Who doesn’t love traveling to exotic places and experiencing new things? But do you ever feel as if you’ve paid too much for your trip or were catfished by your AirBnB…

On November 16, 2018, SoSheSlays headed to  LA Create Space for the SHE Is Speaker Series: A Conversation with Karen Civil. The SHE Is Speaker Series focused on women in business and how they navigate in a male dominated industry, offering an opportunity for women to expand their careers in an atmosphere of collaboration, support and growth.

The evening started with a networking happy hour. As guests arrived, they were greeted with small bites and good conversation. The panel started soon after and was hosted by broadcast journalist Roqui Theus and featured, Owner of La Create Space, Marisa Johnson, Director of Operations at Octagon Basketball, Tiffany Williams, Snapchat Mobile Release Manager Olamide Olatunji, and Former White House Digital Strategy Intern, Crystal Miller. Each woman shared how their previous experiences guide them in their careers and what lessons they’ve learned.

Host, Roqui Theus, kicked off the conversation by sharing that as a broadcast journalist she faced many stereotypes, but found that by being authentic to herself, she was able to flourish in her male-dominated industry. Roqui shared that people knew what to expect from her and appreciated it. Because she continued to be herself, she could always deliver.

La Create Space owner, Marisa Johnson addressed how women in the workplace can often feel invisible in a male-dominated industry. “I found many of my male counterparts were caught up in their own egos and often could not close the deal we were negotiating. I would find the other woman in the room and we would find a way to make both sides feel heard.