Hey mama,
Let me ask you something: Have you ever found yourself in a room where you felt like you didn’t belong? Maybe you’re the only one who looks like you, or the only one who thinks like you. You know the feeling—you start second-guessing yourself, thinking, “What am I doing here? I don’t fit in. I’m a fraud.”
Yep, that’s Impostor Syndrome. And trust me, we all feel it at some point. But I want to share something with you that might just flip your perspective entirely. Instead of seeing it as a sign that you don’t belong, what if you looked at it as proof that you’re exactly where you need to be?
Let me take you back to a moment in my career when this all clicked for me.
The Wall Street Wake-Up Call
I was working on Wall Street, in a boardroom full of professionals. Picture it: a big, polished table with high-backed chairs, a room full of experts—except, you know, me. I was there with my team, sharing the research we’d done for a venture capitalist (VC) who had hired us. My team and I were each focused on our own areas of expertise. But as we went around the table sharing our insights, something weird happened.
When it came time for me to speak, the VC turned to the guy sitting next to me—let’s call him Bob—and said, “Bob, tell me more about XYZ.” I paused, wondering if I had said something wrong. But Bob said, “Let’s ask Whitnee. She’s the expert.”
Hmm, okay, cool. But then the VC asked Bob again. “Bob, what about ABC?”
At this point, I was like, “Am I speaking another language? Am I not making sense?” But still, Bob threw it back to me. “Whitnee’s the expert.”
I was seriously confused. My mind was racing. Was I missing something? Did I completely mess up? Why was the VC so focused on asking Bob instead of me?
As the meeting wrapped up, my team complimented me on my insights, but I was still stuck on the fact that I felt overlooked. It wasn’t until one of my teammates pulled me aside and said, “You did an amazing job. That stat you shared? Genius!” that I had an epiphany.
Realizing the Truth: I Wasn’t an Imposter. I Was a Trailblazer.
It hit me like a ton of bricks. That man didn’t want me in that room. He was trying to erase me, to ignore my presence and dismiss my expertise. And I was the only one who looked like me in that space. My age, my gender, my race—they all set me apart in that room. And you know what? That wasn’t a sign that I didn’t belong. It was a sign that I was a trailblazer.
I was paving the way for other women—other moms, other people who look like me—to walk into spaces that were never meant for us. I was showing up with the expertise and knowledge to prove that I, too, belong in these rooms.
So, mama, the next time you feel that sneaky little voice whispering “imposter” in your ear, remember: You’re not an imposter. You’re a trailblazer. You’re breaking down barriers, creating space for others, and showing up in ways no one thought possible.
You’re in the Room for a Reason
Here’s the truth: You are in those rooms for a reason. You’ve earned your seat at the table. Whether you’re the first, the only, or the most different person in the room, you’re there because you bring something unique and valuable.
And yes, sometimes rooms are designed to keep people like you out. But that’s not a reflection of your worth. It’s a reflection of how the world isn’t quite ready for all of the amazing things you’re capable of. So, keep showing up, keep speaking up, and keep doing the work that matters.
Sometimes, boardrooms are designed to keep you out. And when you’re in those rooms and those tables, you are not an imposter. You are a trailblazer.
Being a Trailblazer Is Hard—but It’s Worth It
Being a trailblazer isn’t always easy. You’ll face challenges, rejection, and maybe even some uncomfortable moments (like the one I had in that meeting). But I want you to know: it’s worth it. Every single step you take is clearing the path for someone else who will come after you.
So, the next time you find yourself feeling like you don’t belong, just remember: you do belong. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be. And instead of doubting yourself, take a moment to celebrate the fact that you’re opening doors for others, too.
You are a trailblazer.
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