Episode 241: Optimistic Insights from Entrepreneur and Founder of GrowthQ, Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu

To get ahead and make an impact, you must know your value and have clarity on your ‘why’. Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu, Founder of talent matching platform GrowthQ shares the key factors that have driven her entrepreneurial success, including her experience as a dancer for the LA Clippers, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Jets. She attributes her success to concentrating on good things coming to her and a focus on people, innovation, and creativity. Esther formed her first startup at age 19 from her college dorm. Her network was key to her success, and she describes the importance of depositing more into relationships than you withdraw. Esther has a clear definition of the differences between coaches, sponsors, and mentors that you will find helpful as you search for each one to help you succeed.  Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com/ where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Esther.   Highlights:  [01:43] Esther’s background[04:55] How Esther started her company and being an entrepreneur[09:25] What Esther learned dancing for the NBA[14:11] An entrepreneur at 19 years old[18:31] Building self confidence and overcoming fears[20:30] The difference between coaches, sponsors, and mentors[25:47] Giving back to your network and knowing your why[28:30] Acknowledging our privileges [31:40] Bringing value to any situation[33:14] Lightning round questions   Quotes: “An intrapreneur is someone who is an entrepreneur but within an organization.” – Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu “You have to deposit five times the amount you withdraw from your network.” – Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu “Whoever you are, you bring value and you need to figure out what that is.” – Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu   Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you?  “You Are Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Money” by Jen Sincero   What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?  “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”   What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?  Creator   What is one change you've implanted that made your life better?  Morning affirmations What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?  “I’m Okay” a song by my younger sister   About Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu: Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu is Founder of GrowthQ, a matching platform for mentorship, diverse interviewers-aaS, and tech sales talent. Esther also recently joined as General Partner for VC firm, 1Flourish. Esther is a 16 year Silicon Valley tech veteran, a 7 year NFL and NBA Dancer, and investor known for her wellness advocacy, her connected tech industry network, and her Go-To-Market expertise. Esther was recognized as Diversity Women Magazine’s Power 100 executives and The Network Journal’s 40 Under 40 list. She was the first Black Dance Captain in franchise history of the New York Jets and started her first startup at 19 years old in her dorm room at Santa Clara University. As a Go-To-Market thought leader, Esther has been a featured guest lecturer at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Santa Rosa Community College as well as a guest speaker at companies like  Facebook, Gong, Snowflake, Cisco, Clozd, and Braze. Her new company, GrowthQ is dedicated to helping close the wage and wellness gaps for underrepresented tech talent by succeeding in a career in tech sales. Links: Website: www.growthq.co  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-ayorinde/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstherAAyorinde Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esthera.ayorinde Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamestherayorinde/