Beyond The Job Title | Underrepresented Career Stories Cesar Romero

(00:00) - A Personal Tragedy: Turning Pain into Power
(01:04) - Introduction to the Podcast: Beyond the Job Title
(02:53) - Journey into Tech: The Transition from Full-Time Parent to Health Coach
(03:19) - The Decision to Take a Career Break: Balancing Parenthood and Professional Life
(08:48) - Returning to the Workforce: The Unexpected Path to Customer Success
(22:06) - Dealing with Stress and Anxiety: A Personal Story
(23:56) - The Power of Meditation and Intuition
(24:29) - Confronting Imposter Syndrome
(28:51) - The Importance of Mentorship and Building a Network
(35:49) - Sharing Personal Stories and Overcoming Tragedy
(41:03) - Career Advice and Final Thoughts
Episode SummaryTanya’s journey through personal tragedy, career breaks, and a triumphant return to the tech industry is nothing short of inspiring.
Here are 4 highlights from our conversation:
🎙️ Turning Tragedy into Triumph
Tanya shares the heart-wrenching story of losing her father in a car accident, a day after returning from studying abroad. This pivotal moment led her to write "The Unthinkable," a story about finding the hidden gifts life offers, even amidst trauma. Her tale is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the transformative power of acceptance and gratitude.
🚀 From Full-Time Parent to Customer Success Maven
After a six-year hiatus dedicated to full-time parenting and becoming a health coach, Tanya leaped back into the tech world, landing in the field of customer success. She discusses the challenges of re-entering the workforce, the strategies that helped her succeed, and how her background in wellness unexpectedly became her edge in tech.
💡 Mentorship, Diversity, and Building Effective Teams
Tanya also delves into the importance of mentorship, embracing diversity, and the art of building inclusive, effective teams. Her approach to leadership—listening for the minority voice and fostering an environment where everyone is heard—is a lesson in empathy and empowerment.
📚 A Story of Courage and Career Transformation
This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing career transitions, seeking mentorship, or simply looking for a dose of motivation. Tanya's story is a powerful reminder that with courage and a willingness to reach out, incredible growth is possible.
Don't miss out on this profound conversation. Tune in to learn, grow, and be inspired. 
Remember, your journey is unique, and your voice matters.
🎧 Listen now and join us on this transformative journey at Beyond the Job Title.
To staying resilient and grateful,Cesar Romero
P.S. If Tanya's story resonates with you or you have your own experiences to share, we'd love to hear from you. Shoot me an email or reach out via LinkedIn. 
Tanya’s Bio

Tanya is a results-oriented professional with a strong track record in enhancing customer satisfaction and retention. She excels in leading high-performing teams, specializing in delivering superior support and driving revenue growth. Her expertise lies in devising customer success strategies that align with business objectives and improving the end-to-end customer journey, often exceeding retention and satisfaction targets.

An adept communicator, Tanya is committed to building strong client relationships, ensuring their success through the strategic use of data-driven insights for continuous improvement in customer experience. She currently manages a portfolio with an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of $38 million across 140 accounts, achieving an average Net Revenue Retention (NRR) rate of over 100%. Leading a team of six strategic Customer Success Managers, she empowers them to meet their objectives and progress in their careers.

Tanya's mission is to foster world-class customer success organizations that emphasize value, satisfaction, and loyalty, making significant strides in achieving business goals through dedicated customer success efforts.

Referenced
Gainsight: https://www.gainsight.com/Anthony Kenn

Episode Summary

In this enlightening episode, we dive into the world of career transitions and the unique challenges that come with breaking into the tech industry. Our guest, Annie, shares her wealth of experience and the support systems that Recast Success provides to help career transitioners break into tech. We discuss the importance of mentorship, community, and the critical role of customer success in reflecting a diverse customer base.
Annie takes us on a journey through her own career pivot into tech, highlighting the moment a register crash at a retail job sparked her interest in technology and operations. She candidly shares the struggles she faced, from overcoming imposter syndrome to recognizing the value of her unique perspective as a career transitioner.
We also explore the broader issues of diversity in tech and the need for more inclusive representation, especially in customer success roles. Annie emphasizes the importance of aligning with a company's mission and finding the right cultural fit, sharing insights on how to ask the right questions and identify the best environment for personal growth.
Annie's story is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. Her experiences as a native sign language speaker and her diverse background, from living on a farm to being a chef's apprentice, have all contributed to her unique approach to customer success and leadership in tech.
As we wrap up the episode, Annie leaves us with valuable lessons on seeking out opportunities that allow us to shine, pushing beyond our comfort zones, and the significance of taking calculated risks for personal and professional development.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. And if you find it valuable, please consider sharing it with your network. Together, we can inspire and empower underrepresented professionals in the tech industry. 

(00:00) - Episode Teaser: Career Transitions in Tech

(00:52) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

(02:44) - Diversity in Tech and Customer Success

(04:12) - Annie's Journey into Tech

(13:12) - The Importance of Mentorship and Community Support

(26:47) - Moving and Adapting: A Founder's Journey

(28:27) - The Sacrifices of Founding a Startup

(29:21) - The Reality of Founding Companies and Venture Capital

(31:32) - Navigating Gender Bias and Discrimination in Tech

(35:04) - The Birth and Evolution of Recast Success

(39:17) - The Future of Tech and Underrepresented Professionals

Annie’s Bio

Annie Dean's career trajectory is marked by over 12 years of experience in corporate strategy, B2B go-to-market strategies, entrepreneurship, and operational leadership, establishing her as a pivotal senior executive amidst rapid organizational growth and success. Her advisory role spans across software and technology-enabled services companies, where she also takes on fractional leadership positions such as CEO, COO, and VP/Head of Customer Success for multiple startups, alongside serving on the boards of various startups. Dean leverages her profound expertise in SaaS recurring revenue, customer success, change management, and innovation to drive growth and scalability in competitive markets.

Before her ascent in the tech industry, Dean accumulated over 10 years of significant leadership and wholesale experience in the big-box retail sector. Despite lacking a college degree and grappling with a poor work-life balance, feeling entrapped within her circumstances, she made a bold move to pivot her career. In 2011, Dean embarked on a new journey in the tech realm, starting from an entry-level role at Cisco. Her determination and skillset propelled her rapid advancement in the customer success domain, underscoring her resilience and adaptability.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Dean has dedicated over a decade to mentoring, co-founding RecastSuccess to foster diversity in the Customer Success talent pool through mentorship, education, and community en

Episode Summary

In this episode, we feature the incredible story of Aaron, an underrepresented professional in the tech industry. Aaron shares his journey of growing up in McAllen, navigating personal challenges, and ultimately making a pivot into tech. His story is inspiring and showcases the power of resilience and self-discovery.

After initially pursuing a pre-med track in college, Aaron realized that medicine was not his true passion. He made the pivot into tech sales and found fulfillment in a startup environment. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, knowing one's worth, and seeking opportunities to network and build relationships. Aaron also highlights the power of community and the impact it can have on personal and professional growth.

Throughout the episode, Aaron shares valuable insights and advice for underrepresented professionals looking to advance in their careers or make a career pivot. He encourages individuals to be intentional in their networking efforts, seek out mentors, and embrace opportunities for personal and professional development. Aaron's story serves as an inspiration for others to overcome challenges, find their passion, and create their own path to success.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. And if you find it valuable, please consider sharing it with your network. Together, we can inspire and empower underrepresented professionals in the tech industry. 


(00:00) - The Importance of Networking and Intentionality
(01:05) - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
(03:33) - Aaron's Early Life and Challenges
(04:47) - Overcoming Personal Trauma and Building Empathy
(07:21) - The Power of Self-Reflection and Personal Development
(09:35) - The Decision to Pivot Away from a Medical Career
(13:21) - The Impact of Relationships and Personal Growth
(21:14) - The Journey into Tech and the Value of Diverse Experiences
(25:25) - The Challenges and Rewards of a Sales Career
(26:16) - The Importance of Selling and the Role of SDR
(26:57) - Resilience and Mindset in Sales
(27:30) - Transitioning into Tech and Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
(28:22) - The Power of Self-Reflection and Personal Struggles
(30:21) - The Importance of Self-Worth
(31:17) - The Impact of Social Media on Self-Worth
(32:17) - The Influence of American Dream and Material Success
(34:00) - The Importance of Networking and Building Relationships
(41:06) - The Power of Community and LinkedIn Presence
(49:38) - Closing Thoughts and Advice for Underrepresented Backgrounds
Aaron’s Bio
Aaron Barreiro leverages over six years of experience in revenue and customer service leadership, primarily within the SaaS and startup sectors, to drive significant growth and operational excellence. As the current lead for GTM and Customer Success at Poseidon, Aaron has been pivotal in refining sales processes and enhancing customer engagement, demonstrating a tangible impact on revenue and market positioning. His tenure at Concord Project Technologies Inc. showcased his ability to manage full-cycle sales opportunities and client relationships on a global scale, including a key enterprise contract with Shell.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Aaron founded 1Strive, focusing on leadership development across all educational and professional levels. His role with Colorwave underscores his commitment to diversity and access in the innovation industry. Aaron also contributes to Herald, assisting brands in messaging, branding, and growth marketing to achieve their strategic goals.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medical Biology from The University of Texas-Pan American and is proficient in Spanish. His certifications include Recruiting Foundations, Negotiation Skills, Social Media Marketing, and Establishing Credibility as a Speaker, reflecting his diverse skill set and dedication to professional development. Aaron is passionate about building communities, remote work's social impact, and sharing in

Episode Summary

Part two of sharing one lesson from each of the first twenty episodes. Enjoy!

(00:00) - Intro

(01:36) - Be Open To Opportunities | Mindaugas Petrutis

(02:43) - Doing The Job I Wanted Before I Had The Job | Jen Allen-Knuth

(04:28) - You Don't Need to Ask For Permission | Albert Chun

(05:17) - Your Career Is Not Your Career | Hannah Brotherthon

(06:29) - Think About What Has Helped You Get to Where You Are Today | Ashna Patel

(07:30) - Be Willing to Pivot | Emma Lo

(07:54) - Identify The Things That You Don’t Want | Maria Joyner

(08:52) - Embrace The Learning Curve | Swietenia Palacios

(09:32) - Take Control Of Your Story | Julie Fox

(10:18) - Go, Have Fun, And Pull Your Friends Along | Matt Wilson

(11:01) - Outro

Referenced
The Future Demands Nonlinear Careers With Coho’s CEO, Mindaugas Petrutis | BJT13: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/the-future-demands-nonlinear-careers-with-coho-s-ceo-mindaugas-petrutis-bjt13Unlocking Authenticity, Longevity, and Growth in Your Career Path with Jen Allen-Knuth | BJT14: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/unlocking-authenticity-longevity-and-growth-in-your-career-path-with-jen-allen-knuth-bjt14Charting Success: Lessons from Albert's Transformational Path in Education and Startups | BJT15: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/charting-success-lessons-from-alberts-transformational-path-in-education-and-startups-bjt15Growing And Thriving Through Transitions: Insights from Ashna's Transformative Experiences | BJT16: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/growing-and-thriving-through-transitions-insights-from-ashnas-transformative-experiences-bjt16Empathetic Connections | Hannah's Approach to Life And Customer Success: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/empathetic-connections-hannahs-approach-to-life-and-customer-successEmma Lo's Journey from Cancer Labs to Business Success: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/emma-los-journey-from-cancer-labs-to-business-successBridging Skills | How Teaching Prepared Swietenia for a Tech Career Pivot: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/bridging-skills-how-teaching-prepared-swietenia-for-a-tech-career-pivotKnow Your Worth and Achieve Your Goals | Julie Fox's Journey in the Tech Industry: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/know-your-worth-and-achieve-your-goals-julie-foxs-journey-in-the-tech-industryMatt Wilson Reflects on Balancing Adventure, Entrepreneurship, and Being the Best Dad Possible: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/matt-wilson-reflects-on-balancing-adventure-entrepreneurship-and-being-the-best-dad-possible
🎙About The Podcast

Join Cesar Romero, as he shares the stories of trailblazing underrepresented SaaS founders, executives, and professionals who have broken barriers and achieved remarkable milestones. Whether you seek inspiration, mentorship, or actionable strategies to advance your career, our podcast is your go-to resource.

🙏 Leave a Review

If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we'd love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show :) 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-job-title/id1689335298

👋🏼Get In Touch

Email or DM me with any feedback, ideas, or thoughts about the lessons you've learned from the episodes and I’ll personally give you a shout-out for tuning in.

Where to find Cesar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamcesarromeroLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcesarromero/

Episode Summary

Sharing one lesson from each of the first ten episodes. Enjoy!

(00:00) - Intro

(01:29) - Always be searching for gaps | Katie Penner

(02:21) - Life will put you back in your place | Dev Sim

(02:53) - Learn to tell good stories | Zach Horvath

(04:00) - What happens if you get laid off? | Kris Hughes

(05:40) - When you care people will care about you | Angelique Bolding

(08:00) - You can figure it out | Danielle Martin

(08:59) - Don’t compare yourself to others | Danny Luu

(10:13) - Bet on yourself and start a personal project | David Nebinski

(11:31) - Are you out of alignment? | Amanda Horvath

(12:51) - You are qualified | Carrie Melissa Jones

(13:54) - Outro

Referenced
Dev Sim: Workplace Longevity, Cambodian Heritage, & Bodybuilding | BJT03: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/dev-sim-workplace-longevity-cambodian-heritage-bodybuilding-bjt03Living A Great Story: Unveiling Zach's Creative Journey and Entrepreneurial Spirit | BJT04: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/living-a-great-story-unveiling-zachs-creative-journey-and-entrepreneurial-spirit-bjt04Pivoting with Purpose: Kris' Entrepreneurial Journey | BJT05: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/pivoting-with-purpose-kris-entrepreneurial-journey-bjt05Angelique Bolding: The Power of Connection, Meaningful Relationships, and Community | BJT06: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/angelique-bolding-the-power-of-connection-meaningful-relationships-and-community-bjt06Work-Life Integration: Navigating Motherhood and Career Growth with Katie Penner | BJT07: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/work-life-integration-navigating-motherhood-and-career-growth-with-katie-penner-bjt07-696d3995-4803-4215-aba8-16f6537737c2Conquering Imposter Syndrome, Overcoming Self-Doubt, and Embracing Challenges with Danielle Martin | BJT08: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/conquering-imposter-syndrome-overcoming-self-doubt-and-embracing-challenges-with-danielle-martin-bjt08Authenticity And Positivity at Work and Home: Aligning Your True Self for Success with Danny Luu | BJT09: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/authenticity-and-positivity-at-work-and-home-aligning-your-true-self-for-success-with-danny-luu-bjt09Picking Yourself: Building Your Body of Work And Unlocking Growth Opportunities with David Nebinski | BJT10: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/picking-yourself-building-your-body-of-work-and-unlocking-growth-opportunities-with-david-nebinski-bjt10Living Authentically and Following Alignment at All Costs with Amanda Horvath | BJT11: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/living-authentically-and-following-alignment-at-all-costs-with-amanda-horvath-bjt11Creating Spaces For Belonging And Connection With Carrie Melissa Jones | BJT12: https://www.beyondthejobtitle.com/episodes/creating-spaces-for-belonging-and-connection-with-carrie-melissa-jones-bjt12
🎙About The Podcast

Join Cesar Romero, as he shares the stories of trailblazing underrepresented SaaS founders, executives, and professionals who have broken barriers and achieved remarkable milestones. Whether you seek inspiration, mentorship, or actionable strategies to advance your career, our podcast is your go-to resource.

🙏 Leave a Review

If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we'd love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show :) 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-job-title/id1689335298

👋🏼Get In Touch

Email or DM me with any feedback, ideas, or thoughts about the lessons you've learned from the episodes and I’ll personally give you a shout-out for tuning in.

Where to find Cesar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamcesarromeroLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcesarromero/

Episode Summary

My thoughts and reflections on recording the first 25 episodes.


(00:00) - Intro | simplicity and consistency

(03:07) - Gratitude

(04:28) - On getting started

(05:21) - Developing the podcast concept

(07:50) - Simplicity

(10:06) - On finding guests

(11:27) - Opportunity for improvement

(13:24) - Find community

(15:55) - Outro
🎙About The Podcast
Join Cesar Romero, as he shares the stories of trailblazing underrepresented SaaS founders, executives, and professionals who have broken barriers and achieved remarkable milestones. Whether you seek inspiration, mentorship, or actionable strategies to advance your career, our podcast is your go-to resource.

🙏 Leave a Review

If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we'd love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show :) 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-job-title/id1689335298

👋🏼Get In Touch

Email or DM me with any feedback, ideas, or thoughts about the lessons you've learned from the episodes and I’ll personally give you a shout-out for tuning in.

Where to find Cesar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamcesarromeroLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcesarromero/