March 27, 2025 • 20 mins
Thrive After 45 - Episode 2 | Rewrite Your Success
Welcome back to Thrive After 45! This is the space where we redefine YOU time—for you, by you, because of you. I’m Denise Drinkwalter, a Midlife Renewal Coach, here to help women embrace their power, purpose, and potential.
In this episode, I sit down with Sherrika Sanders, a powerhouse in accounting and leadership with over 15 years of experience navigating high-stakes corporate transitions. From mergers to IPOs, she’s been at the forefront of major financial shifts. But despite climbing the corporate ladder, Sherrika knows the toll of relentless deadlines, limited resources, and the weight of expectations—challenges that often leave women feeling stuck and unfulfilled.
Now, as the CEO and Founder of Transform the Gap, Sherrika is on a mission to be the mentor she once needed. She’s dedicated to helping women of color in accounting embrace their God-given purpose, overcome self-doubt, and create balance between faith, family, and career.
In this powerful conversation, Sherrika shares her journey from corporate burnout to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, how she found the courage to step into her calling, and what it takes to break free from limiting beliefs. If you’ve ever felt torn between success and personal fulfillment, this episode is for you!
🔥 Key Takeaways:
✅ Recognizing the signs of burnout and unfulfillment
✅ Overcoming self-doubt and stepping into leadership
✅ How to advocate for yourself and set boundaries
✅ The power of faith in navigating career transitions
📌 Connect with Sherrika Sanders:
🔹 Website: https://www.transformthegaap.com/
🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherrikasanders/
🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrika-sanders-phd
💬 Let us know in the comments: What resonated most with you in this conversation?
Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.
And if you loved it, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!
Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow @thethriveafter45podcast for daily insp, tips, and support.
Remember, midlife isn’t the end - it’s just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter! Keep thriving, keep shining, and I’ll see you next time!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hello, hello and welcome toThrive After 45, the podcast
where we redefine thesignificance of you time because
you, for you by you.
I am Denise Drink and Midliferenewal coach here to help women
embrace their power, purpose,and potential.
(00:22):
This show is your space toexplore what's possible when you
prioritize.
You through inspiringconversations, expert insights,
and real stories.
We'll uncover how to navigatetransitions, rediscover joy and
thrive inside and out.
(00:42):
It is time to let go of guiltand fully embrace the life
waiting for you.
This is.
The Thrive After 45 podcast andit is your time to thrive for
you by you because of you.
It is an honor and a privilegeto introduce and welcome Ika
(01:05):
Saunders to Thrive after 45podcasts, episode two.
Today.
Ika is a powerhouse in the worldof accounting and leadership.
With over 15 years of experienceguiding accounting teams through
high stakes corporatetransitions, including mergers,
(01:27):
acquisitions, IPOs, andfinancial restructures.
Despite climbing the corporateladder, she knows firsthand the
challenges of unrealisticdeadlines.
Limited resources and the heavyweight of expectations,
challenges that often leavewomen feeling stuck and
(01:51):
unfulfilled.
Now as the CEO and founder ofTransform the Gap, Sika is on a
mission to be the mentor thatshe once needed.
She is dedicated to helpingwomen of color in accounting
embrace their God-given purpose,overcome self-doubt, and create
(02:17):
balance between faith, family,and career.
Through her work, she hasalready impacted more than 10
lives, guiding them towardtransformation and lasting
fulfillment.
And today we get to dive intoher journey, her wisdom and her
(02:38):
passion for helping women breakbarriers and unlock their true
potential.
Sika, welcome to Thrive after45.
So great to have you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
So happy to be here.
Thank you so much for having me,Denise.
I am delighted and honored forto be on your second episode.
(03:03):
It is a privilege, and let'sjump right in and let's talk a
little bit about how.
This came to pass.
How did you come to therealization that not only your
story mm-hmm but you could be ofservice to others.
(03:24):
Tell us around what comes up foryou when I ask that question.
Oh my gosh.
Um, it's a big one.
It's so many things becausehonestly, when I was
incorporated, if anyone had.
Had asked me and they didbefore, you know, people say,
why don't you start your ownlike side hustle?
Or you can do accounting books,you can do all these different
(03:46):
things.
And I'm like, uh, no corporateemployee, W2 till I die.
Like.
There are people who are notmeant to be entrepreneurs.
This is my space, this is mysafe space.
You know, because the securityand knowing when you'll get paid
and, and you know what's comingin, you know where you're going
each day and what that day lookslike, but I.
(04:08):
Um, it got to a point where itwas no longer fulfilling.
Hmm.
And I thought initially that itwas maybe the organization that
I worked with because it hadbecome a toxic environment and
I'm like, I just need to gosomewhere else.
And so that's exactly what Idid.
And I got to the new company andpeople were great.
You know, had a great team.
(04:29):
Great.
Um.
Manager and support there, butit still was just like
something's off.
And what I realized, a part ofmy journey that I love the most
was my team and helping them andhelping them to develop and
helping them to get on the rightpath, whether it was inside or
outside of accounting, beingthat support system for them,
the things that they needed.
(04:50):
And so I, um, I'm veryspiritual.
I went on a fast and I'm like,Lord, I need for you to tell
like, what is it I'm supposed todo?
I didn't think it wasentrepreneurship.
But I didn't know what it was.
I thought he was just, you know,create, show me this divine
corporate organization and thatwould be right.
And so you go here and so, butit wasn't, it was
(05:12):
entrepreneurship and it was, itwas during that time, I have
never been so just engulfed byall things entrepreneurship and,
and business coaches and all ofthese things, and I'm like,
what?
And I'm like, no, it's, it'sSika.
It's, remember, it's, you know,but this was the path and it
was, I realized that I wentthrough the things that I went
through during my time incorporate America, being burned
(05:34):
out of initially not knowing howto speak up for myself.
Overworked, under recognized.
Having to choose or feeling likeI had to choose between my
success and my family.
Mm-hmm.
All of those things was so thatI could make my misery, my
message and help someone elsewho's in that space right now,
(05:56):
you know, you talk about familyand I know so many women who
are.
Feeling like you maybe felt insome, at some degree.
We all have our own journey, butfeeling that str like, yeah,
this is, but this is like youmentioned, this is the paycheck,
(06:18):
this is the piece that I, it'scoming in consistently.
I know what it is.
I do it well.
Mm-hmm.
Hate it.
And family is starting to beimpacted because of my energy
and being Yes.
Rained and yes.
So.
Moving, I'm gonna say parallel.
Mm-hmm.
(06:38):
Because you went from onecorporation to another.
Mm-hmm.
How long did it take you to go,uh, there's some this I'm seeing
and feeling the same stuff.
Was it a shorter journey or thenthe first journey, or what
happened there?
I don't, have you ever heard theterm people say that they hire
(07:01):
quickly and fire and take toolong to fire?
That's kind of how it was withmy journey.
Like there were signs here andthere for a very long time,
probably a few years, and Iignored them as something else.
Uh, you know, overworked.
Oh no.
This just, you know's, par forthe courts.
That's what it means when youare.
You want to, you know, go up andwhen you want that promotion.
(07:23):
So I gave myself all of thesedifferent excuses to why it made
sense.
And honestly, my shift, likemany peoples for various reasons
was during Covid and duringCovid we were home and working
from home.
Um, and it was a few things.
One hearing.
(07:44):
My family say that, oh, this isthe most that we've seen you in
a long time.
And it was like, oh, really?
And then just, I guess not beingin the place, in the in
surrounded so much from theindividuals that I worked with,
specifically upper management, Iwould hear some of the things
that they would say to peopleand it just hit different.
(08:06):
Yep.
And I would be like, wait,that's not.
What, what, why are you, youknow, and some of the
expectations that they had onsome versus others, um, for
working at home.
And it was just like, I remembergoing through an interview with
someone who was looked like, wholooked like me, and she was very
professional in her interview.
(08:27):
She answered all of ourquestions and when we
interviewed her, they were like,uh, not really sure if she's
gonna be a great fit.
On the other hand, weinterviewed someone who, uh, was
a white male who showed up.
I don't know if you've seen thecommercials with the V-neck
T-shirt, that's all.
But that's what he had on in theinterview.
Yeah.
And he was like barely able toanswer the questions.
(08:51):
And after the call, they'relike, they basically almost
offered him the position on the,on the call.
And I'm like, wait, what?
What are we doing?
And it's just little things likethat that started to.
I felt like my eyes were beingopened to, and so yeah, it did
take a while and when I first,when I left to go somewhere
else, I thought.
(09:11):
Oh, it's not me, it's them, andI just need to get out of this
space.
But Right.
It was a lot of those samethings that were still
happening.
Now, granted a lot of it cameinto play because throughout my
entire 15 plus year career, Iworked for private equity and
privately held companies.
And so one thing about them,they, they're always going
(09:32):
through transition.
The bottom line is, first andforemost, um, employee value,
employee wellness is.
Fairly low on the totem pole.
Mm-hmm.
And so it was like, do you be,are you yourself, do you support
your team?
Do you speak up for your team ordo you just make sure you do
(09:52):
what you need to do for you?
Which, and I couldn't.
That's, that's just not who I amat heart.
So, yeah, it, it did take awhile though.
Probably longer than it shouldhave, but it did.
You know, the interesting partis you're sharing your story.
I believe this with all my heartthat the journey that we take.
(10:13):
Has already been laid out, andif we need the nuggets to get a
deeper lesson, the nuggets arethere.
Mm-hmm.
So I would say yes, the reasonwhy you're doing what you're
doing now is because of theamount of time for you to
actually see the errors in theway.
(10:35):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And so tell us more aboutTransform the Gap.
Thank you.
What is that, that, so for anyof the accounting, any of the
accounting and, and financespace, um, know that gap, GAAP
is a, well, it's a well knownterm.
It means generally acceptedaccounting principles.
And I wanted something thatspoke to transformation, but
(10:58):
also to my background inaccounting.
Um, however, for my business.
GAAP gap is goals aligned,achieving purpose, and
ultimately I help professionalwomen of color who are still in
that corporate space, who arestill struggling with burnout,
who are still struggling tofigure out why they have to
choose success or feeling likethey have to choose success over
(11:21):
family or you know, their.
Their, their respect over theirfear, um, over their faith.
Excuse me.
So yeah, helping them tounderstand how to speak up for
themselves, advocate forthemselves, know that it's okay
because you are in the room,because you're supposed to be in
the room.
It's not a mistake.
You earned it.
Nobody gave you anything becausea lot of.
(11:42):
Organizations will say, oh, wegave you this promotion, we gave
you this increase.
But oftentimes we know thatbefore we get any of that, we've
already been doing the work foran extended period of time, and
now they're just trying to levelup sometimes not as enough, most
times, not enough to make thatsalary, meet those demands.
And so really just helping thatperson that I was, that I
(12:06):
learned how to grow from, and Iknow it's still there.
I still see it and.
Really just helping women toalign their faith, their family,
and their careers for ultimatelegacy building success.
How does somebody access yourbrilliance?
(12:27):
I.
I love the way you phrased that.
Uh, it's a couple of differentways.
So I'm on LinkedIn, uh, actuallyI am hosting an event, a free
event, a webinar on LinkedIn onApril 2nd from, uh, 1:00 PM
Eastern to 2:30 PM Eastern.
And it's about your, uh, faithversus your fear and both steps
(12:51):
and moving forward.
Showing you how to move forwardin spite of fear and taking hold
of your faith.
And so I would love, it's a freewebinar, so, um, for those
listening, I would love to, tohave them join in.
Um, but so LinkedIn of course,and also my website, transform
the gap gaap.com.
Um, but I work with women insmall group settings, intimate
(13:14):
settings.
It's our safe space, it's ourjudgment free zone, um, where we
can talk through things, wherewe can pray together, where we
can talk about our faith, wherewe can talk about our
frustrations, where we canreally let go, but also learn
how to step above that, how toovercome, and so that when those
(13:35):
challenges come, because theywill always come, we're already
guarded and well equipped todeal with those and not feeling
like we're being knocked.
Back 10 steps every time we taketwo.
Yeah, I love that.
I love, I love how you'resetting it up in such a way that
you're sharing on the LinkedIn,so We'll, if you can make sure I
(13:56):
get that, I'll put that in theshow notes as well so people can
make sure they can jump inthere.
That would be great.
And I love how you do smallgroup, because I find safety and
non-judgment.
Is really imperative, and I lovewhat you're saying as well,
where you share it, but you alsoprove that that doesn't have to
(14:19):
be mm-hmm.
Where you stay.
Here are some things that can,we can do collectively and
individually to move the needlefor you by you because of you.
Right?
Yeah.
Yes.
I love it.
So tell me why Ika.
Versus somebody else.
(14:41):
Well, I hope that people whohear or who see this episode
here or see whichever medium,yeah, my heart, um, this is my
passion.
This is my purpose, but this wasalso my pain at some point, and
I learned how to overcome it.
(15:03):
And so.
Sheika.
Why Ika?
Because Ika has been there.
Ika can help you understand, andIka understands what it's like
when you are trying to speak upfor yourself.
You are feeling like you'rebeing mistreated, but you don't
know what to say or you don'tknow how to say it, or you're
feeling like you're beingoverlooked and you wanna raise
(15:24):
your hand, but there's thissense of fear and intimidation,
or when you are the only one inthat room that looks like you.
I have.
Been there, done that, andhonestly understanding because a
lot of people say, well, this ishow you do it, and forever
you'll be free.
We're gonna consistentlystruggle with various things
because as they say, new levels,new devils.
(15:44):
But as you are prepared andprepped to reach those new
levels, it makes it so mucheasier and those mountains
become mole hills.
And so I make it my purpose towalk with you.
So not only show you, but alsowalk with you, be that support
system, be that that ear thatyou need, but also that guidance
that you need to mentor youthrough the next phases of life.
(16:09):
So beautiful.
So beautiful.
Ika.
What an honor and a privilege ithas been to share this space
with you.
Really.
I can't imagine.
What you have gone through inorder to do what you are doing
now.
But I know it was meant to bethe way it has unfolded.
(16:31):
Mm-hmm.
And I am for.
(16:52):
Ever grateful for our connectionand for the wonderful, wonderful
work you are doing for women ofcolor to make sure that they
position themselves in theirlives in all aspects.
Not just the workplace, althoughthat's extremely important.
(17:15):
It's not the only piece, andfaith and family also have to be
number one.
So how do we put everything,number one, and put ourselves at
the center of all of thatwithout adding the extra stress
and strain, right?
So, so fantastic.
(17:35):
Oh, such a gift.
Mm-hmm.
I am so honored to share thistime and space.
Is there anything in particularyou would love to share with the
audience?
As a little closing?
You don't have to, but is thereany nugget that you were
thinking, oh, we didn't touch onthis and didn't touch on that,
which I'm sure there's lots ofbuckets, but I will say this,
(17:56):
um, because yes, I do work withwomen of color, but the webinar.
It's for women.
Uh, beautiful.
I help women, so I don't wantanyone to feel left out if what
I'm saying resonates with youand you feel like I'm speaking
with you, but you're like, I, Idon't, I'm not a woman of color,
and so I'm not sure that Let'shave a conversation.
(18:17):
Nice.
I have, um, if you can book afree call on my site, let's have
a conversation.
Let's see where we can align.
Or if it's just, Hey, I reallyam struggling with this one
thing, well, let's talk throughit.
Um, there's no obligation to,you know, like buy or work with
me or anything like that, but Idon't want anyone to feel like
this is me, but I can't workwith her.
(18:39):
Yeah.
Oh, thank you for that.
That's a great clarification.
Really beautiful LinkedIn.
April 2nd, um, I can't remember.
Was it one one or one 30?
1:00 PM.
1:00 PM Okay.
And that's Eastern.
Okay, Eastern Standard time.
Okay.
Okay.
We have time zones everywhere.
It's like, oh no.
(18:59):
What time zone are we?
Well, that's perfect.
Brilliant.
Mm-hmm.
Brilliant, brilliant.
Thank you once again for beingon episode two.
Season three, episode two ofThrive after 45.
Privilege and pleasure.
Um, maybe, maybe in the nearfuture we can have you back and
we can dig in a little furtherand do a little bit of a deeper
(19:22):
dive.
Absolutely.
But for.
It has really been an honor anda privilege to share space and
conversation with you today.
So thank you again for all youdo.
And for those of you who havenot yet subscribed to our
podcast stream, we are found onall the podcast platforms,
apple, Spotify, and I don'tknow, there are so many
(19:45):
brilliant ones out there, but weare out there and of course on
YouTube and today.
We did a live stream intoLinkedIn, so you never know
where we're gonna pop in andmeet and greet.
But I want you to have awonderful day and make sure that
if you watch the episode today,give us a review and give us
(20:05):
some comments.
We would love to hear from you.
Take care everyone, and keepthriving.
Bye.
Hello, hello and welcome toThrive After 45, the podcast
where we redefine thesignificance of you time because
you, for you by you.
I am Denise Drink and Midliferenewal coach here to help women
embrace their power, purpose,and potential.
(00:22):
This show is your space toexplore what's possible when you
prioritize.
You through inspiringconversations, expert insights,
and real stories.
We'll uncover how to navigatetransitions, rediscover joy and
thrive inside and out.
(00:42):
It is time to let go of guiltand fully embrace the life
waiting for you.
This is.
The Thrive After 45 podcast andit is your time to thrive for
you by you because of you.
It is an honor and a privilegeto introduce and welcome Ika
(01:05):
Saunders to Thrive after 45podcasts, episode two.
Today.
Ika is a powerhouse in the worldof accounting and leadership.
With over 15 years of experienceguiding accounting teams through
high stakes corporatetransitions, including mergers,
(01:27):
acquisitions, IPOs, andfinancial restructures.
Despite climbing the corporateladder, she knows firsthand the
challenges of unrealisticdeadlines.
Limited resources and the heavyweight of expectations,
challenges that often leavewomen feeling stuck and
(01:51):
unfulfilled.
Now as the CEO and founder ofTransform the Gap, Sika is on a
mission to be the mentor thatshe once needed.
She is dedicated to helpingwomen of color in accounting
embrace their God-given purpose,overcome self-doubt, and create
(02:17):
balance between faith, family,and career.
Through her work, she hasalready impacted more than 10
lives, guiding them towardtransformation and lasting
fulfillment.
And today we get to dive intoher journey, her wisdom and her
(02:38):
passion for helping women breakbarriers and unlock their true
potential.
Sika, welcome to Thrive after45.
So great to have you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
So happy to be here.
Thank you so much for having me,Denise.
I am delighted and honored forto be on your second episode.
(03:03):
It is a privilege, and let'sjump right in and let's talk a
little bit about how.
This came to pass.
How did you come to therealization that not only your
story mm-hmm but you could be ofservice to others.
(03:24):
Tell us around what comes up foryou when I ask that question.
Oh my gosh.
Um, it's a big one.
It's so many things becausehonestly, when I was
incorporated, if anyone had.
Had asked me and they didbefore, you know, people say,
why don't you start your ownlike side hustle?
Or you can do accounting books,you can do all these different
(03:46):
things.
And I'm like, uh, no corporateemployee, W2 till I die.
Like.
There are people who are notmeant to be entrepreneurs.
This is my space, this is mysafe space.
You know, because the securityand knowing when you'll get paid
and, and you know what's comingin, you know where you're going
each day and what that day lookslike, but I.
(04:08):
Um, it got to a point where itwas no longer fulfilling.
Hmm.
And I thought initially that itwas maybe the organization that
I worked with because it hadbecome a toxic environment and
I'm like, I just need to gosomewhere else.
And so that's exactly what Idid.
And I got to the new company andpeople were great.
You know, had a great team.
(04:29):
Great.
Um.
Manager and support there, butit still was just like
something's off.
And what I realized, a part ofmy journey that I love the most
was my team and helping them andhelping them to develop and
helping them to get on the rightpath, whether it was inside or
outside of accounting, beingthat support system for them,
the things that they needed.
(04:50):
And so I, um, I'm veryspiritual.
I went on a fast and I'm like,Lord, I need for you to tell
like, what is it I'm supposed todo?
I didn't think it wasentrepreneurship.
But I didn't know what it was.
I thought he was just, you know,create, show me this divine
corporate organization and thatwould be right.
And so you go here and so, butit wasn't, it was
(05:12):
entrepreneurship and it was, itwas during that time, I have
never been so just engulfed byall things entrepreneurship and,
and business coaches and all ofthese things, and I'm like,
what?
And I'm like, no, it's, it'sSika.
It's, remember, it's, you know,but this was the path and it
was, I realized that I wentthrough the things that I went
through during my time incorporate America, being burned
(05:34):
out of initially not knowing howto speak up for myself.
Overworked, under recognized.
Having to choose or feeling likeI had to choose between my
success and my family.
Mm-hmm.
All of those things was so thatI could make my misery, my
message and help someone elsewho's in that space right now,
(05:56):
you know, you talk about familyand I know so many women who
are.
Feeling like you maybe felt insome, at some degree.
We all have our own journey, butfeeling that str like, yeah,
this is, but this is like youmentioned, this is the paycheck,
(06:18):
this is the piece that I, it'scoming in consistently.
I know what it is.
I do it well.
Mm-hmm.
Hate it.
And family is starting to beimpacted because of my energy
and being Yes.
Rained and yes.
So.
Moving, I'm gonna say parallel.
Mm-hmm.
(06:38):
Because you went from onecorporation to another.
Mm-hmm.
How long did it take you to go,uh, there's some this I'm seeing
and feeling the same stuff.
Was it a shorter journey or thenthe first journey, or what
happened there?
I don't, have you ever heard theterm people say that they hire
(07:01):
quickly and fire and take toolong to fire?
That's kind of how it was withmy journey.
Like there were signs here andthere for a very long time,
probably a few years, and Iignored them as something else.
Uh, you know, overworked.
Oh no.
This just, you know's, par forthe courts.
That's what it means when youare.
You want to, you know, go up andwhen you want that promotion.
(07:23):
So I gave myself all of thesedifferent excuses to why it made
sense.
And honestly, my shift, likemany peoples for various reasons
was during Covid and duringCovid we were home and working
from home.
Um, and it was a few things.
One hearing.
(07:44):
My family say that, oh, this isthe most that we've seen you in
a long time.
And it was like, oh, really?
And then just, I guess not beingin the place, in the in
surrounded so much from theindividuals that I worked with,
specifically upper management, Iwould hear some of the things
that they would say to peopleand it just hit different.
(08:06):
Yep.
And I would be like, wait,that's not.
What, what, why are you, youknow, and some of the
expectations that they had onsome versus others, um, for
working at home.
And it was just like, I remembergoing through an interview with
someone who was looked like, wholooked like me, and she was very
professional in her interview.
(08:27):
She answered all of ourquestions and when we
interviewed her, they were like,uh, not really sure if she's
gonna be a great fit.
On the other hand, weinterviewed someone who, uh, was
a white male who showed up.
I don't know if you've seen thecommercials with the V-neck
T-shirt, that's all.
But that's what he had on in theinterview.
Yeah.
And he was like barely able toanswer the questions.
(08:51):
And after the call, they'relike, they basically almost
offered him the position on the,on the call.
And I'm like, wait, what?
What are we doing?
And it's just little things likethat that started to.
I felt like my eyes were beingopened to, and so yeah, it did
take a while and when I first,when I left to go somewhere
else, I thought.
(09:11):
Oh, it's not me, it's them, andI just need to get out of this
space.
But Right.
It was a lot of those samethings that were still
happening.
Now, granted a lot of it cameinto play because throughout my
entire 15 plus year career, Iworked for private equity and
privately held companies.
And so one thing about them,they, they're always going
(09:32):
through transition.
The bottom line is, first andforemost, um, employee value,
employee wellness is.
Fairly low on the totem pole.
Mm-hmm.
And so it was like, do you be,are you yourself, do you support
your team?
Do you speak up for your team ordo you just make sure you do
(09:52):
what you need to do for you?
Which, and I couldn't.
That's, that's just not who I amat heart.
So, yeah, it, it did take awhile though.
Probably longer than it shouldhave, but it did.
You know, the interesting partis you're sharing your story.
I believe this with all my heartthat the journey that we take.
(10:13):
Has already been laid out, andif we need the nuggets to get a
deeper lesson, the nuggets arethere.
Mm-hmm.
So I would say yes, the reasonwhy you're doing what you're
doing now is because of theamount of time for you to
actually see the errors in theway.
(10:35):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And so tell us more aboutTransform the Gap.
Thank you.
What is that, that, so for anyof the accounting, any of the
accounting and, and financespace, um, know that gap, GAAP
is a, well, it's a well knownterm.
It means generally acceptedaccounting principles.
And I wanted something thatspoke to transformation, but
(10:58):
also to my background inaccounting.
Um, however, for my business.
GAAP gap is goals aligned,achieving purpose, and
ultimately I help professionalwomen of color who are still in
that corporate space, who arestill struggling with burnout,
who are still struggling tofigure out why they have to
choose success or feeling likethey have to choose success over
(11:21):
family or you know, their.
Their, their respect over theirfear, um, over their faith.
Excuse me.
So yeah, helping them tounderstand how to speak up for
themselves, advocate forthemselves, know that it's okay
because you are in the room,because you're supposed to be in
the room.
It's not a mistake.
You earned it.
Nobody gave you anything becausea lot of.
(11:42):
Organizations will say, oh, wegave you this promotion, we gave
you this increase.
But oftentimes we know thatbefore we get any of that, we've
already been doing the work foran extended period of time, and
now they're just trying to levelup sometimes not as enough, most
times, not enough to make thatsalary, meet those demands.
And so really just helping thatperson that I was, that I
(12:06):
learned how to grow from, and Iknow it's still there.
I still see it and.
Really just helping women toalign their faith, their family,
and their careers for ultimatelegacy building success.
How does somebody access yourbrilliance?
(12:27):
I.
I love the way you phrased that.
Uh, it's a couple of differentways.
So I'm on LinkedIn, uh, actuallyI am hosting an event, a free
event, a webinar on LinkedIn onApril 2nd from, uh, 1:00 PM
Eastern to 2:30 PM Eastern.
And it's about your, uh, faithversus your fear and both steps
(12:51):
and moving forward.
Showing you how to move forwardin spite of fear and taking hold
of your faith.
And so I would love, it's a freewebinar, so, um, for those
listening, I would love to, tohave them join in.
Um, but so LinkedIn of course,and also my website, transform
the gap gaap.com.
Um, but I work with women insmall group settings, intimate
(13:14):
settings.
It's our safe space, it's ourjudgment free zone, um, where we
can talk through things, wherewe can pray together, where we
can talk about our faith, wherewe can talk about our
frustrations, where we canreally let go, but also learn
how to step above that, how toovercome, and so that when those
(13:35):
challenges come, because theywill always come, we're already
guarded and well equipped todeal with those and not feeling
like we're being knocked.
Back 10 steps every time we taketwo.
Yeah, I love that.
I love, I love how you'resetting it up in such a way that
you're sharing on the LinkedIn,so We'll, if you can make sure I
(13:56):
get that, I'll put that in theshow notes as well so people can
make sure they can jump inthere.
That would be great.
And I love how you do smallgroup, because I find safety and
non-judgment.
Is really imperative, and I lovewhat you're saying as well,
where you share it, but you alsoprove that that doesn't have to
(14:19):
be mm-hmm.
Where you stay.
Here are some things that can,we can do collectively and
individually to move the needlefor you by you because of you.
Right?
Yeah.
Yes.
I love it.
So tell me why Ika.
Versus somebody else.
(14:41):
Well, I hope that people whohear or who see this episode
here or see whichever medium,yeah, my heart, um, this is my
passion.
This is my purpose, but this wasalso my pain at some point, and
I learned how to overcome it.
(15:03):
And so.
Sheika.
Why Ika?
Because Ika has been there.
Ika can help you understand, andIka understands what it's like
when you are trying to speak upfor yourself.
You are feeling like you'rebeing mistreated, but you don't
know what to say or you don'tknow how to say it, or you're
feeling like you're beingoverlooked and you wanna raise
(15:24):
your hand, but there's thissense of fear and intimidation,
or when you are the only one inthat room that looks like you.
I have.
Been there, done that, andhonestly understanding because a
lot of people say, well, this ishow you do it, and forever
you'll be free.
We're gonna consistentlystruggle with various things
because as they say, new levels,new devils.
(15:44):
But as you are prepared andprepped to reach those new
levels, it makes it so mucheasier and those mountains
become mole hills.
And so I make it my purpose towalk with you.
So not only show you, but alsowalk with you, be that support
system, be that that ear thatyou need, but also that guidance
that you need to mentor youthrough the next phases of life.
(16:09):
So beautiful.
So beautiful.
Ika.
What an honor and a privilege ithas been to share this space
with you.
Really.
I can't imagine.
What you have gone through inorder to do what you are doing
now.
But I know it was meant to bethe way it has unfolded.
(16:31):
Mm-hmm.
And I am for.
(16:52):
Ever grateful for our connectionand for the wonderful, wonderful
work you are doing for women ofcolor to make sure that they
position themselves in theirlives in all aspects.
Not just the workplace, althoughthat's extremely important.
(17:15):
It's not the only piece, andfaith and family also have to be
number one.
So how do we put everything,number one, and put ourselves at
the center of all of thatwithout adding the extra stress
and strain, right?
So, so fantastic.
(17:35):
Oh, such a gift.
Mm-hmm.
I am so honored to share thistime and space.
Is there anything in particularyou would love to share with the
audience?
As a little closing?
You don't have to, but is thereany nugget that you were
thinking, oh, we didn't touch onthis and didn't touch on that,
which I'm sure there's lots ofbuckets, but I will say this,
(17:56):
um, because yes, I do work withwomen of color, but the webinar.
It's for women.
Uh, beautiful.
I help women, so I don't wantanyone to feel left out if what
I'm saying resonates with youand you feel like I'm speaking
with you, but you're like, I, Idon't, I'm not a woman of color,
and so I'm not sure that Let'shave a conversation.
(18:17):
Nice.
I have, um, if you can book afree call on my site, let's have
a conversation.
Let's see where we can align.
Or if it's just, Hey, I reallyam struggling with this one
thing, well, let's talk throughit.
Um, there's no obligation to,you know, like buy or work with
me or anything like that, but Idon't want anyone to feel like
this is me, but I can't workwith her.
(18:39):
Yeah.
Oh, thank you for that.
That's a great clarification.
Really beautiful LinkedIn.
April 2nd, um, I can't remember.
Was it one one or one 30?
1:00 PM.
1:00 PM Okay.
And that's Eastern.
Okay, Eastern Standard time.
Okay.
Okay.
We have time zones everywhere.
It's like, oh no.
(18:59):
What time zone are we?
Well, that's perfect.
Brilliant.
Mm-hmm.
Brilliant, brilliant.
Thank you once again for beingon episode two.
Season three, episode two ofThrive after 45.
Privilege and pleasure.
Um, maybe, maybe in the nearfuture we can have you back and
we can dig in a little furtherand do a little bit of a deeper
(19:22):
dive.
Absolutely.
But for.
It has really been an honor anda privilege to share space and
conversation with you today.
So thank you again for all youdo.
And for those of you who havenot yet subscribed to our
podcast stream, we are found onall the podcast platforms,
apple, Spotify, and I don'tknow, there are so many
(19:45):
brilliant ones out there, but weare out there and of course on
YouTube and today.
We did a live stream intoLinkedIn, so you never know
where we're gonna pop in andmeet and greet.
But I want you to have awonderful day and make sure that
if you watch the episode today,give us a review and give us
(20:05):
some comments.
We would love to hear from you.
Take care everyone, and keepthriving.
Bye.
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