We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Crystal Mars-Noel Mars-Noel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Crystal Mars-Noel , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
From early on, I was familiar with being “the only one.” Yes, at 15, I was the youngest person working late shifts in the food industry, but that was just one chapter. What shaped me even more was realising I was the first in my family to walk a path no one had walked before, the first to take risks, the first to build something of my own, the first to imagine a life beyond what I had seen.
Growing up, I didn’t have examples of entrepreneurship or structured corporate environments. But I understood that if I stepped into new rooms with intention, I could become the example for whoever came after me, my siblings, my peers, and anyone who comes from a background like mine. That sense of responsibility taught me to listen carefully, prepare thoroughly, and trust my instincts even when no one else shared my perspective.
Being “the only one” didn’t just force me to adapt; it pushed me to rise. I learned how to communicate clearly, hold my ground, and navigate spaces where representation was scarce. Those experiences built my confidence and shaped my resilience. Today, I’m effective in any room not because I’ve never felt alone, but because I’ve learned how to thrive in those moments and how to leave the door open for the next person who looks like me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Strategic Storyteller and the Founder of Beyond Mars Consulting.
I launched the agency in May 2022 after recognizing a gap in the market: brands didn’t just need marketing, they needed narrative strategy. I saw how many businesses had potential but lacked the clarity and positioning required to compete beyond their borders.
Beyond Mars was created to bridge that gap and bring global standard thinking to markets that are often overlooked.
At Beyond Mars, we help founders, executives, and corporate teams craft their narratives, manage high level campaigns, and build brand identities that reflect not just where they are, but where they’re capable of going. My philosophy is simple: geography shouldn’t dictate authority. Growing up on a small island taught me early that location doesn’t limit potential, which is why I’ve always been building with a global lens. In a digital world, a confident and cohesive brand narrative is the universal language of success.
What excites me most is the transformation. Many clients come to us overwhelmed by the noise of the landscape. Replacing that confusion with strategy, clarity, and direction and watching them step into their full potential is the most rewarding part of this work.
Right now, Beyond Mars is expanding with a new suite of Communications and Presentation Skills Workshops and strategic team training. These initiatives reflect my mission as a founder: to equip leaders with the tools, strategy, and confidence to show up powerfully in any room.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities and skills have been most impactful in my journey:
Strategic agility taught me that I can’t be everything to everyone and still be great; something had to give. There came a point in my business where pushing harder wasn’t working, and I had to make a tough pivot. That moment showed me the difference between persistence and self-sacrifice. True agility is knowing when to move, when to adjust, and when to let something go so you don’t shrink yourself trying to hold everything together.
Money management will humble you if you ignore it. The first time I applied for a loan and couldn’t justify my numbers, reality hit me hard. Treating my business like a hobby delayed my growth, and that moment forced me to build systems, track everything, and take the financial side seriously. Understanding your numbers isn’t optional; it’s the foundation of scaling with confidence.
And an audacious vision; thinking bigger changed everything for me. The first time I said yes to a project I had never done before, I realized fear and expansion often show up at the same time. Playing small keeps you safe, but it also keeps you stuck. Saying yes to challenges you haven’t mastered yet forces you to stretch, learn, and become the person your future business actually needs. Big vision creates big opportunities and room for bigger teams, bigger projects, and bigger impact.
My biggest advice for anyone early in their journey is this: build resilience, be open to the learning curve, and stay adaptable. Get comfortable with your numbers as soon as possible. And don’t be afraid to step into rooms that feel a little out of reach. That’s usually where the growth is. The moment you stop shrinking and start backing yourself, everything shifts.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
If I had to choose one book that’s played a meaningful role in my development, it would be Atomic Habits by James Clear. A few key ideas from that book have stayed with me:
“Small actions compound; consistency will outwork motivation every time.” Even when progress feels invisible, the tiny habits you repeat daily are the ones that quietly change everything.
“You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.”
Ambition means nothing without structure. The moment I started building real systems, my business shifted from “hustle” to something that could actually scale.
Honestly, the entire book is a nugget. If you haven’t read it yet, read it. It’s one of the few books that actually changes how you operate daily.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beyondmarsconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondmarsconsulting/
- Facebook: beyond mars consulting
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-mars-consulting
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