Paige Schneider

I attribute much of my success to the incredible mentors who have invested in me throughout my life and career. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by strong women: former managers, professors, family members, and friends who challenged me, encouraged me, and helped me see opportunities in myself that I may not have recognized on my own.

One lesson that has stayed with me comes from Michelle Obama: when you walk through a door of opportunity, don't close it behind you. Reach back and help others through it as well. That philosophy has become an important part of how I approach leadership and success. I believe our greatest accomplishments mean little if we don't use them to create opportunities for others.

I am also deeply grateful for the support systems that have helped me navigate both professional and personal milestones. Success is rarely achieved alone, and I have been fortunate to learn from people who lead with generosity, resilience, and integrity.

One of the most influential mentors in my career has been Avigail Adam. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of learning directly from her as she has grown her business from humble beginnings into a thriving multi-million-dollar brand. Her perseverance, creativity, and willingness to take risks have taught me invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience.

Ultimately, I believe success comes from a combination of hard work, curiosity, perseverance, and the people who are willing to invest in your growth along the way. I hope to pay that forward by mentoring and supporting others throughout my own career.

The best career advice I've ever received is simple: be resilient.

No matter how talented, educated, or hardworking you are, rejection and setbacks are inevitable. The people who ultimately succeed are often the ones who keep showing up, keep learning, and keep moving forward when things don't go according to plan.

I've learned the importance of putting yourself out there, taking risks, and not being afraid to hear "no." Every opportunity I've had in my career came because I was willing to raise my hand, ask questions, share ideas, and step outside of my comfort zone.

I also believe success comes from staying curious and adaptable. Markets change, technology evolves, and customer expectations shift. The ability to learn quickly, think creatively, and find solutions is often more valuable than having all the answers from the start.

Finally, I've learned not to be afraid of sharing ideas, even if they seem unconventional. Some of the best opportunities and innovations begin as ideas that others initially overlook. You never know which idea will become the one that changes everything.

Don't take "no" as the final answer.

When I first applied to Avigail Adam, I wasn't hired for the role I originally wanted. But I believed so strongly in the company, its founder, and what they were building that I wasn't ready to walk away. I reached out directly, expressed my interest, and ultimately accepted a part-time sales associate position, even though it meant stepping away from a more senior marketing role I had previously held.

At the time, it may have looked like a step backward on paper. In reality, it became one of the best decisions of my career.

That experience taught me that there is often more than one path to where you want to go. If something genuinely excites you, don't let a closed door stop you from finding another way in. Be willing to start where the opportunity exists, prove yourself, and continue learning.

I would also encourage young women to focus less on having the perfect qualifications and more on being curious, adaptable, and willing to take chances. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came from saying "yes" before I felt completely ready.

Most importantly, remember that success is rarely achieved alone. Find mentors, build relationships, ask questions, and learn from the people around you. The support of great leaders, colleagues, and mentors has been instrumental in my own journey, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

I believe one of the biggest opportunities in marketing and e-commerce right now is learning how to effectively work alongside AI. Every major technological shift creates uncertainty, and AI is no different. While many people view it as a threat, I see it as a tool that can help professionals become more efficient, creative, and strategic.

The challenge is learning how to leverage AI without becoming dependent on it. Strong critical thinking, creativity, communication, and business judgment are still essential. AI can help accelerate execution, but it cannot replace human insight, leadership, or genuine connection with customers.

For women entering the industry today, I think there's a tremendous opportunity to embrace these new technologies early. Those who learn how to integrate AI into their workflows while continuing to develop their core business and leadership skills will be incredibly well positioned for the future. The professionals who thrive won't be those who resist change, they'll be the ones who learn, adapt, and use new tools to amplify their existing strengths.

I value integrity, fairness, and accountability in both my professional and personal life. One philosophy that has guided me throughout my career is to be soft on people and hard on systems. When something goes wrong, I believe it's important to look beyond blame and understand whether there is a process, communication gap, or system failure that contributed to the outcome.

I also believe in transparency and consistency. Whether I'm creating customer policies, managing employees, or making business decisions, I strive to ensure that expectations are clear and applied fairly. People may not always agree with a decision, but they should be able to trust that it was made thoughtfully, consistently, and with integrity.

Above all, I value treating people with respect. Strong businesses are built on strong relationships, and I believe the best leaders create environments where people feel supported, empowered, and accountable at the same time.