Lisa Smith

I think seeing my mom work hard, even though I grew up in a two-parent home. It was kind of a struggle for my mom, honestly asking my dad for money, or if she wanted to do something, she had to run it through him. So she started - she had a high school education, and that was it. She married my dad when she was young. But she didn't have anything other than that. So, seeing her go to Houston College, get her associates, she worked for Koch Industries, as well as Price Waterhouse, and seeing her get her identity - that was pretty cool. She really did set the standard for excellence. She is no longer with us, but I wish that I would have given her that praise back then, like I do now.

Stop self-sabotaging. Trust yourself. You can get so far in this fight, and then you start thinking, can I do this? Or you'll do something to mess it up. The best advice I received was to stop self-sabotaging and trust myself.

Bet on you. Bet on yourself. Trust you. The hardest thing for me is looking at yourself in the mirror, in the eye, eye to eye. And that tells you all you need to know. That sets the tone. But bet on you.

The biggest challenge is moving ahead as women - we still have to fight so hard, and why? I think people hold onto information that could be beneficial, not just to myself, but to others, and it's like, we're all here for the same common goal. When people hold onto information or things that could be helpful, why not just share that? Why? What does it take away from you? With men in a sales role, things are acceptable when they do it, but when we do it, it's like, okay, why'd you do it? It's the same thing, you know, it's like morals. There's a double standard. The biggest opportunity is being able to get with the right group of people, networking, and just being with like-minded people who have the same aspects and aspirations as you do. Like, the same values, the same goals, the same views. Once you get with a certain group of women, strong women, people, the sky's the limit. You can do so much more if you have that support. There's enough room at the table for all of us, and if it's not, make room. Get a bigger table.

First and foremost, trust. Being transparent. Open communication. For sure. Don't lie to me for no reason, at all. It's not necessary. Let's have integrity. Let's have character. That's huge. I don't like gossip, I don't like talking behind people's backs about things. I'm very up front, and if I have a question or an issue, I will come directly to you. I won't talk about it with anyone else. That's huge for me, just open communication, being honest and transparent. We don't have to agree, but let's respect each other.