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Charli Matthews
CEO
Empowering Brands
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A career in STEM or STEAM allows you to build, create, and inspire the world as you know it.
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WHAT DO YOU DO?
I empower people and businesses. I am the CEO and Founder of Empowering Brands, a digital media and marketing services company. We publish Empowering Pump & Equipment, a leading media brand which a mission to connect, inform, and educate the pump and releated equipment industries. I also run the community and events organization Empowering Women in Industry to help support women who are leading in their traditionally male-dominated spaces. My goal is to help create a better workforce for the future generation. Being a mom of two sons and a daughter, I know we need to find out a better way for us to work together to solve today's biggest challenges.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
I fell in love with the industry after attending tradesshows and meeting the people who create the products and who create services that run our world. I had a passion for learning about someone's story, finding ways I could help them accomplish their goals, and for social media. I have always liked to study human growth and development. I enjoy how that places into the marketing and social media side of my business. I also think my years performing in school places helps me create better podcasts and events. I love the creative process of generating a feeling or take away for the audience. I truly love the production and arts side and I believe it is essential to include this even in technical fields.
HOW DO/DID YOU TACKLE OBSTACLES?
As a sales and marketing professional, I have seen a struggle to get to the decision makers. It seems whether I was selling an ad or designing a campaign around workforce development, there is a clear line I couldn't pass. This line was the door to the "leadership roundtable." Because in these organzations only the C-suites for manufacturers or engineering firms were allowed in the room, I didn't have access to this group in person. However, I have established a network that allows me access to these individuals and so many more... online. I use my social media and the podcast to talk about things that matter and should matter to the Csuite. I believe we are making a bigger impact now that I understand I don't have to be in that particular room to have my voice heard.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
I wish my younger self would have known that I didn't have to sarifice my health and happiness to accomplish goals. I wish I had development a health way to deal with stress and understood that I didn't have to do everything on my own. I also would like her to know that it is ok to not always be the most positive and productive in the room. Sometimes, we can step back; listen, learn, and even rest while others are leading and taking care of you.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
I look forward to connect with my network every day to encourage them to be their best selves. I love inspiring and encouraging women and men to take pride in their work and understand the vaule they bring to our world. I love waking up and working on empowering women so that they can thrive in the workforce.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
A career in STEM or STEAM allows you to build, create, and inspire the world as you know it. At the core, we are problem solvers and these dispclines give you the tools and the network to succeed!
INSPIRATION
Be the change you want to see in the world - Gandhi.