Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Estenia Goodridge. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Dr. Estenia, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome and I have had a very long relationship. I teach executives and rising professionals how to carry themselves with confidence yet I am very open about the fact that confidence is a practice not a destination. In my business etiquette courses I always tell my clients that presence is not about pretending you never doubt yourself. It is about knowing what to do in the moments when doubt shows up.
For me imposter syndrome became real in a painful way when a former supervisor told me I was unqualified. When someone you trust says something that cuts that deeply, it settles into your spirit. Even when you know your education, your accomplishments, your expertise, and the results you have produced speak for themselves, the words still echo. In my case I had already built programs, managed teams, taught at a University, completed advanced degrees, and created an etiquette brand that serves leaders across many industries. I knew I was qualified. But hearing that statement made me question myself in a way that took time to untangle.
How I overcame it and how I continue to overcome it is by returning to evidence not emotion. I go back to the facts of who I am and what I have done. I let my work speak louder than the projections of others. I also allow myself to acknowledge the hurt instead of pretending it did not affect me. That honesty was freeing.
I also pour this lesson into my clients. In my business etiquette sessions we not only talk about posture, voice, and presence, but we also talk about the internal work. You cannot present confidence externally if you are tearing yourself down internally. I teach them how to stand in a room with calm authority even when self doubt whispers.
And the truth is even now I still have moments where imposter syndrome tries to visit. The difference today is that I no longer let it take up residence. I remind myself that qualifications are proven through performance, integrity, and growth, not through someone else’s insecurity. I remind myself that I built my journey with intention and resilience.
I overcame imposter syndrome by choosing to believe my own story more than someone else’s narrative about me. And that is exactly what I help my clients do as well.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the founder of The Cultural Presence, an etiquette consulting company dedicated to helping people present themselves with confidence, clarity, and grace in every space they enter. I also serve as the Chief Etiquette Officer for Miss Black USA and work in the tech world as an Associate Sales Support Engineer. My work blends two worlds that many people think are unrelated: the art of presence and the power of innovation. For me, both are about communication, connection, and elevating the way people move through their personal and professional lives.
What excites me most about my etiquette work is witnessing transformation. Etiquette is not about perfection. It is about becoming more self aware, more confident, and more grounded in who you are. I teach dining etiquette, business etiquette, communication skills, and the type of presence that elevates how people show up professionally. Whether I am preparing students for their first formal dining experience or coaching leaders on executive presence, I love helping people recognize their own potential and sharpen the way they carry themselves.
One of the special parts of my brand is creating meaningful experiences. I have hosted etiquette workshops at the Sagamore Pendry, bringing luxury and learning together in a way that feels both memorable and empowering. My work with Miss Black USA is also deeply meaningful because I get to help young women step into their leadership and purpose with confidence.
Right now I am expanding my offerings for both corporate and youth programs including business etiquette intensives, dining mastery sessions, and customized workshops for schools and organizations. I also have exciting new workshops launching in 2026 with a very special partnership that I will be announcing soon.
At its core, The Cultural Presence is about helping people walk into any room with confidence and authenticity. Presence can be refined. Confidence can be built. And everyone deserves to feel prepared for the opportunities that come their way. That is the heart of my work and the foundation of my brand.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities have shaped my journey more than anything else: resilience, emotional intelligence, and intentional presence.
Resilience has carried me through moments when doubt or criticism could have stopped me. In my career there were times when I was told I was not qualified even when my work, education, and experience proved otherwise. Resilience helped me move forward anyway. For anyone early in their journey, resilience grows when you learn to trust your own evidence over someone else’s opinion.
Emotional intelligence has been just as important. My work in etiquette, teaching, and tech all require the ability to read a room, understand people, and communicate with clarity. Emotional intelligence is what helps you lead people, not just manage tasks. You develop this skill by listening more than you speak and by learning to respond rather than react.
The third quality is intentional presence. Presence is not about performing. It is about being grounded in who you are and showing up with purpose. In my etiquette work, I teach this all the time. How you enter a room, how you speak, how you engage, and how you make others feel all shape your opportunities. To build presence, practice self awareness and commit to showing up fully wherever you are.
My advice for anyone early in their journey is simple. Strengthen these three qualities little by little. Be resilient enough to keep going, emotionally aware enough to connect, and present enough to be remembered. Those three things will open more doors than you can imagine.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Two people have had a profound impact on my growth and my ability to overcome challenges: my mother, Rev. Betsy Williams Goodridge, and my supervisor at ASI, Beau Harbin.
My mother is the reason I understand emotional intelligence the way I do. If it were not for her wisdom, I would have been lost in moments when life felt heavy or confusing. She has always been a steady guiding light for me. She taught me how to pause and reflect, how to recognize my emotions without letting them control me, and how to respond with grace even when situations were difficult. She helped me see that strength is not loud; it is grounded. So much of what I teach in my etiquette and professional presence workshops is rooted in lessons she instilled in me from childhood. Her example has shaped my entire approach to leadership, compassion, and connection.
The second person is my current supervisor, Beau Harbin. Working with him has shown me what true leadership looks like. He leads with clarity, humility, and encouragement. He gives you room to grow while also guiding you with patience and direction. The level of support and trust he provides has helped me sharpen both my technical skills and my confidence in the tech space. Watching how he empowers his team has given me a model I want to emulate. His leadership has shown me that you can be knowledgeable and still approachable, strong and still kind.
Both my mother and Beau have shaped who I am professionally and personally. One taught me how to understand myself, and the other taught me how to lead others. Their influence continues to guide me as I build my career and expand my brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theculturalpresence.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theculturalpresence/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCulturalPresence
Image Credits
Michael Vega
DuRaun Epps
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
