Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caty Toro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Caty, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success means something different for everyone. Ten years ago, if you had asked me this question, I would have given you a textbook answer—something about a fancy job title, a lucrative compensation package, and climbing the corporate ladder. That version of success was for the version of myself I was at that time- chasing external validation, achievement, and proving my worth through “check the box” professional milestones.

But if you ask me today, my answer is completely different. Success, in my current season of life, means control over my calendar. It means having the freedom to spend my time using my talents and abilities in a way that feels fulfilling—while also being present for my family. It’s no longer about how high I can climb but how aligned I feel in the life I’m building.

I think regardless of how you define success, one thing remains true: it requires the awareness to recognize when your definition needs to evolve. It takes the courage to let go of things that no longer serve you—whether that’s a job, a belief system, or even a version of yourself that you’ve outgrown.

For me, that meant leaving behind a stable corporate career—one that looked great on paper but left me feeling unfulfilled. It meant stepping into entrepreneurship, where I could create my own version of success. It wasn’t easy (and still isn’t). It required me to unlearn everything I thought I knew about what achievement should look like. But the moment I started aligning my work with my values, everything changed.

At the end of the day, success isn’t about reaching a single destination—it’s about continuously choosing a path that feels right for you. It’s about pouring into yourself so you can pour into others. It’s about trusting that you get to define what a meaningful, successful life looks like. And for me, that means using my gifts to help others—while never missing the moments that matter most.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Like many of my clients, my career journey hasn’t been a straight line—it’s been a series of pivots, lessons, and intentional choices that led me to where I am today.

I started my career in technical recruiting within the staffing industry, where I quickly developed an understanding of what truly makes a candidate stand out. After four years of progressive recruitment and account management opportunities, I transitioned to corporate HR and talent strategy, taking on leadership roles in recruitment, program management, and HR business partnership. I had the opportunity to support high-level executives and hiring teams, drive talent development initiatives, and help organizations make critical hiring decisions. It was truly a dream come true.

But in 2019, my definition of success started to shift. I had my son, then a few months later COVID hit. I was excited for the change in how I worked, and working from home was a game changer for me and my family. When I returned to work in 2022 after having my daughter, I immediately knew something would have to change. I fought hard to stay, but ultimately, decided to walk away from a corporate career that, while successful on paper, no longer aligned with my values. That decision ultimately led me here—building a business that allows me to help high-achieving professionals take control of their careers, step into leadership with confidence, and build work lives that feel truly fulfilling.

Today, I work with high-level job seekers, career changers, and aspiring entrepreneurs who know they’re meant for more but need the right strategy and support to get there. My work is rooted in career clarity, leadership development, and strategic positioning, ensuring my clients don’t just land any opportunity—they land the right one.

I offer a range of coaching programs, digital products, and strategic consulting, including 1:1 private & high level group coaching for professionals making career pivots and leadership transitions, fractional consulting & coaching services for small businesses needing support with talent strategy & I’m getting ready to launch a podcast in q1 of this year which will encompass helping other corporate leaders transition into starting their own consulting business.

I think what sets me apart is that I’ve been on both sides of the hiring desk. I didn’t just interview candidates, I was leading the strategies and working with the leaders on building strong processes from the inside out. I’ve always had an emphasis on the candidate experience, and I empower my clients that they are interviewing the company, too.

I definitely also prioritize energy and alignment. I am recently into learning about Human Design and I am considered a Projector. That basically means I thrive in guiding others to success without hustling in a way that leads to burnout. I teach my clients to build careers that feel good, not just look good on paper.

What I’m most proud of- building a business from the ground up while recovering from burnout and balancing motherhood. I grew a social media audience of over 140,000 and have helped hundreds of clients step into their next level version of themselves. I am amazed that I’ve been able to build this flexible business that allows me to serve my clients and be present for my family. I am a prime example of how you don’t have to settle. You get to choose how this goes.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

In my professional career as a recruiter and talent leader, the only social media platform I really used was LinkedIn. Like most Millennials, I kept my other platforms pretty quiet—only posting about big life updates or vacations. But in 2020, during the pandemic, I downloaded TikTok—and honestly, it was life-changing.

It became the education and entertainment I didn’t know I needed. I learned so much that impacted different areas of my life:
It helped me recognize that I was likely experiencing postpartum anxiety and needed support. It introduced me to sensory sensitivities in kids, which led to getting my son into occupational therapy. It was a goldmine of tips, tricks, and insights that genuinely helped me grow. Then, one day—Labor Day weekend 2022, driving to a wedding—I turned to my husband and said, “I think I want to create a TikTok.”

We laughed, but I followed through. I started posting without a strategy—just sharing thoughts, experiences, and advice. Eventually, I realized there was a massive opportunity to talk about what people already came to me for: career and life advice.

So I committed. I created value-driven career content consistently—3 TikToks a day for months. And then, one post popped off and went viral. It was that video that got me my first few clients and my Reverse Interview Guide has now been downloaded over 10,000 times. I finally pushed past my fear and started posting on Instagram in November 2023. Today, I have over 140,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram.

My biggest piece of advice? Don’t chase every trend. Create content that reflects your voice, your expertise, and what truly lights you up. Stay consistent—but in a way that feels sustainable, not forced. Share what you know—someone out there needs the knowledge you take for granted. Build a brand, not just an audience. I never want to hide behind trends just for views—I’ve stayed true to myself, and that’s what has created real impact.

And if you’re just starting, remember that virality isn’t the goal. Impact is. Keep showing up, keep sharing your voice, and trust that the right audience will find you.

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

I’m always striving to be the best version of myself possible, but there have been a few books I’ve read over the years that have really impacted me in a positive way.

Finding Your North Star by Martha Beck helped me realize that the career I was in was no longer serving me. The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly by Brene Brown helped me realize everyone struggles with shame and fear and how this impacts us as leaders and parents (and I needed to incorporate more play time to feel wholehearted), and 10x is Easier Than 2x by Benjamin Hardy and Matt Sullivan helped me realize I could scale my business and in order to do so, had to let go of things that weren’t moving the needle.

I think leadership is a mindset and I truly believe that you can be a leader without managing others. It’s by leading by example and living your life in alignment to what’s important to you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stan.store/CatyToro
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thatcareercoachcaty
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caty-toro/

Image Credits

One Eleven Branding