The Solova Podcast with Genevieve Cen

What happens when you're the youngest person on a panel of Fortune 500 executives — and no one lets you speak? You figure out how to make them remember you anyway.In this episode of the Solova Podcast, I sit down with Serene Wang, CEO of Elitelink — an ecosystem of companies spanning education consulting, executive coaching, a women's foundation, and a publishing house — to talk about how to turn every perceived disadvantage into your most powerful personal brand.Serene's story is proof that the things that make you different are the things that make you unforgettable:• How she went from sitting in a black box as an interpreter to building a million-person following by sharing free study materials online• Why she treats her middle school students like CEOs and her CEO clients like babies — and why both love it• The exact strategy she used to earn her voice on a panel where the other speakers were decades older and far more titled• How to stop underselling yourself — having 100% capability but only communicating 60% is holding you back• Her 3 keys to building social media from scratch: find your niche, stay consistent for 3 months, know your platform• "As a 14 year old if I fail my startup it's still a really good story but if you're a 40 year old it's a different story"One thing Serene said I genuinely cannot stop thinking about: "something seems to be the disadvantage for you at the moment you might flip it and making it into your advantage." She didn't just say it — she lived it. She walked into rooms where no one looked like her, where no one expected her to contribute, and instead of shrinking she created value no one else had the time or humility to offer. That reframe changed everything for her and honestly, it's changing how I look at my own moments of feeling out of place.If you've ever walked into a room and felt like you didn't belong — this one is going to feel like the permission slip you've been waiting for.Thank you for being here 🤍#FemaleEntrepreneur #PersonalBranding #ImpostorSyndrome #WomenInBusiness #CareerReinvention #ElitelinkEducation #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessPodcast #AsianWomenLeaders #EntrepreneurMindset0:00 Welcome and introduction to Serene Wang0:15 The Elitelink ecosystem explained0:51 From English literature to interpreter work2:36 Building a million-person following from scratch4:45 Working with clients from age 1.5 to 60s7:01 Breaking into the Fortune 500 executive panel8:27 Stop underselling yourself: the 100% vs 60% gap15:45 Origin story: when the boss disappeared and the team stayed16:42 Training with a Broadway coach for executive presence18:48 Speaking in front of 3,000 people22:54 Elitelink Women Foundation and upcoming Wall Street conference26:12 Gamification mindset: life as an XP point gameConnect with Serene:➫ Website: https://www.elitelinkadmission.com/Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/---/// MY SOCIAL MEDIA \\My Social Profiles:➫ Instagram: / travelstylechic➫ TikTok: / travelstylechicSolova Podcast➫ Instagram: / genuinely.goodMy Flower Shop:➫ Website: https://flowerevershop.com/➫ Instagram: / flowerever.shop➫ TikTok: / flowerever.shop

What happens when a girl who trained to perform Chinese classical music at one of Beijing’s top academies ends up owning a real estate law firm in New York? Maggie’s story is one of those journeys that only makes sense when you look back at every unlikely turn.In this episode of the Genuinely Good Podcast, I sit down with Maggie, owner of a real estate law firm she opened in late 2019, to talk about how an immigrant journey from music to business to law taught her that every detour is actually preparation — and why trusting the process matters more than having a perfect plan.Maggie’s story is proof that every uncertain chapter of your life is shaping who you’re meant to become:How growing up in a hyper-competitive environment in China and learning the PIPA shaped her discipline — even though music wouldn’t become her careerWhy her mom arriving in the States with only $1,000 and getting sales orders before she even had a factory is the boldest entrepreneurship lesson you’ll hear todayWhat it feels like to face a language barrier so intense in law school that you have to translate legal English into regular English and then into Chinese just to understand your readingsHow one elective business law class at Baruch completely redirected her life away from international businessWhy knowing what you’re NOT good at is just as powerful as knowing your strengths when choosing your career pathHow a four-hour daily commute at her first job pushed her toward building something of her ownThere’s one moment Maggie shared that I genuinely cannot stop thinking about. She described waking up in the middle of the night as a child and seeing her mom still working behind a partition with a dim light on at 2am. She said, “I feel like oh, we need to do better.” That one image — a mother working in near-darkness so her daughter could have a brighter life — that’s the kind of thing that builds a person from the inside out. It shaped everything about who Maggie became.If you’ve ever felt like your path doesn’t make sense, like you’re too behind or too different to break into the career you actually want — this one is going to feel like permission to keep going.Thank you for being hereSubscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/Timestamps:0:00 Introduction and welcome1:30 Growing up in China and learning the PIPA3:30 Mom’s bold move to the States with $1,0006:00 Living in a crowded apartment at age 138:00 Mom working until 2am — the moment that shaped Maggie10:30 From Brooklyn College to Baruch — choosing business over music12:30 The business law class that changed everything15:00 Struggling through law school’s language barrier18:00 First job, four-hour commute, and deciding to start her own firm22:00 Building reputation in real estate and the blind box philosophy

She was never supposed to work in finance. Now she closes deals on Wall Street and coaches the next generation to do the same.In this episode of the Genuinely Good Podcast, I sit down with Nancy Chen — Wall Street executive strategist and founder of New York Bamboo Consulting — to talk about what it took to completely reinvent her path, make it in one of the most male-dominated industries in the world, and build a career coaching platform that's helped hundreds of students land their dream roles at top firms.Nancy's story is proof that the path you didn't plan for can take you further than the one you did:• The specific career moves Nancy made early on that made doors open — not luck, pure strategy• How to navigate a male-dominated industry as a woman of color and find what only YOU can bring to the table• What it actually takes to go from international student to Wall Street private equity• How Nancy built New York Bamboo Consulting from free mentoring sessions into a thriving coaching platform• Why your setbacks might be the most strategic thing that ever happened to you• The mindset shift that separates people who make it from people who don'tThere's something Nancy said that I keep coming back to — that the world will find your limitations, but only YOU will find your opportunities. She didn't just say it. She lived it. And hearing her break down exactly how she did it, step by step, was one of those conversations that makes you want to go rewrite your entire game plan.If you've ever felt like you don't belong in the room — or you're building a career in a space that wasn't made for you — this one is going to feel like a roadmap.Thank you for being here 🤍#GenuinelyGoodPodcast #WomenInFinance #PrivateEquity #WallStreet #CareerAdvice #InternationalStudents #WomenInBusiness #AsianWomenInFinance #CareerCoaching #AmbitionMeetsHeartTimestamps:0:00 — Meet Nancy Chen2:00 — Switching from literature to finance — the leap that changed everything5:30 — Moving to New York as an international student with no connections10:20 — Landing at the Big Four and what she did differently14:00 — From EY to PIMCO to Wall Street private equity18:30 — Being an Asian woman in a male-dominated finance world22:45 — How Bamboo Consulting was born and why she started for free27:00 — The career strategies Nancy teaches her students today30:00 — Her closing advice for women who feel like they don't belong in the roomSubscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/Connect with Nancy:➫ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanzhuchen/➫ Email: [email protected]/// MY SOCIAL MEDIA \\\My Social Profiles:➫ Instagram: / travelstylechic➫ TikTok: / travelstylechicGenuinely Good Podcast➫ Instagram: / genuinely.goodMy Flower Shop:➫ Website: https://flowerevershop.com/➫ Instagram: / flowerever.shop➫ TikTok: / flowerever.shop

Subscribe to my Newsletter:https//:velstylechic.ubstack.om(@8572)/e of Taiwan' most recognized fitness influencers —with over 005ubscribers on YouTube,0+03llowers on Instagram,a Nike partnership,a Vogue feature,and a bestselling book.But none of it came without a cost,—,".":•'—•••—•',''—.🤍➫:/➫:/➫:/.:➫:://./.

Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/What does it actually take to go from building an audience online to building a company in the heart of Silicon Valley?Welcome back to the Genuinely Good Podcast. In this episode, I sat down with Maggie Sin, co-founder of MyCompanions.ai, to talk about AI, ambition, and what it really takes to build a company from scratch in Silicon Valley.Maggie's story starts long before the startup world. Growing up shy in Los Angeles with no clear path into tech, it was an early internship and a curiosity she couldn't ignore that slowly pulled her toward the industry. She went on to build her career at Amazon, Morgan Stanley, and Adobe — learning how to think big, move fast, and lead in complex environments.When two brilliant co-founders came to her, she said yes — and together they built MyCompanions.ai, an AI platform helping creators turn one-way audiences into two-way conversations. Within their first year, they closed a funding round and have now gained 600,000 users. We also get into the side of founding that most people don't talk about — the hesitations, the steep learning curve, and what it really looks like to be a female founder in one of the most competitive ecosystems in the world.If you're a woman thinking about breaking into tech, building something of your own, or simply wondering if you have what it takes — this one's for you.Thank you for being here 🤍/// MY SOCIAL MEDIA \\My Social Profiles:➫ Instagram: / travelstylechic➫ TikTok: / travelstylechicGenuinely Good Podcast➫ Instagram: / genuinely.goodMy Flower Shop:➫ Website: https://flowerevershop.com/➫ Instagram: / flowerever.shop➫ TikTok: / flowerever.shop#personalgrowth #womenempowerment #femaleentrepreneur #interiordesign #podcast

Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/Welcome back to the Genuinely Good Podcast. In this episode, I sat down with Ashley Liu, the founder of her own interior design studio, to talk about craft, motherhood, and what it really takes to build something of your own.Ashley grew up with no design background — it was a book of Tadao Ando's work in a college library that changed everything. She shares how she taught herself 3D rendering to let her work speak louder than words, and what finally pushed her to launch her own studio in 2021 — only to find out she was pregnant two weeks after quitting her job.We talk about what that moment felt like, how she kept projects running through her pregnancy, and the bigger question so many women face: can you really have it all? Ashley's answer is honest and grounded. We also get into the side of interior design most people don't see — building codes, structural constraints, and why a beautiful rendering means nothing if it can't actually be built. If you're building a career, navigating motherhood, or waiting until you feel ready to make a leap — this one's for you.Thank you for being here 🤍/// MY SOCIAL MEDIA \\My Social Profiles:➫ Instagram: / travelstylechic➫ TikTok: / travelstylechicGenuinely Good Podcast➫ Instagram: / genuinely.goodMy Flower Shop:➫ Website: https://flowerevershop.com/➫ Instagram: / flowerever.shop➫ TikTok: / flowerever.shop#personalgrowth #womenempowerment #femaleentrepreneur #interiordesign #podcast

Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/Welcome back to the Genuinely Good Podcast.In this episode, I sat down with an incredibly inspiring female founder—Cathy Huang, the Founder & Broker of Record of ACRE Realty.In just a few years, Cathy built ACRE Realty into a powerhouse real estate brokerage with over 170 agents across New York and New Jersey and a record-breaking $300 million in annual sales—all without outside partners, and largely through the power of social media.Cathy shares her journey from being an international student struggling to find housing in New York, to navigating divorce, single motherhood, and rock-bottom moments that forced her to rebuild her life from scratch. What started as a necessity turned into a calling—and eventually, a platform that now changes the lives of hundreds of agents.In this conversation, we talk about how she transformed herself during COVID, leveraged platforms like Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu), and used AI tools to scale her business, manage teams across countries, and stay focused amid nonstop pressure.We also dive into burnout, sacrifice, and what it really takes to grow a business—giving up social life, redefining priorities, and choosing long-term fulfillment over short-term comfort.This episode isn’t just about real estate.It’s about resilience, reinvention, and how hitting rock bottom can unlock your greatest potential.If you’re a young woman building a business, questioning your path, or learning how to stay grounded while chasing big goals, I hope this episode reminds you that your hardest seasons can become the foundation of something extraordinary.Thank you for being here 🤍/// MY SOCIAL MEDIA \\My Social Profiles:➫ Instagram: / travelstylechic➫ TikTok: / travelstylechicGENuinely Good Podcast➫ Instagram: / genuinely.goodMy Flower Shop:➫ Website: https://flowerevershop.com/➫ Instagram: / flowerever.shop➫ TikTok: / flowerever.shop#personalgrowth #womenempowerment #femaleentrepreneur #realestate #podcast

Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/Welcome back to the Genuinely Good Podcast.In this episode, I sat down with someone who has inspired me both personally and professionally—our beloved Auntie Eva, also known as A$AP Eva, the owner of Popular Jewelry.30 years ago, she opened a small jewelry shop in Chinatown with no social media and no roadmap. What she built instead—brick by brick—became one of the most beloved jewelry destinations in hip-hop culture, with artists like Wu-Tang Clan, A$AP Rocky, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and more walking through her doors.In this conversation, we talk about how a single, unexpected encounter with Wu-Tang Clan’s Cappadonna helped shape the future of her business and why kindness—not fear—became her greatest strength.Auntie Eva shares what it really looked like to show up every day for over 30 years, the resilience it took to stay open through challenges like 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, and why she never allowed herself to give up—even when it wasn’t easy.This episode isn’t just about success or celebrity.It’s about persistence, self-belief, and how an ordinary life can grow into something extraordinary through consistency and grit.If you’re building something from the ground up, questioning your path, or learning to trust yourself through uncertainty, I hope this episode reminds you that showing up—day after day—can change everything.Thank you for being here 🤍/// MY SOCIAL MEDIA \\\My Social Profiles: ➫ Instagram: / travelstylechic ➫ TikTok: / travelstylechic GENuinely Good Podcast➫ Instagram: / genuinely.good My Flower Shop:➫ Website: https://flowerevershop.com/ ➫ Instagram: / flowerever.shop ➫ Tiktok: / flowerever.shop #personalgrowth #womenempowerment #podcast

Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/What really changes between 25 and 30?In Episode 2 of the Genuinely Good Podcast, I sit down with my friend Rose to have an honest conversation about growing up, healing, and becoming more grounded in your 30s.We talk about why the idea that “your 20s are your best years” is often a lie — and how our 20s are actually filled with uncertainty, heartbreak, career instability, and learning self-love the hard way. From breakups and lost friendships to changing jobs and finding financial independence, this episode breaks down what those years really teach you.We reflect on how perspective shifts in your 30s: feeling calmer, more confident, more independent, and finally understanding yourself. We also talk about identity, money, career stability, rewatching Sex and the City with new eyes, and the moment you stop feeling like a girl and start feeling like a woman.This episode is for you if:- You feel lost or behind in your 20s- You’re entering your 30s and rethinking life, love, and work- You’re healing from heartbreak or major life changesThis isn’t advice from a place of perfection — it’s a real conversation about becoming.Welcome back to the show🤍 —🎧 New episodes of Genuinely Good every week✨ Subscribe for honest conversations on growth, healing, and life transitions/// MY SOCIAL MEDIA \\\My Social Profiles: ➫ Instagram: / travelstylechic ➫ TikTok: / travelstylechic GENuinely Good Podcast➫ Instagram: / genuinely.good My Flower Shop:➫ Website: https://flowerevershop.com/ ➫ Instagram: / flowerever.shop ➫ Tiktok: / flowerever.shop #personalgrowth #womenempowerment #podcast

Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://travelstylechic.substack.com/Welcome back to the Genuinely Good Podcast.In this episode, I’m officially re-kicking off the podcast and updating you on how I healed myself from my trauma in a year. I sat down with my best friend, Fatima, to reflect on how much has changed over the past year. We both went through major life shifts, and this conversation is an honest look at how those experiences reshaped us.I shared how I’ve healed over the past year and how time, self-reflection, and support helped me rebuild myself after heartbreak. We talked about how my perspective on life, relationships, and myself has evolved, and what healing actually looked like behind the scenes.Fatima also opened up about her own turning point: getting laid off from her job, and how that moment pushed her to rethink her relationship with work and income. What started as a setback became a catalyst for growth, leading her to build income streams outside of her job.This conversation wasn’t about having everything figured out. It was about navigating uncertainty, choosing growth, and trusting that difficult seasons can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.If you’re moving through heartbreak, career changes, or a season of reinvention, I hope this episode reminds you that healing and growth are possible—and that one year can truly change everything.Thank you for being here, and welcome back 🤍/// MY SOCIAL MEDIA \\\My Social Profiles: ➫ Instagram: / travelstylechic ➫ TikTok: / travelstylechic GENuinely Good Podcast➫ Instagram: / genuinely.good My Flower Shop:➫ Website: https://flowerevershop.com/ ➫ Instagram: / flowerever.shop ➫ Tiktok: / flowerever.shop #personalgrowth #womenempowerment #podcast