Kathy's Blog

In How Did I Get Here Episode 148, join me for the career reflections of Ilya Lyubimskiy, managing attorney at Premier Legacy Law. Born in Russia, Ilya moves to Colorado at age eight when his parents sought to maximize the opportunities available in the United States.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 147, join me for the career reflections of TJ Hovel, sales executive, and coach. At the young age of 8 TJ knew he wanted to be a coach in a small town, just like his dad, who coached TJ in high school.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 146, join me for the career reflections of Carlene Thissen, singer, songwriter & author. Her dream is to become a doctor, but then discovers she has an aversion to blood. Unsure about what’s next, she drops out of college and gets a job as a secretary.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 145, join me for the career reflections of Shara Ruffin, clinical social worker, and consultant. Her dream is to be the next Mariah Carey, once reality sets in she shifts to becoming a lawyer, then to psychology and ultimately social work — because what’s behind human behavior is so interesting!

In How Did I Get Here Episode 144, join me for the career reflections of Christine Clyne-Spraker, former co-CEO, board member and author. Her dream was to become a civil engineer, but after receiving a “C” in calculus she panics and switches her major to advertising.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 143, join me for the career reflections of Amy Friel, program leader at a health tech start-up. Growing up in Detroit in the 70s & 80s she experiences the impact that both Japan and China have on the global economy, the car industry, and her family. These influences factor into her career choices.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 142, join me for the career reflections of Susie Moss, Regional Director of Development for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Mountain States Region. While she didn’t always know her career path, she did know she was someone who needed to be engaged and connecting with people. In college the realization hits her that she is good at sales, which was also her dad’s career, another positive indicator this would be a good path for her.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 141, join me for the career reflections of Karl Peters, creative director & designer of Bluebird Branding. In the fifth grade his design for the cover of the class directory is the top pick! As a result, he knows that this is exactly what he’d like to continue doing but he didn’t know what it was called.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 140, join me for the career reflections of Jervis DiCicco, co-founder & CEO of ProsperBridge. At a young age he’s fascinated by the stock market and investments because both his dad and stepdad are in the financial industry.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 139, join me for the career reflections of Richa Singh, consultant for family-owned businesses. Born and raised in India her dreams as a young girl are to be a pirate — eye patch and all! She’s fascinated with the idea of being a rebel and traveling the world.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 138, join me for the career reflections of Kristy Yoder, founder/CEO of SMART VAs LLC. Born and raised in the Philippines, her entrepreneurial DNA kicks in at a young age helping in her mom’s business doing whatever’s needed to earn a living.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 137, join me for the career reflections of Chelle Johnson, executive career coach & fractional talent officer. Her dream to be a broadcast journalist is dashed in college with feelings of inadequacy after assessing herself against her classmates.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 136, join me for the career reflections of Chris Natzke, life leadership coach & keynote speaker. At age eleven he knows that martial arts will someday be his profession. At age sixteen he’s teaching adults martial arts, and then in his early thirties he opens his martial arts school.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 135, join me for the career reflections of An Ly-Tampere, business coach. Her journey starts in a tiny little city in Belgium, that doesn’t exist anymore, traversing to France and the UK, then landing in Singapore right before COVID shuts down that city.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 134, join me for the career reflections of Nicole Zimmermann, founder & CEO of Zelocin & Partners LLC. Born and raised in Germany she’s fascinated as a young girl with Agatha Christie novels and dreams of being an archeologist traveling the world discovering new things.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 133, join me for the career reflections of Heather Hukari, owner of Video Service Hub. As a youngster she loves being in front of the camera, but her focus shifts after taking a multi-media & video production class. She discovers her real passion is making and editing videos.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 132, join me for the career reflections of Rachel Jenks, The Brand Boss. She achieves her dream of being a professional ballet dancer at age seventeen, but after a year into it she is heartbroken as her body starts failing.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 131, join me for the career reflections of Jeff Pomranka, executive director of Meals on Wheels. His senior year in college, he switches majors from math to psychology after getting totally hooked from just one psychology class. Preparing him for a life-long career helping people.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 130, join me for the career reflections of Tracy Graf, CEO of FUSE Igniting Communication. She picks communications as her major because it seemed the most useful and applicable. It suits her well — leading her into careers in PR, marketing and now training.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 129, join me for the career reflections of Tonia Martinez, founder of Career Transformations. Find out how her love for helping people, a family value, leads her to a career in HR which ultimately becomes the foundation and expertise needed to start her own business.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 128, join for the career reflections of Lori Hanson, The Success Whisperer. Her journey starts in business wanting to be like her dad running a hospital and secretly wanting to know what earning a bonus feels like!

In How Did I Get Here Episode 127, join me for the career reflections of Amanda HarNess, fractional COO & business growth “excelerator”. Her journey starts as an occupational therapist, a transition to medical device sales, then discovering her true gift — improving systems and operations.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 126, join me for the career reflections of Shannon Saviers, VP Sand Cherry Associates. The daughter of an air force pilot, she travels the world growing up. Requiring her to move every two years, so to make friends as the newbie, she finds joining groups like theater, cheerleading and student council help break the ice.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 125, join me for the career reflections of Margot Zaher, life empowerment coach & author. A journey that starts with fulfilling her dream to live and work in Paris at a fortune 100 company. The ideal job, right? So why is she so unhappy, constantly doubting herself and feeling a lack of purpose?

In How Did I Get Here Episode 124, join me for the career reflections of Michelle Hoglan, visionary behind The Boob Report. The oldest of four, her independence and strong family commitments guide her journey. Working several part-time jobs in high school to earn money, then working full time jobs to support herself while attending college courses.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 123, join me for the career reflections of Sarah Irizarry, marketing executive. Her journey is all about learning and growth, taking risks and really knowing her strengths and how she adds value.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 122, join me for the career reflections of Candice Kingston, leadership and success coach. A journey that starts with a dream of being a teacher, but it’s swashed when her good friend and role model suggests she should do something else.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 121, join me for the career reflections of Ann Wagner, executive director of Ann Wagner Live. At age 7 she knew she wanted to be surgeon and mapped out a plan to accomplish that. However, her grades in pre-med didn’t support this plan so she needed a “Plan B”.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 120, join me for the career reflections of Darren Kanthal, leadership coach. He grows up quick when he’s expected to take over his dad’s business just as he’s finishing up college. Great experience in the business world, but when another crisis hits, a house fire, he loses his home and the business.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 119, join me for the career reflections of Julie Ulstrup, founder & CEO of Julie Ulstrup Photography. Her journey starts following her love of photography, but then she abandons her dream to get a “real job”, one in sales that ultimately leads to 20 years in academia and career counseling.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 118, join me for the career reflections of Andrea Andrews, founder & creator of salleejay.com, a travel & lifestyle blog. Her journey is one with themes in music, writing and community.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 117, join me for the career reflections of Riah Gonzalez, founder & CEO of Linq Consulting Solutions. A journey with various starts and stops, each leading to learning and growth and closer alignment with her areas of expertise until she finds her niche!

In How Did I Get Here Episode 116, join me for the career reflections of Claudia Miller, career coach & workplace expert. For many of us, getting that first job is a struggle, but Claudia takes that experience and decides she’s going to “figure this career thing out!”

In How Did I Get Here Episode 115, join me for the career reflections of Joyce Feustel, social media trainer. A journey with themes in education, health care, public information, non-profits, politics, public speaking, chambers of commerce, on-line education, and now social media.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 114, join me for the career reflections of Marla Press, transformational life coach. After adventurous college experiences following her passion in psychology, her first job in that field leaves her disillusioned and looking for something completely different — which she finds in dental hygiene school.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 113, join me for the career reflections of Kelli Dennehey Christina, CEO of two companies and international bestselling author. A journey where doing the hard work pays off — success, promotions, new opportunities — then the bottom falls out and she finds herself homeless and working three jobs.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 112, join me for the career reflections of Marc Cherabie, director of sales for SiteStaff Chat. A journey with a plan to become a physical therapist working temporary jobs to support him through this plan, until one of his temporary roles is such a great fit that it becomes the new plan!

In How Did I Get Here Episode 111, join me for the career reflections of Carol Ross, leadership coach, healer & writer. A journey about transition and discovery revealing her natural leadership, coaching & healing abilities.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 110, join me for the career reflections of Molly Vaile, CEO & founder of her life! A journey using all her degrees (PR, marketing & management), taking her around the world, through multiple industries, culminating now into a career as a strategic accelerated growth consultant.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 109, join me for the career reflections of Dave Johnson, managing partner of C Squared Solutions. A journey traversing many disciplines from farming, engineering, accounting, military service as a pilot, telecommunications, technology, operations, teaching, economic development and now business leadership/consulting.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 108, join me for the career reflections of Beth Klepper, founder of Mainstream Video Production. At an early age, she’s obsessed with movies and how they influenced her perceptions of what’s cool.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 107, join me for the career reflections of Jennifer Kenning, CEO & co-founder of Align Impact. Initially her dream is to be a sportscaster because of her love for competing in and watching sports, but then her interest in finance, investments and economics drives her career decisions.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 106, join me for the career reflections of Pattie Money, CEO of Pinnacle Leadership. Her journey starts with the pursuit of a music career but that gets diverted once she starts working at GE and finds she loves business.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 105, join me for the career reflections of Melinda Cross, communications specialist with an emphasis on book writing. A fellow storyteller, her journey is all about books and writing.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 104, join me for the career reflections of Mary Gaul, business strategy & focus coach. A journey of “can do” and the courage to raise her hand to learn new tools and skills to solve problems. Routinely resulting in promotions and increased responsibilities.

In How Did I Get Here Episode 103, join me for the career reflections of Kacey Kingry, life coach & yoga teacher. A journey with seeds planted as a young person but that don’t fully develop until now when she’s in her forties.