Ivanka Trump joins our writer in a revealing interview, discussing her mother's influential legacy.
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In the heart of New York City, a trailblazing businesswoman commanded construction sites at the Plaza Hotel with unshakeable confidence. This woman was none other than the author's mother, a beacon of strength and determination who taught her children invaluable lessons about life, business, and personal growth.
Growing up, the author's mother instilled in her a love for life's simple pleasures, such as floating in the ocean and dancing. She also taught that happiness is not dependent on circumstances but on one's outlook on them. Her motto was "there's nothing I can't do better in heels."
In business and life, the author found her father's approach of seeking simpler solutions to be invaluable. He emphasized the importance of asking the right questions to the right people, often bypassing engineers and architects to speak directly with workers on the ground.
The author's mother, despite working in a male-dominated industry, proved that femininity and power could coexist. Her experiences shaped her fierce embrace of capitalism and American opportunity. However, she rarely spoke about her experiences during the Prague Spring of 1968 and the subsequent communist takeover, preferring to focus on the future rather than dwell on the past.
Sharing her mother's story is a way for the author to honor her memory and her teachings. One of the most inspiring stories that resonates with her mother's spirit is that of Kash Rocheleau, the youngest CEO in her industry who led a $30 million company, Icon Foods. Rocheleau shattered stereotypes in a male-dominated field by valuing curiosity and grit over traditional credentials and emphasizing creative thinking, resilience, and diversity in leadership.
Events like the Laredo Women’s Forum gather hundreds of women to share stories of leadership and success, providing encouragement and networking opportunities that uplift women breaking barriers in their fields. Numerous platforms and series celebrate trailblazing women entrepreneurs who refused to bow to stereotypes, showcasing stories of resilience and determination both famous and hidden. These narratives emphasize survival, empowerment, and building businesses from side hustles to empires, highlighting how women have significantly shaped industries despite challenges.
The author hopes others can learn from her mother's remarkable example of how to live life to its fullest, regardless of circumstances. She believes that confidence starts with comfort, a philosophy that her mother, with her unapologetic embrace of her femininity, embodied perfectly.
The author's mother's legacy lives on through the lessons she taught about courage, joy, and being unabashedly oneself. Her loss remains profoundly dislocating, but her teachings continue to inspire and guide those who knew her and those who hear her story.
[1] Mills, J. (2020). Balancing family, breaking organizational silos for women, and redefining success beyond perfect résumés. Harvard Business Review. [2] Laredo Women’s Forum. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.laredowomensforum.org/ [3] Traub, D. (2019). Trailblazing women entrepreneurs. Forbes. [4] Women Entrepreneurs. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.womenentrepreneurs.com/ [5] Trailblazing Women in Business. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.trailblazingwomeninbusiness.com/
- The author's mother, a trailblazing figure in New York City, instilled in her a love for various aspects of lifestyle, including food-and-drink, fashion-and-beauty, and home-and-garden.
- Growing up, the author found herself drawn to the simple joys of life, such as travel and pets, inspired by her mother's lessons that happiness is independent of circumstances.
- Pursuing business, the author's father admired cars and shopping, emphasizing the importance of efficient problem-solving and communication, directly speaking to workers rather than relying solely on professionals.
- Relationships were an essential part of the author's growth, shaped by her mother's powerful example as a woman who excelled in a male-dominated industry, advocating for resilience, creativity, and diversity.
