Summary: 

In today’s episode of Elevate Your Career, Nicole is joined by Laura Schwab, a trailblazer in the automotive industry, to share her remarkable journey. Laura’s story begins in Louisville, Kentucky, where her competitive spirit was first ignited on the tennis courts. This drive propelled her to a tennis scholarship at the University of Notre Dame, setting the stage for her future successes.

After a brief stint in law school and working various jobs in California, Laura’s path took an unexpected turn when she entered the automotive industry, initially through an internet car sales company. Her tenacity and willingness to learn from scratch led her to significant roles at Land Rover and eventually to becoming the first female president of a luxury auto brand, Aston Martin.

Throughout the conversation, Laura emphasizes the importance of being authentic and the value of mentorship in her career. Her story is a testament to not conforming to norms and finding success by being true to oneself. Nicole highlights Laura’s humility, hard work, and her approachable yet effective leadership style that has made her a respected figure in the traditionally male-dominated automotive industry. As Laura navigates motherhood alongside her career, her journey continues to inspire, showcasing the power of resilience, embracing change, and breaking barriers.

Join Nicole and Laura for this fascinating and inspiring conversation!

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• How being true to oneself can lead to memorable and impactful contributions in any career.
• The importance of not conforming to traditional norms and expectations, especially in male-dominated industries, and how this approach can lead to success and recognition.
• How Laura dealt with feelings of inadequacy, especially in a field where she initially lacked expertise, and learn strategies to overcome your own imposter syndrome.
• How mentors can play a crucial role in career development, offering guidance, support, and opportunities to grow.
• Techniques for negotiating salaries and positions, and how to assert your worth and capabilities in professional settings.
• How Laura balanced significant career milestones with personal life events like motherhood.
• And so much more…

Quotes:

“And then you realize like when you’re just yourself, you’re so much more comfortable in your own skin, people remember you, your ideas flow better.” – Laura Schwab

“That whole imposter syndrome thing is real. I had it big time.” – Laura Schwab

“I just don’t want to be a lawyer. You know, my, my parents were like, What do you mean? You can’t do this?” – Laura Schwab

“Mentors are great. I don’t think people know what mentors are. Find someone awesome that you know that you can say anything to.” – Laura Schwab

“I find out I’m pregnant. Like we weren’t planning on having children… my first year at Aston Martin, you know, I’m like, running a car company.” – Laura Schwab

“Every time I didn’t get something. And I got turned down. I’d ask the question, not to be antagonistic, more just like, hey, so I can get there someday, like, what do I not have?” – Laura Schwab

Resources:

Laura’s LinkedIn

Podcast: