We were lucky to catch up with Bianca recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Bianca, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

I began my journey at Christian Louboutin as an Assistant Planner in 2017. Before leaving Louboutin in August 2024 to launch my own business, I was promoted four times, ultimately rising to the role of Senior Planning Manager, where I was responsible for overseeing multiple departments.The most impactful lesson I learned was the importance of embracing feedback and consistently striving to exceed those expectations. This mindset of continuous improvement and adaptability became a driving force of my professional growth.

The key to my growth was excelling in hard skills, but also mastering soft skills to effectively double my salary within the same company—one known for its intensely competitive and politically charged environment. I had to go above and beyond. Success required building meaningful relationships, understanding how and when to advocate for myself. Over time, I honed my ability to negotiate effectively, ensuring my contributions and value was recognized and rewarded.
In hindsight, I realized that thriving in a challenging environment requires more than just skill; it demands a combination of self-awareness, strategic thinking, and effective communication. One pivotal moment that stands out is when I prepared for a salary negotiation to transition from associate to planner level.

At the time of the negotiation, I confidently presented myself as a key contributor to the growth of the business right after the pandemic to my director—two levels above me—bypassing my direct boss, who was not initially supportive of my request for a retroactive promotion. The promotion had been delayed due to financial constraints during the pandemic. By framing my request around my measurable impact and aligning it with the company’s goals, I not only secured a 6-month retroactive promotion but also negotiated the same deal for my direct boss. By effectively managing upward and navigating the dynamics, both of us reaped the benefits.

That experience taught me that success isn’t just about working hard; it’s about knowing how to advocate for yourself strategically, even in the face of opposition.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Bianca Salerno, the creator of Breath by Bianca, a company dedicated to providing breath-work, yoga, and holistic health guidance. I’m passionate about helping individuals reconnect with themselves to cultivate healthier, more mindful, and more courageous lives. After years working in luxury fashion, a period of deep personal transformation inspired me to leave my corporate career behind and focus on my health. This journey led me to yoga and holistic coaching, and I became a certified 200-hour yoga teacher and a certified holistic health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN).

I offer personalized yoga sessions, breath-work, and bravery coaching to help clients break through personal barriers, heal from within, and build mental and emotional resilience.

For potential clients and followers, my work is rooted in the three pillars of my brand: breath-worth, bravery, and being. I guide you in regulating your nervous system through breath, embracing radical honesty to take bold action, and embodying your core essence. I currently offer weekly group classes via Zoom and one-on-one mentorship to help you deepen your practice, improve your health, and create lasting transformation. In 2025, I’ll be launching a high-touch group and 1:1 mentorship programs. Whether you’re looking to unlock your potential, heal, or step into your power, I’m here to support your journey toward lasting change.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2023, I faced a series of challenges that tested my resilience. I lost my grandmother, who had been a constant source of love and wisdom, which left me feeling lost. I went through a painful breakup, then had to cut ties with long-time friends who betrayed my trust, which felt like losing parts of myself. Additionally, I made the difficult decision to distance myself from my narcissistic father, a move I knew was necessary for my own mental and emotional health. To top it all off, I discovered a precancerous lump in my breast, which shook me to my core and brought waves of fear and uncertainty—yet, amidst all of this, I was also promoted to a senior position at Christian Louboutin.

Despite all of this, I leaned into my breath-work and yoga practices, using them as tools to ground myself and find peace amid the chaos. These practices helped me release deep emotional pain and allowed me to build the mental clarity I needed to make tough decisions. I realized that each of these challenges was an opportunity for growth, teaching me to let go of what no longer served me and embrace a more authentic version of myself. Through these hardships, I learned that resilience isn’t just about surviving tough times; it’s about using them to transform and heal. I came out of 2023 stronger, more self-aware, and with a renewed sense of clarity about the boundaries I need to set and the life I want to build moving forward.

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

A lesson I had to unlearn was that my worth was tied to constant achievement and external validation. For years, I believed I had to prove myself through success and productivity, especially in a competitive corporate environment like luxury fashion. However, after facing personal challenges in 2023, including the loss of my grandmother, breaking up with someone I wanted to marry and a major health scare, I realized this mindset was unsustainable. I had to unlearn that my value comes from what I do and instead embrace the truth that I am worthy simply because I exist. This shift has been freeing, allowing me to honor my own pace, rest, and find peace without constantly striving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.breathbyb.com
• Instagram: breathbybianca
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancacsalerno

Image Credits

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