We recently connected with Nayli Russo and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nayli thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I firmly believe that the key to success is conviction. It’s about setting your heart, mind, and soul on a goal and not letting anything stand in your way. Conviction provides that extra edge, turning obstacles into stepping stones. It’s what propelled me through my journey, from pursuing pharmacy despite limited resources to singing at weddings to fund my education. I remember studying for finals on bathroom stools during breaks at those weddings. That same conviction led me from Venezuela to the US, where I started from scratch, relearned my degree in English, and earned my pharmacy license.

After a while in clinical work, I decided to pivot into business. While managing at Highmark, I pursued my MBA, gradually shifting towards business operations and strategy. Later, I set my mind to leave healthcare altogether, which eventually led me to become an executive with the Pittsburgh Pirates, directly reporting to the President.

Today, as VP of People & Strategy for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a franchise business owner, and the founder of Inner Power LLC, I’ve realized that it’s been my unwavering determination that’s forged my path. I help professionals, especially women, to find clarity in their goals and pursue them with passion and conviction. My journey teaches that when you truly know what you want and chase it wholeheartedly, nothing can stop you. That’s the power of conviction.

Nayli, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Nayli Russo, an executive, entrepreneur, coach, mother, and a relentless advocate for women’s empowerment in the professional sphere. My journey from a budding pharmacist in Venezuela to a strategic leader in the United States paints a picture of relentless pursuit and transformation.

I started my career in pharmacy, graduating from Universidad Central de Venezuela. However, my ambitions led me to the United States, where I embraced new challenges. From singing in Weddings and playing the Oboe with the Miranda Symphony to climbing the corporate ladder at Highmark Inc. and the Pittsburgh Pirates, each step has been a leap towards redefining my potential.

My true passion lies in coaching, particularly focusing on Workplace Personas. I help women align their unique strengths with their career ambitions, guiding them towards prosperity and fulfillment. This approach is deeply personal to me. As a mother, I understand the intricate balance of professional and personal life and strive to empower women to navigate these complexities with confidence.

My diverse academic background, including an eMBA in Healthcare and a PharmD, coupled with certifications in Leadership, Strategy Execution, Human Resources Management, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, enriches my coaching. I believe in a holistic approach, where personal and professional development are intertwined.

What sets me apart? It’s my story – from facing the fears of an immigrant to overcoming the barriers of my own mindset. My journey is a testament to the power of self-belief and resilience. I’ve learned that love, not toughness, is the real secret weapon. It’s what transformed my life and now fuels my mission to create a better world for my daughter Juliette and all women.

I’m most proud of my family. Having Juliette was a turning point, intensifying my advocacy for women’s equality and authenticity. It led to the creation of Inner Power LLC, where I dedicate myself to fostering confident, independent women clear in their ambitions and unafraid to showcase their brilliance to the world.

So, whether you’re grappling with career doubts, hesitant to step into leadership, or seeking to realize your full potential, think of me as your personal strategist for mindset and success. Together, let’s embark on a journey of professional and personal growth, breaking through limitations and embracing our true potential.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the hustle culture. My resilience and determination, traits I’m proud of, paradoxically fed into a tendency to overwork. This was largely fueled by imposter syndrome. I believed that to prove I wasn’t a fraud and to justify my professional positions, I had to constantly do more, be more, and achieve more. But this mindset was burning me out and skewing my understanding of success and growth.

I realized that external validation wasn’t the answer, and working longer hours wasn’t going to alleviate my feelings of inadequacy. The real work lay within myself – I had to learn to balance my approach, harmonize my personal and professional life, accept myself, and own my accomplishments.

This journey taught me to let go of perfectionism, a coping mechanism for my imposter syndrome. Once I embraced this new mindset, the toxicity of hustle culture became apparent. I shifted my focus to what truly matters – myself, my family, my team, and my mental health.

Now, I work efficiently, prioritizing the most important tasks and avoiding procrastination. When I do find myself working extra hours, it’s not for external validation but because it aligns with my passions and what’s meaningful for me and my family. It was a pivotal shift from seeking external approval to nurturing internal acceptance and balance.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.

Last year, I ventured into the franchise world by acquiring ameriCARE, a non-medical personal care services provider. My journey began with the assistance of a franchise broker, as I was seeking a sustainable business that could operate independently due to my other commitments. I didn’t have a specific industry in mind, but I wanted something with long-term viability.

After evaluating various options, ameriCARE stood out due to its synergy with my and my husband’s medical backgrounds. The decision-making process involved extensive market research, including environmental scanning, competitive analysis, and forecasting the industry’s potential growth over the next decade.

The acquisition process was thorough. We conducted numerous validation calls with existing franchise owners and visited the headquarters in Atlanta. The flexibility of the franchisor and the quality of other franchise owners were key factors in our decision.

After signing with ameriCARE, I developed a comprehensive business plan and three-year financial projections. To finance this venture, I collaborated with Benetrends for their Rainmaker program, allowing me to use my retirement funds for the purchase, tax-deferred and penalty-free. Benetrends also assisted in setting up a C-Corporation and guided me through obtaining an SBA loan for additional capital.

Obtaining the necessary licensing from the state of Pennsylvania was a six-month process, but once approved, we began operations immediately. Now, after almost nine months, we have two full-time employees and 15 caregivers serving clients across the greater Pittsburgh Area.

The journey of acquiring and establishing ameriCARE was both challenging and rewarding. It was an exhaustive process, but given the opportunity, I would embark on it all over again. This experience has been a significant and fulfilling addition to my professional journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.naylirusso.com/ and https://www.americareinfo.com/pittsburgh/
• Instagram: @naylirusso
• Linkedin: @naylirusso

Image Credits
Leeann K Photography