Meet Kristi Bogan

We recently connected with Kristi Bogan and have shared our conversation below.

Kristi , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I stopped wearing makeup in 9th grade. Just overnight, I decided one day to come to school without ANY makeup. Not even mascara. All my friends were surprised and curious to say the least. My best friend tried to make fun of me and get others on board but I just didn’t care. So over the years, I always tell myself, if people don’t like me for who I am then I don’t need them. It shouldn’t matter what I look like. If you like me regardless if I’m wearing sweats and have pink hair then great! We will get along just fine. Having confidence in myself and being willing to walk away from negative people and situations is one of the greatest strengths I have honed over the years since then. It has served me well.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
For the past several (5) years I have served in a leadership role in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for my professional society of Pediatric Radiology. I have always had the burning need to stick up for those being taken advantage of or being made to feel less than their self worth. Recently, I was given the opportunity to help a few women I know become independent and confident. Gioventù MedSpa is fully staffed with women (I welcome men also) who had a desperate need to get away from the increasingly toxic environment of hospital employment and gain back respect for themselves and love of making people feel better in the aesthetic world. Giving them the opportunity to be their own boss and have the freedom to use their skills in a manner that makes them happy gives me joy and to see them blossom in this environment that I have created is so fulfilling.

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?
Stepping away from my job as a Nuclear Medicine technologist to become a self-employed 1099 salesperson for day labor taught me tenacity, how to overcome my fear of rejection and how to be my own boss.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
I have two.

1) I would have to say The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand really gave me the courage to buck convention and forge my own path.

2) Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time is the other book which inspired me to keep going when times get tough or my ideas didn’t work out. It taught me that failure is a part of being and entrepreneur and that being human to your employees goes a VERY long way.

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