We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Callie Cate. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Callie below.

Hi Callie, thanks for joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today

If I were to start all over today knowing what I know now, I would be so successful and aligned with my purpose.

I wouldn’t have gone to college. It wasn’t something I was super passionate about and didn’t know how to decide what career I wanted to do for the rest of my life. While the allure of college is undeniable, it’s not always the optimal choice. The costs can be daunting, and there exist alternative paths worth considering. If you aren’t passionate about it may be a waste of time and money.

I would have moved out of my hometown asap. Imagine the possibilities of diving straight into a bustling metropolis like Nashville post-high school. The array of opportunities and connections could have been a game-changer.

I would have started searching for mentorship, pronto. The value of learning from seasoned entrepreneurs cannot be overstated. I regret not seeking out a mentor earlier in my journey.

I would have read more books on business and personal development. Though perhaps not as immediately entertaining as social media, books are reservoirs of invaluable knowledge. I wish I had dedicated more time to delving into the wealth of insights found within business literature.

I would have learned how to discover my purpose much quicker than what I did. Understanding what truly motivates you is paramount. Once you unearth your purpose, everything else falls into perspective. You are able to make easier decisions because you now have a clear lens of what is in alignment with your purpose and what isn’t.

I would have recognized my self-value. Never settle for less than you deserve. I should have had more faith in my abilities and pursued higher-paying opportunities from the outset.

I would have started building a strong network. As they say, your network is your net worth. Cultivating meaningful connections with like-minded individuals can open numerous doors.

I would have learned how to translate the skills I already had into business. Your talents extend beyond mere hobbies; they can be assets in the business realm. I wish I had realized this sooner.

I would have made self-development a priority. Amidst the distractions of social life, dedicating more time to personal growth would have been beneficial.

I would have been more mindful about the financial decisions I made. Money is a finite resource. I regret spending frivolously on non-essentials rather than investing in stocks, conferences, business coaches and courses, or even books.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a small-town dreamer from Middlesboro, KY, who dared to envision a future as a successful entrepreneur, only to encounter unforeseen challenges along the way. Despite my initial aspirations of being a successful entrepreneur. College became a journey of uncertainty, with changing majors multiple times and ultimately pursuing nursing, a path that I was not passionate about.

Feeling lost and empty, I made the difficult decision to drop out, a decision filled with fear and self-doubt. Recognizing the need for change, I left my hometown behind and set out for Knoxville, TN, seeking a fresh start. Yet, amidst the chaos and hardships, I found myself struggling to navigate through a maze of confusion, partying too hard, and grappling with multiple low-paying CNA jobs during the pandemic.

Realizing that my surroundings held the key to transforming my life, I shed destructive habits and embraced the vibrant entrepreneurial community in Knoxville. Through perseverance and determination, I learned how to transition my skills I already had to a role in social media marketing, eventually rising to become Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Owner of a thriving company.

Despite my success, I grappled with moments of doubt and imposter syndrome, yearning for guidance and mentorship. I decided to invest $120K in my personal growth. This proved to be a turning point, igniting my passion and providing clarity for my purpose. With newfound determination, my husband and I made the bold decision to relocate to Nashville, where opportunities for growth and connection abound.

While in Nashville I discovered my passion for empowering young females embarking on their careers, I made it my mission to help navigate and elevate their lives to early success. Reflecting on my journey, I recognize the pivotal role mentorship plays in shaping one’s path, and I am committed to offering support to those who, like me, seek guidance.

Today, I stand stronger and more focused than ever, ready to inspire dreamers and future leaders alike. My journey from uncertainty to entrepreneurial success is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of perseverance. If I can turn my life around, so can you. Together, let’s embark on our journey to success. Are you ready?

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When we try to grow and succeed, we often face tough challenges. One big challenge is the idea that dropping out of college means you are a failure. This idea can feel really heavy. But there’s an important lesson in this struggle: success isn’t just about following one path. It’s also about being strong, adaptable, and brave enough to find other ways to reach your goals.

My journey to finding myself started with a big realization: thinking going to college and graduating defines our worth is wrong. Dropping out of college, especially when I was deeply depressed, made me doubt myself a lot. Society’s expectations weighed heavily on me, and I felt like a failure with no hope for the future.

The decision to leave college filled me with apprehension. I couldn’t shake the worry about what others would think of me—my family, my friends, and even strangers. The fear of being labeled a failure haunted me, adding an extra layer of difficulty to an already challenging situation.

The tears I cried weren’t just about losing. They were also about feeling trapped by despair. I thought my dreams were shattered, and I’d be stuck in a low-paying job forever.

But in that dark time, I found something inside me: resilience. I realized that success isn’t just about degrees or following the usual path. It’s about doing what we love and growing as a person.

So, I decided to break free from what society expected of me. I started a journey to discover who I truly am. I learned that failure isn’t the end—it’s just a bump on the road to success. Each setback taught me something new and brought me closer to my dreams.

I changed the way I saw the world. Instead of seeing limits, I saw endless possibilities. Even when things got tough, I found the strength to keep going and make my own path.

Yet, despite the fear and uncertainty, I chose to forge ahead. I refused to let the opinions of others dictate my path. Instead, I focused on charting a course that aligned with my passions and aspirations.

Over the next three years, I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to pursuing my dreams. I encountered setbacks along the way, moments where the fear of failure threatened to consume me. But with each obstacle, I found the resilience to push forward, fueled by an unwavering determination to prove myself wrong.

And then, three years later, I achieved what once seemed impossible—I became a millionaire. In that moment of triumph, I realized the true power of resilience and self-belief. Dropping out of college was not a mark of failure, but rather a stepping stone towards a brighter future.

Now, as I get closer to my dreams, I see dropping out of college not as a failure, but as a sign of my strength and courage. And for anyone facing tough times, remember: success isn’t just about what others think of us. It’s about how we grow through challenges. So, keep going, because within every struggle lies the seeds of resilience, waiting to bloom into something amazing.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

When I dropped out of college, I was at a loss for direction. I didn’t know where to turn or who to talk to. It was during this time that I stumbled upon some incredibly successful people, believe it or not, on TikTok. Seeing them with their iPads and reading books sparked something in me. I decided to follow suit and applied for my first credit card to buy an iPad and the book Atomic Habits.

That decision changed everything for me. I was amazed at how much I enjoyed reading personal development books. From that moment on, I became an avid reader, constantly seeking knowledge to help me achieve my dreams, which were consuming me from the inside out. I knew I wanted to do big things in life, but I lacked the knowledge of the habits, connections, and mindset needed for success.

Reading became a catalyst for change. It helped me break old habits and adopt new ones. I noticed my friend circle shrinking, and my visits to bars becoming less frequent. It was all part of the transformation into the person I had always aspired to be.

I owe much of my success to the books I’ve read, covering topics like business and personal development, and to the people I’ve surrounded myself with. If I couldn’t find like-minded individuals as friends, I turned to podcasts, audiobooks, and YouTube for guidance.

We’re fortunate to live in a time where information is readily available at our fingertips. I firmly believe that taking advantage of these resources has been instrumental in my journey. We have access to more knowledge than any generation before us, and it’s up to us to make the most of it.

My top 5 favorite books are:
1. 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think
2.The Gift of Influence: Creating Life-Changing and Lasting Impact in Your Everyday Interactions
3. Crucial Conversations (Third Edition): Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
4. The Art of Thinking Clearly
5. Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy

Contact Info:

• Website: https://calliecate.com
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