Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gillian Giorgio. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Gillian, 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?
Throughout my life, I have often found myself in situations where I was the only person in the room who looked different from everyone else. As a child, I didn’t particularly notice or feel affected by these differences. My parents didn’t resemble me, and they were not together, but it never made me feel inferior. I always saw myself as a normal kid, going through the usual stages of life, and my appearance didn’t play a significant role in that. It wasn’t until middle school, during a vacation in the South, that I began to realize I looked different from others. Additionally, in high school, I had a white boyfriend whose friends didn’t accept me simply because I wasn’t white. It was the first time I experienced the sting of racism, and it was difficult to comprehend. Growing up, I was never taught to judge or be judged based on skin color. Instead, I was raised to believe that one’s achievements in life are a result of hard work, personal qualities, and actions, irrespective of one’s appearance.
Being an enigma in many ways, with a Welsh first name, an Italian last name, and a mixed racial background, I’ve learned to embrace and appreciate the uniqueness I bring to different environments. When communicating over the phone, for example, my background is not immediately apparent, and this has allowed me to navigate various situations without preconceived notions influencing others’ perceptions of me.
The key to success, in my opinion, lies in adapting to the specific context of each room I enter. Regardless of how I may differ from others in appearance, my focus remains on running my own race and striving to excel at a higher level. I prioritize preparation and mindset, rather than placing undue emphasis on my distinctiveness. It is essential for the people in the room to perceive me as confident, knowledgeable, and well-educated. While technical expertise is valuable, I also aim to demonstrate growth and mastery in specific areas that surpasses what others may possess.
I believe that respect should be earned based on merit, rather than on the color of one’s skin or gender. It is crucial for me to prove my worth through my accomplishments and contributions. I want others to respect me because I have done something deserving of that respect. In the end, it is not about how different I may look compared to others in the room; it’s about establishing a sense of mutual respect through my actions, expertise, and mindset.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I would love to share my story in the hopes that others can learn from it. Growing up, my mom was a single parent, and we didn’t have much money. This experience made me acutely aware of the divide between those who had more and those who had less. In high school, I vividly remember hearing a poem called “Pretty Good” by Charles Osgood which made me realize I didn’t want just a “pretty good” life; I aspired to have an incredible life and make a positive impact on many people. I felt the need to surpass the limitations I perceived. I aimed for a higher education, following the recommendations of my parents, but soon realized that working for others in the medical field, as a physician assistant, had its limits. Through entrepreneurship, I discovered the roller coaster ride of ups and downs but fought hard to keep at it even on the darkest days because I knew it was still better than working for someone else and helping their family succeed without any personal stake or ownership.
Seeking more control over my time, I ventured into the financial industry as an entrepreneur. I taught people about diversifying their money and investments. However, I couldn’t understand why more people weren’t diversifying their income and creating multiple streams of revenue. So, I devoted a considerable amount of time to learning about entrepreneurship and enjoying the freedom it brought. But with freedom came immense responsibility, and it was undoubtedly challenging. There were times of struggle when my husband wondered why I was working so hard for something without a guaranteed outcome.
For 15 years, I focused solely on one aspect of entrepreneurship, never considering alternatives. Eventually, I realized that the vehicle I was running wasn’t allowing me to achieve the level of success I knew I could attain. Interestingly, an opportunity presented itself at the perfect time and Abundance For Life, LLC was born! I genuinely believe that divine intervention played a role because when opportunity knocks and the door opens, it only becomes a reality when you take that step forward.
An incredible and highly successful woman approached me with the idea of starting a real estate fund. We have recently launched Limitless Abundance Fund, LP (“Limitless Ventures”), a private equity fund in commercial real estate, with a focus on developing efficient and sustainable communities nationwide. I am excited about this project as it allows me to create and build something from the ground up, which aligns with my passion of helping people in communities close to my heart. I continue to consult with people regarding their investments, but now there is an opportunity to invest in real estate without the burdens of responsibility, legwork, and maintenance.
Many of us recognize the need to own something that can generate income for the future, but working a job alone doesn’t generally provide the same chance to progress towards a better life. We need suitable investment avenues that help us get ahead, so that we can reflect on our working careers and know that we have built financial security and sustainable income.
We are bringing together assets from people from all walks of life, offering them the chance to amplify and multiply their money while introducing the concept of real estate ownership to average individuals.
Our goal is to create wealth for people while they sleep. Throughout my career, I have always aimed to bring value, truth, integrity, and high standards to the financial industry. I am the type of advisor who follows up with clients regularly, ensuring their needs are met and their financial well-being is prioritized. The Golden Rule governs my investment philosophy, as I strive to guide people in investing as they would if they fully understood all the products and options available to them.
Above all, this new chapter in my life is about embodying the American principles that our country was founded upon. It’s about embracing new opportunities, unparalleled work ethic, pushing through the harder times and knowing that we are part of something greater than just a job.
I want to celebrate the fact that in this country, regardless of one’s appearance, background, or circumstances, anyone can achieve greatness and create an extraordinary life. Growing up, I felt limitations, but now I know that there are no boundaries to what we can achieve.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I believe that a few qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge had the most significant impact on my entrepreneurial journey. Firstly, determination and drive were instrumental in my success. The ‘bus runs out of every town,’ and although we don’t choose the hand we are dealt, we have the power to play it any way we see fit. I aspired to create joyful memories and experiences for my family, not merely in terms of money, but in terms of freedom and the ability to shape our own destiny. My advice to those early in their journey is to find a deep-rooted purpose that fuels their determination and to envision the bigger picture they are striving for. Secondly, I recognized the importance of resilience. Entrepreneurship is a challenging path, and I faced countless obstacles along the way. However, I refused to be deterred by setbacks and dark times. Instead, I developed a mindset of resilience that enabled me to persevere and keep moving forward, step by step. My advice to newcomers is to embrace resilience and understand that setbacks are part of the journey. By remaining committed and resilient, they can overcome challenges and continue their pursuit of success.
Lastly, I realized the significance of personal growth and self-improvement. I tied my success not only to financial gain but also to my emotional investment in becoming the best version of myself. I believe ongoing learning and personal development are crucial in any entrepreneurial journey. My advice to others is to prioritize self-improvement, whether through reading books, attending seminars, seeking mentorship, or networking with like-minded individuals. By investing in their own growth, they can enhance their skills, knowledge, and mindset, ultimately increasing their chances of success.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Over the past 12 months, I experienced significant personal growth while navigating a multitude of changes in my life and those around the world. During this period, I realized that my business philosophy and the way I was coached and mentored were not yielding the desired outcomes. I had to dig deep and confront the limitations I faced. It was not that the existing approach was entirely flawed for everyone, but after dedicating an extensive amount of time, I felt compelled to take an objective look at our business and acknowledge the need for adjustments to adapt to the evolving world. The advancements in technology, such as AI, and the rise of remote work, with the ability to telecommute at any time, highlighted the inevitable shifts in the business landscape. However, I hesitated to make changes because I had a team of individuals, a group under my supervision, and commitments to support them. I didn’t want to let them down. Eventually, I realized that in order to stay true to my own vision and aspirations, I needed to embrace a different perspective, even if it meant disappointing some of those who relied on me.
Throughout this transformative process, I cultivated a sense of introspection and recognized the value of being self-aware. It took immense courage and self-reflection to acknowledge my own fallibility. It was a humbling experience that demanded a level of vulnerability and openness to alternative possibilities. In fact, for several months, I kept the idea of shifting focus to myself, fearing that sharing it with my husband would lead to resentment due to the considerable time, effort, and energy I had invested, often at the expense of family time.
While remaining in the same field, I underwent a profound shift in my mindset and approach. I realized that continuous learning and adaptability are vital in finding fulfillment, success, and well-being on one’s own terms. Many individuals were pushing me in a particular direction, but I had to navigate through the noise and make changes aligned with my true direction. It is during moments of opposition and resistance that one’s resolve and ability to articulate and provide evidence for their decisions are truly tested.
This journey of self-discovery was a testament to my strength of character and resilience. I had to evaluate where we stood and where we aspired to be and find new pathways to pursue success and a better life. Along the way, I recognized that my previous decisions had inadvertently caused me to turn away people who did not comprehend my actions. This realization was not easy to swallow, but it served as a catalyst for personal growth and a determination to rectify past mistakes.
It is never too late to address the challenges we face and make the necessary changes to improve our lives. In my case, while I continue to work in the same field, my transformation primarily involved a shift in focus and approach. I am profoundly grateful for this journey of self-discovery, which allowed me to embrace a sense of humility, foster a greater understanding of myself, and unlock new possibilities for success and fulfillment.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gginspire/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gillian.giorgio.3
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliangiorgio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gginspire293/videos
- Other: Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PJNAtyMTFjaIHW5ejl7mK?si=4775f27c75cb4044
