Natalie Schol

The people that I have surrounding me as well as my upbringing have been two of the biggest reasons why I've been able to push myself to do what I do. I wouldn't be able to have any confidence in myself if I wasn't raised to believe that that's an important value to have. Having people around me, whether that's my closest friends or family - if I hadn't had those people who I can constantly turn to in times of struggle or trying to understand if I'm on the right path, I would not be able to do what I do, and push myself every single day.

You will never know what you're capable of until you go out there and try it. Sometimes the things that you're the most hesitant or scared of are going to be the most impactful and meaningful for you in your life, and you should welcome those things. If you end up realizing it wasn't for you, the worst thing that can happen is that you learn from it, you learn what doesn't work for you, and you try again. I think that's such an important thing for women to have, is to understand the value in saying yes to things while still setting boundaries on what you can and can't do. You really don't learn what those are until you jump into new things and test yourself, and really push yourself out of your own comfort zone.

One of the biggest challenges is that the field is so broad with meeting planning. On the one hand, this has allowed me to expand on my own experience and try different sectors of event planning. On the other hand, it also poses as a difficulty in finding which of those sectors of meeting planning you resonate with the most, and where you feel you excel the most, even if it seems a bit challenging at first. Understanding what types of events truly give me the most value and impact, and where I can provide the most impact as well has been the hardest part I've tried to grasp while I've transitioned throughout my career.

Within my personal life, a value that I find to be very important is just putting in the same energy that you want to receive from the world, whether that's through the relationships you have or your daily experiences. Every interaction can be so meaningful. I think how you present yourself to the world, and how you want to feel that from other people is so important. Whether that's just showing kindness, or finding inspiration through things and even wanting to provide that sense of inspiration for somebody else. Just trying to find the positives and reinforcing that into your daily life can be so impactful.

In terms of professionalism, a value that I find so important is continuously challenging myself while also trying not to overthink or doubt myself. Easier said than done, I feel, for most people, but had I not stepped outside of the box of what I thought I was capable of, I wouldn't have been able to hit certain achievements or meet the people that I have and learn all that I have. Especially in my current position which has been the most challenging, and I think the ability to challenge yourself and not be afraid to say no, to say you don't know, and to just ask questions is so important in being able to grow.