210. Discovering Your Unique Journey with CROING Creative Agency’s Founder and CEO, Alejandra Salazar
In this empowering episode, I have an inspiring conversation with Alejandra Salazar, the trailblazing Founder and CEO of CROING. Defying the odds, Alejandra stands out as part of the rare 0.1% of creative agencies worldwide that are founded by women. Her remarkable journey from Venezuela to becoming a global entrepreneur, having lived in seven countries including Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Spain, and the US, provides her with a unique perspective on the cultural nuances of social media and innovation adoption across different regions. In this episode, Alejandra talks about: Rejecting Conventional Wisdom: Hear how Alejandra chose to reject the advice of her teachers who suggested she should gain experience working for someone else before venturing out on her own. This segment dives into the importance of listening to one’s instincts and the courage to defy the status quo. Collaboration Over Competition: Alejandra shares her steadfast belief in 'Collaboration over competition,' providing insights into how fostering partnerships and collaborative efforts have propelled her agency to new heights. Mastering Nerves: Discover why Alejandra doesn’t get nervous before big meetings or pitches, and learn the strategies and preparations she employs to stay focused and confident. The Leap into Entrepreneurship: At just 22, Alejandra took the bold step of starting her own business. She recounts the motivations behind such an early venture into entrepreneurship and the challenges she faced along the way. Navigating Advice: Alejandra discusses the critical skill of discerning which advice to take and which to pass on. She emphasizes the significance of understanding that not all guidance received aligns with one's personal vision and goals. Throughout the episode, Alejandra's story unfolds as a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of believing in one’s convictions. Her experiences across multiple cultures have not only shaped her business acumen but also her approach to leadership and collaboration. You will come away with actionable insights on how to prepare for success, the importance of collaboration, and the courage it takes to follow one's entrepreneurial dreams, even in the face of skepticism or contrary advice. Don't miss this inspiring episode of "A Game of Her Own" podcast, filled with powerful lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the art of navigating advice in the pursuit of building a successful career and business on one's own terms. Free Resource | Empower Your Career: Mastering the Art of Advocacy for Promotions and Raises: https://rb.gy/3qpump Connect with Jahaan: Learn more about working with Jahaan and see if it’s the right fit for you: https://JahaanBlakeAppointmentScheduling.as.me/LetsTalk Join Jahaan's VIP Email List: https://bit.ly/3yccwAP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahaanblake/ Email: jblake@jahaanblake.com Website: https://jahaanblake.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahaanblake/ Connect with Alejandra: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleanaissalazar/ Alejandra is the Founder and CEO of CROING, part of the 0.1% of creative agencies founded by a woman. She is also the founder of CROINGERS, a creative holding company. Alejandra focuses her work on people and how to bring brands closer to them. Originally from Venezuela, she has lived in 7 countries, including Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Spain, and the US, which gave her a deep understanding of local nuances and how people adopt social media and innovation. She speaks about Social Media, Innovation applied to creativity and marketing, US Hispanic/Latino marketing, and Female Leadership. Alejandra serves as Women.NYC advisor, mentor at The New School - Parsons, and has been invited as keynote speaker by Adweek, Inter Miami, City of Miami, National Gallery of Art, EY, Women.NYC, Latinas in Tech, Black Man Talk Tech, Art Center College of Design, a