Today we’d like to introduce you to Josette Gastonguay.

Hi Josette, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Thank you for asking, I think like many women of my generation, my early career began in administration. I was 16yrs old when I took my first “office job” at a local, outdoor travel agency. I remember it like it was yesterday, racing behind the Office Manager pen and notebook in hand, writing down everything she said as if it was pure gold in word form. She was a formidable woman, appearing small in physical stature but invincible in spirit. People noticed when she walked into the room. She was a fascinating Irish woman with red hair and a natural gate that was twice as fast as I could ever walk, often leaving me doing short jogging sessions to keep up; and it seemed her every stride was a stride of purpose. That was the beginning I suppose. It’s funny the things we remember.

I spent a great many years after that, in the background supporting the careers and lives of others. Racing behind them like I did that Office Manager, and in some cases racing in front to make things ready for them, but always in the background of the action. Through years and years of managing complex schedules for others, overseeing financial records, and coordinating office operations, I developed a rather meticulous (and sometimes annoying) attention to detail. It wasn’t exciting work, quite the opposite, but it taught me the importance of efficiency and accuracy (and clear communication) but also patience and determination. As a background player, I was rarely seen, but that gave me a wealth of opportunities to observe, and the lessons I’ve learned observing others have been invaluable in building my business.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? Now, what fun would that be?! If I had to visualize the path my career has taken, it would resemble a narrow and dark passageway through the void, across a crumbling bridge hovering over a pit of alligators. Hungry ones. Ha! Sounds melodramatic, doesn’t it?! I laugh now when I put it that way, but for many years, that’s exactly how it felt. Terrifying. Like walking on eggshells. The truth is, I faced all the clichéd obstacles one could possibly imagine in the corporate world. From sexism in the workplace to judgement for being a single mother after my divorce, I saw it all.

Often, instead of opening doors for me to help boost me along my journey, obstacles were intentionally thrown in my path. The hardest lesson for me to learn personally was not to begin self-sabotaging as a result, and in looking back now, that’s exactly the mistake I made! When obstacles to success are continuously thrown in our path, it’s not uncommon to begin developing self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Nasty little intrusive thoughts start creeping into your mind like “maybe they’re right, maybe I should just sit down and reside myself to answering the phones and taking notes for other people”.

The most eye-opening (and heart breaking) moment of my early career came when alerting a co-worker about an important documentation error I had found in a contract. In that moment many years ago, I was very proud to have been able to do something that could potentially save the company from significant reputational risk, but as I bounced off to my co-worker to show what I had found, they turned to me completely shocked and said, “OH!, we all assumed you were hired as just another pretty face.”

ALL…they “all” thought this. (insert sad face) It felt absolutely soul crushing in that moment as a young professional to realize that I was coming in each day expecting to do real work, to be taken seriously, to learn, to be mentored, to grow, to advance, to make a real difference, but my co-workers were secretly looking at me as though I’d been hired simply because “I was pretty”. Ouch!

That was the moment I realized being taken seriously in business would be much harder than I had anticipated. That keeping your head down and working hard like I was taught as a child simply wasn’t enough anymore. I needed to learn to play chess if I was ever going to get ahead. The problem was, I didn’t have a chess master to teach me, metaphorically speaking. Perhaps that is one of the many reasons I am so driven to help others today. I know the amount of effort it takes to recover from situations like these, to walk into work the next day with your head held high despite knowing you are the butt of the office joke.

Looking back now, I suppose the joke was really on them, because nothing fueled me more throughout my early career quite like being underestimated. The truth is, it’s become a bit of a superpower in building my business; being underestimated. Time and again, and throughout history those who consider themselves elitists are outpaced by those driven purely by grit and determination, no special access, no leg up, no doorways being open—just pure grit.

As you know, we’re big fans of FYIE | Find Your Inner Empress. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
FYIE was born from a single thought that came to me in the middle of the night a few years ago: “If the only thing the world could see about you were your intentions, would the world find you beautiful?” This singular thought sparked a tidal wave of ideas that continues flowing to this day. It was not just a purpose question directed at myself, but a personal mission statement.

As I reflected on my mission, I realized that my intentions had always been to help others. Even as a child, helper was in my DNA. The question was, how could I best be of service to others without sacrificing myself? I think any helper out there knows it can be very easy to over give and leave yourself burnt out. So then, was I truly helping the world by staying hidden behind the scenes supporting the few or was it time to step forward and take a more active role? And that’s when FYIE Coaching & Mentorship was born. Having now built over 25yrs of life experience navigating the corporate world and pushing myself forward despite obstacles and challenges, I forged a new path for myself while simultaneously developing skills that help others forge a new path as well. I’m happy to say I’ve recently expanded to include a line of women’s boutique spaces and I’m so enjoying the creative aspects that come along with this new journey.

My boutique spaces are focused on clothing and accessories that support women throughout the many stages of their lives with timeless styles and thoughtful choices. Confidence is so importance in business but also in life, and clothing should not be the reason anyone steps into the world feeling a lack of confidence. In the end, helping others is never a straight line, and just like my career path, one of the greatest keys to success is a willingness to pivot.

I’m incredibly proud of the FYIE brand because it stands for something. Its’ very name, Find Your Inner Empress is a mission statement. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the transformation that comes from helping someone rediscover their confidence. I’ve seen first-hand the pride on someone’s face when they say, “I took a lesson from your book, and I’m so happy that I did, or “I pulled a Josette” (that one is my personal favorite lol) It basically means, I stood up for myself.

I think what sets me apart from others, what sets FYIE apart from others is my genuine desire to be of service. Yes of course I want to succeed, yes of course I want FYIE to succeed and grow, but I also want everyone else to succeed as well. Many call that naive in business, I call it hope.

If you’re reading this and interested in my mentorship services, please feel free to reach out through my website. Each client is carefully assessed based on their individual goals, desired outcomes, obstacles, and availability. I then provide a personalized, no obligation quote and strategy.

For more information about my boutique spaces and offerings, because who doesn’t love a good accessory?! You can find all the necessary details on my website. As of the timing of this article, FYIE has two physical boutique spaces located near the North and South areas of Greater Pittsburgh and I’m always on the lookout for the right opportunity to grow in a sustainable way that aligns with the FYIE mission.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Yes, I do actually! My best piece of advice is simply to ask. It’s the easiest hurdle to overcome because it’s a hurdle that we can control; but it is the one people struggle with the most out of fear of rejection. While I do offer mentorship services through FYIE, I understand that not every mentor is the right fit for every individual. Choosing a mentor is a deeply personal decision. My recommendation is to identify 5-10 professionals in your desired field—people you admire and respect, those who are already where you want to be, but also those that got there in a way you can respect. Then put in the work to find their contact information and reach out. Be sure you do your research on them first and have specific examples at the ready for why you feel they would be the right mentor for you.

If you work for a company, reach out to your local HR department and ask if there is a mentorship program. Knock on that executive’s door and ask if they have 5m. Fortune favors the bold, and even if they say no, they will take notice of your initiative. Ladies, this goes for you especially. Don’t be afraid to put yourself in front of the decision makers in the room to be seen. Shyness wins us no awards in business.

Again, call me naive, but I truly believe most people are willing to share the wisdom they have gained over the years with those willing to listen. You will undoubtedly encounter rejection along your journey, and you’re almost assured to be completely ghosted by a few, but don’t give up. If the first 5-10 are no’s, pick 5-10 more and keep going. And remember, don’t be afraid to pivot. If you can’t find a mentor in your exact field of interest, consider a mentor in a related field or a business coach.

Here’s a simple email template you can use for “cold emailing” a potential mentor and remember you will need to stay flexible. Business executives and business owners are often very busy and may only have 5m to offer, but that 5m could be all you need to jettison your career forward.
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Subject: Request for Mentorship and Guidance

Dear [Name],

I have admired your career for some time, and I’m currently working towards growing in a similar field. While still junior, I would greatly appreciate 10 minutes of your time to gain any wisdom or advice you could offer me on advancing my journey.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

As I think back one last time on the journey that has brought me to this place in my life, I would like to remind everyone not to give up on your dreams. Dreams are attainable with clear planning and action-oriented execution. Unlike a wish, where we sit back hoping and praying for things to magically work out, dreams are attainable if we continue to feed the fire that fuels them. It’s up to you. Will you sleep on your dreams? Or will you get up and throw another log on the fire?!

Pricing:

• Coaching and Mentorship Services – individual packages vary in range from $1,000-10,000
• Public Speaking and Group Coaching by quote

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.findyourinnerempress.com/services-4
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findyourinnerempress/profilecard/?igsh=MTJyNnV2dTRibDlvbw%3D%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078124467814
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josette-gastonguay-90a4253b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app