In this live episode from Arkestro Optimal ’25, Julie sits down with Latiesha Thomas, Director of Professional Services at Arkestro, to unpack her very real, very relatable journey—from dancer, to receptionist, to global systems roles at Mary Kay and SAP, to building processes from scratch in a high-growth startup.And before we dive in, yes—Yvonne is off living her best life somewhere with champagne in hand, so it’s just Julie behind the mic for this power-packed conversation. But don’t worry…the sass, sparkle, and straight-talk are still fully flowing.Latiesha shares the pivotal moment a recruiter asked her to “name your number”—and how imposter syndrome nudged her to ask for less than she deserved. That moment became a turning point in how she sees her value, negotiates offers, and interviews companies (including leadership style, culture, and people practices—not just pay).She also breaks down the deceptively simple exercise from a mentor that changed everything: making two lists—what she loved and what she hated about every job she’d ever had. That clarity shifted her from “maybe I should be a coder” to discovering her real magic in procurement tech, training, relationship-building, and leadership.Julie and Latiesha dig into the differences between corporate giants and startups, how to stay grounded when you’re “building the boat while sailing it,” and why fast failure is actually a growth advantage. Latiesha also shares how supportive leadership at Arkestro allows her to show up fully as a woman, mother, and leader—and how she uses that same reflection tool to develop her team with intention.This episode wraps with the call for women to stop sipping on self-doubt and do one bold thing this week that says: “I know my worth.” Cheers to confidence with a twist!