146: The Power of Mindset: How Founder Ayana Rodriguez Partnered with the World’s Top Luxury Hotels
Release Date: 10/15/2025
159. Why You’re Not Hitting Your Goals (It’s Not Time — It’s Energy) — How to Refocus and Regain Momentum
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode of the But First, She Failed podcast, host Paola Soares dives into a powerful shift that can take you from feeling scattered, exhausted, and overwhelmed… to clear, focused, and energized. If you’ve been feeling burned out, mentally drained, or frustrated that you’re not making progress on your goals, this episode will challenge the way you think about productivity and time management. What if the real problem isn’t that you don’t have enough time — but that your energy is scattered? After attending a recent Tony Robbins event, Paola began exploring the idea that we...
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158. How to Permanently Overcome Limiting Beliefs with Shelly Lefkoe | REWIND
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, Host Paola Soares speaks with a pioneer and leader in the overcoming in this rewind episode, Host Paola Soares revisits a powerful and timeless conversation on how to permanently overcome limiting beliefs with renowned belief expert Shelly Lefkoe. Shelly Lefkoe is a pioneer in the field of belief elimination and the co-founder and President of the Lefkoe Institute. Her science-based method has helped over 200,000 people across more than 120 countries experience lasting change by identifying and eliminating the root cause of limiting beliefs—rather than simply learning how to...
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157. When It Feels Like Failure: How to Process, Reframe, and Move Forward
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, host Paola Soares explores why so many goals and dreams quietly stall—not because of a lack of motivation, but because of unseen roadblocks most people aren’t prepared for. If you’ve ever started the year feeling hopeful only to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or discouraged weeks later, this conversation will feel deeply familiar. Paola reflects on what truly gets in the way of follow-through and why clarity, encouragement, and accountability play a much bigger role in personal growth than willpower alone. She invites listeners to slow down, ask better questions, and consider...
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156. The Roadblocks That Hold You Back From Your Goals & Dreams — and How to Overcome Them
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, host Paola Soares explores why so many goals and dreams quietly stall—not because of a lack of motivation, but because of unseen roadblocks most people aren’t prepared for. If you’ve ever started the year feeling hopeful only to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or discouraged weeks later, this conversation will feel deeply familiar. Paola reflects on what truly gets in the way of follow-through and why clarity, encouragement, and accountability play a much bigger role in personal growth than willpower alone. She invites listeners to slow down, ask better questions, and consider...
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155. 5 Steps to Overcome Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back in Life & Career (REWIND)
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this rewind episode, host Paola Soares continues the powerful conversation around limiting beliefs and how they quietly hold us back in our career, business, confidence, and personal growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted yourself, or questioned whether you’re capable of more, this episode is for you. Paola breaks down five key steps for overcoming limiting beliefs, explores how these mental barriers form, and discusses the ways they show up in everyday decisions, opportunities, and self-talk. This episode is designed to help you recognize the beliefs that may be keeping you small...
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154. How Limiting Beliefs Quietly Affect Your Career and Business (REWIND)
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this REWIND episode of the But First, She Failed podcast, host Paola Soares explores how limiting beliefs quietly influence your career, business, mindset, and confidence—often without you being fully aware of it. Limiting beliefs don’t always show up as obvious fear or self-sabotage. More often, they appear subtly in your thought patterns, decision-making, career choices, and business actions. In this episode, Paola breaks down five common ways limiting beliefs show up in your career and business, especially for high-achieving women who feel capable yet stuck. If you’ve ever...
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153. Growth Mindset: What It Is and Why You Need It This Year (REWIND)
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, Host Paola Soares breaks down what a growth mindset really is — and why embracing it can change the entire trajectory of your year. Paola opens up about her own struggles with operating from a fixed mindset in the past and how learning to shift her thinking became a complete game changer in her career, confidence, and purpose. Now, she’s sharing the mindset tools and perspective shifts that can help you experience that same transformation. Inside this conversation, Paola explores: What a growth mindset actually means The key differences between a growth mindset and a...
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152. Holiday Boundaries: 5 Steps to Protect Your Peace (REWIND)
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, Host Paola Soares explores how to start setting healthy boundaries—especially during the busy holiday season when stress, expectations, and overcommitment can easily take over. Many women don’t realize how poor boundaries quietly impact their careers, businesses, relationships, and emotional well-being. If you’re feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or drained, this conversation will help you recognize where your limits are being crossed and how to confidently reclaim your time, energy, and peace. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, career-driven woman, college student, or...
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154. Feeling Stuck? How to Turn a Midlife or Identity Crisis Into a Powerful Rebirth
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode, Host Paola Soares explores what really happens when life feels “off,” and why what many people call a midlife crisis or identity crisis is often something far healthier — a midlife readjustment, a season of reflection, realignment, and personal rebirth. Paola breaks down the difference between an unhealthy midlife crisis (reactive, fear-driven, impulsive) and a healthy midlife awakening (intentional, reflective, and aligned), and shares why research shows that only 10–20% of adultsactually experience a true midlife crisis. For most people, feeling stuck, restless, or...
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153. On the Verge of Quitting? Listen to This First
BUT FIRST, SHE FAILED - Career Growth, Women Entrepreneurs, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Growth Mindset, Confidence
In this episode Host Paola Soares shares encouragement and practical insight for the moments when you’re on the verge of quitting—whether it’s your career, a dream you’ve been working toward, a business you’ve been building, or a calling that suddenly feels heavy. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, discouraged, or uncertain about your next step, this conversation will help you pause, breathe, and regain clarity before making any big decisions. Paola breaks down what’s actually happening beneath the “I want to quit” feeling and offers guidance to help you reset...
info_outlineWhat does it take to build a brand that earns the trust of the world’s most prestigious hotels — and do it in an industry where you’re often the only woman, only Latina, or only woman of color in the room?
In this powerful episode, Ayana Rodriguez, founder of ITAVI, shares how she transformed a simple idea about intentional childcare into a premium service now partnered with Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, 1 Hotel, Eden Roc, and more. From her early days running a children’s boutique to becoming the CEO of an award-winning company, Ayana’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance, vision, and courage.
She opens up about how she refused to let labels or stereotypes define her path — choosing instead to focus on the mission, the solution, and the people she was called to serve. Through this conversation, you’ll learn:
✨ How to develop the mindset that keeps you moving forward — even when you feel like you don’t belong.
🏨 The power of strategic partnerships and how to position your brand for success in elite spaces.
💡 Why emotional intelligence and community support are critical for scaling your business.
🌱 How to reframe failures as lessons that fuel growth and resilience.
🤝 The importance of leveraging your village — in parenting, business, and beyond.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned businesswoman, this conversation will inspire you to dream bigger, push past fear, and pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach. Because your identity isn’t a barrier — it’s your superpower.
Connect with Ayana:
IG: @itavikids
IG: @ayanamrodriguez
👯♀️ Join the FREE BFSF Accountability Community Call! ( Nov. 5th)
If you’re ready to get out of your head and finally start walking in the purpose God has for you, this is your chance to do it with community. During this 1-hour session, you’ll connect with like-minded women, share what you’re working on, get live coaching and encouragement, and gain clarity around your calling so you can take bold next steps.
💡 Spots are limited — and this may be one of the last times I offer this call for free before transitioning into a membership community. Don’t miss the chance to be part of it!
💻 Let’s Connect:
📲 Instagram: @butfirstshefailed
🌐 Website: Paolasoares.com
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