Rewrite Your Success

WEBVTT

00:00:00.540 --> 00:00:12.689
Hello, hello and welcome to Thrive After 45, the podcast where we redefine the significance of you time because you, for you by you.

00:00:13.259 --> 00:00:22.079
I am Denise Drink and Midlife renewal coach here to help women embrace their power, purpose, and potential.

00:00:22.589 --> 00:00:27.809
This show is your space to explore what's possible when you prioritize.

00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:33.950
You through inspiring conversations, expert insights, and real stories.

00:00:34.460 --> 00:00:42.289
We'll uncover how to navigate transitions, rediscover joy and thrive inside and out.

00:00:42.679 --> 00:00:49.310
It is time to let go of guilt and fully embrace the life waiting for you.

00:00:49.880 --> 00:00:50.630
This is.

00:00:51.045 --> 00:00:57.975
The Thrive After 45 podcast and it is your time to thrive for you by you because of you.

00:00:58.965 --> 00:01:10.484
It is an honor and a privilege to introduce and welcome Ika Saunders to Thrive after 45 podcasts, episode two.

00:01:10.905 --> 00:01:11.534
Today.

00:01:12.105 --> 00:01:16.484
Ika is a powerhouse in the world of accounting and leadership.

00:01:17.534 --> 00:01:31.094
With over 15 years of experience guiding accounting teams through high stakes corporate transitions, including mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, and financial restructures.

00:01:31.545 --> 00:01:40.484
Despite climbing the corporate ladder, she knows firsthand the challenges of unrealistic deadlines.

00:01:41.084 --> 00:01:52.034
Limited resources and the heavy weight of expectations, challenges that often leave women feeling stuck and unfulfilled.

00:01:52.844 --> 00:02:04.875
Now as the CEO and founder of Transform the Gap, Sika is on a mission to be the mentor that she once needed.

00:02:05.534 --> 00:02:22.664
She is dedicated to helping women of color in accounting embrace their God-given purpose, overcome self-doubt, and create balance between faith, family, and career.

00:02:23.370 --> 00:02:32.219
Through her work, she has already impacted more than 10 lives, guiding them toward transformation and lasting fulfillment.

00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:45.719
And today we get to dive into her journey, her wisdom and her passion for helping women break barriers and unlock their true potential.

00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:50.430
Sika, welcome to Thrive after 45.

00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:53.129
So great to have you.

00:02:53.134 --> 00:02:53.414
Thank you.

00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:54.360
Thank you.

00:02:54.360 --> 00:02:54.840
Thank you.

00:02:55.110 --> 00:02:55.409
Thank you.

00:02:55.409 --> 00:02:56.250
So happy to be here.

00:02:56.250 --> 00:02:58.110
Thank you so much for having me, Denise.

00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:01.680
I am delighted and honored for to be on your second episode.

00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:10.319
It is a privilege, and let's jump right in and let's talk a little bit about how.

00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:12.960
This came to pass.

00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:24.330
How did you come to the realization that not only your story mm-hmm but you could be of service to others.

00:03:24.419 --> 00:03:27.389
Tell us around what comes up for you when I ask that question.

00:03:28.229 --> 00:03:28.949
Oh my gosh.

00:03:29.009 --> 00:03:31.500
Um, it's a big one.

00:03:31.504 --> 00:03:37.289
It's so many things because honestly, when I was incorporated, if anyone had.

00:03:37.814 --> 00:03:43.724
Had asked me and they did before, you know, people say, why don't you start your own like side hustle?

00:03:43.724 --> 00:03:46.485
Or you can do accounting books, you can do all these different things.

00:03:46.485 --> 00:03:51.914
And I'm like, uh, no corporate employee, W2 till I die.

00:03:52.215 --> 00:03:52.514
Like.

00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:55.800
There are people who are not meant to be entrepreneurs.

00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:58.590
This is my space, this is my safe space.

00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:07.919
You know, because the security and knowing when you'll get paid and, and you know what's coming in, you know where you're going each day and what that day looks like, but I.

00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:11.759
Um, it got to a point where it was no longer fulfilling.

00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:12.599
Hmm.

00:04:12.659 --> 00:04:21.629
And I thought initially that it was maybe the organization that I worked with because it had become a toxic environment and I'm like, I just need to go somewhere else.

00:04:21.629 --> 00:04:23.220
And so that's exactly what I did.

00:04:23.670 --> 00:04:27.029
And I got to the new company and people were great.

00:04:27.540 --> 00:04:29.160
You know, had a great team.

00:04:29.189 --> 00:04:29.759
Great.

00:04:29.790 --> 00:04:30.180
Um.

00:04:30.509 --> 00:04:34.860
Manager and support there, but it still was just like something's off.

00:04:34.860 --> 00:04:49.920
And what I realized, a part of my journey that I love the most was my team and helping them and helping them to develop and helping them to get on the right path, whether it was inside or outside of accounting, being that support system for them, the things that they needed.

00:04:50.220 --> 00:04:54.060
And so I, um, I'm very spiritual.

00:04:54.060 --> 00:04:58.350
I went on a fast and I'm like, Lord, I need for you to tell like, what is it I'm supposed to do?

00:04:58.379 --> 00:04:59.939
I didn't think it was entrepreneurship.

00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:01.620
But I didn't know what it was.

00:05:01.620 --> 00:05:08.185
I thought he was just, you know, create, show me this divine corporate organization and that would be right.

00:05:08.185 --> 00:05:23.040
And so you go here and so, but it wasn't, it was entrepreneurship and it was, it was during that time, I have never been so just engulfed by all things entrepreneurship and, and business coaches and all of these things, and I'm like, what?

00:05:23.384 --> 00:05:25.365
And I'm like, no, it's, it's Sika.

00:05:25.425 --> 00:05:38.714
It's, remember, it's, you know, but this was the path and it was, I realized that I went through the things that I went through during my time in corporate America, being burned out of initially not knowing how to speak up for myself.

00:05:38.774 --> 00:05:41.475
Overworked, under recognized.

00:05:41.790 --> 00:05:46.649
Having to choose or feeling like I had to choose between my success and my family.

00:05:47.009 --> 00:05:47.100
Mm-hmm.

00:05:47.100 --> 00:06:05.009
All of those things was so that I could make my misery, my message and help someone else who's in that space right now, you know, you talk about family and I know so many women who are.

00:06:06.134 --> 00:06:10.004
Feeling like you maybe felt in some, at some degree.

00:06:10.004 --> 00:06:20.774
We all have our own journey, but feeling that str like, yeah, this is, but this is like you mentioned, this is the paycheck, this is the piece that I, it's coming in consistently.

00:06:20.774 --> 00:06:22.274
I know what it is.

00:06:22.274 --> 00:06:23.415
I do it well.

00:06:23.415 --> 00:06:23.504
Mm-hmm.

00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:25.125
Hate it.

00:06:25.935 --> 00:06:31.725
And family is starting to be impacted because of my energy and being Yes.

00:06:31.814 --> 00:06:33.194
Rained and yes.

00:06:33.435 --> 00:06:33.884
So.

00:06:34.605 --> 00:06:37.365
Moving, I'm gonna say parallel.

00:06:37.935 --> 00:06:38.055
Mm-hmm.

00:06:38.384 --> 00:06:41.324
Because you went from one corporation to another.

00:06:41.329 --> 00:06:41.709
Mm-hmm.

00:06:43.394 --> 00:06:50.714
How long did it take you to go, uh, there's some this I'm seeing and feeling the same stuff.

00:06:51.014 --> 00:06:57.134
Was it a shorter journey or then the first journey, or what happened there?

00:06:58.259 --> 00:07:04.199
I don't, have you ever heard the term people say that they hire quickly and fire and take too long to fire?

00:07:04.410 --> 00:07:06.750
That's kind of how it was with my journey.

00:07:06.750 --> 00:07:14.850
Like there were signs here and there for a very long time, probably a few years, and I ignored them as something else.

00:07:14.910 --> 00:07:16.319
Uh, you know, overworked.

00:07:16.350 --> 00:07:16.769
Oh no.

00:07:16.769 --> 00:07:18.750
This just, you know's, par for the courts.

00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:20.699
That's what it means when you are.

00:07:20.889 --> 00:07:23.740
You want to, you know, go up and when you want that promotion.

00:07:23.889 --> 00:07:29.620
So I gave myself all of these different excuses to why it made sense.

00:07:29.949 --> 00:07:39.519
And honestly, my shift, like many peoples for various reasons was during Covid and during Covid we were home and working from home.

00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:42.790
Um, and it was a few things.

00:07:42.790 --> 00:07:44.199
One hearing.

00:07:44.730 --> 00:07:49.410
My family say that, oh, this is the most that we've seen you in a long time.

00:07:49.410 --> 00:07:51.629
And it was like, oh, really?

00:07:52.199 --> 00:08:06.269
And then just, I guess not being in the place, in the in surrounded so much from the individuals that I worked with, specifically upper management, I would hear some of the things that they would say to people and it just hit different.

00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:06.449
Yep.

00:08:06.689 --> 00:08:08.399
And I would be like, wait, that's not.

00:08:08.625 --> 00:08:16.305
What, what, why are you, you know, and some of the expectations that they had on some versus others, um, for working at home.

00:08:16.305 --> 00:08:27.105
And it was just like, I remember going through an interview with someone who was looked like, who looked like me, and she was very professional in her interview.

00:08:27.375 --> 00:08:34.184
She answered all of our questions and when we interviewed her, they were like, uh, not really sure if she's gonna be a great fit.

00:08:34.549 --> 00:08:40.850
On the other hand, we interviewed someone who, uh, was a white male who showed up.

00:08:40.850 --> 00:08:44.240
I don't know if you've seen the commercials with the V-neck T-shirt, that's all.

00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.279
But that's what he had on in the interview.

00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:46.340
Yeah.

00:08:46.850 --> 00:08:51.470
And he was like barely able to answer the questions.

00:08:51.470 --> 00:08:56.960
And after the call, they're like, they basically almost offered him the position on the, on the call.

00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:59.269
And I'm like, wait, what?

00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:00.500
What are we doing?

00:09:00.950 --> 00:09:03.409
And it's just little things like that that started to.

00:09:04.169 --> 00:09:11.429
I felt like my eyes were being opened to, and so yeah, it did take a while and when I first, when I left to go somewhere else, I thought.

00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:16.350
Oh, it's not me, it's them, and I just need to get out of this space.

00:09:16.710 --> 00:09:17.250
But Right.

00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:21.120
It was a lot of those same things that were still happening.

00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:28.980
Now, granted a lot of it came into play because throughout my entire 15 plus year career, I worked for private equity and privately held companies.

00:09:29.250 --> 00:09:33.000
And so one thing about them, they, they're always going through transition.

00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:39.210
The bottom line is, first and foremost, um, employee value, employee wellness is.

00:09:39.794 --> 00:09:41.174
Fairly low on the totem pole.

00:09:41.174 --> 00:09:41.264
Mm-hmm.

00:09:41.835 --> 00:09:47.774
And so it was like, do you be, are you yourself, do you support your team?

00:09:48.345 --> 00:09:53.654
Do you speak up for your team or do you just make sure you do what you need to do for you?

00:09:53.654 --> 00:09:55.544
Which, and I couldn't.

00:09:55.725 --> 00:09:57.644
That's, that's just not who I am at heart.

00:09:58.274 --> 00:10:00.404
So, yeah, it, it did take a while though.

00:10:00.644 --> 00:10:02.534
Probably longer than it should have, but it did.

00:10:03.465 --> 00:10:06.585
You know, the interesting part is you're sharing your story.

00:10:07.139 --> 00:10:12.659
I believe this with all my heart that the journey that we take.

00:10:13.320 --> 00:10:23.220
Has already been laid out, and if we need the nuggets to get a deeper lesson, the nuggets are there.

00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:23.309
Mm-hmm.

00:10:23.850 --> 00:10:35.940
So I would say yes, the reason why you're doing what you're doing now is because of the amount of time for you to actually see the errors in the way.

00:10:35.945 --> 00:10:36.115
Mm-hmm.

00:10:36.375 --> 00:10:36.794
Mm-hmm.

00:10:36.801 --> 00:10:41.759
And so tell us more about Transform the Gap.

00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:43.289
Thank you.

00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:53.460
What is that, that, so for any of the accounting, any of the accounting and, and finance space, um, know that gap, GAAP is a, well, it's a well known term.

00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:55.529
It means generally accepted accounting principles.

00:10:55.860 --> 00:11:00.779
And I wanted something that spoke to transformation, but also to my background in accounting.

00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.825
Um, however, for my business.

00:11:03.394 --> 00:11:23.735
GAAP gap is goals aligned, achieving purpose, and ultimately I help professional women of color who are still in that corporate space, who are still struggling with burnout, who are still struggling to figure out why they have to choose success or feeling like they have to choose success over family or you know, their.

00:11:24.195 --> 00:11:28.365
Their, their respect over their fear, um, over their faith.

00:11:28.365 --> 00:11:28.845
Excuse me.

00:11:28.845 --> 00:11:37.934
So yeah, helping them to understand how to speak up for themselves, advocate for themselves, know that it's okay because you are in the room, because you're supposed to be in the room.

00:11:38.054 --> 00:11:39.134
It's not a mistake.

00:11:39.315 --> 00:11:40.095
You earned it.

00:11:40.125 --> 00:11:42.315
Nobody gave you anything because a lot of.

00:11:42.355 --> 00:11:46.825
Organizations will say, oh, we gave you this promotion, we gave you this increase.

00:11:47.125 --> 00:12:01.315
But oftentimes we know that before we get any of that, we've already been doing the work for an extended period of time, and now they're just trying to level up sometimes not as enough, most times, not enough to make that salary, meet those demands.

00:12:01.554 --> 00:12:09.684
And so really just helping that person that I was, that I learned how to grow from, and I know it's still there.

00:12:09.684 --> 00:12:11.904
I still see it and.

00:12:12.404 --> 00:12:19.965
Really just helping women to align their faith, their family, and their careers for ultimate legacy building success.

00:12:21.705 --> 00:12:25.934
How does somebody access your brilliance?

00:12:27.289 --> 00:12:27.409
I.

00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:29.549
I love the way you phrased that.

00:12:31.889 --> 00:12:34.409
Uh, it's a couple of different ways.

00:12:34.409 --> 00:12:46.649
So I'm on LinkedIn, uh, actually I am hosting an event, a free event, a webinar on LinkedIn on April 2nd from, uh, 1:00 PM Eastern to 2:30 PM Eastern.

00:12:46.649 --> 00:12:52.080
And it's about your, uh, faith versus your fear and both steps and moving forward.

00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:57.840
Showing you how to move forward in spite of fear and taking hold of your faith.

00:12:58.049 --> 00:13:03.990
And so I would love, it's a free webinar, so, um, for those listening, I would love to, to have them join in.

00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:10.110
Um, but so LinkedIn of course, and also my website, transform the gap gaap.com.

00:13:10.470 --> 00:13:15.330
Um, but I work with women in small group settings, intimate settings.

00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:42.929
It's our safe space, it's our judgment free zone, um, where we can talk through things, where we can pray together, where we can talk about our faith, where we can talk about our frustrations, where we can really let go, but also learn how to step above that, how to overcome, and so that when those challenges come, because they will always come, we're already guarded and well equipped to deal with those and not feeling like we're being knocked.

00:13:42.929 --> 00:13:45.649
Back 10 steps every time we take two.

00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:48.139
Yeah, I love that.

00:13:48.139 --> 00:14:00.710
I love, I love how you're setting it up in such a way that you're sharing on the LinkedIn, so We'll, if you can make sure I get that, I'll put that in the show notes as well so people can make sure they can jump in there.

00:14:00.710 --> 00:14:01.639
That would be great.

00:14:02.269 --> 00:14:09.230
And I love how you do small group, because I find safety and non-judgment.

00:14:09.769 --> 00:14:19.519
Is really imperative, and I love what you're saying as well, where you share it, but you also prove that that doesn't have to be mm-hmm.

00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:21.500
Where you stay.

00:14:21.830 --> 00:14:29.629
Here are some things that can, we can do collectively and individually to move the needle for you by you because of you.

00:14:29.690 --> 00:14:30.080
Right?

00:14:30.769 --> 00:14:31.070
Yeah.

00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:31.610
Yes.

00:14:31.610 --> 00:14:32.179
I love it.

00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:37.190
So tell me why Ika.

00:14:37.590 --> 00:14:39.690
Versus somebody else.

00:14:41.789 --> 00:14:56.940
Well, I hope that people who hear or who see this episode here or see whichever medium, yeah, my heart, um, this is my passion.

00:14:57.330 --> 00:15:03.419
This is my purpose, but this was also my pain at some point, and I learned how to overcome it.

00:15:03.629 --> 00:15:04.409
And so.

00:15:04.950 --> 00:15:05.700
Sheika.

00:15:05.789 --> 00:15:06.659
Why Ika?

00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:08.190
Because Ika has been there.

00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:15.419
Ika can help you understand, and Ika understands what it's like when you are trying to speak up for yourself.

00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:30.240
You are feeling like you're being mistreated, but you don't know what to say or you don't know how to say it, or you're feeling like you're being overlooked and you wanna raise your hand, but there's this sense of fear and intimidation, or when you are the only one in that room that looks like you.

00:15:30.509 --> 00:15:30.779
I have.

00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:37.980
Been there, done that, and honestly understanding because a lot of people say, well, this is how you do it, and forever you'll be free.

00:15:38.129 --> 00:15:44.250
We're gonna consistently struggle with various things because as they say, new levels, new devils.

00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:53.519
But as you are prepared and prepped to reach those new levels, it makes it so much easier and those mountains become mole hills.

00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:56.370
And so I make it my purpose to walk with you.

00:15:57.179 --> 00:16:07.649
So not only show you, but also walk with you, be that support system, be that that ear that you need, but also that guidance that you need to mentor you through the next phases of life.

00:16:09.210 --> 00:16:10.500
So beautiful.

00:16:11.009 --> 00:16:11.850
So beautiful.

00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:12.629
Ika.

00:16:13.049 --> 00:16:18.690
What an honor and a privilege it has been to share this space with you.

00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.500
Really.

00:16:20.070 --> 00:16:21.779
I can't imagine.

00:16:22.470 --> 00:16:26.970
What you have gone through in order to do what you are doing now.

00:16:26.970 --> 00:16:31.289
But I know it was meant to be the way it has unfolded.

00:16:31.529 --> 00:16:31.620
Mm-hmm.

00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.519
And I am for.

00:16:52.179 --> 00:17:08.944
Ever grateful for our connection and for the wonderful, wonderful work you are doing for women of color to make sure that they position themselves in their lives in all aspects.

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:14.640
Not just the workplace, although that's extremely important.

00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:22.500
It's not the only piece, and faith and family also have to be number one.

00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:32.549
So how do we put everything, number one, and put ourselves at the center of all of that without adding the extra stress and strain, right?

00:17:33.194 --> 00:17:35.085
So, so fantastic.

00:17:35.835 --> 00:17:36.914
Oh, such a gift.

00:17:36.914 --> 00:17:37.005
Mm-hmm.

00:17:37.335 --> 00:17:39.884
I am so honored to share this time and space.

00:17:39.884 --> 00:17:44.805
Is there anything in particular you would love to share with the audience?

00:17:44.924 --> 00:17:45.974
As a little closing?

00:17:45.974 --> 00:18:00.914
You don't have to, but is there any nugget that you were thinking, oh, we didn't touch on this and didn't touch on that, which I'm sure there's lots of buckets, but I will say this, um, because yes, I do work with women of color, but the webinar.

00:18:01.130 --> 00:18:01.970
It's for women.

00:18:02.329 --> 00:18:03.289
Uh, beautiful.

00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:17.029
I help women, so I don't want anyone to feel left out if what I'm saying resonates with you and you feel like I'm speaking with you, but you're like, I, I don't, I'm not a woman of color, and so I'm not sure that Let's have a conversation.

00:18:17.069 --> 00:18:17.160
Nice.

00:18:17.549 --> 00:18:23.220
I have, um, if you can book a free call on my site, let's have a conversation.

00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.539
Let's see where we can align.

00:18:24.539 --> 00:18:28.829
Or if it's just, Hey, I really am struggling with this one thing, well, let's talk through it.

00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:38.880
Um, there's no obligation to, you know, like buy or work with me or anything like that, but I don't want anyone to feel like this is me, but I can't work with her.

00:18:39.555 --> 00:18:39.884
Yeah.

00:18:40.125 --> 00:18:41.265
Oh, thank you for that.

00:18:41.265 --> 00:18:42.884
That's a great clarification.

00:18:42.974 --> 00:18:45.375
Really beautiful LinkedIn.

00:18:45.404 --> 00:18:48.164
April 2nd, um, I can't remember.

00:18:48.164 --> 00:18:49.515
Was it one one or one 30?

00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.559
1:00 PM.

00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:51.974
1:00 PM Okay.

00:18:52.365 --> 00:18:53.325
And that's Eastern.

00:18:53.914 --> 00:18:54.944
Okay, Eastern Standard time.

00:18:55.470 --> 00:18:55.759
Okay.

00:18:56.505 --> 00:18:57.224
Okay.

00:18:57.464 --> 00:18:58.815
We have time zones everywhere.

00:18:58.815 --> 00:18:59.595
It's like, oh no.

00:18:59.595 --> 00:19:00.585
What time zone are we?

00:19:00.795 --> 00:19:01.785
Well, that's perfect.

00:19:01.934 --> 00:19:02.595
Brilliant.

00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:02.720
Mm-hmm.

00:19:02.805 --> 00:19:03.914
Brilliant, brilliant.

00:19:04.664 --> 00:19:08.085
Thank you once again for being on episode two.

00:19:08.529 --> 00:19:13.390
Season three, episode two of Thrive after 45.

00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.490
Privilege and pleasure.

00:19:15.549 --> 00:19:22.690
Um, maybe, maybe in the near future we can have you back and we can dig in a little further and do a little bit of a deeper dive.

00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:23.380
Absolutely.

00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:23.650
But for.

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:30.690
It has really been an honor and a privilege to share space and conversation with you today.

00:19:30.690 --> 00:19:32.910
So thank you again for all you do.

00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:50.400
And for those of you who have not yet subscribed to our podcast stream, we are found on all the podcast platforms, apple, Spotify, and I don't know, there are so many brilliant ones out there, but we are out there and of course on YouTube and today.

00:19:50.694 --> 00:19:57.505
We did a live stream into LinkedIn, so you never know where we're gonna pop in and meet and greet.

00:19:57.565 --> 00:20:06.025
But I want you to have a wonderful day and make sure that if you watch the episode today, give us a review and give us some comments.

00:20:06.025 --> 00:20:07.375
We would love to hear from you.

00:20:07.855 --> 00:20:11.154
Take care everyone, and keep thriving.

00:20:11.394 --> 00:20:12.115
Bye.