Stephanie Mejia

I could not have been here without a series of great mentors. I've had mentor after mentor after mentor, and I think it's just learning to not be shy and asking people that you look up to to be your mentor. I have found that has opened up so many doors and I've learned so much. If you look up to someone, don't be shy to ask them to teach you. I've had seven mentors now over my professional career, and I think that has really made me who I am today. Finding those good mentors that I've looked up to over the years has been the key to my success.

I struggle with imposter syndrome a lot, and that's why having mentors was so important. A common thread that they would share with me, though they said it in their own ways, is to just know that if you're invited into a room, or someone wants to hear you speak, or if someone wants to talk to you, they're doing that for a reason. Don't let any of your imposter syndrome creep up. You are good enough in whatever room, or talk that you're invited to, or whatever room you're in. Your people will find you. I've had to commonly remind myself when I get nervous about a talk, or if I have the right skill set to be giving a presentation, to remember that I was invited for a reason, that I'm good enough wherever I'm at, and the right opportunities and the right people will find me when I just keep holding to my truth.

If young women want to enter this space, especially in innovation, find something that helps you maintain your creativity outside of the corporate setting. Find a hobby that allows you to build community with others and allows you to practice hard things, whether it's performing in front of others or learning a new skill. All of these are applicable to professional settings, and it really helps you expand and build upon your neuroplasticity and keeps you fresh and young. Maintain that hobby and never lose sight of it, because it can be so easy to lose yourself to a job or a career. What's helped me stay grounded and stay fresh within innovation is having that outside hobby that I can lean on when maybe sometimes my job is in a hard place. I have something positive and a North Star to look towards that's not just job-focused.

The biggest challenge in the coffee and tea space is the impact of inflation on consumers and their spending. Being innovative and trying to find products that are appealing to the masses that are still affordable is a really big challenge. The coffee market has seen unprecedented times as far as its price volatility - it's been the highest it ever has been in history, and that's really impacting consumers' ability to purchase coffee. People are starting to look for alternative ways they can consume some of their most beloved beverages. It's trying to find things that still bring people joy, because at the end of the day, coffee, tea, and botanicals are something that people always break bread over and build community with. We need to make sure that we can give them access at an affordable price and still be creative.

When I show up to something, I want to give it my 100%. I think we always need to show up as our best selves for everyone. We're allowed to have days that ebb and flow, but when you can, always give it your all and don't fall into the trap of mediocrity and complacency. That's really what's going to drive yourself forward, your organization, and society - just trying not to get complacent with your day-to-day. That goes with your relationships and everything in life. I really try to show up as my best version. It might be jarring for somebody because I do find I can be pretty intense, but people at the end of the day know I'm gonna get what I say done, I'm gonna move the needle forward, I'm gonna practice, I'm gonna give it my all, I'm gonna show up to my friendships and my relationships as my full self. That's really helped me maintain my level of integrity in my work and something I could be proud of.