What do you do when no one else in the company or the meeting looks like you? We asked entrepreneurs and creatives from across industries and geographies to share their experiences and advice.
Tavetta Patterson
I have learned to be effective/successful even when I am the only one in the room that looks me by reminding myself of the resilience of my ancestors. I also remind myself that because I am in the room, I am blazing a path, to leave a trail for someone else who looks like me to have an easier journey. I often view uniqueness as a superpower. If I am the only one in the room that looks like me, I get to add value that was not there before I arrived. I also considerate it as an opportunity to learn something new and interesting about another culture. While humans look different on the surface, at our core we all want to be seen, heard, and valued for our contributions to humanity. Read more>>
Jade Maxx
What a thoughtful question. Being yourself, no matter what the situation, is always the best choice in my opinion. I shine when I am myself, just like anyone else does! Learning to take pride in my work and speak up about it while still staying humble can be a fine line. Practice makes progress and Im grateful for the opportunity this interview provides. Read more>>
Josniel Fiallo
Being confident in your abilities and knowledge is essential to be effective and successful when you are the only one in the room who thinks like you. Recognizing your unique perspective is valuable and can offer new ideas and solutions. Read more>>
Ty Jack
During events, I go by whose name is on the invite list, whether it be Ty Jack or Tyler Jackson. From there, I determine which persona I want to come as. The elegant, black beauty, who’s magical, or the fearless, over the top unicorn that everyone loves! Either way, you’ll know me and feel my presence in the room before you even talk to me. I love making an impact with my outfits, hair and makeup. The shoes are always a bonus too! Read more>>
Monet Howard
I love this question because not only does it speak the Art of indiviality but truly what makes this such a major topic. When I do large media gatherings I have truly perfected the way I can read the room and to always show eye contact and specifically speak to people that I naturally draw to. I can ok pinpoint what feels like a perfect match of personality and know that my self confidence is the major captivating moment people notice. Read more>>
Manuela Redaelli Elio Oliva
Hello everyone from Manuela & Elio. It’s an honor to be here today to share a vision with you. We do projects and our is lead by creativity. When you start a creative emancipation project you know that if nobody understands it exactly, if you don’t see the path but only the vision, if you have absolutely no idea on how to make it happen, the feeling is your path, the right path to a innovation. Read more>>
Kiki Rivera
Imagine being on a fairly large voyaging canoe with your parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. The heavens are your map to the unknown and the vast Pacific Ocean is the only semblance of home. Peace rests on the ocean highway when the waters aren’t rough. It isn’t land, but it is still home. There is still belonging. Read more>>
Dynelly del Valle
I grew in Miami, a melting pot of people of all types, shapes, faces, colors, and backgrounds and never knew anything different until I moved just 10 miles north… Back then, I didn’t realize how those little 10 miles would affect me. While I knocked on an elderly woman’s door to look at her guest house for rent she looked me up and and down and said, “You do know this is a WHITE neighborhood don’t you?” I was shook, I thanked my mother for teaching me to respect my elders and bowed out gracefully. Read more>>
Nick Kandelaki
This was a pretty complex challenge for me in USA since I am part of the minority and the first generation in USA. I am from Eastern Europe and I never felt that I fit the box in this country in my industry. People always asked me where I am from and the majority of Americans do not even know where the Republic of Georgia is. Read more>>
Joseph & Danielle Revcat
In a room full of other unicorns, it’s a little awkward when you realize that somehow you grew wings. Now the struggle becomes learning to fly and what to do with your newfound ability. We have had to adapt to a new economy, one in which our clientele is demanding more for their money, and they don’t wish to compromise on quality. We are what is up and coming in the wedding industry. This is a new age of value driven services in the wedding industry and we are here to usher in this new time. Read more>>
Calista Wu
I am a younger Asian American female who is a lawyer and a pop artist with my own entertainment company, and I’ve had to be the only one who looks like me in many, many rooms. When I was a junior associate working in BigLaw, I sterilized my appearance and personality and made myself “smaller” as if I were trying to hide. This is partially because my immigrant parents told me not to stand out too much and to focus on working hard and adding value, out of their desire for me to carve out a safe, secure life for myself. Read more>>
Superdreww
I believe your look is 100% the first and only chance to get their attention far before you can display your talents. This can be anywhere from your style to hygiene or confidence and security in yourself. It’s interesting because we live in a time where your image, as a whole, has become a new form of resume. Especially in the entertainment industry. From acting to music, your reels or self tapes become the fastest and most affective ways to showcase your talents and are literally the new elevator pitches to what you offer to any potential client or collaborator. Read more>>
Barbara Chavez-Sabree
I have found myself in this situation more times than I can count in my life thus far and the answer is – confidence. The way I present myself professionally is rooted in my confidence. I have completed my graduate education, training and have obtained my license as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I have applied my knowledge to real life application and I have continued to grow my skill set. Read more>>
Chase Salenger
I think the answer is in the question. It’s so important especially as a woman to fully own who you are because there is just simply no one like you. That is true success to me. When you can truthfully say “I feel sexy in my own skin,” or “I am confident being me because my magic is irreplaceable.” I find that establishing a sustainable routine is very effective for me- something where I’m not using up all of my energy doing too much. This looks like meditating, going to yoga, sitting in ceremonies, and reading. Read more>>
Alberto de Icaza
When I was younger, I struggled with being the only one in the room that is different. I grew up feeling like a misfit but that helped shape my view of the world and pushed me to chase my passion. I think that in the music world we embrace differences instead of letting it divide us. Victor Wooten once said that a band with everyone playing the same instrument would be ridiculous, we need to get with people that think differently and sound different to build good sounding bands. Read more>>
Araceli Avionn
This is a great question! Early in my leadership journey I felt it was required to over communicate the talent, skillset, and ambition that I brought to an organization. I wanted to “fit in”, it was about being seen and heard. As I have developed in my leadership career, I allow my work ethic to speak for itself. UNDERATTED – The Rise Of The New Face In Leadership, is a leadership book that I have published that provides real life events that I have experienced while navigating through this topic. One of the leading topics is “Having a seat at the table”. Read more>>
Michelle Le
As a baker, I have faced the challenge of being the only one in the room who looks like me while also wanting to communicate my unique approach to baking. Specifically, my cakes are mainly focused on the sweetness that they are not overly sweet, and everything is 100% made from scratch. Read more>>
Ashley Cooke
I have learned to be your true self; don’t follow the crowd. Express that difference to the world, and always do it from the heart. That my friend will be a treasure of gold! I have a 19 year background in the art industry . All which has been specializing in home design, makeup artistry, & fashion. I wanted to gain more knowledge in home design, and recently graduated from design school. I am now a certified Staging Design Professional, and soon to be certified Interior Decorator. Read more>>
Holly Barber
Before I started building schools, I was usually the only person in the room that looked like me. When you are a Black woman, you are taught to expect that. It never bothered me. In fact, it motivated and encouraged me. I found myself often motivated to change the dynamic of said room. I began to focus on being an example of what people who look like me can accomplish. Read more>>
Dr. KayLa N. Allen
While for brief moments in time, being the only one in the room who looks like me can be intimidating, there is also something wonderful about it. Understanding that I am powerfully and uniquely contributing to a world of opportunity and giving a voice to others, I choose to walk into spaces with pride, logic, faith, and intelligence. Read more>>
Tamar Turner
I love this question because it is certainly an internal battle that many people have faced or will face at some point in their life. While a lot of times it starts internal, it can translate to be expressed externally as well. Personally, I have learned to be successful through it all because when it’s all said and done. Read more>>
Shekia Murray
Great question! It resonates with my current situations I’ve encountered these past few years. I firmly believe that you should stand firm in your convictions. Whether you stand alone or stand with a million; if something strongly relates to you it’s your duty to bring it alive. Read more>>
Cody Bennett
I’m a one man show in my business, I’ve found that I can control my challenges more effectively that way and control the outcome. Ultimately if I want to change the outcome I have to change what I’m doing. Sure I have help at times but I’ve learned to be very selective with the help I choose. I don’t talk about what I can do, I’m not a salesman and never set out to be, I let my work speak for itself. Read more>>
Nancy Nguyen
I believe that time is valuable, whether I am sitting at church or in a class. You need to make the best of why you are there in the first place. Every week, month, and year I set a goal for myself. My personal, family and work goals. It doesn’t matter if it’s small or big. It can takes me 2 days or a 2 years to accomplish it. I work at my own pace and everyday I am getting closer to winning. Read more>>
Erinn Nowlin
I have had the distinct honor of being not just the only woman in some spaces but also the only woman of (any) color. I keep this in mind when I am in the room, with every word I speak and every action I take. Preparation helps me to be successful in these spaces. That includes understanding the purpose of meeting, what are the goals that we are aiming to reach before we are dismissed, I come with ideas already prepared and I ask clarifying questions to show I am actively listening and engaged in the conversation. Read more>>
Gauthier Raad
Since my childhood, I was always the only one in the room… and still, whenever I travel (because I love discovering new cultures), I am always the different one in the room… The one who has an accent, the one whose skin color is different, the young edgy person, the guy with long hair, the blonde guy, the extravert guy, the… I can go on and on… But this thing pushed me to work more on myself not to show anybody anything nor to seek validation from others… I have learned that passion and desire will never go unnoticed. I was always determined. Read more>>
Adylia-Rhenee Gutierrez
I was fortunate that I’ve always been the “only one in the room who looks like me.” That may seem odd to say but always not looking like my friends it allowed me not to view my difference as a hindrance. I focused on what could be measured by a person and that is consistency & putting in the time. Some people may be taken aback how I’m different etc but no one can say I’m not prepared, gracious and consistent. Read more>>
Davonne Dupart
This question has come up before and my answer has remained pretty consistent over the years, but recent experiences has caused my answer to expand. Whether I’m animating, teaching, leading my business, etc – I don’t think of myself as a Black Woman embarking on this goal. I always see myself as Davonne and “this” is what I want to do, I’m being myself and am constantly trying to be the best version of myself. It is usually other people pointing out to me that I’m the only one in the room that looks like me. Read more>>
Dr. Tia Dionne Roper
When you are the only one in the room who looks like you, there is no blending in or hiding. As an artist, that is the last thing you’d ever want to do: hide, blend in, or simply be unremarkable. I remember reading evaluation comments from a panel of judges after just performing in a prestigious music competition as a nineteen-year-old flutist. Read more>>
KAYRAJAY
Typically I’m the youngest person in a room of executives with years of experience. Oddly enough, this has never really intimidated me, only filled me with gratitude for being in that space and having the opportunity to learn from the veterans. I’ve learned how to be successful in this space by honing in on what I have to offer. My youth! The parts of myself that are different are my ultimate strength and I honor the fact that my voice and perspective are just as valuable as anyone else’s – otherwise I wouldn’t be in the room. Read more>>
Dawn Mahealani Douglas
I love this question as someone who has been on a lifelong journey to find my place in this world and where I feel I belong. I remember being as young as 6-years-old and classmates questioning my cultural background, because no one was sure or could pin it down just by looking at me. I have talked openly about being adopted and searching for my roots through genealogy recently. Read more>>
Jerrika Brown
When you are the only one in the room who looks like you, it is not hard to stand out, so embrace your surroundings and be present. The most valuable thing I have learned in my career is that no matter if you feel like you don’t belong or feel alone, you put on a smile and work the room! Read more>>
Dominique Hankins
Being the only one in the room that looks like you can be a scary feeling. It often creates a sort of imposter syndrome, that you cant help but feel. Through my business journey I’ve learned to channel that feeling into drive and use it to push myself. I belong in any room I’ve earned the right to be in. I had to gain the confidence to realize I was just as smart, creative, and driven as everyone else in the room. Even if my circumstances are different, I earned the right to be there. Once I’m in the room, I’ll show you exactly why its an asset to have me there. Read more>>
Belita Butler
Sometimes we can get in our head. So make the “onlys” work as an advantage. There was a time (and there have been many of those times, and will probably be more of those times ), when I’ve been “the only.” The only woman, the only minority, the only black woman, the only creative. There are always reasons to concentrate on those only.s. Read more>>
Giselle Lelux
This was one of the biggest reasons why I felt so passionate about writing “The Influencer’s Handbook”. I am a true believer that the harder you want something and the harder you work towards that something all the negativity around you and disadvantages somehow blur away. Looking back at my journey there have been so many times were I was at a disadvantage. Where I was the only one that was like me and where I was the likely choice to fail. Read more>>
David Frerker
I was diagnosed with keratoconus during my sophomore year of college at San Diego State. Keratoconus is a rare eye disease with less than 200,000 cases in the United States each year. Now what is keratoconus? According to the Mayo Clinic, “keratoconus occurs when your cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye — thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape.” I am right handed… which means that my right eye is the dominate one when it comes to photography. Read more>>
