In the Season 2 premiere of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa Nolte sits down with Elizabeth Solaru, a trailblazer whose journey spans microbiology, headhunting, and luxury cake artistry. Elizabeth shares her inspiring story of resilience, from cold-calling her way to royal connections to becoming a leading voice in luxury consulting. They explore the evolving meaning of luxury, the power of inclusivity, and how consumers now shape brand narratives. Elizabeth also highlights her groundbreaking book, The Luxpreneur, offering actionable insights for businesses aspiring to achieve luxury status. This episode is a masterclass in courage, adaptability, and redefining success—don’t miss it!

Takeaways:

• Resilience and Adaptability Drive Success:
  Elizabeth Solaru's journey from microbiology to luxury cake artistry exemplifies the power of pivoting when faced with challenges. Her story highlights how desperation can fuel innovation and bravery, proving that persistence and belief in your product are essential for success.
• Luxury is Personal and Inclusive:
  Luxury isn’t just about exclusivity and opulence—it’s about emotional resonance and personal meaning. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of understanding your customer’s unique definitions of value, whether it’s comfort, security, or minimalism, and tailoring experiences to meet those needs.
• Consumers Shape Brands Today:
  The dynamic between brands and consumers has shifted dramatically, with consumers now dictating what they value through transparency, authenticity, and advocacy. Businesses, especially in luxury, must align with these expectations to remain relevant and competitive.

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It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.

Connect with Alyssa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/
Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/
Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPod
Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa sits down with career coach and former professional dancer Shaté Hayes to explore what it means to build a life and career that truly lights you up. Shaté shares her journey from the dance floor to the corporate world, uncovering her passion for helping others find alignment in their work and personal lives. Together, they discuss how leaders can create happy, high-performing teams, the power of workplace chemistry, and why career fulfillment is about more than just a paycheck. Whether you're navigating a career change, managing a team, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights to help you take back your Mondays and find joy in what you do. Tune in to learn how to embrace creativity, align with your values, and build a life you love.

Key Takeaways:

1. Workplace Fulfillment Starts with Alignment: Career fulfillment is about aligning your work with your core strengths, values, and passions. It’s not just about tolerating a job but finding a role that lights you up from the inside out.
2. Leadership Shapes Team Chemistry and Success: Leaders have a responsibility to invest in their team's career growth, foster chemistry, and create an environment where individuals feel valued. Happy, engaged teams don’t just perform better—they also mirror the investment their leaders show in them.
3. Creativity Thrives Everywhere: Creativity isn’t confined to the arts. Whether solving problems in tech, designing processes, or leading teams, every role has a creative element. Recognizing and embracing this helps individuals and organizations unlock new levels of innovation and fulfillment.

Key Moments:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:16 Defining Career Fulfillment
03:16 Personal Journey to Career Fulfillment
07:36 Challenges in Career Coaching
11:12 Building Happy and High-Performing Teams
14:54 Inspirational Figures and Final Thoughts
16:41 Where to Find More Resources

Share your thoughts - send us a text

It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.

Connect with Alyssa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/
Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/
Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPod
Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod

In this episode of Taking Back Monday, Alyssa sits down with Sandra Possing, coach and digital nomad, to explore what it takes to thrive by embracing risk and rejecting the conventional 9-to-5. Sandra shares her personal journey of redefining success, ditching the need for perfection, and leaning into failure as a path to growth. Together, they discuss why risk-taking can be a superpower, how to overcome analysis paralysis, and ways to create a career that aligns with who you really are. Whether you're looking to break free from the mold or just curious about what life outside the "safe" path looks like, this episode will inspire you to think bigger, take action, and maybe even redefine success for yourself.

Key Takeaways:

• Failure Fuels Growth: Taking imperfect action often reveals valuable insights faster than playing it safe.
• Redefine Success on Your Terms: Success isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s about building a life that aligns with your values.
• Move Past Overthinking: Action is the antidote to analysis paralysis—taking steps forward builds clarity and confidence.

Key Moments:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:14 Sandra's Journey to Becoming a Digital Nomad
03:13 Challenges of Leaving Traditional Work
05:55 Embracing Action and Overcoming Perfectionism
12:21 Living Authentically from the Inside Out
17:52 Finding and Honoring Your Passions
21:00 Spotlight on Inspirational Women
23:51 Conclusion and Where to Find Sandra

Share your thoughts - send us a text

It's time to say "goodbye" to the Sunday Scaries.

Connect with Alyssa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssanolte/
Subscribe to the Taking Back Monday Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7158635254474272768/
Follow the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakingBackMondayPod
Follow the show on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takingbackmondaypod