I spoke at GirlCon for the second year, this time as a Keynote speaker.

GirlCon is an international tech conference that aims to empower the next generation of leaders. This annual event focuses on how technology is a major factor in every career field. The GirlCon team strives to fix the lack of diversity in STEM. Girls attending have a chance to personally connect with companies and gain mentorship from women in college and the workforce.

I was asked to give a 30-minute keynote to prepare girls for the day and their futures. I focused on the Good Decisions I made that got me where I am, including highly documenting my professional accomplishments throughout undergrad, and choosing my body before all else.

I’ll share some Q&A answers here for you because I loved what was asked!

Q: If there is one piece of advice you could give your younger self, what would it be?

A: Be patient, your time is coming! And put your health first, you can’t always get it back.

Q: What does a typical work day look like for you?

A: Wake up around 8/9, dance in the shower, quickly check my personal email and make a quick social video to share, work in technology, dance around my kitchen, dash in some lunch, finish my workday, submit voiceover auditions, take a break with some Clubhouse or other social scrolling, deliver a few final emails, auditions or pitches and spend time with loved ones before doing my nighttime skin routine, and crashing EARLY.

Q: Who is someone you look up to?

A: Issa Rae, Ciara, and The Rock! 3 career icons whose business models I hope to follow by way of grants, partnerships, ownership, diversification, and talent in original or others’ productions.

Q: How did you know you wanted to build this career and brand for yourself? What sort of action steps did it take?

A: I realized I was pouring more into work than into what I purely loved as a hobby and wanted to build my brand the way I’ve built international technology campaigns. I’ve wanted to be a professional actress and entertainer since I was little and this is a dream deferred! I realized I had to audit myself, prioritize a bit more ruthlessly, hire an assistant and start treating myself like a content executive.

Q: Do you ever experience imposter syndrome and what is your advice to overcome it?

A: Someone reasoned the way we’re talking about impostor syndrome is actually driving it, and I wonder the same. I believe in moving WITH my fear and always looking back at my body of work to be like “Yeah, I did that” to give myself the affirmation I need.

Q: How do you create work-life balance?

A: Ensuring I have my spiritual, academic, charitable, professional, and social buckets filled at almost all times + incorporating play into my day every day. I let myself laugh FULLY, on the job or off.

Q: What would you say is the most rewarding part of your work for you?

A: Knowing that people are motivated to ACT based on my videos or presentations – inspired to date again, seize their college experience, laugh while deployed, or be their authentic selves online.

Hope to see you again, GirlCon girls! 👋🏾

I’m available to host your events, email us at bookjoyofodu@gmail.com or visit here for my preferred topics.