Modern Mavericks with Janel Abrahami

Last week, I hit a career high interviewing the one and only CHEVAL (a woman you might know by a different name) in collaboration with Kendra Scott Soho! The three of us designed a powerful live podcast event at the KS Soho store to share CHEVAL’s and my top tips for reclaiming your career and taking fresh steps in 2024. The line to attend spanned two NYC blocks, and the store was totally at capacity!  For good reason: CHEVAL’s moving story of career setback-turned-reinvention is bubbling with inspiring and applicable takeaways to help anyone grab onto the confidence to go big this year! CHEVAL is a true example of what it looks like to be the author your own story. Listen to my conversation with CHEVAL for our secrets on: Where to look for clues on what kind of career will make you happiest Why focus is your superpower during a career pivot– and how to harness it How to “Taylor-Swift-ify” your own personal brand  And so much more! PLUS! The Kendra Scott team is making this conversation even more special – for the next week, 20% of your purchase from kendrascott.com will go to A Girl You Might Know Foundation, founded by CHEVAL to protect the rights of women and young artists by sharing knowledge and experience about the contracting process and our rights under the law.  Use the code GIVEBACK-GLOWUP24 at checkout (including the word “giveback” and the dash!), valid from January 19-25, 2024!

The most hotly-requested edition of Modern Mavericks over the past 6 months! A lot of us are questioning the assumption that you’re either a corporate go-getter OR you’re an entrepreneur, and that there’s no wiggle room to create your own hybrid. FALSE.  Seven months into this multi-hyphenate career, I can say confidently: You can be an entrepreneur even with a 9-5 job. It’s all about your entrepreneurial spirit and what you choose to create as your own. You have permission to start calling yourself an entrepreneur right now.  In this episode, I'm answering your FAQs about going back to the corporate world after being a solo-entrepreneur for year, including: What a day and week in my life looks like now What my business model looks like now Highs and lows of balancing corporate + entrepreneurship  Do I ever feel like a failure? My 2024 career and life goals Subscribe to the FREE newsletter: janelabrahami.beehiive.com Follow Janel on TikTok: tiktok.com/janelabrahami Follow Janel on Instagram: instagram.com/janelabrahami Connect with Janel on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janelabrahami

"The Burn It All Down Day" "The Rejection I Didn't See Coming" "The $600 Dumpster Fire" Just like I love seeing everyone’s Spotify Wrapped at the end of the year and the creative TikTok spin on people’s “Dating Wrapped,” I took a moment to look back on 2023 in terms of the meaningful career I’m building.  And it was clear that this year was a rather extreme mix of proud highs and tearful lows. With just three more days of 2023, I’m exposing the absolute best days of my year and the absolute worst days of my year- as they pertain to my work, business, and career. I know most of you will be able to relate to the bad days– and it’s my hope that you’ll be able to recognize the same kind of feeling I had on my best days of work this year and use that as a sign as to what you really love, are great at, and what truly energizes you. 🥂 To more of that in 2024!

“The more I share my life, the more opportunities come around that are worth sharing.”  When I heard today’s guest Ashna Mankotia say share this insight in one of her TikTok videos, my whole perception of a business built around my personal brand changed. Ashna, a Product Manager at a digital media company, is making her own name in business as a content creator with an audience of 100k+ and the founder of a global community for professional women called Saffron.  How the hell is she doing all of this— oh, and planning a wedding?! We dig into everything about Ashna's journey in building her personal brand online through content creation, navigating her corporate career, and monetizing a community to uncover what makes it all possible. Specifically: Why (and how) she decided to monetize a community The misconception of corporate go-getters becoming content creators How she balances her full-time role + building a business + growing as a creator (100k+) The unique advantages of choosing different business models (B2B partnerships vs B2C memberships) What most people get wrong about building a personal brand online I have a feeling you’ll be coming back to this episode again and again— Ashna’s approach to being a multi-hyphenate is just that impactful.  LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFFRON: www.joinsaffron.com FOLLOW ASHNA TikTok: @ohmygoshna FOLLOW JANEL & LUNCH BREAK Instagram @janelabrahami Instagram @lunchbreakwithjanel TikTok @janelabrahami Get the Free Newsletter for more Behind-the-Scenes: lunchbreak.substack.com

I can already tell you— this a Lunch Break episode I will be recommending for-ev-er. I don’t know a single career-minded friend who doesn’t have a complicated relationship with external validation. The gold stars, the praise, the admiration for doing an impressive job— it’s addicting. And it stems from a disconnection from your own self-worth. In this episode, Executive Leadership coach Bahija Humphrey helps you step into your potential and lead with confidence, exploring: 6 specific tips to build your inner confidence & get after your big goals How to separate your “healthy hustle” from the pitfalls of external validation How to separate your goals from others’ expectations & find YOUR purpose When, exactly, can external validation be HELPFUL for us? PLUS: Bahija’s own “reckoning” story as an Afghan woman raised in the West, and how she connected with her purpose after feeling disallusoned from gold-star chasing her way to the top.  If you're a first-gen kid, an oldest sibling, a former gold-star child, or a “promising young woman,” this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the path to healing your soul, embracing your uniqueness, and building the unshakable confidence to pursue your dreams on your terms. Bahija on Instagram Claim Your Seat, a signature program for high achieving women leaders: https://bahijahumphrey.com/claim-your-seat/ How to Lead Like a F*cking Boss, a free MasterClass: https://courses.bahijahumphrey.com/masterclass Follow on social: Instagram @janelabrahami Instagram @lunchbreakwithjanel TikTok @janelabrahami Get the Free Newsletter for more Behind-the-Scenes: lunchbreak.substack.com

When I say “personal brand,” if you immediately think of your LinkedIn bio, your headshot, or your resume— I created this episode especially for you, because you’re missing out on SO much freedom  and autonomy in your career by not harnessing a true personal brand! We dig into: What we actually mean by “personal brand” in the context of your multi-hyphenate career; Why your personal brand is key to future-proofing your career (and income); How your personal brand can become an income stream in and of itself; and What you can do RIGHT NOW to start building a personal brand that supports your dream career! PLUS: Content prompts and real examples of multi-hyphenates building stellar personal brands for inspo. Mentioned in this episode: Amanda Natividad on LinkedIn Jack Appleby on Lunch Break Episode 24 The Corporate Mama on TikTok Follow on social: Instagram @janelabrahami Instagram @lunchbreakwithjanel TikTok @janelabrahami Get the Free Newsletter: lunchbreak.substack.com

Hot take: our traditional approach to mentorship is in desperate need of a revamp. You know, it’s 2023 and we’re embracing our multi-hyphenate eras- combining corporate with side gigs and personal brands. So isn’t the idea of finding that one magical mentor whose career you look to emulate, following their path to rise up into similar titles… a bit tired? It's time to shift your perspective and unlock a much more modern– and transformative– spin on mentorship!  In today’s LUNCH BREAK episode, we dig into a fresh concept that challenges the conventional wisdom on mentorship. Say goodbye to relying on just one mentor and embrace the idea of "mentorship moments" with multiple inspirational figures who motivate and guide you! PLUS: I introduce you to one of my own mentors, Melissa Janis. With her wealth of experience as a leadership and professional development expert, including her recent role as the VP of Leadership and Org Development at McGraw Hill, Melissa breaks down the power of learning, leading, and succeeding in a career you can be proud of, including: The secrets of selecting the perfect mentors to propel your career forward.  The key to becoming a great mentee – someone who attracts the attention and support of influential individuals A simple yet powerful method for fostering mutually beneficial connections that extend beyond your professional life This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, corporate go-getters, and side-hustlers alike!

Didn't you promise that this was your Main Character Era- when you'd finally step into your own power, make choices for your higher self, and grab onto your big potential? Yeah? Then WHY are you still acting like the supporting character? Listen to this episode for the 4 warning signs that you're still playing too small in your career and life, and the actionable ways to shift your mindset and behavior right now. PLUS: a visualization to help you connect with your main character who’s absolutely thriving! Follow on social: Instagram @janelabrahami Instagram @lunchbreakwithjanel TikTok @janelabrahami FREE Newsletter: lunchbreak.substack.com

Emma Hinchliffe knows what it takes to be influential. Emma writes The Broadsheet, Fortune magazine’s daily newsletter on the Most Powerful Women and co-chairs the Most Powerful Women summit- casual! In today’s conversation, the career journalist and editor shares her career confessions from starting at her college newspaper, how she raised her hand for stretch opportunities across the country, and ultimately landed in a highly visible role, where she walks in lockstep with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and zooms with Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle. Emma shares the tips for success she’s picked up from the world's most powerful women, how she tackles spicy conversations about the workplace, and what’s next for women in business. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Emma on Twitter: @_emmahinchliffe Emma on Instagram @emmahinchliffe Subscribe to The Broadsheet FOLLOW ON SOCIAL: Instagram @janelabrahami TikTok @janelabrahami lunchbreak.substack.com

I owe you a life update. I’ve shared a few videos on TikTok and Instagram, and very lightly touched upon it here on the podcast, but I’m going through some of my own changes in my career. Things are in flux. "Janel, you’re a career coach, and you help people find career clarity – what’s going on?" You’re right, and now the career coach has become her own client. So today, in this episode, I want to fill you in completely on the career changes I’m going through, what’s happening with my business, with Pivot With Purpose my baby, what prompted this change, and how I’m navigating it all with as much strategy and intuition as possible.   Follow on social: Instagram @janelabrahami TikTok @janelabrahami Get the Newsletter: lunchbreak.substack.com