Flashback Series: Ep. 33- How a Highly Successful Chief Marketing Officer had to Start Over at 55 with Lisa Lankes

More Than Your Age

This week’s Flashback Episode has been the number 1 ranked episode for over 6 months. When I’ve polled listeners regarding their top favorite episodes, this one is always an episode people enjoyed and voted for. You can tell that as well based on the number of downloads. Lisa Lankes was incredibly gracious to give me her time and join me for this episode. She’s a pretty powerful woman, and I know you will leave inspired by her story as well. Enjoy the show!

Recap from the original show notes:

At one point in my career, I had a desire to climb the Educational Teaching/Principal/HR ladder and become a successful professional businesswoman. That could still happen at some point, but that dream shifted when I felt the calling to stay home and be the primary care-taker for my children. I could still go back at some point, and if so, may have to start at an entry to mid-level position. If that’s the case, then I need to be ok with that.

My guest on today’s episode started the journey in marketing and advertising at an entry level position at the age of 32. She worked her way up the corporate ladder to become an esteemed Chief Marketing Officer with a very prominent company in Fort Worth, Texas. But, at the age of 55, her dream to retire with this company she had known to love and care for came to an end. Listen to Lisa Lankes story on how she earned her way to the top and what she had to do when she started all over again at the age of 55.

If you’ve asked the question:

“Can I start over at 55?”

“Why does my life look different than I thought?”

“Am I stuck?”

“Can I start a new business in my 50s?”

“What happens when my identity is no longer in my job?”

“How do I move forward after a layoff?”

“What are the best ways to climb the corporate ladder?”

“How can I be a successful female business woman?”

THIS episode is for you!

Questions we discussed:

-What were your initial aspirations for your role with the company?

-As you look back at your career, what was it about you, your character, drive, etc. that helped open doors to receive these specific promotions or job titles?

-Why do you think it took until 2010 for a female to have such a high title/paying position within the company?

-You earned a very high rewarding, high paying position in a place you loved, with people you cared about, what eventually happened that changed the trajectory of your career?

-After being in a place for 20+ years, and being forced to leave, how did that affect you mentally?

-How did your view on loyalty with a company change? Do you think loyalty matters or should matter in a business?

-Did you ever feel inadequate to start your own business, or did you have confidence about you based on who you knew and your background?

-What does your business offer? Who is your clientele?

-In your previous roles, you delegated and oversaw teams, now with your company, it was just you. What did you have to learn or relearn when servicing clients?

-Why is the message of being more than your age so important?

--If you could encourage one woman who feels limited to pursue a dream or goal based on her age or life circumstance, what would you tell her?

Connect with Lisa via⁠ LinkedIn⁠

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