Maria Beatriz Roberts

I attribute my success to having the courage to take risks and make major changes, even when they're difficult. Moving to Houston in 2009 without even knowing the language was one of the best decisions I made, and having the courage to start all over at 40-something in a new industry has been equally transformative. I've learned that to be successful, sometimes you need to take risks and make changes, even when it's hard. I also believe that prioritizing time for myself, whether it's working out, going for a walk, or just doing whatever I feel like, is key to my success. Having my own time helps me stay in sync with my emotions and keeps me in check. Finally, I'd say that working on something for myself rather than for others has made all the difference. When you're building something that's yours, working 14 hours doesn't feel the same as it did when I was working on projects worth millions that I'd eventually sell for someone else's benefit.

I would tell young women to always follow their dreams and don't get stuck on what you think you're supposed to do. Changes are healthy and necessary, although they are difficult at times. Don't let setbacks define you. For example, I got laid off from an executive role where I was making a lot of money, and I completely pivoted to a startup where I had to hustle for work. But all of that has paid off. My advice is to hustle for a while and do as much as you can in parallel until you're ready to switch. Don't give up your financial stability right away. Instead, use that stability to explore and take chances. You're going to sacrifice your free time, but it will be worth it. If you don't try, you don't know if it's going to work. And yes, you'll work harder and longer at the beginning, but at the same time, you can take chances. If it's not for you, you didn't make any final commitment. Most importantly, don't feel stuck. Keep focused and work hard. That allows many women to take chances without losing their financial stability.

The most important values to me are having the courage to reinvent myself and not feeling stuck in what I think I'm supposed to do. I value building something for myself rather than for others, and putting my vision and creativity into my own work. I also deeply value my time for myself, whether that's working out, spending time outside, or just finding moments to sync with my emotions. Family is very important to me as well. I love traveling with my husband and two kids, exploring new places, and trying new cuisines. Being active and staying healthy through sports and working out is also a core value. I'm a social introvert, so while networking is important for my business, my true self is better in one-on-one situations or helping somebody, especially through podcasts or behind-the-scenes work. Overall, I value the freedom to prioritize my time the way I want and to work on something that truly reflects who I am.