Ep 56 | Cate Luzio

Written By Yasmin Nouri

How to Get Back Up When Life Knocks You Down

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Cate Luzio is the founder and CEO of Luminary, a membership-based career and personal growth platform and collaboration hub.

Walking away from your career when you're at the top of your game might sound like a huge gamble, but one that has certainly paid off for today’s guest. In 2018, Cate left an incredibly successful banking career to found Luminary to help women see a path toward advancement by arming them with the tools, resources, and community to propel them to the top.

Although Cate was highly respected in the financial services world, having led multi-billion dollar businesses, she was acutely aware of the imbalance in the number of women who were rising to corporate leadership positions. Giving back has always been a foundational aspect of Cate’s life, and it is this spirit that led her to create a platform to help women on a path toward advancement.

In today’s episode, Cate shares tips on how women can succeed in the corporate world and the importance of networking & community especially when looking for a career change. We also hear about the pivots Luminary has made during the pandemic, how to overcome the loneliness synonymous with entrepreneurship, and the value of truly reciprocal relationships in life & business.

Show Notes:

  • Insights into Cate’s childhood and a story that highlights the lessons her parents instilled in her. [2:51]

  • Cate’s path after college and the conversation that changed her career trajectory. [5:25]

  • How Cate landed in the world of banking, a sector she had never considered working in. [8:28]

  • Advice Cate has for women who want to succeed in the corporate world. [11:09]

  • What happened when Cate left her banking job and felt caught between two worlds. [15:12]

  • How not working gave Cate space to come up with the plan for Luminary. [16:44]

  • Cate’s tips for writing business plans. [17:37]

  • The value of going all-in on your dreams; you can always go back to your job later. [20:30]

  • How Luminary managed to pivot during COVID and how Cate managed this stressful time. [22:01]

  • How Cate’s corporate skills helped her navigate the pandemic crisis. [24:18]

  • The pivots Luminary has made were never a part of the business plan. [24:58]

  • Why it was so important for Cate to self-fund her business. [27:20]

  • There is so much value in being able to put your own money into your business. [29:47]

  • How Cate reached out to fellow entrepreneurs and the network she has created. [30:58]

  • The most common mistakes Cate sees early-stage entrepreneurs making. [33:02]

  • You need to cultivate reciprocal relationships, not just transactional ones. [35:13]

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