The first five years of your career are an exciting time of exploration and growth. But they also set the stage for your future. The skills and connections you develop have more power than you think to impact your long-term success.
So how can you make the most of these formative years? We sourced advice from the best—29 women who have found success in their respective industries. From mastering the art of saying no to creating visibility for yourself and getting used to rejection, these insights show how you can take charge of your career and pave the way for your own success.
Whether you’re a fresh graduate or pivoting to a new career, we hope these tips will help you thrive and shine in the early stages of business.
Jia Rizvi, Documentary Filmmaker at Amina Fire Productions, pursuing mission-driven stories, with a focus on wrongful convictions and the shortcomings of the American Criminal Justice system.
“Jump right in and don’t hesitate. Nobody truly knows what they are doing. Once you wrap your mind around that concept, you will free yourself from imposter syndrome and flourish. Everyone is learning as they go. You should do that, too.”
Emma Tessler, Founder and CEO of Ninety Five Media, an organization that works with scaling brands that want to grow their online presence and monetize their audience.
“Get used to rejection. I believe it’s the people who can hear no and have their offer, sale, or product rejected time and time again who will succeed in the end. They so deeply believe in what they are selling or pitching that they just keep going. One yes can change everything.”
Virginia Carnesale, Founder and CEO of Stage, a shopping destination, resource, and community powered by breast cancer survivors to empower patients and supporters.
“Take advantage of the career services at your school to get your resume into tip-top shape. Then tap into your alumni network by reaching out to former graduates working in industries or at companies you admire. Don’t be afraid to reach out, introduce yourself, and ask them if they’d be willing to have an informational interview with you. Don’t ask them outright for a job—just have the conversation. If it goes well, chances are they will offer to help you in some way.”
Catharine Montgomery, Founder and CEO of Better Together, galvanizing positive change for purpose-driven organizations through creative strategies, messaging, and branding.
“Pay close attention to the positives and negatives in your early career experiences. Keep a detailed journal of what works and what doesn’t. Use those insights to shape your career path. As you move forward, prioritize finding roles and organizations that align with your values and lessons learned. This practice will guide you in making informed decisions and identifying a fulfilling career.”
Ashley Chang, Co-Founder and CEO of Sundays, an executive assistant service to accelerate parents in their careers while creating more quality time with family.
“The fastest way to grow at a company is to create visibility for yourself. You need people to say your name in rooms you are not in. Identify business problems, solve those problems, and then tell people that you solved them. The people who share their successes are the ones who get rewarded.”
Monica M. Rivera, Personal Brand and Communications Strategist at YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!, empowering experienced professionals through public speaking, storytelling and strategic marketing.
“Tell people what you do and tell them often. The power of visibility and clearly communicating your value, as well as confidently marketing yourself, is crucial to staying top of mind for opportunities. Become your own greatest advocate!”
Caley Adams, Founder of Wildes District, an NYC-based design studio that specializes in luxury and e-commerce brands in the fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and health and wellness sectors.
“For graphic designers, working at an agency instead of in-house is a great way to build your client list and portfolio quickly in the earlier years. Design agencies are fast-paced and have multiple projects going on at any given time. Therefore, you will be able to showcase many projects pretty quickly. When looking for an agency to work for, be sure to choose one that has clients who appeal to you. The work you put in your portfolio early on will dictate which type of work you specialize in later.”
Nichole Pitts, Founder and CEO of Ethintegrity, a consultancy that transforms complex DEI and ethics challenges into sustainable, culture-driven business solutions.
“Build your personal brand from day one and be a sponge for knowledge and experiences. Be intentional about how you present yourself, both online and offline. Curate your social media presence, network strategically, and consistently showcase your skills and values. Be open to taking on new projects or tasks that will increase your subject matter knowledge. This proactive approach can set you apart and open doors that might otherwise remain closed.”
Saundra Marcel, Designer and Brand Author of Design Minded, a boutique brand studio.
“Hitch yourself to someone you admire and be a sponge for how they do things. Pay attention to how they treat people and how they navigate challenges. You can learn a lot by watching.”
Lindsay Gonzalez, Founder of Swim, a fractional COO service business leading early-stage companies through growth stages and beyond.
“The answer is always no, until you ask. In business, opportunities are all around us. More often than not, those opportunities go to the person who raises their hand for consideration. I see a lot of employees who are young in their careers grow frustrated by stagnation or feel overseen. Asking a manager or business leader for growth opportunities is the best way to put yourself on their radar. Once someone knows you’re hungry, they’ll become eager to feed you!”
Ari Krzyzek, CEO of Chykalophia, specializing in forward-thinking, women-led brands in B2B tech to deliver transformative digital experiences, bringing impactful ideas to life.
“Say yes to everything early on to explore and learn. Once you progress, master the art of saying no to almost everything. Specialization isn’t just about focus; it’s about building unshakeable confidence.”
Allison LaGuardia, Owner of ALL Media, a woman-owned media strategy, buying, and planning agency for small and midsize brands.
“Don’t just join an industry; study its blind spots. The most innovative breakthroughs often come from addressing needs that established players have overlooked or underestimated. Embracing the underdog perspective can give you an incredible edge.”
Deirdre Purdy, Co-Founder of Purdy Marketing Co, delivering bespoke marketing solutions for tech-forward businesses.
“The phrase ‘you are the company you keep’ translates to business as well—especially in the early years. Surround yourself with successful and inspirational people and take note of their behaviors. What are some things they do that you can emulate in your own career? What do they do differently from leaders who haven’t earned your respect for one reason or another?”
Leah Jacobson, Founder and CEO of LJ Public Relations, a boutique lifestyle PR firm with teams in NYC and LA.
“I am an entrepreneur at heart. However, the best thing I ever did was to work in corporate for companies I loved and admired to learn how things are done and be taught by the best. I would not be where I am today without that experience. I highly recommend spending time learning, getting to know yourself, building your expertise, and getting inspired before embarking on starting your first company!”
Ronit Menashe, Co-Founder of WeNatal, transforming the fertility space with the first prenatal supplement optimized for her and him.
“Relationships matter. All of them. As you begin your career, build relationships with anybody and everybody. You never know who might prove invaluable to your career trajectory—even in ways you may not expect.”
Sydney de Arenas Sherman, Founder and CEO of The Etho, an online marketplace making sustainable living easy.
“Staying motivated is crucial. Write down annual goals and review them quarterly to track progress. Also, listen to your body. If you feel really tired, you might not be that happy or aligned with what you are doing.”
Marissa Pick, Founder of Marissa Pick Consulting LLC, providing consulting services that focus on digital transformation, content marketing, social media strategy, and personal branding.
“As you embark on a new role, consider what you can bring to the table. Being new to the field means you have a fresh perspective, untainted by past experiences. Embrace your innocence, energy, enthusiasm, and hope.”
Natalie Eagling, President of Hey Mr Media, a hand-crafted social media and video agency for growth-driven brands in Denver and beyond.
“When you’re starting out, be a yes person. In my early career, I chose to work instead of heading down the traditional college education path. Knowing this put me at a significant disadvantage, I decided to be a yes person. Any opportunity that came my way—new projects, learning opportunities, tasks outside my comfort zone—I said yes to. This not only helped me develop a tolerance for being uncomfortable, but it also opened doors to amazing opportunities. Being a yes woman early on was a game-changer for my professional growth.”
Sarah Loughry, Founder and CEO of Em Dash Content Studio, a boutique team of expert writers and strategists that enable their clients to show up on page one of search engines.
“Keep looking for other jobs, take side gigs when you can, and diversify your skill set and portfolio. I loved my corporate job until I didn’t. When I left, I had experience in one specific niche and it was difficult to get out. Keeping your options open also gives you perspective on how different teams work.”
Taryn Talley, Head of Marketing at Position2, a growth marketing agency committed to helping companies thrive by delivering best-in-class digital marketing and creative design.
“Be open to possibilities. Sometimes we start out with a plan and a goal. But the path isn’t always a straight line.”
Stephanie Skryzowski, Founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting, providing CFO and bookkeeping services to nonprofits around the globe.
“Spend time building genuine connections with people, regardless of what they can do for you. Whether it’s people ahead of you in your field, your peers and colleagues, or leaders in other fields, there is something to learn from everyone. Make the extra effort to stay in touch and be helpful to them when you can!”
Ashley Graham, Founder of The Conscious Publicist, an award-winning PR and thought leadership firm committed to elevating the visibility of conscious, socially impactful leaders.
“Actively seek out and embrace failure, especially early in your career. Each failure is a rich learning experience that helps you grow and develop deeper resilience. Rather than avoiding failure, use it as an opportunity to stretch your limits and innovate your experiences. This mindset not only accelerates personal growth but also sets you apart as someone who isn’t afraid to push boundaries and learn from every experience.”
Lucy Bedewi, Founder of My Write Hand Woman, a copywriting and messaging studio for bold women-owned businesses.
“Don’t be afraid of getting fired. Get comfortable with making your bold ideas known to the company. Either you’ll be seen as a leader when it comes to promotion time, or you’ll realize you’re not in the right role.”
Lauren Loreto, Owner of Brand Good Time, a content marketing and web development agency that works with growth-stage startups to increase their visibility and share of voice.
“While you’re just starting out, fight for a growth plan and seek out mentorship. The right work environment will pour into you and your strengths. It will also help you work on your weaknesses and find ways to add value to your future career.”
Kelly Hubbell, Founder and CEO of Sage Haus, helping busy parents reclaim their time by outsourcing the mental load and creating home systems to support a healthy division of labor.
“Instead of seeking a career that incorporates your passion, find a career that facilitates your passion. Working hard and being good at what you do is incredibly rewarding and fosters a sense of accomplishment and identity. When done right, it will lead you to many potential outcomes.”
Kendall Cherry, Founder of The Candid Collective, writing storytelling content that sells your products and services in your voice.
“Don’t be afraid to ask someone else out for a coffee—virtual or IRL—and ask as many questions as possible. I was promoted extremely quickly during my first few years of my career. Looking back now, I think it was because I knew a little bit about a lot, thanks to all of those early coffee chats.”
Lexi St Laurent Hartmann, Founder and CEO of iHartContent, empowering creators to own their digital narrative, tap into their thought leadership, and tell their story.
“Do not give money more meaning than it deserves. A friend and fellow entrepreneur recently told me, ‘Money is just math. It’s numbers.’ That is something I wish I had truly internalized earlier in my career. It took me years and many missed opportunities to finally get comfortable talking about money and asking for my worth.”
Jessica Alderson, Co-Founder and CEO of So Syncd, a media company that focuses on dating and personal growth.
“When starting out in your career, it’s easy to have a very specific idea of what you want to do in the long run and the path you want to follow. While having goals can be helpful, it’s also important to keep an open mind and be flexible in your approach. Until you start gaining experience and trying out different things, you may not realize what truly makes you happy or where your strengths lie. Staying open to new opportunities can lead you down unexpected paths that may ultimately be better suited to you.”
Dom Farnan, Founder of DotConnect, building teams, companies, and cultures.
“Find a mentor who can provide you with wisdom, life lessons, and be a sounding board as you navigate your career. Invest in yourself via coaching, mentorship, communities, and events.”
All individuals featured in this article are members of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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