vowed never to rely on just one income stream again. He explained how building multiple sources of income, including passive income streams, helped him regain his financial footing. His current work focuses on helping others do the same by teaching them about financial intelligence, debt management, and investment strategies. Dr. Ramirez's story is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. He now teaches these lessons in his book Achieving Financial Freedom, here he outlines steps to build wealth through passive income and financial intelligence. He's also working on a new book about the retirement crisis, highlighting the importance of financial preparedness for the long haul. If you're someone who has experienced financial difficulties or is looking to diversify your income, this episode is full of actionable advice and motivation. Dr. Ramirez's story reminds us that setbacks are part of life, but it's how we respond to them that defines our future success. I encourage you to tune in to the full episode to hear Dr. Ramirez's inspiring story and learn how you too can start building financial freedom today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm an educated, professional woman who also considers herself well informed. It pains me to admit however that upon reconsideration, I am not as well-informed as I thought. Until recently, I believed that voting is a right, indeed a fundamental right. I'm embarrassed to admit I was wrong.  As an American and an attorney, I am aware that at one time only white men were entitled to vote.  In the 21st century, admittedly in my ignorance, and because we live in a democracy I believed that all Americans have the right to vote.  I violated one of my cardinal rules, take nothing for granted. I took it for granted that people of color, women, and individuals who are 18 years old, all of whom do not have non-discriminatory legal grounds for withholding their voting privilege, would be entitled to vote.   I knew about gerrymandering and redistricting, and enacting legislation and rules that imposed limitations on things like giving someone water while they were in line to vote.  Silly me, I believed that unreasonable or discriminatory limitations would be struck down by courts. Unfortunately, the integrity of jurists and our courts at all levels have been tainted by the appearance of impropriety and bias. A 2019 article by the Carnegie Corporation of New York notes that “[c]hallenges to voting rights in this country, like the ones we've seen recently, are hardly a 21st century invention. Entrenched groups have long tried to keep the vote out of the hands of the less powerful.  That's it! It's about power.  We all have it. If voting is important, and each individual's vote is particularly important, why is gerrymandering and redistricting be a “thing?” Why are there efforts to suppress voting?   In a few short weeks, on November 5, 2024, Americans will have the privilege, if not the right to cast their ballot for the candidates of their choice, including President of the United States. Take the time to learn which candidates advocate policies that will serve you.  Do you want to raise a family or start a business? Do you have healthcare coverage now? Is there a chance that it will go away? Do you have benefits that were bargained for by a union? Do you live in a state that may need federal assistance if there is a disaster? A hurricane, fire or other natural disaster. Don't listen to the uninformed. Go to reliable websites that set forth each candidate's position, then vote your interest.    I interviewed my long-time friend Wade Henderson, former CEO and President of the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights. Please treat yourself and listen to that podcast. His interview, Understanding the Civil Rights Movement” was posted on September 28, 2020, and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and my website, Your Employment Matters. As a young man, Wade experienced an act of discrimination that solidified his commitment and mindset and directed his path forward. Others may have become embittered and checked out by not voting or otherwise not disengaging. By comparison, Wade devoted his life's work in service to promoting civil rights and human rights.  Please take a page from Wade Henderson's playbook. If life gives you lemons, use those lemons to make lemonade or another beverage, meal or dessert of your choice. Take the bitterness out of life and move forward with purpose.    Never take anything, especially hard-fought rights or privileges, for granted. You only have them until someone takes them away from you. Be vigilant. Remain informed, usually by accessing reliable sources. If you're unsure, view several different media outlets that offer different views and accounts.  Remember that facts should be accurate. Interpretation of facts is opinion.  In the words of former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Dem.NY)— 'You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly Williams engages in a compelling discussion with Stephen Kurkjian about the evolving landscape of journalism, the resurgence of unionism, and the enduring mystery of the Gardner Museum art heist. Prepare for an insightful conversation that delves into the intricacies of journalistic integrity, First Amendment responsibilities, and the transformative power of art. Stephen is a highly respected investigative journalist, best known for his extensive career at the Boston Globe where he was a founding member of the Spotlight Team. With a career spanning several decades, he's won three Pulitzer Prizes and became an authority on investigative journalism, contributing significantly to the field through his in-depth reporting and dedication to uncovering the truth. One of the most notable investigations he continues to pursue is the Gardner Museum art heist, a case that has intrigued and baffled the world for over three decades. Stephen's journey in journalism began with a college newspaper where he loved the interactions he had with people, who were for that moment in time, at the pinnacle of their lives. From his experience in journalism, other relevant and significant topics are covered, such as: The evolution of journalism and splintering of media: The changes and challenges the field has seen over the years. Journalistic integrity: The responsibilities of journalists, the value of their integrity and reputation.  The power of art: The transformative and transcendent qualities of art and its impact on individuals and communities. Don't miss this episode where you'll discover valuable lessons on journalism, the power of art, and the enduring pursuit of truth.  Connect with Stephen Kurkjian: Website Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly dives deep into the art of negotiation with Cindy Watson, Esq, and together, they share invaluable insights that challenge traditional beliefs about law, negotiations, and the workplace.  Cindy is a highly sought-after international speaker, negotiation expert, social justice attorney, coach, and founder of Women on Purpose. She's also the author of “The Art of Feminine Negotiation: How to Get What You Want from the Boardroom to the Bedroom.” Cindy's known for her advocacy of integrating empathy, collaboration, and resilience into negotiation techniques, making her voice stand out in her field. She brings over 30 years of experience in social justice law and a passion for reshaping how we perceive negotiation and leadership. “All of life is a negotiation and yet we are duped into believing that the only path to success is this very competitive toughness, take no prisoners kind of approach.” - Cindy Watson, Esq. Key insights: How gender dynamics and the ego affect negotiation and leadership The decline of critical thinking and survival skills in the digital age and AI Utilizing curiosity to improve yourself The future of labor-management relations with ongoing societal shifts This episode explores the necessity of cultivating critical thinking, survival skills, and the ability to handle failures in this time of technological advancements and AI, how to be able to think and problem solve even without using technology. The discussions on gender dynamics and negotiation also highlight the evolving leadership landscape and explore the importance of collaborative problem-solving and inclusive decision-making. Connect with Cindy: Website Instagram LinkedIn Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Your Employment Matters tackles two important topics in employment: finding the right job and building the right team, and how one's role and co-workers have a significant impact on work experience. Today's guest, Betty Thorne Tierney, is Vice President and the Associate General Counsel for a large retail chain in the Southern US. She spent the last 31 years in retail, actively litigating all types of cases nationwide as first chair. Since 2012, she's led an in-house trial team of attorneys, paralegals, and admins. “It's not always easy to recognize an opportunity if it's something that you didn't envision for yourself.” - Beverly Williams Betty never envisioned herself in management, leading an in-house litigation team. But when the opportunity came, she took the time to decide, had conversations with her spouse, her boss, and took a chance. This turned out to be the best decision for her career. In this role, she learned how to manage different roles, different personalities, and work in different settings to do the best work—as a team—for the company. Key topics discussed in this episode include: Recognizing and assessing opportunities Characteristics considered in the hiring process Representing yourself and your company well “When looking for a new job, make sure you research, know what's expected, and see it meets your goals and abilities. That is the best thing you can do for yourself.” - Betty Thorne Tierney Beverly and Betty also talked about the right fit between the employee, the job, the company, and the team. Before anyone takes on a role, they need to make sure that the values, nature of work, and all other job details align with their goals. This isn't just for the benefit of the company, but also for the employee. It helps make sure that when they start working, they won't feel burdened, misunderstood, or even underperform. It's the job of the leader to develop the team. However, it's the employee's responsibility to develop skills and character and provide value to the company.  Connect with Betty Thorne Tierney: Facebook LinkedIn Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Your Employment Matters, we continue the series on labor management. This topic is much needed after the years of decline in union membership, the changes in the workplace after the pandemic, and the great resignation. There is now a cautious optimism about a resurgence of unionism. Our guest today is Stuart Davidson, Esq. He's currently a partner at Willig, Williams & Davidson where he represents public and private benefit funds, fighting to preserve the ability of workers to retire with dignity and have access to affordable health care. His work for unions includes leading contract negotiations, presenting interest and grievance arbitrations and advising on external and internal union matters. “It takes a monumental effort to successfully organize workers.” - Stuart Davidson While Stuart was in college, he was challenged by his great uncle to get to know and work with the working-class people of America, so he worked as a Union Organizer in North Carolina in the 1970s. Besides the social and economic aspects inhibiting union organization, he saw that lawyers dominated the field and denied workers the opportunity to build a better future. From there, he decided to attend law school and become a union lawyer. He's been representing unions and workers for 42 years. Key topics discussed: The duality of sides of workers and management The effects of the change from a defined benefit plan (earned pension) to a defined contribution plan (401k's) The rise in Union memberships, especially among the young workers The changes in the workplace over the decades, especially in the relationship between workers and management “I believe that labor is a failed process.” - Stuart Davidson The workplace and labor laws need to change so that employees will get paid fairly, get the benefits they deserve, and have a healthy working environment. This conversation between Beverly and Stuart has conflicting perspectives, new insights, and much-needed knowledge for anyone who wants to know the benefits of being a part of a union. Connect with Stuart Davidson Website LinkedIn Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right now, the workplace has five different generations of employees, and such a diverse environment comes its set of benefits and challenges. This can be a tricky situation to navigate. If managed right, it can foster a group that's working cohesively together and a business that's constantly innovating and growing. When not handled well, it can lead to underappreciated employees, unqualified managers, and tense disagreements. To talk about how he handles these situations in his business, we're joined by Terry M. Isner. Terry is an experienced marketer and creative communicator with nearly three decades of expertise. He shares insights from his journey as the owner and CEO of Jaffee, a virtual agency specializing in legal PR and marketing. His focus on human dynamics and empathy in business has led to transformative leadership styles and improved productivity within his agency. Some topics Terry discusses include: Balancing compromise and collaboration - Different generations of employees have different perspectives and goals.  Recognizing Individual strengths and passions - When employees and managers treat each other as an individual, they can better recognize the strengths and dreams of each other. Embracing change and innovation - The workplace is constantly changing and employers need to adapt as well. This includes adapting the business in different areas like work structure, compensations, leadership styles, and even technology. “All we can do is try and be open. And that's exactly how this is going to work.” - Terry M. Isner This insightful conversation between Terry and Beverly gives practical advice and new perspectives on how businesses can navigate the complexities of the constantly evolving workplace and foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and innovation. Connect with Terry M. Isner: Website LinkedIn Twitter Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly Williams welcomes a very special guest, Mr. Richard Hooker Jr., a union leader, and officer. Together, they discuss the importance of collaborative negotiation in employment disputes, particularly in today's post-COVID world.  As the Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 623, Richard is responsible for its 4,500 members. He makes sure that they receive protection, fair pay and good work conditions. His goals are to change the mindset of management and employees and to bring dignity and respect back in the workplace. “We just went through one of the most difficult times of our history, and America had to depend on its workers to make it through.” - Richard Hooker Jr. Some of the issues in today's workplace discussed are: Union leaderships The Great Resignation led to people losing jobs without a backup Contentious strikes and dragged-out negotiations During the pandemic, the world realized how vital laborers are to keeping society running, and how they deserve fair contracts and compensation. When employees don't have a highly specialized or in-demand skill, they aren't in a position to make demands or have job security, because they can be easily replaced. This is why Richard is advocating for Unions, so workers can have the protection they need. The employer-employee relationship is still a relationship. Both sides have their expectations, needs, and non-negotiables. There has to be a balance, a way to reach win-win situations without great losses. This episode explores why this balance is necessary, yet tricky to reach. Connect with Richard Hooker Jr.: Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly's book: Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job Your-GPS-Employment-Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The court has been the place to settle all manners of disputes in family matters, estate dealings, and even employment issues. But taking things to court is expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally exhausting. In this episode, Beverly Williams is joined by esteemed attorney Marcia Werner to introduce us to the world of collaborative law and how it can be a better way to handle legal disagreements, even in labor management relations. Marcia is an accomplished attorney with over 45 years of experience in family law, employment law, and other legal specializations. Her passion for helping others and her dedication to promoting constructive dialogue gives a different take in the legal world. With her wealth of knowledge and commitment to promoting a better way to resolve legal disputes, she brings a new perspective to the table. “If your mind is telling you that you've been wronged, then you may fight to the end to try to vindicate your position.”-Marcia Werner Marcia introduces us to collaborative law, an alternative dispute resolution for legal matters where each party hires a lawyer along with other professionals, such as financial experts or mental health professionals to negotiate an agreement without ever going to court. This is more commonly practiced in estate disputes, divorce, and family law, but today we'll explore how this can be used in employment issues. With the rising number of calls for unionization, strikes, and changes in the employment world, perhaps now is the time to bring in collaborative law. Marcia also talks about: The origins of collaborative law The importance of transparency Interdisciplinary collaboration This episode provides fresh optimism and the knowledge that there are avenues for conflict resolution other than court. Connect with Marcia Werner: Website Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly's book: Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job Your-GPS-Employment-Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Beverly Williams in this episode of Your Employment Matters as she delves into the dynamic world of labor-management relations and shares invaluable career strategies to empower listeners in their job search journey. With insightful commentary and practical advice, Beverly explores key developments shaping the employment landscape and offers actionable insights for success. Beverly draws upon her extensive expertise in employment matters to guide listeners through the intricacies of labor management relations and effective career strategies. With years of experience as an author and advocate for employment success, Beverly brings a wealth of knowledge, offering invaluable insights for navigating today's competitive job market. “You want to convey the message that ‘I am a professional.'” – Beverly Williams Key insights shared in this episode are: Navigating Disability Disclosure Career Strategies for Success Practical Actions for Navigating the Workplace  Beverly also emphasizes the importance of gratitude, preparation, and perseverance while looking for a job. It's more than your qualifications and experience that will get you your dream job. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices, visit megaphone.fm/adchoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the guarantees in life is that we'll face challenges. No matter what you do, there will come a time when you're in a difficult situation and you'll need to decide whether to give up or keep on going. But when you're working towards a goal, you always need to try to keep on going. Our guest today shares some impressive stories of working through difficulties and how he kept going. “You should be asking what's the right way to do something. And the right way isn't always easy.” - Brendon Spencer Brandon Spencer is a Physical Therapist. He got his degree from Kean University and went through the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Essex County College. His path to becoming a Physical Therapist is not just a testament to his professional dedication, but a story of tenacity and unwavering determination. Despite battling anxiety disorder during his first year of college and enduring a herniated disc in his spine during his final year, Brendon refused to let that stop him. He walked to class on crutches and took his final exams while lying down on the classroom floor. His commitment to his education reflects his grit, and it's a story still being told today by some of his professors. Also discussed in this episode: Choosing the right degree and school How passive income provides freedom and flexibility Understanding your value and marketability in the job market Brandon's story is inspirational and tells us that we can make things happen, achieve our goals, and have the life we want, no matter what our circumstances might be. Listen in to be filled with insights, motivation, and Brendon's inspiring story. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices, visit megaphone.fm/adchoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Your Employment Matters is the first in a series on labor unions and management relations. With all the recent news and headlines on unions and employment strikes, this series aims to demystify the labor framework, laws, and the underlying reasonings that shape our current system. And who better to start this series than our guest, Dean Burrell. Dean, a distinguished labor and employment attorney, brings unparalleled expertise gained from his journey as a litigator for the National Labor Relations Board, prominent law firms, and a senior executive in Fortune 500 companies' labor relations and human resources departments. His experience encompasses labor and employment arbitration-mediation, fact-finding, and comprehensive workplace investigations. In this episode, you will hear: How Dean went from being kicked out of his university program to his profession now The ins-and-outs of the labor industry, including labor arbitration, interest arbitration, fact-finding, employment arbitration and mediation If changes could be made in our labor laws   This episode takes us deep into the realm of labor relations, guided by Dean's vast knowledge and experience. More than an exploration of the industry, this episode serves as a reminder of fundamental concepts in the world of employment: mentorship, negotiation, protection, and agreements. Connect with Dean Burrell: Website LinkedIn Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices, visit megaphone.fm/adchoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prepare to be moved and inspired in this episode of Your Employment Matters. Christine Macdonald, the author of "Face Value: From Working the Pole to Baring My Soul." brings a story of triumph over adversity that will leave you motivated and empowered.  Christine's life journey has been marked by trials—childhood skin deformity, surgeries, abuse, addiction, and mental illness. Yet, she emerged as a warrior, turning her pain into purpose and advocating for those struggling with self-esteem and adversity. Her story stands as a beacon of hope, proving that obstacles can be conquered and transformed into personal growth. She's a living testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit.  Amidst her challenges, Christine found her way to a career in sales, where her remarkable ability to connect with people and gauge a room propelled her to success. Her journey is a testament to the remarkable strength that lies within each of us, waiting to be harnessed.  Here are the three lessons Christine shares that will help anyone in any aspect of life:  Know yourself, your blind spots and your strengths.  Know your lane and focus on excelling at it.  Share your story.    “You may have the cinderblocks pulling you under of the person that you once were, but that's not who you are now. So, try to look at it from the lens of evolution rather than have your behaviors hold you back.” - Christine Macdonald  More than anything, Christine's message resonates with hope—a reminder that improvement is always possible, and the past need not shackle us. Join us in this episode to witness the power of transformation and to discover the strength that lies within every one of us.  Connect with Christine Macdonald:  Website  Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube  Twitter  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices, visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode we're sharing an interview that Beverly did on Jen Hardy's podcast "Fabulous Over Fifty". You can find Jen in the following places: https://jenhardy.net/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thejenhardy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thejenhardy/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejenhardy/ Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success https://www.amazon.com/Your-GPS-Employment-Success-Succeed/dp/195334996X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NONPKK0HPTRD&dchild=1&keywords=your+gps+to+employment+success&qid=1624982367&s=books&sprefix=your+GPS%2Cbeauty%2C152&sr=1-1 Learn more about your ad choices, visit megaphone.fm/adchoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a special episode of "Your Employment Matters," we take a different approach to our usual interviews. Our guest today is a captivating and inspiring speaker whose perspective on life will keep you enthralled for hours. With personal anecdotes and words of wisdom, this episode has something special just for you.  Frank E. Legette, III, carries four decades of pastoral ministry experience, currently serving as the esteemed pastor of Grace Tabernacle Church in Norristown, PA. It was within this role that his remarkable ministry for women, The Women's Empowerment HQ, came into existence. His life's mission is to empower women to achieve the love they desire, deserve, and dream of since their childhood. Not only that, but Pastor Frank is also a multi-talented screenwriter, film director, and producer.  “If Plan A is not working, you have to go to Plan B.” - Pastor Frank Legette  In this powerful episode, Pastor Frank imparts three major lessons:  Importance of having the right tools  Surrounding yourself with the right people  Consistently improving yourself and your situation    “I am the sum total of great individuals in my life whose shoulders I stand on.” - Pastor Frank Legette  This episode also delves into the practical skill of awareness—knowing what's happening in your surroundings, industry, and community. As the world evolves rapidly, staying informed and knowledgeable is vital for staying ahead.  Tune in to this enlightening episode to glean wisdom, inspiration, and practical advice from Pastor Frank Legette, which has the power to transform both your personal and professional life.  Connect with Pastor Frank Legette:  Website  LinkedIn  Book The Art of Womanhood  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices, visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are those professionals who, when you look at their portfolio, make you want to stop and ask, “How did they do it?” These are the ones who have worked for multiple high-performing companies, across multiple industries, and yet in each position they held, they delivered excellent results and contributed to the organization. One of these individuals is our guest for today, Paul Teasdale.  For over 20 years, Paul has helped businesses to drive performance, most recently with the McLaren racing team. Through coaching and facilitation support, he helps clients take the approaches and ways of working that deliver elite-level Motorsport performance, and apply them to their own world through facilitation, speaking, and consulting.   Paul has studied engineering, yet he describes himself as the world's worst technical engineer. Instead, his interest lies in the practical application of the methodologies of engineering, looking at a certain system or process, and figuring out how else it can be improved.  “We all have transferrable skills. A lot of people just don't realize it enough.” - Paul Teasdale  Throughout Paul's professional years, he has learned lots of lessons. Here are three that he shared in this episode:  We all have transferrable skills, and these are what will bring us through all the professional changes we will go through.  Put in the effort to improve yourself and your professional performance.  Learn to identify the data and elements you need that will allow you to make the best decisions.    “How can you adapt what has been learned and then adapt it for your own performance?” - Paul Teasdale  Paul says that any job position should be beneficial for both employee and employer. The values and goals should be aligned. You should bring value to the organization you're a part of, and you should get the support that you need for you to perform your best.  Connect with Paul Teasdale:  Website  Instagram  LinkedIn  Twitter    Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices, visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are some people you meet, and you start having a conversation with, start sharing pieces of your life with, and you instantly connect and feel like you can keep the conversation going on for days. That is exactly what happened in this podcast episode.  Today, I had the pleasure of conversing with Jen Hardy, a proud wife of a veteran, and homeschooling mom of 7. She is also the Podcast Host of Fabulous Over 50, an Author, Speaker, and Community Builder. Every day, she lives out her name Hardy, which means “robust, strong, and capable of enduring difficult conditions.”  “Whatever you're going to do for your job, take pride in your work.” - Jen Hardy  For years, Jen struggled with her health, going in and out of the hospital, multiple medications, and various diagnoses. Eventually, doctors told her that there was no longer anything they could do for her, only to make her as comfortable as possible. Not exactly the shining words you want to hear from professionals responsible for your health, but Jen accepted them and thought only of her family. Well, guess what? Jen is still here, she's still fighting, and she has discovered the mission to help as many women as possible find their inner fabulousness, and transition into the life of their dreams.  Among many topics, Jen and I talked about life, work, missed flights, and our shared dislike for cleaning, and here are some insights you can take to heart: You can do anything you want, but you need to find something and be good at it. No matter what work you do, take ownership and take pride over it. It is important to have the right people in your life who are willing to tell you the truth when you need it, and who would help you see situations outside of yourself.   “If you don't use your mind, you will lose your mind.” - Beverly  So listen in to this episode, take what you can out of the stories we shared and lessons we learned, and hopefully, you get to apply it in your life as well  Connect with Jen Hardy: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we're still discussing employment, but more than that, we're talking about gratitude, life's purpose, and love. There are some people who just seem to radiate love and light, and that's the perfect way to describe our guest for today.  Kim Sorrelle is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, activist, and author. Her entrepreneurial journey included commercial real estate, a golf course, event facilities, catering, a grocery store, and more. Besides building businesses into multi-million-dollar companies, Kim is proud to have weathered the pandemic storm in the food industry, pivoting, keeping staff employed, and seeing the company's sales grow beyond pre-pandemic numbers. Kim is also the director of Rays of Hope International, a partnering organization working with people who have a passion, a vision, and a mission to help people in their own country and just need someone to walk alongside.  “Whatever you're passionate about and gifted in, put it to use to help people.” - Kim Sorrelle  Here are three life lessons we can take away from Kim's experiences:  Develop discipline and good habits now. They're necessary for your success.  Always practice gratitude and choose love.  Let what you're passionate about be your gift to the world.    Kim has had a lot of success in her life, but she's also experienced great loss and went on her own journey to discover love. It's amazing how someone who's had as much success as she's had, and experienced as much as she has, can still be so humble and inviting. Kim truly loves people, and she now shares what she's learned about the true meaning of love as much as she can.  “Part of it is having the right mindset, that you are capable and you are worthy.” - Kim Sorrelle  So let Kim inspire and encourage you today. Listen to her story, I guarantee that you'll leave with lessons that you can apply to your life right away.  Connect with Kim Sorrelle:  Website  Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn    Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let me ask you. Are you at the place where you're unsure about your career? Maybe you're undecided? You probably have an idea of what you want. Or you might have no idea at all. How do you decide your path? How do you set goals?   Today's guest, Claudia Miller, is going to help us answer those questions. Claudia is a career coach for women in tech. She helps her clients land jobs in 90 days (or less!) that have around a 50% salary increase. She has a vast background from architecture, management, health, technology, finance, to education and marketing, which she now uses to help her clients.  Claudia learned what she knows now out of necessity. Being the first one in her family to even finish eighth grade, she knew she couldn't rely on her family to teach her what she needed to know to advance in her career. She got great grades, was on honor roll, and earned scholarships. Even in high school, she joined internships, networked, looked for mentors, and did everything she thought she had to do. She believed that if she did all these right things, the interviews, and job offers would come after college. But what exactly happened? She had one interview and one job offer.   That experience led Claudia to re-evaluate everything she thought she knew about the professional marketplace and she started asking questions. How can I hack this career advancement? How can I increase my salary? How can I get multiple job interviews and offers?    What followed was years of learning, multiple career shifts, salary increase at every job offer, and her helping professionals land their next job and put them higher on their career ladder.  “When we bring two intersections of industries that are not correlated, that's when you become the expert.” - Claudia Miller  Today, Claudia shares many practical tips for leveraging and presenting yourself, networking, learning about the industry, conducting interviews, and even how to secure  yourself in this time of evolving AI.  “Make sure you take care of your mind and your mindset because if you're not feeling confident, it will leak out to the entire job search process.” - Claudia Miller  And in the middle of this recession, layoffs, and job uncertainty, Claudia's advice is to keep a clear mind and not let any of the worries affect this job search.  If you're at this place where you need to decide about your career, remember that you can do whatever you put your mind to do as long as you're willing to put in the work and be persistent.   Connect with Claudia Miller:  Website  Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How good are you at handling change? Do you handle it well? How sure are you?  Joining us today is Elizabeth Powers, a sought-after speaker, facilitator, teacher, and consultant. She is also the CEO of EPower & Associates, Inc., which provides people development in the form of training, coaching, consulting, and events, and is the parent organization for The EPower Change Institute and The Trauma Informed Academy.  “The only time we welcome change and are excited by it is if we design the change, we execute the change, and it goes exactly as we want it to. Otherwise, we don't like it very much, because it's imposed on us, and we feel like we lose our ability to make choices.” - Elizabeth Powers  Elizabeth's mother has said that Elizabeth has “gone through more change than a chameleon going through a costume ball.” And Elizabeth agrees!  She started out as a shoe repairer at a shop that served celebrities where she started out not believing that she could do anything more. One day, a client came in, saw her, and said, “You are way too smart to be doing this. Don't let yourself get stuck here.” That was the first time she felt seen, and she kept that moment tucked in her heart for a long time. Since then, she has worked in public welfare, had (and lost) other jobs, and had to learn how to deal with the different changes in her life.  Here are the key topics Elizabeth discusses today:  Our mindsets around change  Choosing how we respond to change  Developing our emotional intelligence and that inner connection to our own feelings    “If you can't tolerate the discomfort of learning something new, or of taking in information from other people, you're going to be stuck.” - Elizabeth Powers  Today, Elizabeth spends her time helping people deal with change. She speaks to motivate others and to share her own story of hope and healing. And that's exactly what she does in this episode. Do you want to learn how to better deal with change? Listen to Elizabeth to receive her words of wisdom.  Connect with Elizabeth Powers:  Website  Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's easy to assume that getting the job you want is tied directly to the degree you earned and the specific skills you have. Yet, there is ample opportunity existing outside of your comfort zone that allows you to explore a different career path than the one you expected.  Carlene Shapiro, the Vice President of Human Resources for the WNET group, shares her 25 year experience building a career with Pfizer that gave her the opportunity to explore many departments and interests. Charlene started her education focused on being a teacher, but gave herself the space to figure out and experience what she enjoyed more along the way.  “One of the things I realized very quickly working in corporate America is that relationships were a key to success.” -Charlene Shapiro   In your career, opportunities are dependent on the connections and relationships you build over time. Charlene shares how building a rapport with people in other departments benefited her career.   Key insights Charlene shares:  Exploring a career path instead of following it  Relationship building up and down the chain to build rapport throughout  The state of HR and employers retaining employees post-Covid    The exciting news is that even with tons of opportunities, there are more opportunities to work remotely if you desire to. Employers are having a hard time making a daily commute and reason to be in office appealing for employees. When weighing options on what your next career move is, make sure that you consider lateral moves and moves that may not include more money.  “It's really important to connect to people on a personal level. You can keep that business distance, but people need to know you care about them as a human being.” -Charlene Shapiro   Connect with Charlene Shapiro  Website  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've known about the glass-ceiling for years. The difficulty you've faced to advance your professional career as a woman, or an ethnic minority wasn't your imagination. Getting into a senior position may be difficult, but it's far from impossible.  Today's guest, Jocelyn King, is an impact life coach with a senior executive background from Silicon Valley. Among numerous accolades, she's been voted a Top 10 Woman in Cybersecurity. Jocelyn coaches and inspires people to live their life better on purpose.  “I had to learn how to overcome the fears and limitations that I was primarily putting on myself.” -Jocelyn King  Jocelyn has had such an impressive career, and yet in spite of her success, she's still had to overcome the fears and limitations she placed on herself. We all have struggles both internally and externally that we have to overcome to learn how to break through the glass ceiling and become movers and shakers.  Ideas we discuss for breaking through the glass ceiling:  What it means to be movers, shakers and glass-ceiling breakers  Being in the room where decisions are made  Breaking your own limitations  Jocelyn has a very logical and direct approach to employment and climbing the corporate ladder that really resonates with me. You have to understand that there are conversations taking place with or without you. Rather than be angry and feeling victimized, take her tips and strategies to get in the room so that new roles are created for you instead.  “If you apply for a position that's already posted, it's too late.” -Jocelyn King  Connect with Jocelyn King  Website  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 The ability to work remote has opened the opportunity for you to apply to work in any state and in any country regardless of your location. Seems like the playing field should be level, but the cultural differences and expectations can make it difficult and near impossible to secure employment if you're not conscious of these differences.  Julia Kirst is a cross-cultural strategist that helps international professionals secure employment opportunities in the U.S. Julia understands that being highly qualified isn't enough without context and knowledge of cultural values.  “Having an awareness of what's normal for the other person is so important. We can only respond properly if we understand how that person is reading us” -Julia Kirst  Ideas to consider when applying outside of your country:  How to present your skills and credentials  Understanding your audience or the gatekeeper is a benefit  Interviewers are human and want to be seen and heard also    Jula released her book, What the United States Wants, to help broaden the reach of the international clients she consults with one-on-one. She considers her books to be a roadmap and guide that can be used as a resource when applying for study, work, and visa opportunities in the U.S., but this book can also be a great resource and food for thought if you are U.S. based and applying for international employment opportunities.  “I can give them the tools to understand what is expected of them and to present their skills and their credentials in a way that is respected by the gatekeeper” - Julia Kirst  Connect with Julia Kirst and sign up for her newsletter for tips and resources she shares in her bi-monthly newsletter website.    Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 If your job expected you to keep everything organized, fully stocked, clean, and running smoothly from the start of your shift to the end of your shift, you'd probably expect a pretty busy day. When you meet with your boss and they also add that they need other team members managed, conflicts resolved, clean clothes, meals prepared, and everyone's schedule accommodated, you may feel overwhelmed and exhausted quick. Later, when you realize all the work expected is paying $0.00/hour, you may actually walk and say forget it all.  The life of a homemaker involves all of this and more. It's no easy job, and yet many homemakers are taken for granted. Many homemakers are dealing with low self-worth and low self-value when looking to rejoin the workforce. “I'm JUST a homemaker” or “I only stay home with my kids.”  Today's guest, Laura Troy, is the President of the Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey. Her commitment to helping women navigate the process of going from unpaid work as homemakers to paid work is a passion that began with a personal experience very close to her.  “The sad thing is we don't put much value on the homemaker, and the child raising part of the family.” -Laura Troy  Helping individuals return to the workforce is a process that requires mental work and preparation, as well as support and encouragement. Laura shares how she's been able help these women boost their confidence and self-worth and see the value they really bring to the table:  Recovering from mental and emotional abuse of feeling undervalued  Career assessments and skill translation from being a homemaker to skilled and valued employee  Providing emotional support to individuals who've lost themselves in years of servitude    It's so easy for women in particular to feel marginalized when going through life changing events like divorce, separation, a disabled spouse or other situations. A big part of what Laura is doing is helping people see their worth after what feels like a scary traumatic experience.  “All moms are working moms, no matter what, you worked.” - Laura Troy  You can connect with The New Jersey Displaced Homemakers and Laura on their website.    Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beverly is talking with Steven Toboroff, the CEO of Woolco Foods Inc. His employment journey is like many, diverse and not what was initially planned. He found out he loved Woolco Foods, the premiere distributor for the finest restaurants, hotels, bakeries, caterers and institutions in the New York and New Jersey area. Steven shares one of the best things about the industry and his work is the opportunity to collaborate with others in the industry.   He shares how the pandemic affected the industry overall, and their business specifically. It explains that it was an incredible challenge and also said how blessed he felt to have such an amazing management team that kept things going in a difficult time.   A couple of months into the pandemic, he decided that his company would come out of that challenging time stronger. One of the things he did was participate in community outreach. Many of their clients were suffering and they decided to help.   His leadership tips:   Be a good listener   Look for opportunities to collaborate  Develop long-term relationships with clients   Tap into creativity as a method of problem solving   “Having a business, you can be as creative as you want.” - Steven Toboroff Hear how he encourages and embraces the chance to be creative in any type of business. It's a new way of looking at what's possible.   Is a career in the hospitality industry for you? Steven explains what it takes to be successful. His advice: make sure you love it. It's one of the best times (in his opinion) to be in the industry.   Best advice: look for an apprenticeship opportunity. The space allows for this and can often give you greater access in the industry.   What does Steven look for when hiring?   Initiative, willingness to learn and problem solve and a true interest in the industry. He likes to work with people who are self-driven, and he wants his employees to take ownership of their job and place in the company. He also mentioned good communication skills and an open-minded approach which fits the company culture. People with those skills do well at Woolco.   Resources:   Podcast: The Profitable Table   Woolco Foods   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does who you are mean? In the workforce, do you have a good understanding of who you are? How would your co-workers define you? Every decision you make is not a decision about what to do, it's a decision about who you are. Neale Donald Walsch If you are looking for a new job, have future ambitions in your current position, or want to make a career change, understanding who you are is step one. Being honest with yourself is key. It's hard for us to see ourselves objectively, but it's important to use self-assessments to truly understand ourselves, so that we can also understand how we show up. There are generational perceptions that may align with how you see yourself or may be unfairly pinning attributes that don't fit you personally. This is one way to begin to identify your personal brand. If you're new to the job market, just out of college, there are both positive and negative attributes that you can amplify and may need to dispel. Understanding how this impacts your job search will help you no matter your skills and education. Embrace the concept of teamwork. You don't have to be a people person, but in today's workforce almost all positions require some element of collaboration. At minimum, you will be expected to be polite and respectful of others. Be the person you would want to work with. Begin somewhere. You cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do. Liz Smith Be proactive about your personal brand. It's an essential element in managing your career. It's a vital element in how you move forward in life. It's a combination of reputation and your skills and abilities. It's how you show up. Your personal brand is what people say about you when you are no in the room. Jeff Bezos Strive to be the type of person that others want to help. View yourself as a professional and let your conduct demonstrate that to others. Establish a favorable reputation by handling yourself with integrity, treating others with respect and demonstrating a willingness to apply yourself. Hear the 7 steps you can take to build a positive personal brand. Knowing who you are and how you want to be perceived will help you no matter where you are in your career. The tips in this episode will help you self-assess and determine where you are already doing well, and where you can improve. You get to oversee how others see you when you know who you are.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having more than one interest or more than one passion isn't so unusual. In fact, most of us have multiple interests and as you go through high school and college you are coerced into choosing one path, one direction, and one career.  But why not pursue more than one career? Aside from time, money, and effort, pursuing multiple careers, especially complementary or adjacent careers, makes sense and can lead to a more fulfilling life, in spite of the challenges.  Today's guest, Dr. Michael Fenster, is better known as Chef Dr. Mike. He is a Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist, a Professor of Culinary Medicine, and a Professional Chef. Talk about mixing careers. Dr. Mike's approach and inspiration in creating multiple careers doing what he loves comes from challenging conventional wisdom and being aligned with his interests over enough time to develop career sustaining passions.  “I am a victim of two-by-four-karma, which means I'm not very bright, and I often have to get hit in the head with a two-by-four before I pick and pay attention and follow the path.” -Dr. Mike  Career nuggets from Chef Dr. Mike:  From dishwasher to executive chef  Becoming a cardiologist after earning his degree in gourmet cooking  Personal experiences that influenced his career fusion  What culinary medicine is and how seeking truth challenges conventional wisdom    Chef Dr. Mike has a unique career path, rich with experience and filled with challenges along the way of fulfilling his passion. As a bonus, Dr. Mike shares why food is medicine for the body and how to keep your physical and mental health strong with real food, exercise, and meditation.  “If you don't have 10 minutes a day for a meditation, you probably need 20.” -Dr. Mike  You can connect with Dr. Michael Fenster, a.k.a. Chef Dr. Mike, on his website.  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mental health impacts millions of people and is one of those things people can avoid dealing with their entire lives depending on the culture and part of society they were exposed to. Some cultures view seeking therapy and professional help as a sign of weakness and embarrassment.  Among black communities, mental health is only recently being openly discussed. According to NAMI.org, 63% of black people believe that mental health is a sign of weakness, which leads to shame and not having the conversations or seeking the help they need.  Over 11 million adults are estimated to have had serious suicidal thoughts (source)  More recently, there has been the normalization of mental and emotional health in the workplace. Though Covid took us through one of the worst periods in modern global history, it was also part of the change in mental health conversations between employers and employees.  Today's episode is dedicated to a dear friend, Dansby White. Like many people lost to suicide, his sudden and unexpected departure serves as a wake-up call for all of us to check in with our friends, family, and loved ones, especially the ones that appear to be fine.  Beverly is giving you 8 tips to maintain mental and emotional health during your job search. The tips being shared are from Chapter 1 of Your GPS to Employment Success, Prepare, Plan, Persist, Persevere.  “When the world says give up, hope whispers try it one more time.” -Unknown  Resources Mentioned in this Episode:  From Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story  The National Alliance on Mental Illness    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration  Thrive Global  The Holistic Root to Managing Anxiety  The Resiliency Advantage: Master Change: Thrive Under Pressure, and Bounce Back from Setbacks    Remember to check-in on the people you care about, and make sure you have someone to talk to when you're not feeling your best.  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At different stages of your career, you begin to formulate different expectations from your employer. With time and experience in different industries and different work environments, you start to assess what you can tolerate from management and co-workers, and what you're not willing to tolerate as well.  75% of employees quit their boss, not their job (source)  Victoria Dew does not consider herself to be a great employee, but has created her business, Dewpoint Communications to help employers create better employee experiences that contribute to both a better life for their employees, and higher productivity for the business.  Have you ever worked for an employer that's not supportive or invested in your growth? How has microaggressions and toxicity in the workplace affected your stress levels and productivity? Victoria reveals several ways she's making sure employers see the benefit of improving their internal communication and employee experiences.  “When employees are [...] better able to do their jobs, that's better for business.” -Victoria Dew  Victoria's employment experience insights and findings shared in this episode:  Why a people-powered employee centric business is good business sense  Opportunities that exist in this shifting employee market  Employee expectations include being happy and satisfied with meaningful work  Which skills are worth pursuing in a tech focused future of innovative solutions  What people and businesses can expect returning to the office after Covid    The employer-employee relationship doesn't have to be strained with mistrust and poor communication. No relationship can thrive in those circumstances. Employers that invest in services such as the service Victoria's company provides, speaks volumes to whether you will find value working together. As Victoria points out, it is an employee's employment market, and there are ways to leverage the shift and create better relationships and opportunities in your career.  Connect with Victoria Dew:  LinkedIn  Website (download The New Rules of Employee Experience and Communications in 2022)    Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many times in your career have you heard; your network is your net worth? If you're like the average person, we don't always prioritize or value networking in our respective industries. In fact, you may cringe and shudder at the thought of going to a networking event.  For Robert T. Syzba, networking comes easier when the focus is on meeting people and making connections. This perspective has helped Robert pivot from his earlier career in the entertainment industry to become a partner at Seyfarth Shaw overseeing Labor & Employment.  “The biggest problem with networking is the fact that it sounds so scary, and the fact that people make it out to be a lot more than that is interesting” -Robert T. Syzba  Robert's Reasons and Tips for Networking Discussed:  When you don't network, there is a void in your professional development  Focus on meeting people, making connections, and making new friends  It's not always a direct benefit, but it is an opportunity to build your reputation  Tips for introverted people to find other ways to network without social pressure  Networking requires you to extend yourself, no way around it.    Robert was recently selected to the 2022 edition of the Best Lawyers in America. He shares about the surprising turn of events that lead him away from music and performance to a closely connected legal career.  Connect with Robert T. Syzba:  Linkedin  Website    Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams' book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How you show up and present yourself in a meeting, at a workplace or corporate event matters. The problem is, often we don't see the issue with some of the habits we have in casual environments, and we bring that into a setting that can be detrimental to our career success and growth.  Doris Young Boyer is a Global Protocol and Etiquette Expert who helps us through awkwardly embarrassing moments. Doris is sharing what etiquette is and why it still matters, no matter what level of your career.  “This is the big deal with etiquette. That your manners, your behavior, your presence is always under examination, and people deny you things based on how you present yourself.” -Doris Young Boyer  What you should know about etiquette and your career:  Etiquette is about the look you want to convey to others  Confidence, practicality, and reducing conflict are 3 major effects of etiquette  Etiquette includes what you do, where you do it, and how    Beverly and Doris break down a few scenarios where poor etiquette was observed, and how it impacted the perception of the person in violation. Doris explains how proper etiquette helps strengthen relationships and achieve greater success.  Books Mentioned in this Episode:  How to be a Gentleman   How to be a Lady  Connect with Doris Young Boyer:  Linkedin  Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams' book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the workplace evolves and takes on different shapes as people relocate to working from home environments, and as politics continue to find its way into nearly every corporation, ethics is more important than ever before.  Employers have their code of ethics, and many professions have a standard code of ethics that people should be familiar with to keep out of trouble. Beverly thinks of ethics as referring to standards of what's right and wrong. It's important to know your company's' ethics so that you stay in compliance.  Debbie Peterson has experienced multiple careers intensely focused and anchored to ethics. As the first and only female elected mayor of Grover Beach, California and a real estate broker with Peterson Team Realty, Debbie shares the basic rules that have helped her navigate a corrupted political system.  “I want to show people how to be vigilant.” - Debbie Peterson  Some key topics Debbie exposes about ethics:  What to do if you're ever in doubt if something is ethical  Why word choice is key to calling out unethical behavior  What guard rails for proper business conduct includes  How to address ethical concerns without jumping to whistleblower  Debbie literally wrote a book exposing the corruption that she uncovered in her political office. She and Beverly share two noteworthy rules of thumb:  If in doubt, just don't  If it doesn't pass the smell test, there's a problem  As you observe your current work environment or explore new opportunities, putting company ethics onto your radar may save you from unnecessary trouble and involvement. Not knowing your company's ethical standards isn't an excuse for not speaking up and allowing things to continue.  Debbie Peterson's upcoming book: The Happiest Corruption: Sleaze, Lies, and Suicide in a California Beach Town.  Connect with Debbie Peterson:  Linkedin    Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In your personal life, being ethical may not be a conscious thought or an idea you have to think about too hard. You know right from wrong and as a good citizen, you abide by the rules of the society we live in. In the workplace, however, ethics may sound like a different conversation and isn't always black or white.  In a 2015 survey, it was stated that 84% of upper and mid-level management polled considered their staff to be inconsiderate and rude, while 65% believed their staff lacked a moral compass. The question becomes, is this an ethical issue or a problem with etiquette. Furthermore, is this the kind of work environment you currently work in, or would you choose to move into a work environment like this?  In this episode, Beverly is pointing out the hotspots you need to be aware of around ethics and etiquette. More importantly, this episode can serve as a guide and compass for you in your employment journey as you navigate murky waters with your current employer, or do your research for an employment opportunity you are considering in the future.  “It's up to you to do the work necessary to determine whether or not the employers that you're considering seeking employment from are reputable people of integrity, so you don't have any ethical, unethical experiences.” Beverly Williams  Key points covered:  Actions don't have to be illegal to be unethical  Red flags may include communication, wages, and hours   What to do if you suspect unethical activity in the workplace  Old fashion manners and decent behavior is still “in”  Etiquette applies to text, emails, and verbal communication    When it comes to being ethical and demonstrating proper etiquette, the important thing to remember is to always put your best foot forward, and conduct yourself honestly and with integrity. Your reputation matters and so does your personal brand.    If you received value from this episode, please share and consider leaving a review of this podcast. It is greatly appreciated!  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you consider living through a global pandemic that rendered businesses and entire economies helpless, and you consider the number of people that are one paycheck away from being homeless, you have to ask yourself how do people sleep at night knowing they are relying on one income to survive?  Technology is changing the landscape of the workforce. Jobs are becoming obsolete, and as technology advances and infiltrates our day to day lives, changing our habits and needs, entire industries are being jeopardized. More reasons exist today than ever before for why having multiple incomes streams isn't a luxury, but a necessity.  Michele Banister, a.k.a. Michele Sfakianos, is the ideal example of what having multiple income streams can be. She is a registered nurse, a certified coach, a speaker, an educator, a trainer, and a radio host with professional writing services.  “There's plenty of resources out there that can point you in the right direction. So the only person that can take responsibility for moving is yourself.” -Michele Banister  Key ideas from Michele:  Unlikely educational path  Juggling multiple jobs with kids at home  How to reinvent yourself  How to quit the right way    After hearing this episode, you should be ready to plan out potential income streams beyond where you are at the moment. Think vertically and horizontally and consider what adjacent industries and skills you can put to work, or skills you can develop. Starting with one additional income stream will help build your confidence.  Connect with Michele Banister:  Website  The 411 of Reinventing You   Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of unions and labor management, it's easy to default to factories in the industrial age of unfair wages and poor work conditions for those employees. Are unions still relevant today or are they slowly disappearing?  Beverly recently had the opportunity to contribute to Authority Magazine to discuss the top trends in connection with the future of employment. One of those trends was the resurgence of unionism.  Arnold Shep Cohen joins Beverly to unpack some of the underlying pros and cons of joining a union. Arnold is a fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and an adjunct professor at Rutgers School of Law in New York. He is also a partner at Oxfeld Cohen, P.C. where he is still practicing law.   “Where there is a union, there's usually a better-operated facility than when there's no union.” -Arnold Shep Cohen  Beverly and Arnold dive into several areas where labor-management is strained:  Education  Healthcare  Lack of trust between employers and employees  How unions need to reinvent themselves    From this episode, you'll be able to assess whether joining a union is the right move for you, and to make sure you're aware of the obstacles, the benefits, and whether being part of a union is better than not for your particular industry.  Connect with Arnold Shep Cohen:  Website    Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Great Resignation has been receiving a lot of attention from the media over the past few months. Employers are scrambling and creating new incentives and packages to retain quality employees. Yet there are still employees who are on the fence and considering what their next move should be. Should they join the rest and leave their employer, or stay and make the best of the situation? Mitch Case's journey from employee to entrepreneur may hold the key to what some of you may need to hear. Mitch transitioned from full-time mechanical engineer to entrepreneur, but it was not a brash decision. Initially, his company, More Than a Meal, was in the passion hobby. “I decided to walk away from my engineering career, and go full time into our business “More Than a Meal” to say that I can look back in 20 years and say, ‘even if I fall flat on my face, [...] I went into something that I believed in', and I had the right things in place” -Mitch Case Mitch started a personal growth journey and began to sort through and recognize what he valued, what brought him joy, filled him with purpose, and gave him meaning. Mitch's 3 tips for anyone transitioning to entrepreneurship: Don't allow money to be your motivator Have a plan in place for how you will transition and grow Talk to as many people as you can who have already transitioned   More Than a Meal started from a pain point Mitch and his wife experienced after the birth of their first child. That was the starting point of finding something that held much more value for Mitch than the monotony of his full-time engineering career. “There's no better way to show appreciation than meeting somebody where they are at.” -Mitch Case One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is seeing first-hand what can be created when your passions begin to align with your values in a way that serves others. Mitch's story is filled with opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with value through and through. You can download the 11 Steps Customer Marketing Strategy he mentioned in this episode here. Connect with Mitch Case: Website Linkedin Email   Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.   Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hopefully, you have begun to pursue a career that you are passionate about. If you are one of the lucky ones, it's necessary to balance pursuing your passion while holding down a 9-5 job. Regardless of what anyone says, job security matters. Kristen J. Eddy is a full-time employee by day and a thriving TV production and talent management freelancer by night, so to speak. She joins Beverly to share her employment journey and reveals how she is navigating the best of both worlds. “My growth, my evolution of accepting things as they are and relaxing involves watching things fall into place accordingly, and just knowing that things are going to work out as they should….” -Kristen J. Eddy Kristen's employment journey involves working on TV production and with talented comedians in the entertainment industry. She candidly shares what it's like to be torn between wanting the security of a regular job and coming alive in pursuit of her creativity as a TV production freelancer. Key Areas Discussed: Defining unconventional networking Recognizing opportunities and missed opportunities  Being respected and commanding respect from your employer and clients  “The most expensive mistake is a missed opportunity.” -Beverly Williams quoting H. Jackson Brown, Jr.  Having the confidence to act on opportunities and the skill to handle opportunities you may not be prepared to act on immediately can make or break a career. These ladies share how opportunities have led to painful disappointments in some cases.   As you proceed on your employment journey, remember that working a 9-5 does not mean that you need to live a life devoid of passion and fulfillment. Often people make excuses and create obstacles and roadblocks for why they are not pursuing their dreams. Kristen's journey is evidence of what it means to pursue your passion while appreciating the job security you've come to rely on. The right small steps will get you moving in the right direction. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Please check out Beverly Williams' book: Your GPS to Employment Success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you have a bachelor's degree, master's, or no degree at all, it is important to remember that formal education does not define success or your ability to obtain success. In fact, it is well documented that a college degree is not required to be successful. Salimah Williams is joining Beverly to share her interesting educational journey and career planning in real time. Like so many others, what Salimah started off dreaming about has not become the passion she pursues today. “Success means different things to different people. I encourage you to define success.” -Beverly Williams As Beverly is a strong advocate for charting your career path, she encourages you to take the time to define what success means to you given your personal preferences and experiences. In this episode, Salimah shares her journey from fashion designer, to pursuing a career in nursing, and to applying for a master's program in public health. Key Areas of Focus: ●    Network within your professional field early. ●    Select your role models carefully. ●    Create a professional portfolio (even while in school) ●    Develop a career plan with room for unplanned opportunities.   “You don't want to be completely dialed in to the exclusion of an opportunity that may present itself, one that can catapult you to where you want to go more quickly” -Beverly Williams This episode is packed with prime examples of two widely different educational journeys. Both Beverly and Salimah share their ups and downs, likes, and dislikes, and experiences applying for educational programs and opportunities. Charting your employment journey may not be easy. It helps however to have a career plan that includes steps to take along the way. Hopefully, taking these steps will serve you well. A key lesson to remember is that “opportunity does not always present itself in a recognizable way.” You have to be vigilant in your pursuit and open to exploring new possibilities as they arise. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Please check out Beverly Williams' book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reportedly, there are more than 31 million entrepreneurs in the United States. Entrepreneurship is often thought to be exciting and glamorous, but what does it really take to become a successful entrepreneur?  Beverly shares the Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition that an entrepreneur is “a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses taking on greater than normal financial risks.” Minimizing risks and creating something from nothing is almost entrepreneurship 101. Shawn Khorrami joins Beverly to share his unique path into entrepreneurship. If you are considering entrepreneurship, they discuss factors that may be useful: The example set for Shawn by his father's business endeavors. College education and the role it plays in entrepreneurship. A few characteristics and personality traits of a successful entrepreneur. The complexities of managing employee-employer relationships. Each entrepreneurial journey will be different.  Everyone has a unique path to success and unique experiences and opportunities that shape who they become and how they approach their business endeavors. Shawn is mindful that, “how you're perceived is just as important as how you are.” His lessons and experiences are rich and offer guidance on how you can begin your journey. “How you're perceived is just as important as how you are.” Shawn Khorrami, Entrepreneur Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Please check out Beverly Williams' book: Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some people knew from a very early age the career path and dream job for them. Beverly knew early on that she aspired to be an attorney and she pursued that dream until it became a reality. Others feel their way through life searching for the right path, and that's okay too.  Sergeant Walter Greene served in the Marine Corps for over 20 years but had to find his way through his military career after believing professional baseball was the dream job he would pursue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the US, November is the month when we pay special tribute to veterans. On this episode, U.S. Army Veteran Earl L. Jones is joining to discuss ways to become the most valuable asset to your employer. Earl's career journey has taken him from sales-oriented banking in a grocery store to working in a branch as a personal banker. Currently, he runs his own insurance agency.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's climate, it's difficult to find reliable resources on training in fields that lead to employment. Beverly has a chat with guest Dominic Vogel, a cybersecurity expert, to dispel myths about the cybersecurity industry, how to acquire skills in this field, and who is capable of becoming a part of this industry.   Dominic began his cybersecurity career in corporate and later joined the entrepreneurial world with his own company Cyber SC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you are riding the Great Resignation wave or thinking about making a career change, it is so crucial that you make a well-informed decision. Alicia Jacobs, who started as a career development consultant before moving into learning and organizational development, is joining in on this episode to share her expertise and offer a consultant's view.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent Washington Post poll, 1 in 5 Americans in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia regions have considered changing careers and are seriously assessing whether or not to make a professional change. Ximena Yanez Soto, made a major shift in her 20-year career as the CFO for a major environmental fund to healing a chronic health condition that later become the awakening she needed to move into becoming a health coach in a way that has been rewarding as a career and a service to humanity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An article recently published in the Washington Post is gaining national attention, The Great Resignation, by Eli Rosenberg. The article highlights that more than 4 million people quit their jobs in August alone. What people are quitting their jobs to do varies across the board. Some are changing careers, others are sitting it out and acquiring new skills while they explore other areas.  You may be one of the millions of Americans who decided to resign, or you may be on the cusp and carefully considering the option. Whichever team you fall into, there are some critical factors to carefully consider as you navigate these unprecedented times.  Highlighted Topics Covered:  4 Steps to Make the Best Decision  3 Plans You Should Have in Place  The Value of Networking (and tips to make it memorable)  What S.O.A.R Is and Why It Matters.  4 Steps to Make the Best Decision  When it comes to deciding whether staying with your current employer is best or if you should join the millions of Americans that are resigning as of late, here are 4 steps to help you make the best decision possible.  Access your personal situation. Do you have something else lined up already? Doing a free online assessment can be helpful and insightful. Here is a free career interest assessment you can do now. Access your finances honestly. Where are you financially and can you handle the strain of maintaining while you explore other opportunities? Stay positive while you make this transition and apply for jobs. Rejections and delayed responses, or lack thereof, are not to be taken personally. S.O.A.R.  What is S.O.A.R?  S - Sharing with others and seeking information not affirmations  O - Operating with integrity and being open-minded  A - Acquire knowledge wherever it comes from and assume responsibility for your career  R - Respect the rights of others and remember people important to you  3 Plans You Should Have in Place  Beverly goes into detail unpacking why each of having these 3 plans in place matters, and why taking the time to carefully consider each will be of the greatest advantage to your next career move.   Career plan to chart your path on your employment journey  Strategic plan to help with handling missteps  Transition plan to know when and how to stay or leave  Networking  You've probably heard someone mention at least once that your network determines your net worth. You may have also heard it said that you are the average of the five people and ideas you most closely associate with. There is validity to both. Beverly also believes that networking is the GPS to employment success.  Relationships are extremely important, and who you know in your network is likely your very best option in transitioning into your next career.   When it comes to your personal branding it's important to understand that how you communicate, your appearance, and your approach matters, and not just in real life. While we began transitioning more heavily into an online, digital world since the pandemic started, it's gravely important to be mindful of your digital footprint. What are people seeing on your social channels? Are you posting content that wouldn't be safe with younger eyes around? Was the picture from that party or girls' night out potentially a deal-breaker for a future employer?  Beverly's Tips to Master Your Presence & Networking Skills  Master social graces and proper etiquette  Develop a marketing pitch that naturally comes out  Be mindful of the impression you leave people with  Networking is a daily activity  Never look for one-sided exchanges, give value as well  Employment is about working. Careers are often skill-centered, but it is important to remember people are at the center of every industry and every encounter and opportunity.   If you are part of the “Great Resignation” or considering it, make sure you are nurturing relationships and always be ready for opportunities when they arise.  “Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity. Don't miss the opportunity that may be presented [...] Don't say no, it may be your golden opportunity that changes the trajectory of your life.”   -Beverly Williams