Natalie Saikowski Goertz
President & CEO
Business and Banking Concierge, LLC
Personal Journey
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced on your path to leadership, and how did you overcome them?
My career path has been full of challenges and I have had to overcome struggles along the way regardless of the industry. Most of my career has been in male dominated industries of oil & gas and banking. As a strong willed female, I had to work twice as hard, which paid off and allowed me to create a brand for myself that stands for excellence, precision and resiliency. I learned how to earn the respect of my male colleagues and began to have a seat at the table. My business and life Mantra is “Get up, dress up, show up and never give up!”
As the President, Founder and CEO of Business and Banking Concierge, LLC, my biggest struggle has been educating business owners about what my company offers. No one else has the same business model as I have created, so it has been a continuous educational opportunity to share my story. Within the first six months of launching my company, I received recognition from business and community leaders acknowledging my company’s existence. I now receive referrals from accountants, attorneys, bankers, CPAs and wealth management advisors, as well as friends, family and neighbors, who know my brand stands for excellence. I have stayed true to myself and my purpose along this journey, which I am now beginning to reap the fruits of my steadfast labor.
Advice for the Next Generation
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles?
My advice for young women aspiring to leadership roles is to stay true to yourself, be unapologetically authentic and do not try to fit into a mold to please others. You were made to be a unique individual and you are perfect the way you are. Learn how to have grit and stay committed to your beliefs. Your beliefs may not be like those around you, but something in your life has made you believe this way, so stay true to yourself. Your voice and opinions matter, so do not be afraid to speak. When you use your voice, the worst that will happen is someone will disagree with you. Oh well. It won’t be the first time or the last time. The more you use your voice, the more comfortable you will become using it.
Do not be a mean girl! Be the woman who is an authentic resource for other women. Bring others up with you along your career journey. Inspire other women as we all grow in our careers and create an uplifting environment where we can all lock arms to rise to the occasion together. Celebrate other women’s successes and form valuable relationships among your peers. Do not look at them as competition because there is plenty to go around. Life is hard and work is hard, so mind your own business and stay in your lane.
Identify what you stand for, then create a brand for yourself that you can be consistent with. Your brand can be made up of the style of your exterior appearance, your constant smile and genuine personality, your handshake, your ability to successfully communicate both written and oral, being organized and punctual to appointments and the list could go on. Figure out what your strengths are and what you want to be known for, then create that brand. My personal and professional brands match, but not everyone’s will. Your brand is your legacy.