When I Grow Up

Everlyn Omondi on Career Change: Deciding to Change, Weighing Your Options, and Making It Happen

In this episode of When I Grow Up, I’m joined by Everlyn Omondi, a fellow Executive Coach, to talk about a topic close to both of our hearts: career change.   Everlyn shares her story of pivoting from a decade-long marketing career in Kenya and Dubai into coaching—a move driven not by a desire to escape, but by a new, intentional vision for her future.    Together, we unpack what career change really is (spoiler: it’s not always quitting your job and starting from scratch), the mindset shifts that make change possible, and how to navigate uncertainty with more clarity and confidence.   We talk burnout, identity, money fears, and how to rethink career “security.” We also share the most practical steps we recommend when you’re considering a change—whether that’s an internal move, a total reinvention, or something in between.   If you’re feeling stuck, questioning your path, or wondering how to make a change that actually works for you, this episode is for you.   Links Connect with Everlyn on LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/everlynomondi/ Connect with Nicolette on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolette-louw/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolette-louw/] Career Change Masterclas: https://www.nicolettelouw.org/career-change-course [https://www.nicolettelouw.org/career-change-course]

Jillian Reilly on The Ten Permissions: A Playbook for Navigating Adulthood in the Chaos of the Twenty-First Century

In this episode of When I Grow Up, I chat with Jillian Reilly about The Ten Permissions: A playbook for navigating adulthood in the chaos of the twenty-first century. Jillian is a founder, writer, public speaker, and consultant with a 30-year career in social, organizational, and individual change across Africa, Asia, and Central Europe. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Newsweek, and The LA Times, and her TEDx talk, Vain Aid, explores her journey in the international aid industry and the hard lessons she’s learned about changemaking. She also cohosted Courageous Conversations, a podcast that interviewed African activists about what it really takes to create change. In this conversation, Jillian shares her journey as a change agent, the power of self-permission, and how to navigate adulthood with more intention. She introduces her upcoming book and its key themes, offering a fresh perspective on building a fulfilling life in today’s complex world. We unpack The Ten Permissions and how they help us cultivate intentionality and agency—embracing portfolio careers and designing lives that truly work for us. We also dive into the challenges women face in leadership and why we need a new leadership paradigm—one where women fully own their authority.   Links The Ten Permissions website: https://tenpermissions.com/ Connect with Jillian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianreilly/ Connect with Nicolette on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolette-louw/

Jessica Custer on Stepping Into Your Power, Creating Impact, and Owning Your Career Journey

In this episode of When I Grow Up, I chat with Jessica Custer about claiming power in our careers—not just in the big decisions, but in how we shape opportunities along the way. Jessica is a social impact strategist, project management expert, and founding member of Girls Club Collective. She shares how growing up in rural poverty in Ohio shaped her early career decisions, leading her from a prestigious but unfulfilling role in international tax to social impact. She also reflects on how her vision for creating impact through the private sector led her to work in fair trade and corporate sustainability across global markets. And most recently, how moving to Australia became the catalyst for her pivot into freelancing and entrepreneurship. We get into:  * The difference between agency and power—and why both are so important in our careers.  * Self-knowledge as the foundation of career alignment—and what it really takes to cultivate it * The unexpected challenges of freelancing and being a solopreneur—and how to overcome them) * The role of relationships and community in building a fulfilling career and business—and how to cultivate them This conversation is packed with insights on being confident in yourself, stepping into your power, and owning your career journey.

Joselle Reyes on Her Journey from Accounting to Art, the Role of Courage and Pragmatism in Change, and the Realities of Building a Passion-Driven Business

In this week’s episode of When I Grow Up, I chat with Joselle Reyes, artist and owner of Your Wedding Artist. She shares her inspiring journey from a successful career in accounting to pursuing her childhood dream of becoming an artist. We dive into the key decisions and considerations involved in making a major career change, the role of patience, planning, and support systems, and the realities of turning a passion into a sustainable career and business. Joselle emphasizes the balance of courage and pragmatism when following your dreams. If you're thinking about a career change or taking the leap to pursue your passion full-time, this episode is for you. You can learn more about Joselle and her work on her website https://www.yourweddingart.ist/ [https://www.yourweddingart.ist/] or on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourweddingart.ist/ [https://www.instagram.com/yourweddingart.ist/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourweddingart.ist [https://www.tiktok.com/@yourweddingart.ist]

Beryl Oyier on Authentic Leadership, Creating a Burnout-Free Culture, and the Importance of Empowering People

In this week’s episode, I speak with Beryl Oyier about her remarkable journey—from growing up in rural Kenya to studying anthropology, starting a marketing agency, and ultimately leading the East Africa office of a global organization.   Beryl is Managing Director East Africa at Bopinc, a Dutch-headquartered organization focused on promoting inclusive business across Africa and Asia. I worked with Beryl at Bopinc for three years, and always admired her leadership style—built on trust, empowerment, and a deep commitment to nurturing her team.   In this conversation, Beryl reflects on the invaluable lessons she has learned from leading across different cultures, her approach to maintaining work-life balance and preventing burnout, her strategies for empowering others, and the importance of creating your own definition of success. She also shares her insights on how women can lead authentically and embrace their unique strengths in the workplace.   This episode is for any woman in business who aspires to lead with greater confidence, authenticity, and purpose.