Dee Carrillo

I attribute my success to my daughter. She is autistic and takes everything I say to heart because she memorizes everything. She's already told me that one day she wants to be in my role. She loves the challenge and sees my challenges, and she actually comes to some of my job sites sometimes. For me, it's about showing her that even when somebody tells me no and I face challenges along the way, as long as I prove myself and know my worth, I can succeed. She inspires me to keep pushing and to get up every morning and go to work. It's scary at the same time because she looks up to me, but even when I mess up, I own it and show her that we're all going to make mistakes.

I would tell women not to be discouraged and to be open to the fact that it is going to be a challenge. Even though we live in this day and age, we are still somehow treated as not equal sometimes. But as long as we just keep on learning, keep on educating ourselves, and really show up in the room and walk into the room with confidence, we can change that shift of energy with the knowledge that we know. By leading with examples, I think we're able to make it, and any woman is able to make it if they put their mind into it.