Argent Founder Sali Christeson on Reimagining the 9 to 5 Uniform
Sali Christeson actively suppressed her idea for Argent for years. She was killing it at her job at Cisco – she didn’t have time to start her own company. But after spending over a decade in male-dominated companies, where business casual was a non-negotiable, Sali realized that most women’s workwear just…wasn’t working. Sali tells the story of how she went from wearing pocketless pants to building Argent, a brand that actually works for the lives women lead.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Sali also shares:
How she set boundaries as an employee at Cisco – and how she implements those learnings as a founder
Why getting good at networking landed her investors and opportunities
How she teaches female founders to reclaim their power instead of give it away
Advice on how to advocate for yourself to be included in conversations
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31:25
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31:25
CNN’s Abby Phillip on Breaking Through Burnout
After every election she’s covered, Abby Phillip has the same thought: I can’t do this anymore. It’s her mind waving a red flag – and a sign of burnout after months of chaos. Over the years, Abby’s had to navigate a fast-moving digital media world at the same time as some of the most divisive political chapters in our lives. Now, she’s sharing how she’s learned to push through – and the secret that helps her stay grounded in the madness.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Abby also shares:
How being a first-generation American influenced her career choice
Why she needed to fail at Harvard before considering journalism
How she made the most of an uncertain path at the then emerging outlet, Politico
The way she reframed getting continuously rejected from outlets
How she *really* felt about consequential coverage after the 2020 debates
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38:21
Cathy Engelbert on Asking for (and Getting) What You Want at Work
When Cathy Engelbert found out she was pregnant, she resigned from a decades-long climb to becoming a partner at Deloitte. In her mind, being a good mom and a good exec couldn’t coexist. But one male colleague saw her potential — and told her so. That changed everything. Cathy stayed, asked for the flexibility she needed, and learned to advocate for herself. She went on to become Deloitte’s first female CEO. Now? She’s leading one of the fastest-growing sports leagues as WNBA Commissioner.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Cathy also shares:
How sports turned her from a shy kid to a bold leader
Why the environments of Deloitte and the WNBA actually aren’t that different
Her first 9-1-1 call as league commissioner – and the one trait that helped her get through it
Why implementing Deloitte’s paid family leave policy was the “most courageous thing” she’s ever done
One way she thinks the WNBA can be a model for the men’s leagues
Follow Cathy on IG: @wnbacommish
Follow Carly and Danielle on IG: @carlyanddanielle
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30:32
Dawn Staley on Why the Journey Matters More than the Win
Dawn Staley helped Team USA’s women’s basketball team win gold at the ‘96 Olympics. It was the highlight of her career. Yet she fell into a depression that was so bad, she didn’t even want to look at a basketball. Nothing prepared her to process reaching such a milestone. She was left asking herself: now what? With a resumé is full of career-highs (hi, 3x national champ), Dawn says the real reward isn’t the trophy – it’s all the work it took to get there. Dawn gets into it all in her new memoir, "Uncommon Favor."
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Dawn also shares:
How many shoes she has in her collection (sneakerheads beware)
Why she aspired to play in the NBA – instead of the WNBA – growing up
How the taboo nature of mental health stopped her from asking for help post-Olympics
Why she was insulted when approached for a coaching job
The one thing she wants to see change for women athletes this year
PS: Dawn’s memoir is out now.
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33:17
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33:17
Ghia Founder Melanie Masarin on Pitching the Risky Move
Melanie Masarin once pitched Glossier’s founder to do a pop-up at a former fried chicken shop. Her response? “I don’t get it, but I trust you.” It was a career-defining moment for her. Because getting approval from the founder meant she couldn’t afford to mess it up. Listen as Melanie shares why being given major responsibilities in her mid-twenties shaped her career. Plus, how it prepared her to start Ghia, the non-alcoholic apéritif that’s now a millennial bar-cart staple.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Melanie also shares:
Her food-centered core memories growing up in the French Riviera
The money-shock she experienced attending Brown University
The once-in-a-lifetime chance she had to design the Glossier flagship store
Her journey shifting from founder-to-CEO mode, and the difficulties that come with it
How pivoting Ghia’s launch strategy actually paid off
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The work advice you need, from women who’ve been there. Every week, join the co-founders and co-CEOs of theSkimm, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, as they help you get what you want out of your career by talking to the smartest leaders they know.
Ireland