Alma Bernaza Gibson

I would say my mom, and looking at all my friends around me, and how they work, and how I struggle, but we help each other out through good times and bad times. My mom's always been positive through all this stuff, because I almost died as a baby, and she always was like, nope, you've got to keep going, you're out here for a reason, you gotta keep going, because God made you, put you on the earth, He'll take you when you're ready, but you gotta keep fighting for everything that you like. Your mother is your backbone to who you are - she can make you or break you. Sometimes it's when it's bad, and you want to help each other out, so you could come out of that depression, that weakness, and make them flourish into who they really are.

Focus on building skills, not chasing titles—skills compound over time and create real long-term flexibility and growth

Best advice would be, don't be afraid to ask questions, don't be afraid to learn everything where you're going to be at, because that's the number one thing. Fear. Fear paralyzes women, whether they don't want to learn, or they think they can't do it. We can do anything. We are strong, we are diligent, we can learn everything that anybody else can. We may have some fear, but that will overcome by asking questions, learning, and doing the best you can at all times. If you don't understand, you ask more questions. Never be afraid to ask anybody questions, because that's the worst thing to do. No is not even a word in my vocabulary. It can be done. You find a way to do it, no matter what it takes, and you go full force on it. Some women tend to, when they say no, they crumble up, and I tell them, no, don't crumble up. You're smart, you're intelligent, you can do this.

Biggest challenge: Rising costs + unpredictable demand

Biggest opportunity: Improving efficiency with data and smarter processes

Women should empower women, no matter what. We're all beautiful in our own ways. Do not be jealous of anybody. You find your beauty within, and that makes it grow out. Life's too short to be miserable. If a woman knows more than you, you learn from her. I love all women. They're empowering. They're your strength. Whatever weakness you have, they can make you stronger. You always have to be positive. If you're not positive, negative means negative, positive means positive. No matter what's going on, you always have to be positive. You have to have the mindset from the beginning. Life's too short to be sad. Be happy through the good and bad, no matter what.