Arissan Nicole

Audrey: Thanks for joining us on Women Just Like You, with Audrey Utchen! When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

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Arissan: I wanted to be the first female president. As I got older, I realized I didn't want to be the first because I hoped there would be a female president before I was old enough. But wanting to be the first was a theme for me—I also wanted to be a female sushi master and a female NFL referee.

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Audrey: Are you really into sushi?

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Arissan: Yes. When I was nine, my parents got me a sushi making kit for Christmas. I didn't get into it, but my mom became very good at making sushi.

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Audrey: Could you share a bit about your career path to date?

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Arissan: I started my career in international studies, working for the National Center for APEC, which involved a lot of travel across the Asia Pacific. Despite enjoying the travel and my coworkers, I pivoted to pediatric healthcare, working in engagement and consulting at a children's hospital in Seattle. During the pandemic, I realized I wanted to start my own business and began a self-defense business with a friend. This experience helped me transition to starting my own life coaching business.

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Audrey: What focus does your coaching business have now?

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Arissan: Initially, I focused on empowerment and belonging coaching for women of color. After leaving the corporate world feeling burnt out, I pivoted to career and confidence coaching, helping people navigate their career paths and build confidence from an 'inside out' approach.

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Audrey: What was it like working internationally in trade and then healthcare back at home?

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Arissan: Internationally, I was often self-conscious about my age as I worked with older counterparts. Locally, in healthcare, joining the Hispanic Latino inclusion network (HOLA) at a large organization made a significant difference. It helped me feel more connected and supported in my career.

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Audrey: How do you navigate age bias in your career?

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Arissan: Age bias is significant, and I advise not putting the year you graduated on your resume to avoid it. It's essential to navigate these biases carefully, whether you're perceived as too young or too old.

 

Audrey: So you mentioned joining an ERG really helped make you feel like you belonged at Seattle Children's Hospital and really felt connected with your identity. What do you wish you could tell your younger self as you navigated those experiences?

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Arissan: I wish that I had trusted myself more when I was younger and put myself first in what I wanted. I wish I had sought more mentorship and understood negotiating my salary better. I didn't negotiate my first salary and felt it years later when my base salary was lower than folks coming in at different levels.

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Audrey: Did you negotiate your second job after having that experience?

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Arissan: Yes, for my second job, there was a salary band, and I negotiated a higher salary within that band.

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Audrey: It's important to negotiate your salary because it does have an impact on your income.

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Arissan: You can negotiate your salary even if it's your first job. I was so relieved to get hired that I didn't think I could negotiate.

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Audrey: If you get a job offer over the phone, ask for it in an email so you have time to consider it properly.

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Arissan: Absolutely.

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Audrey: You mentioned earlier that you had started a martial arts studio and now you're a self-employed career coach. What advice would you give to people thinking of becoming their own boss?

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Arissan: Understand why you want to be your own boss. Running your own business is hard and it can feel very isolating. The amount of actual coaching I did was much smaller than the business admin operations work. Understanding the why behind your desire to be an entrepreneur is crucial because it might not be for everyone.

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Audrey: How do you manage your business with your personal health, especially regarding your menstrual cycle?

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Arissan: I've learned to sync my work schedule with my menstrual cycle, which allows me to be more productive and give myself grace during less energetic times. It's important to work with your body rather than against it.

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Audrey: What tasks or activities do you do in your business that people might not know about?

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Arissan: I do a lot of self-care and personal reflection, which is vital for showing up in my business how I want to. It's important to integrate personal life and business life when you work for yourself.

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Audrey: As a career coach, what common themes do you see among your clients?

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Arissan: Many clients who lack confidence usually work under a toxic manager. It's common to doubt your abilities in such environments. Another theme is that despite negative news about job markets, there are still opportunities out there. People are getting interviews and jobs.

Audrey: Can you share a success story from one of your clients?

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Arissan: One client was working in a toxic environment and feeling burnt out. She decided to prioritize her needs and, with coaching, identified what she really wanted in a job. She eventually found a role that aligned perfectly with her initial desires, which allowed her to thrive and consider further career development.

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Audrey: What do you imagine your career to look like in the next five to 10 years?

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Arissan: I will likely continue to pivot, but my core mission to empower women and girls will remain the same. I'm excited about the potential growth and influence I can have, and I'm open to new opportunities that might arise unexpectedly.

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Audrey: Any last piece of advice for women in the middle of their careers?

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Arissan: Prioritize yourself and do a check-in with what matters to you. Don't wait until you're burnt out to make a change. Use fear as a guide to push you out of your comfort zone. It's important to take care of yourself and make intentional decisions about your career.