Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Meade Romero. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My parents were an amazing example of the motto I have adopted in my life, #findawaymakeaway – which has never let me down. They were kids having kids, and never did we want for necessities, yet we learned that extras were extras. They were great examples of hard work, dedication and adaptability. Although they may not have had a college degree, their dedication allowed them to have
Quite often, we are met with what would appear as roadblocks to slow us down or force us to think, “is this what I am supposed to be doing?” Based on my upbringing, I don’t really encounter that voice much. I instead hear, “If you want it bad enough and work hard enough, you can make it happen.”
The Find A Way Make A Motto has allowed me to get the dream education I wanted, pivot quickly through career changes, find success in difficult moments and encouraged me to dream bigger and help others unlock the potential that is hidden behind their fear.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Me? I am so proud of my happily winding road that is a path unlike any other! This Massachusetts native came to South Florida in search of diversity and something different, and boy did I find it. I pursued my passion of Geology at the University of Miami and it is where I discovered my superpower – observation! And it is that superpower that has gotten me through career changes and helped me design the life I get to live know. I began teaching high school chemistry and physics at a Catholic High School after my undergrad degree since I was broke from working and paying my way through school. I loved finding a way to not only connect with the kids, but the challenge of making science fun, different and interactive when there were many learning styles forced me to tap into my superpower. Then I transitioned into a law enforcement career when I answered an FBI bulletin seeking math and science degrees. Although I did not get hired by them, I landed at Boca Raton Police Department. Lucky for me, they had their own Bomb Squad – and I became their first female bomb technician. My science degree and superpower came in handy – it is quite important to be able to read x-rays and analyze information when dealing with a suspicious package :) You would want me to be highly observant, right? I loved serving the citizens and public at large, not only as a road cop, bomb technician but also in assignment in narcotics and community education. While I was still employed as a police officer, I got engaged and was planning a wedding back in Massachusetts. While getting ready for the wedding, I fell in love with finding my feminine side again. I began a beauty consultant business. What a nice change that was from being around mainly men all day, to having a heavily female clientele, from people ignoring me in my marked police car (like I was going to pull them over just for making eye contact) to people pointing and cheering at my free car, from knocking on people’s doors at the worst moment of their life or with heart wrenching news to gladly arriving at someone’s home with smiles, laughter and a day full of encouragement and leaving people on a high note. Having my beauty business was another challenge on wielding my superpower. Most people know that want a change, want to feel beautiful or confident in their skin, but maybe they are trying to fit into someone else’s version of beauty. It is always my goal to find a solution based on each person’s individual needs, desires, daily lifestyle, routine and even budget. As my law enforcement career ended a couple of years early due to an injury on the job, I again faced a pivot. Yes, I still have my beauty business, but have taken a step back from growing it. Now I am stepping onto the stage of public speaking where I am using my superpower of observation and my life experiences, to help business increase team dynamics with improved connection and communication in the workplace. My goal is to continue to serve others, to add value, to empower others to rise.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Since I relied on my own effort and perseverance so often, I became accustomed to being the one with all the answers. The achiever in me was always going full speed ahead and ticking off goal after goal. How could I get this done faster and move on the next? I had to learn that number one I don’t have all the answers, but more importantly, I don’t have to. There are so many amazing and talented people out there. Each with their own superpowers that I will never have, and unique views and solutions. When I slow down and listen more than I speak, I am able to gain infinitely more wisdom from others, and make more meaningful connections,
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I think we can all relate to having to pivot with technology when COVID happened. What was unique for me was that I was still face to face, hand to hand, with the public in my police officer position, but behind the computer screen in my beauty business. We were not conducting consultations or hands on tutorials, but meeting through zoom or other video chats to instruct techniques or a new look. I learned the importance of flexibility. Although we were all in this new digital space together, we were all learning it at a different speed and all had a different comfort level. It reminded me of being back in the classroom and finding ways to connect, interact and communicate through technology. I got really good at being in the zoom room, at making connections quickly and the importance of interaction and audience participation. Yet, I wasn’t without fault, which people appreciated. I didn’t have to record the perfect tutorial, if my phone fell in the sink, I would just pick it back up and keep going. We all had more fun connecting over our imperfections!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisameaderomero.com
- Instagram: @life.w.lisa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaMeadeRomeroMK/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-meade-romero/
Image Credits
Camila Jocelyn-Holt
Lisa Meade Romero