Karen Ayoub

I attribute my success to having a strong work-ethic that was ingrained in me from childhood. I am the daughter of immigrants, and I was always encouraged by my parents to excel and push the boundaries of what is possible. This sense of discipline and motivation have helped me take on challenges, from undergrad to getting my MBA, from internships to getting several promotions in my corporate job.

I also feel grateful to having a support system of mentors, friends and family who have encouraged and challenged me. I know I could not have come this far without them, especially without the support of my husband who has been by my side as I started my own business. I am incredibly appreciative of role models I've had, especially other women in STEM and entrepreneurship.

When I was in college, I received the advice "don't graduate college without getting an internship."

I took that advice really seriously. By the end of college, I completed not one, but four internships across three companies.

This ultimately set the stage for my landing a full-time corporate role. Through my internships, I learned about succeeding in the corporate environment and networking, and I also gained well-rounded experience. I am so grateful for the internships I had.

Dream big. Don't let anyone or yourself tell you that you aren't capable of something.

Be confident in your WHY, your sense of purpose. This is what will keep you motivated when setbacks come, and it will help you make decisions if you find yourself at a crossroads.

Have at least one mentor, preferably more. Ensure that the mentor is someone who will tell you the truths you need to hear, and be a safe space for you as you explore your career growth.

The voice of doubt is the biggest challenge, especially for early career women. That can stem from what other people say to/about them, where a person internalizes that narrative. Or it can be impostor syndrome that originates within the self.

It's important to discern reality from these untrue doubts, in order to push back against that narrative.

My values are faith, family, joy, beauty and personal development.