Women in Sales Leadership

Why You're Never Starting From Zero

In this episode, Amy Evans interviews Ali Rizacos to explore her journey from Salesforce sales leadership to coaching and personal branding mastery. They discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of storytelling on LinkedIn, and strategies for building a personal brand that opens new career opportunities. Alli Rizacos spent eight years at Salesforce, mostly in sales and sales leadership, in the Toronto office. While there she went through the existential crisis so many high performers feel, found coaching, and realized it was the thread that had run through her whole life. In 2021, in the depths of the pandemic, she left corporate to start her coaching business, beginning as an imposter syndrome coach for sales leaders. As her own LinkedIn-driven success grew, her clients asked her to teach them, so in December 2023 she pivoted overnight to coaching sales leaders on building their personal brand and coaching business on LinkedIn. She runs her entire business through LinkedIn alone, no ads, no other platforms. Key Topics: - Overcoming imposter syndrome - Building a personal brand on LinkedIn - Strategic career pivots and startovers Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Women in Sales Leadership Podcast 00:29 Meet Ali Rizacos: A Journey from Salesforce to Coaching 03:10 The Transition from Sales Leadership to Coaching 06:50 Building a Coaching Business: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 09:34 The Power of Personal Branding and Starting Over 12:55 Unlearning Perfectionism: Embracing Imperfections 16:17 Navigating Life Changes and Building Community 19:34 Leveraging LinkedIn for Career Growth 23:24 The Importance of Personal Branding in Sales 26:33 Overcoming Corporate Ownership Mentality 29:43 Effective LinkedIn Strategies for Sales Leaders 33:02 Traveling and Building Community as an Entrepreneur 40:05 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning Work with Amy: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Book your complimentary career planning call: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Follow the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW [https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW]

The Boundaries That Make High Performance Possible

In this inspiring episode, Amy Evans interviews Erica Ettore, a top-performing sales leader, about balancing high performance with well-being, motherhood, and boundaries. Erica shares her journey from Wall Street to tech, her leadership philosophy, and practical strategies for women in sales leadership to thrive without sacrificing themselves. Erica Ettore is a global sales executive at Workiva and the leader behind its high-growth multi-entity reporting business. Known for tripling win rates and scaling top-performing teams, she blends sharp strategy with a uniquely intuitive leadership style that has made her one of the company's most influential voices. Her career began on Wall Street working with some of the world's most prominent companies before she moved to Morgan Stanley, where she built B2B programs for brands like Pinterest, Airbnb, and Google. At Workiva, she's earned recognition as a transformational leader, most recently being named Manager of the Year. Erica is also a champion for high-achieving women balancing ambition, motherhood, and identity. She brings honesty, humor, and actionable insight to everything she does, whether she's coaching global teams or raising her son Joey. Her mission is simple: help people rise, professionally, personally, and powerfully. Key Topics: - Leadership evolution from individual contributor to manager - Balancing motherhood and high-stakes sales leadership - The importance of boundaries and self-care - Strategies for managing a global sales team - Mindset shifts for sustained high performance Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Intentions 02:50 Leadership and Team Culture 06:11 Personal Growth and Team Evolution 09:03 The Journey from Individual Contributor to Leader 11:56 Motherhood and Work-Life Balance 14:49 Mindset Shifts and Self-Reflection 18:07 Establishing Boundaries and Rituals 21:08 Advice for Women in Sales Leadership Work with Amy: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Book your complimentary career planning call: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Follow the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW [https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW]

What High Performers Really Want (It's Not Money)

In this episode I'm digging into something I think every high performer wrestles with quietly, usually in their own head: what career growth actually means once you're past the early, climb-fast years. I walk you through the five things high performers truly want, and the one that surprises everyone because it isn't money, plus why turning down a promotion can be exactly the right call. I share my own story of massive change, getting laid off, working through a divorce, selling the family home, and starting a business, and why none of it killed me. If you've been wondering whether you should be reaching for the next rung or whether where you are is enough, this one is for you. Key Takeaways: - Why the growth conversation is really happening inside your own head, and why that's worth paying attention to - The shift Amy noticed in hiring: tenured leaders quietly resenting young reps for wanting the exact thing they once wanted - The job-hopping red flag, and the moment her boss told her her thinking was "so outdated" - Why growth is a steep climb early that naturally tapers, and why a plateau is not the same as failure - The friend who turned down a promotion to protect her last three years with her son at home, and why that was right - The five things every high performer actually wants, and the one that is NOT at the top of the list - Why fearing growth is legitimate, and the reframe that there is no "change monster" hiding under the bed Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Growth and Career Trajectory 02:56 Reflections on Early Career Ambitions 05:46 The Shift in Career Growth Perspectives 09:08 The Importance of Stability in Career Moves 12:07 Understanding Growth Mindset in Sales 15:01 High Performers and Their Career Aspirations 18:11 The Five Key Desires of High Performers 20:50 The Role of Autonomy and Accountability 24:03 Recognition and Influence in Career Growth 27:08 Alignment of Purpose in Professional Life 29:51 The Need for Upward Mobility and Reward 32:47 Embracing Change and Growth Opportunities 35:50 Conclusion: The Nature of Growth and Change Work with Amy: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Book your complimentary career planning call: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Follow the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW [https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW]

The High Achiever Trap for Women Leaders

In this episode I'm naming something most high performing women never let themselves say out loud. We hit the numbers, we collect the title and the comp, and somewhere along the way our job quietly stops being something we do and starts to become who we are. I walk you through the identity trap almost every leader I coach falls into, the three patterns that come with it, and the three moves that helped me find my way back when I was making a million dollars a year and felt completely dead inside. Key Takeaways: - High achievers often tie their identity to their work, leading to disconnection from self. - Recognizing the signs of resentment, burnout, and emotional exhaustion is crucial for recovery. - Engaging in activities outside of work that bring joy can restore energy and passion. - Honest conversations and vulnerability are powerful tools for reconnecting with oneself and others. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Identity Trap 03:07 Understanding the Identity Trap 08:02 Patterns of Resentment and Disconnection 14:16 The Weight of Leadership 18:41 Rebuilding and Reengaging 25:47 Choosing Joy and Authenticity 30:21 Conclusion and Call to Action Work with Amy: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Book your complimentary career planning call: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Follow the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW [https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW]

The Question That Reveals Everything About Your Career Trajectory

Work with Amy: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] We're halfway through the year. Six months in, six months left. And one question will tell you everything about where your career is actually headed: Where do I want to be by the end of the year? In this episode, sales leadership coach Amy Evans breaks down what your answer to this question really reveals, and walks you through the exact three-move framework to close the gap between where you are right now and where you want to be before December 31st. In this episode you'll learn: - The three types of answers women give to this question, and what each one reveals about your career trajectory - Why mid-year is the most critical window for making your move before budget and headcount decisions get locked in - The three specific actions to take before year-end to make yourself undeniable Episode Chapters: 00:00 Setting Intentions for Career Growth 02:54 Defining Your Goals for the Year 06:06 The Power of Hope and Vision 08:46 Identifying What You Don't Want 11:56 Taking Action Towards Your Goals 14:54 Creating a Plan for Career Advancement 18:01 Encouragement to Take the First Step Book your complimentary career planning call: amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme [http://amyevanscoaching.com/workwithme] Follow the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-in-sales-leadership/id1765026855] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW [https://open.spotify.com/show/0lnzIwlqDzxFTA4KllGfWW]