Inspire to Excel | Career Services for Women

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which holds special meaning as I celebrate my 49th birthday and breast cancer survivorship. As a gift to myself, I ordered this ???? mug with my company's logo. Quite fitting, because my cup truly overflows - with gratitude for my health, another year of life, and the opportunity to grow my social enterprise, Inspire to Excel | Career Services for Women. Each day, I'm honored to help mid-career women achieve authentic success, just as I've been blessed to do. I learned many lessons throughout my cancer journey. Chief among them is the importance of holistic well-being, which starts by filling my own cup first thing each day. Now, as I guide women towards authentic success, I'm not just advancing careers; I'm empowering them to fill their cups with meaningful work and personal fulfillment. My top cup-fillers: ?? Morning walks and yoga. ?? Prayer time and devotional. ?? And, of course, coffee in my favorite new mug. On this ??Wellness Wednesday??, I encourage you to reflect on what fills your cup. Remember, personal fulfillment and professional success are deeply intertwined - when we nurture our well-being, we unlock our full potential in all areas of life. How will you nurture your wellbeing today? #WellnessWednesday #BreastCancerAwareness #GratitudeOverflows #CareerEmpowerment

Earlier this month, I shared that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer, with nearly two-thirds of diagnoses in the prime of their careers. I was one of them. And perhaps, your friend or co-worker is too. It can be challenging to know how to support those who face this disease. I'd like to share my experience in hopes that it might help. When I was diagnosed, I had just begun my teaching career. It was very hard - mentally and emotionally - to put teaching on hold as I underwent treatment, and I grappled with whom to tell and how much to share. Looking back, I'm sure it was challenging for my friends and colleagues too. Sometimes, I cherished support—like when my two dear friends, Yaerin and Rosa, accompanied me to chemo ????. Other times, I preferred going alone to process my thoughts. From this experience, I learned that support comes in many forms; there's no "one" or "right" way to help. The key is respecting the needs of those we care about, which can vary day to day. On this ??Wellness Wednesday??, let's share ways to offer support to our friends or co-workers who are facing breast cancer. My top 3: 1. ?? Foster understanding by educating yourself about the challenges of cancer treatment. 2. ?? Offer flexibility and practical support, like helping with workload or organizing meals. 3. ?? Respect privacy—let them share information if and when they choose. What advice would you add? #BreastCancerAwareness #WorkplaceSupport #CompassionateColleagues

Did you know that nearly two-thirds of breast cancer diagnoses occur in the prime of women’s careers? It’s true. The American Cancer Society reports that more than 60% of breast cancer diagnoses are detected in women under age 65. This sobering statistic highlights a critical issue that doesn't get enough attention: the unique challenges working women face when battling breast cancer, including: ?? Career disruption: 30% of survivors report a negative impact on their employment, due to treatment schedules that conflict with work commitments. ?? Financial strain: Out-of-pocket costs average $1,100 per month during treatment, stretching or breaking patients’ budgets. ??Physical and emotional toll: Balancing work with treatment can be exhausting, leading 20-30% to leave the workforce. These numbers represent real women – our sisters, colleagues, and friends – who are silently struggling to balance their health, careers, and finances. But they don't have to face these challenges alone. Last week, I shared that 8 of my career-coach-colleagues and I are supporting Tigerlily Foundation, a national organization that provides education, awareness, advocacy, and support to young women before, during, and after cancer. Together, we're providing free career coaching sessions to the org’s ANGEL Advocates: breast cancer patients and survivors who may experience career challenges due to the disease. But that’s not all: During October, I’m also committed to raising $500+ for patient support. So far, my LinkedIn community and I have contributed $350+!! Will you help raise the rest? On this ??Wellness Wednesday??, let’s work together to increase awareness and support for women impacted by breast cancer. Here’s how you can help: ???? Click here to donate: https://lnkd.in/gEnXnfGM. ???? Spread the word. Share this post to reach women who may need Tigerlily’s support. ???? Stay tuned. Each Wednesday in October, I’ll be raising awareness for important breast cancer related issues, including workplace rights, community support, and more. Together, let's make a tangible difference in the fight against breast cancer. ?? #BreastCancerAwareness #WellnessWednesday #CareerSupport #TigerlilyFoundation

1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. At 42 years young, I was one of them. That’s me below, while grappling with chemotherapy and an uncertain future. Breast cancer can unleash a whirlwind of uncertainty, both personally and professionally. Through faith and the help of MANY, I survived and - thankfully - thrived! Now, I’m calling on that same power of collaboration to help other women to do the same. Throughout October, I'm partnering with 8 EXTRAORDINARY career coaches to support Tigerlily Foundation. This national organization provides education, awareness, advocacy, and support to young women before, during, and after cancer. Together, we're providing free career coaching sessions to the org’s ANGEL Advocates: breast cancer patients and survivors who may experience career challenges due to the disease. But that’s not all. I’m also committed to raising $500+ for patient support. I’ll cover the first half. Will you help me raise the rest? On this ??Wellness Wednesday??, let’s work together to increase awareness and support for women impacted by breast cancer. Here’s how you can help: ???? Click here to donate: https://lnkd.in/gEnXnfGM. ???? Spread the word. Share this post to reach women who may need Tigerlily’s support. ???? Stay tuned. Each Wednesday in October, I’ll be raising awareness for important breast cancer related issues, including workplace rights, community support, and more. A BIG THANK YOU to all for making this opportunity possible: Tigerlily’s leadership: Maimah Karmo, Linda B., Amanda Espenschied-Reilly, Belinda Paulicin, DSW,LCSW-QS, OSW-C, Sue Steele. Participating career coaches: Kaila K., Olivia Johnson, Elo?se Eonnet, Cassie Spencer, Kristine Knutter, CEIP ???? , Lavelle Hall, Lisa Ross-Hain, Chanier McDonald. And to you, for your support. Together, let's make a tangible difference in the fight against breast cancer. ?? #BreastCancerAwareness #CareerSupport #TigerlilyFoundation

We all make mistakes, at work and in life. A true sign of maturity - and leadership - is owning up to our errors. No blame. No excuses. No deflecting. On this ??Wellness Wednesday??, I encourage you to learn from your mistakes, and commit to continuous improvement. Let's get growing! ??

?? Fact: If you want something new, you have to do something new. Seems so easy, but we don't because... ?? We have always done it another way ?? We are afraid of change ?? We simply don’t know how Sound familiar? Yep, for me too! ???? A year ago, I fretted over what this new "A.I. thing" was all about. Then, a friend introduced me to a few tools, and now my work is WAY more efficient as a result. So when I learned some game-changing A.I. tips for job seekers from an Indeed webinar, I HAD to pay it forward by sharing techniques that can give you a significant edge in: ?? Evaluating how well your resume aligns with your target role ?? Personalizing your cover letter ?? Preparing for job interviews On this ??Wellness Wednesday??, I encourage you to embrace change and learn new skills. A.I. is here to stay, and those who use it have a competitive advantage in the job search over those who don't. Ready to learn how? Watch this ???? video to learn 3 ways that A.I. can significantly aid your job search. And if you want to dive deeper, here's the full webinar: https://lnkd.in/ezpAx_TQ Put these tips into practice and you'll start to see results. Let's get growing! ?? #CareerGrowth #AISkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #WomenInTech

Hey ladies! ???? Is it just me, or is Fall in the air!? ?? I used to dread the end of summer, as temps drop and leaves go from green to brown. But then I realized, what I really dreaded was change. With age, I've gained a new perspective, and now see change as an opportunity to start fresh in a new season. Perhaps you've been thinking about a change… in your life or your career… but you're not sure what you want or how to get it. Or maybe, you think you're too old. On this ??Wellness Wednesday??, I encourage you to remember, you're NEVER too old to make positive changes in your life! You CAN walk into your next season with confidence and power. Not sure how? Check out this ???? BRAND NEW article ???? by my friend and career-coach colleague Kaila K. for InHerSight. In "These 5 Women Changed Careers After 30," Andrea Hesler, Rachel Zorn Kindermann, Kate Ertmann, Erin McClary and I share how we did it. And you can too. Key take-aways: ?? Embrace change at any age: Career transitions are achievable. Don't let age hold you back. ?? Learn from others' journeys: Seek inspiration from women who've successfully changed careers. Their experiences offer valuable insights. ?? Plan, prepare, and persist: Reflect on your goals, create an action plan, and stay committed. Remember, growth often happens outside your comfort zone. Put these tips into practice and you'll start to see results. Let's get growing! ??

When I was younger, people told me I could be "the next Oprah." I regarded that as a huge compliment... for obvious reasons. But as I've matured into a woman, overcome challenges, and discovered my calling, I am grateful to simply be me. On this ??Wellness Wednesday??, I wish the same for you. ?? No regrets ?? No comparisons ?? No apologies Just you, growing and maturing into who you were created to be. Doing what you're called to do. Put this tip into practice and you'll start to see results. Let's get growing. ??

Hey ladies! ???? Happy Labor Day! This is a day to pause, reflect, and ?? CELEBRATE ?? all that you've accomplished, as you prepare to walk into the next season. You got this! Let's KEEP growing! ??

Hey ladies! ???? Friendly reminder on this ??Wellness Wednesday??: Success is a journey, not a destination. For professional women, it's crucial to remember: ?? Consistency outweighs speed. Small daily efforts compound over time. ?? Your path is unique. Don't measure yourself against others. Run your own race! ?? Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities. Resilience is key. ?? Celebrate incremental progress. Every step forward counts. Let's define ?? true success ?? by our own growth and fulfillment. Keep pushing forward, one day at a time. Your future self will thank you. ?? Put these tips into practice and you'll start to see results. Let's get growing! ?? #WomenInBusiness #ProfessionalGrowth #Persistence