The Power of Showing Up
At 23, I was making $7/hour with no benefits. I didn’t even know what benefits were. I answered an ad for customer service reps at T. Rowe Price. The hiring manager didn’t want to hire me — I didn’t have a college degree. But I convinced him to give me an interview and promised I’d finish school, with no idea how I’d actually do it. A few months later, a snowstorm hit. I didn’t own boots or a winter coat, but I made it into the office early. Weeks later, a letter arrived from the company President & CEO: “Your dedication made it possible for us to open on time for the markets and our clients.” That letter mattered. But the bigger lesson was this: Showing up — even when it’s inconvenient, even when you’re underqualified, even when it’s uncomfortable — can change everything. Fast forward ten years. I was applying to Loyola University in Maryland’s MBA program. On paper, I wasn’t qualified: didn’t finish high school, no college degree. But I had something else. Months earlier, I had shown up for a nonprofit in my community. A contact there wrote me a great recommendation. When I asked if he knew George Collins — the same executive who had written me that letter a decade before — he did. And Mr. Collins agreed to recommend me for the MBA program. Against the odds, Loyola said yes. And three years later, I walked across the stage and earned my MBA. That’s the power of showing up! – Show up for your employer. – Show up for your community. – And, most importantly, show up for yourself. It won’t always guarantee an easy path — but it can change the trajectory of your life. 👉 I’d love to hear from you: What’s one moment when simply showing up changed everything for you?
Define Yourself
“Her story attracts scrutiny.” That’s what a journalist once wrote about me — and he was right, though his reason couldn’t have been more wrong. But I had been here before. As a teenager, I told the truth about what happened to me. In that case, the police didn’t believe me. My own family didn’t believe me. For 19 years, my story was treated like a question mark. One day, I decided to take the same resourcefulness I’d learned in business and apply it to something much more personal. I called the Baltimore City Police Department every day until I found the right person, and he called me back. Once my case was investigated, after 19 years, it was solved in three days. Years later, when that journalist cast doubt on my integrity in two prominent newspapers, I knew I had to once again leverage my resourcefulness to prove I was telling the truth. I dug through public records, scanned old articles, uncovered documents and long-buried secrets — until I could fully document my own story. Not because I needed to convince the world, but because I needed clarity for myself. What I found was so much worse than I remembered…FBI knocking on our front door, ties to the mafia, corruption. And it laid the groundwork for a book. This process of uncovering the secrets of the past led me to the first and most important principle of my life and leadership: get absolute clarity about who you are. If you do not define yourself, someone else will. It’s not just knowing your strengths or “personal brand.” It’s being willing to face the hardest truths, sift through the noise, and declare: This is my story. This is who I am. And no one else gets to decide it or define it. That’s what clarity does — it gives you the power to decide your boundaries, your actions, and your leadership. This is me with the binders of research I uncovered. Have you ever had to claim your own story?
Resourcefulness Got Me An MBA
Resourcefulness got me into an MBA program without finishing high school or college, helped me build a venture-backed tech startup, and helped me prove my own story after a journalist questioned it. This weekend, it led me down a skincare rabbithole. Let me explain: Every year, I look forward to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale — especially the Beauty Exclusives (Yes, I may or may not have an 80-step skincare routine 😄). A few years ago, I bought an expensive product that seemed to go bad way too quickly, and after multiple unanswered emails to the company to find out the manufacture or expiration date, I became more determined. Fast forward to me diving into AI, chats, and reviews for answers, and here’s what I uncovered: 1️⃣ AI can compare products effectively.I compared two Kiehl’s moisturizers (one for face, one for body) and, surprise, the ingredients were nearly identical! The face product was smaller and more expensive, but the body moisturizer worked just as well on the face. 2️⃣ Product codes are not random!I used a site called CheckFresh to decipher the tiny, seemingly random product codes on the packaging and found that a Clarins serum I just purchased was almost 2 years old… before I even opened it. And this $200+ serum is listed with a 2-year shelf life. Same for Lancome. 3️⃣ Consumers are more informed than ever.Thanks to AI, I found that many “premium” skincare products weren’t actually better—in fact, many less expensive options had the same ingredients. Another surprise: Items packaged as a set for the sale had very different manufacture dates, months or years apart. Are old products being repackaged? What does this mean for the future of skincare…and business? As AI spreads, consumers will demand more. More transparency, better consumer knowledge, and the rise of natural ingredients that offer real value. I will still buy some “premium” products, especially if they have higher-quality ingredients but I’ll do more research first! If there’s one lesson here, it’s that resourcefulness always pays off — whether you’re navigating business or the beauty aisle. Kiehl’s Since 1851 | Clarins USA, Inc. | L’OCCITANE Group (B Corp) | ELEMIS | Beiersdorf | CheckFresh.com hashtag#Resourcefulness hashtag#AI hashtag#Skincare hashtag#BeautyTech hashtag#ConsumerPower hashtag#Innovation
Jason Virts
Some people start with every advantage. Others start with almost none — and still succeed. When Jason Virts was removed from his home as an infant under unimaginable circumstances, and later lost his mother in a tragic act of violence, he didn’t have a roadmap. He had to create one. At 14, he was working in a grocery store. Today, he’s in college and interning at the Space Telescope Science Institute—proof that resilience and resourcefulness can change the trajectory of a life. On this episode of The Laura Neuman Show, we talk about:👉 What it means to choose your family 👉 How to keep showing up when the odds are against you 👉 And how determination, not luck, has shaped Jason’s path S1: Episode 3 – Choosing Your Family with Jason Virts This is a conversation about strength, growth, and finding your own way forward—no matter where you start. Watch/Listen now-Youtube: https://lnkd.in/eHSY4K2m Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e9JmGN3F Apple: https://lnkd.in/eVUFekSh hashtag#Resilience hashtag#Resourcefulness hashtag#Leadership hashtag#Grit hashtag#TheLauraNeumanShow hashtag#Podcast hashtag#Inspiration hashtag#OvercomingAdversity
Women’s Leadership
When Stacey Smith asked me to speak at a women’s leadership event, I said yes—because I was curious. Curious about the theme, the audience, and what she had in mind. I’ve shared my journey before—how I earned an MBA without finishing high school or college, built a venture-backed tech company after being ignored by big tech, and ran for public office without political connections. At the event, I spoke about the 4 habits of resourceful leaders: 👉 Believe in yourself👉 Show up👉 Bet on yourself👉 Advocate for yourself & others But what made this event truly unforgettable wasn’t the talk. It was Stacey’s decision to use the gathering to support Richcroft—an organization that’s transformed my sister Leslie’s life. Leslie is developmentally disabled. And for the first time in her life, she has a full, joyful, independent life—because of the extraordinary people at Richcroft. That’s the kind of event Stacey creates: one that blends purpose, leadership, and community impact. She’s built an incredible career producing high-level corporate events. But this time, she used her platform to give back—and it made all the difference. 💛 To everyone who attended—thank you for showing up. I met so many remarkable women. 💛 To Stacey—your heart and vision are unmatched. 💛 To Richcroft—thank you for giving my sister a life filled with dignity and joy. 📸 Special thanks to Pam Long for capturing the night beautifully. 🙌 And to Barbara Moyer for sharing the powerful work Richcroft is doing. 👉 If you’re looking for an event planner who leads with purpose, call Stacey Smith. 👉 If you want to support an organization doing life-changing work, check out Richcroft Inc. hashtag#LeadershipWithPurpose hashtag#EventPlanning hashtag#Richcroft hashtag#Gratitude hashtag#CommunityMatters hashtag#WomensLeadership hashtag#DevelopmentalDisabilities
Women in Business
As we close out International Women’s Month, I want to reflect on a few pivotal moments in my career that made me realize being a woman often required more from me than my qualifications alone. At twenty-one, I was told my skirt should be shorter while being considered for a promotion. At twenty-eight, at a different company, I applied for a promotion only to be told I wasn’t eligible because I didn’t have a college degree—despite the fact that the male hiring manager didn’t have one either. At thirty-five, while raising venture capital for my company, an investor I considered both a mentor and a friend arrived at my home with champagne and asked me to sleep with him. I was told by a female CEO that another venture investor – who invested in my company – replaces female CEO’s. We were both replaced. Women-led companies still receive about 2% of venture capital, the same as in 2000. ‼️ At thirty-seven, I invited a well-known venture capitalist to invest in my cyber company. Instead of discussing business, he spent the entire dinner—while introducing me to an angel investor—groping me under the table. Women aren’t asking for special treatment. We’re asking for our accomplishments to be recognized, for our voices to be heard, and for us to have the opportunity to reach our full potential. At forty-eight, just after being sworn into public office, I went into the private ensuite bathroom attached to my office and found a magnet on the mirror that said, “SHE who must be obeyed.” At forty-nine, the head of the governor’s transition team told me, “You’re aggressive,” and following a long pause where he seemed to reconsider his candor after seeing the expression on my face, added, “But in a good way.” I enjoy working with men. And women. And honestly, I’m not angry. I just want us to acknowledge the reality women have faced, and understand that we still have a long way to go. I know many women who have had amazing career support. We’re making progress but this recent news on 404’ing women and underrepresented groups is a setback. Nicole Malachowski, former Commander of the 333rd Fighter Squadron, summed it up perfectly when she responded to being erased from the Department of Defense: “We mark ‘firsts’ to ensure we never go back, and to ensure we keep the door open for the ‘second,’ ‘third,’ and ‘fourth,’ etc.” Let’s keep pushing forward. For all the women who follow. hashtag#internationalwomensmonth #hashtag#womeninleadership hashtag#womeninbusiness
MBOC
Remember the days when you could just pick up the phone, ask for something, and get it without all the red tape? Those days seem long gone… Last week, I needed a favor. Actually, the Maryland Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) needed the favor. We found ourselves locked out of the office, where we were scheduled to meet for our entrepreneurial cohort. As I sat in the parking lot, with a dozen people who had driven from all over the state for this program, I looked at Google maps to see if we could find another place to meet…Chik Fil A…Cracker Barrel…G&M Restaurant… That’s when I saw it. The Maritime Conference Center! I had been there for a graduate school retreat, and later, for a conference. I knew this gem in our community had rooms that could accommodate us. But calling out of the blue, with no advance warning….at 5:00pm on a Monday? The likelihood of success was super low! They politely took my call, and Christopher Sikora, an executive there, called me back. He could have easily said, “No,” and no one would’ve blinked. It was a big ask.He was also headed out the door for the day. I explained our situation, and Chris said YES. No contract, no heads-up, no compensation! He just wanted to help. A caravan of cars drove the mile to get there, and waiting for us in the lobby was Chris!! Truly above and beyond 🏆 We started our meeting a half hour late, but this meeting went on to inspire amazing new connections and ideas for the entrepreneurs in that room. What Chris showed us is that sometimes it’s the unexpected challenges that bring out the best in us. Entrepreneurs solve problems, but leaders like Chris remind us that a simple act of kindness can change the entire course of a day. If you’re ever in need of a space that goes beyond the ordinary, give Chris and the Maritime Conference Center a call. They not only offer top-notch facilities but also extraordinary service! hashtag#leadership hashtag#aboveandbeyond hashtag#entrepreneurship
AXAL
I bet you never thought I’d be asking this question but here goes… Does anyone in LinkedIn need to update their Java legacy system? One of the coolest things I get to do is work with brilliant entrepreneurs. They invent things I can only dream of. And I get to help them turn their ideas into companies. I recently met Samai and Nand, two UMD students who figured out how to use AI to update legacy systems stuck in Cobol and Java. When I was County Executive, we were paying serious money for Cobol programmers, a software language that is 50+ years old. This, by the way, means many of the programmers are retiring! When we think about the next generation of software and solutions, we need to be listening to (wait for it)…the next generation! At nineteen and twenty, these guys have already developed a prototype and been accepted into Y Combinator, the premier path to success for any entrepreneur. They are looking for their first design partner to co-develop their solution for legacy Java installations. If you’re one of those executives who is ready to move into the future, reach out to them or me. They are interviewing for a partner starting next week! hashtag#LegacySystems hashtag#DigitalTransformation hashtag#Entrepreneurship
The First Step Towards Change
The first step toward change is to own it. I had a conversation with my son, as he prepares to leave for college, about how he would like to do certain things differently this year. He brought it up so we went there. He’s often disorganized and keeping track of his work can be challenging…or at least it was in high school. I have the same challenges. In my early career, I was often encouraged to interview for an administrative assistant (previously known as secretary) job. It would take too long to count how many times…without a college degree…I was sent in this direction. The thought of creating a filing system…whew! I would’ve been terrible at it. Chatting it up on 800 number calls in a customer service center was more my jam. Learning to organize has been a lifelong endeavor for me, and I’ve learned to love it! So how did I change my thinking about this thing I wanted to change? 1. Own it – accept that this isn’t a strength 2. Learn from it – make an honest assessment of what is challenging about it 3. Change it – develop and follow a new routine I started with a book called something like 30 Days to Getting Organized, and I’ve never looked back. I can now go “Marie Kondo” or “Home Edit” on any room or filing system that crosses my path. For the new school year, my son and I decided to work together on a plan that has accountability built in. Own. Learn. Change. He’s working on a system but your thoughts on any other ideas are welcome too!! #change #newbeginnings #organization
Bet On Yourself
#BetOnYourself. For me, this meant cashing in my savings (including my 401k) to pay my bills, and paying my mortgage on a credit card…so that I could run a start-up that had more debt than cash. Building a company requires big-time risk. The decision I made to take this risk happened for a few key reasons: 1. I know what I have to offer – I believe in my ability and if I say I’m going to do something, I’ll get it done. 2. The path to leadership is not an equal opportunity endeavor – I was unlikely to be promoted into leadership because I didn’t check the typical boxes. 3. I trusted myself to know this was a good idea – many years of struggle helped me hone my instinct for survival, which is the underpinning of success. 4. One of the founders was willing to do “whatever it takes” – we didn’t always agree, but we were in agreement on the commitment necessary to succeed. There were challenges. One of the founders flat-out said he would not work for a woman. Big stumbling block. Financial decisions were made before I arrived that put us in debt right out of the gate. One of the founders (same one) didn’t understand the risk of protecting the IP and a presentation he did led to creating an unnecessary competitor. My unconventional background was viewed as a liability in the traditional business setting when, in fact, it was an asset. Living out of my car, struggling to buy food and pay rent, and surviving unspeakable challenges prepared me to succeed as an entrepreneur. No safety net = high level of motivation. This is me presenting my company to the Capital Investors, a who’s who of the early internet boom. This was in the book The Dinner Club by Shannon Henry Kleiber. hashtag#entrepreneur hashtag#entrepreneurship hashtag#leadership hashtag#LinkedIn
