ABOUT THE EPISODE:

In this episode Melanie chats with Amelia Badua, founder of FearlessHER™ Collective, delve into the topic of fear and its influence on career and personal branding. They explore strategies for overcoming fear, the journey of transitioning into entrepreneurship, and the balance between full-time work and side hustles. Amelia shares her personal experiences, from re-entering the workforce to doubling her salary and embracing business ownership after a layoff. The conversation also touches on the significance of community support, authenticity in personal branding, and the power of taking action despite fear.

ABOUT AMELIA:

Meet Amelia Badua – your go-to Career Strategist and the heart behind the FearlessHER Collective. She creates a safe space where women can face their fears, connect with other women, and thrive in their careers while launching their side hustles within a supportive community.

Amelia's mission is to empower women to move from fear into action around launching their side hustles for extra income. Having 2.5x her salary in just four years, she's passionate about helping other women achieve financial success too by offering personalized career and side hustle strategies.

Her journey from stay-at-home mom to People Operations Tech leader and entrepreneur gives her firsthand insight into pushing past fear and taking inspired action. She believes in the power of faith and community and not only manages an online women's membership but also hosts in-person FearlessHER Socials curated for collaboration among career women and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

Follow Amelia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliabadua/

INSIDE THE EPISODE:

Fear is a universal experience, and its impact on decision-making can be profound. During our chat, Amelia opened up about how fear had been a significant factor in her life, but instead of allowing it to hold her back, she used it as a catalyst to propel herself forward. She emphasized the importance of faith and preparation in taking action despite the presence of fear.

One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation was Amelia's journey from being a stay-at-home mom to re-entering the workforce and eventually achieving a salary that was two and a half times her initial earnings. Her story is a testament to the power of strategic career moves and the art of negotiation. It's a reminder that prayer, preparation, and the courage to take the first step, even when scared, can lead to remarkable outcomes.

Juggling the Hustle

Many of us dream of pursuing our passions, but the reality of managing a side hustle while holding down a full-time job can be daunting. Amelia and I discussed the challenges that come with this balancing act, including navigating company policies and avoiding conflicts of interest. Amelia's insights were invaluable for anyone looking to build a personal brand without compromising their day job. Amelia's personal approach to managing her various commitments showcases the dedication required to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors while maintaining a work-life balance. It's a juggling act that many can relate to and learn from.

Embracing the Layoff

Amelia's experience of being laid off was a pivotal moment in her life. While it brought a mix of emotions, it also opened the door to entrepreneurship. She shared how this period of uncertainty led her to focus on building her own business, a journey that many listeners can find both relatable and inspiring.

The Power of Community and "Fearing Less"

Creating a supportive space for women to confront and share their fears is crucial. Amelia highlighted the significance of acknowledging fears related to imposter syndrome, visibility, or launching a business. We discussed the concept of "fearing less" rather than striving for fearlessness, advocating for small steps and gradual progress to reduce fear over time.

Finding Your Voice and Authenticity in Personal Branding

In building a personal brand, finding one's voice and being authentic is essential. Amelia shared her journey of embracing her true self and the importance of transparency and authenticity. We both agreed that being true to oneself is key to connecting with the right audience and establishing a strong personal brand.

The Side Hustle as a Stepping Stone to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

Amelia's transition into entrepreneurship was empowered by her experience with starting a side hustle. She encouraged listeners to consider this approach as a safer and more gradual entry into entrepreneurship, highlighting the mindset shift and challenges that accompany this venture.

The Importance of Community

The path from stay-at-home mom to tech leader was not an easy one for Amelia. She stressed the importance of a strong support system and the need to surround oneself with like-minded individuals. Dealing with other people's fears and projections is part of the journey, and Amelia advised being selective about who you share your vision with.

From Fear to Action

In concluding our conversation, Amelia's message was clear: move from fear into action by cultivating faith, vision, and a supportive community. She emphasized the transformative power of surrounding oneself with individuals who share similar goals and aspirations.

As we wrapped up the episode, I reminded listeners of the importance of not letting fear and complacency keep us rooted in one place. It's essential to push through fear and take risks to build a more fulfilling and exciting life. Amelia echoed this sentiment, urging listeners to step out of their comfort zones and explore the possibilities that lie beyond fear.

I hope this episode provides you with valuable insights into overcoming fear, finding your voice, and building a successful personal brand and career. Remember, the journey may be challenging, but with the right mindset and support, you can achieve your professional dreams.

Thank you for reading, and if you found this episode insightful, don't forget to Subscribe to the Empowered Presence™ podcast for more updates and resources on personal branding.

TIMESTAMPS:

The introduction (00:00:10)
Introduction to the podcast episode and the guests.

Overcoming fear (00:01:57)
Amelia's philosophy on fearlessness, personal experiences, and strategies for overcoming fear.

Negotiating salary and career growth (00:04:29)
Amelia's journey of doubling her salary, transitioning into tech, and negotiating for salary increases.

Navigating fear in career and entrepreneurship (00:07:33)
Amelia's process of moving forward in spite of fear, including her faith, examples of successful entrepreneurs, and overcoming fear in entrepreneurship.

Managing side hustle and a full-time job (00:09:38)
Amelia's experience of managing a side hustle while working a full-time job, including navigating social media and employer policies.

Getting laid off and moving forward (00:13:16)
Amelia's experience of getting laid off and navigating the emotional and professional impact of the situation.

Creating a supportive community (00:15:04)
Discussing the importance of acknowledging and sharing fears within a community to encourage taking steps despite discomfort.

Understanding fear (00:16:01)
Exploring the concept that fear is a natural human emotion and discussing strategies to fear less and push past it.

The power of action (00:19:11)
Emphasizing the importance of taking action to overcome fear and the impact of fear dissipating once action is taken.

Finding your voice (00:23:22)
Sharing personal experiences of finding one's authentic voice and staying true to oneself when building a personal brand.

Empowerment through side hustles (00:21:51)
Encouraging individuals to view their side hustle as valuable and impactful, and discussing strategies to overcome fears related to visibility and brand building.

Transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship (00:27:19)
Sharing personal experiences and insights on transitioning from a side hustle to full-time entrepreneurship, including the mindset shift and empowerment gained from the journey.

The reality of full-time entrepreneurship (00:30:10)
Discussing the challenges and realities of full-time entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of starting with a side hustle as a safer strategy.

Overcoming fear and doubt (00:30:20)
Discussion on the challenges of entrepreneurship and the need to be willing to fight through doubt and fear.

Side hustle and financial mindset (00:31:08)
Exploring the concept of side hustles and the mindset of generating income, as well as the financial mindset of cutting back versus generating more money.

Transition from stay-at-home mom to career (00:35:38)
Amelia's journey from being a stay-at-home mom to transitioning into a tech leadership role, including the challenges and development process.

Balancing act and sacrifices (00:39:08)
The sacrifices and balancing act involved in managing a full-time job, side hustle, and family responsibilities.

Dealing with other people's fears (00:40:18)
Strategies for handling the fears projected onto oneself by others, and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive, like-minded individuals.

Moving from fear to action (00:43:31)
Encouragement to have faith, vision, and a supportive community in overcoming fear and taking action towards one's goals.

Fear is not a tree (00:44:32)
Melanie discusses the importance of not getting stuck in fear and the need to move past it.

Choosing a fun life (00:44:48)
Amelia encourages embracing the unknown and having fun while building something new.

Closing remarks (00:45:01)
Melanie and the speakers thank the audience and invite them to subscribe to the podcast for updates and resources.