Celebrating Women in Manufacturing

Curt Anderson  00:00

Hey, cheese. Happy Monday. My goodness gracious. It’s a day after St. Patrick’s Day. Damon, is it a special day today? Like have you heard about this?

Damon Pistulka  00:11

I’ve heard about the day today. I was actually planning. I was preparing for this yesterday and I just really didn’t know what to do and the only thing I could do is really find a couple of gifts that described it well because as Dan bigger says in the comments right now it is national cat or Curt Anderson day to day and it’s a special LinkedIn holiday.

Curt Anderson  00:36

You know, apparently my mom was a little worried about me Damon like maybe I’ve been a little down in the dumps lately. So apparently I reached out to Dan said Hey, Dan, could you give Kurt like a little you know, confidence booster? Ego he must have you know, I don’t know I must be given some bad sign. So Dan, bigger Thank you dude for national. Like, what? Alright, let’s dig into our we’ll hit that more because I have I have a gift I have. We have a reveal to do but you know, we need to get asked

Damon Pistulka  01:04

because we got to talk about our guests. Right and women in manufacturing and celebrating.

Curt Anderson  01:09

In Houston. We have no problems. We’ve got Angela Thurman here from

Damon Pistulka  01:14

and so keeping things on track. Happy Monday.

Curt Anderson  01:19

Karen Rivera, my goodness gracious that I Damon, I didn’t sleep a wink last night, dude. I’ve been so fired up. Ready for it. Karen Happy Monday. Thank you for my day. How are you?

Karen Rivera  01:31

Fantastic. How about you? Oh,

Curt Anderson  01:34

I couldn’t. Damon if it was any better, he’d have to call 911 It would just would not be pretty it just it i Let’s die. So Karen, let’s dive right in. You are fierce, fierce advocate for manufacturing. In particular. Women in manufacturing. We’re gonna be celebrating women in manufacturing. today. It is International Women’s month. I believe we have that correct. So great. Time to have you on the show. Before we dive in. Karen, I have a question for you. Are you sitting down? Are you ready for this? I’m

Karen Rivera  02:03

sitting down. I’m ready. Okay.

Curt Anderson  02:05

Karen, when you were a little girl growing up. Okay. Who was your hero? Who was your hero? As a little girl growing up.

Karen Rivera  02:20

Funny, the default answer would be my parents. But that’s a given. I would have to say my older brothers. Oh, nice.

Curt Anderson  02:28

Okay, so let’s dive in a week. Damon. We got a couple of friends here. Aaron’s here. He says, Hey, we’ve got Karen’s bring Alan Alan’s in the house. Alan Happy Monday, my friend. Hey, we got Nicole here today. Good dates. You Nicole Happy Monday. We got Karen Rivera here. And so Dan bigger says a Damon you have to mention that today is National. Hey, we did Daniel missed it. We had a whole a

Damon Pistulka  02:52

couple times already. Damn. But we still have more more national Curt Anderson day antics coming up. So yes.

Curt Anderson  02:59

And I have a little gift pack that we’re going to Yeah. We’ve got a couple of things. So Karen is sharing with us. Her hero, Carolyn, start here. Mom and Dad’s name, please. And I’d love to hear. Why would they be heroes of yours? Well,

Karen Rivera  03:12

my dad’s name is Francisco. My mom’s name is Carmen. Unfortunately, they’re no longer with us. But my dad, they were both in manufacturing. I think I I was almost born on the shop floor. Because my mom was eight months pregnant with me. And my dad had an accident where he lost his fingers on the shop floor. So she actually had to go back to work. So she, you know, nine months and she clocks out on a Friday and I was born that Sunday. Oh, you’re kidding. So manufacturing is, I guess at my blood.

Curt Anderson  03:54

Deep in your DNA, right? Yes. Yes.

Karen Rivera  03:56

And I got my work ethic from my dad. Yeah. Awesome.

Curt Anderson  03:59

All right. Well, shout out. You’re looking down smile. And I knew Damon, what do you have? Right? You

Damon Pistulka  04:05

mentioned your brother’s Two. How many brothers do you have? And they were they were your inspiration. So why was that? So

Karen Rivera  04:11

I have three older brothers. So I am the only girl and the youngest. And for those of you thinking that, you know she must have been spoiled my family did not get that memo at all and they missed

Curt Anderson  04:25

that one right there. Were three guys that torture the Little Sisters that would happen.

Karen Rivera  04:30

Yes. They had to be reminded often that I’m a girl. Yeah, forgot a lot. Yeah,

Curt Anderson  04:38

so football, right, roughhousing as being a little bit more boxing, right. So in why were they your your inspiration? Why were they your heroes?

Karen Rivera  04:52

Oddly enough, because they did forget I was a girl and they treated me like anybody else. They taught me early on that life isn’t fair in. So the constant mantra would be, instead of saying, you know, whimpering and whining, it’s not fair. Their response would be, well, what are you going to do about it? And I take that with me till this day. So if I don’t like a situation, I just hear their voice. Okay. Here’s the situation. It’s not what you want. Well, what are you going to do about it? Yeah, that’s

Damon Pistulka  05:23

awesome. All right,

Curt Anderson  05:24

Damon. All right. That’s our first drop the mic, right? Yeah. Great mantra right there, Karen to live your life by what are you going to do about it? Right. Life’s not fair. Here’s a bad thing that came our way. What are we gonna do you know, is what it is? What are we going to do about it? So, man, I you know, Jim, and I’m reading that book that you’ve been recommended that four elements you know that four, four? Yeah, we need to talk before agreements. Thank you. We this fits in perfect. What are you going to do about it? Yeah. Bad situation. What are you gonna do about it? Karen? Let’s go here. So mom and dad Francisco Carmen, Heroes of yours. Of course, Three brothers. Just really kind of toughened up the Little Sisters, what we’re hearing, manufacturing is in your DNA. As you get past Childhood Adulthood. What inspired you to bring your superpowers, your passion, your skills into manufacturing?

Karen Rivera  06:20

All that that’s God’s work. That’s God’s work. Okay. But God’s work because I, I, my career was in Hospitality and Tourism. So I went to school to run institutions like colleges, hospitals, penitentiaries. And was what I thought, leading my ideal career perfect life, and God had other plans and redirected. I wish he would have been more gentle about it redirected me to where I needed to be. And that was manufacturing. Isn’t

Damon Pistulka  06:56

that how it works, though? Ya know, I could have been a little more gentle, but it just not so good.

Curt Anderson  07:02

Yeah. And David, I love it. Dale says here, Dale, Happy Monday to you gone? Yeah. Oh, wait, I love it. So you’re with Karen Rivera, we’re doing a deep dive, we’re gonna be talking about women in manufacturing all sorts of juicy stuff. Karen curious minds want to know, you want to share a little bit about the pivot. So how did you go? How did you transition from hospitality? Yeah, actually, I

Karen Rivera  07:22

was a project director for the Caribbean and Central America. So I traveled about 47 weeks a year. And that really took a toll on my health. But when you’re young think you’re invincible. And I wasn’t listening to the, to the subtle hints. So God had to be a little more in your face. And I actually ended up with pulmonary embolisms and both lungs, so I was in ICU for about two weeks. And, and when in the line of work that I was in, if you couldn’t travel, that’s pretty much your days are numbered. And I was like, oh, and I was I’ll be honest, I was very angry for a very long time. So I had to learn forgiveness, I had to learn to trust God. And so manufacturing technically saved my life. Actually, no, literally saved my life.

Curt Anderson  08:24

Wow. Okay, this is if you’re comfortable going there. So we’re gonna go off script a little bit. I’d love you know, we could dive in. So say, you know, let’s talk to the Karen out there that’s maybe in your shoes in a situation where, you know, you’re the accidental, you know, hey, this COVID thing happens and threw everybody a curveball or life or health or family divorce, you know, all those cool things. Would I love to dive into is just if you could share a little bit. Okay, so you have this, this health crisis? If your company doesn’t support you, you’re let go. How can you? Are you comfortable sharing what helped you get over that forgiveness? That anger? How did you how did you overcome that?

Karen Rivera  09:07

Um, it was a tough journey. Because I mean, full transparency, I honestly didn’t know how I would react if I ran into my old boss. So I literally avoided that section of the city on purpose, because I really couldn’t tell you how I’d react. And my ex surprisingly tough conversation, but I have to be thankful for him for that, because he kind of shook me and was like, think about where you’d be if they didn’t let you go. Yeah. And I thought about it for a minute. He’s like, let me answer that for you. You’d be dead.

Damon Pistulka  09:46

Yep. Yeah, as

Karen Rivera  09:47

much as I didn’t like the conversation. I had to admit he was right. And that was the lightbulb moment. It’s like you’re angry at them for saving your life.

Curt Anderson  10:00

All right, so we got we’ve got a few friends that we’ve got to pull up with. Yeah. So currently, you know, so you’re mentioning faith. And so Damon I listen to is great podcast. It’s at my life, if anybody listens to my lead out there, and he had a guest on this woman had built a billion dollar company. She shared a line that I felt was very powerful. Maybe this will resonate with you, Karen. She said rejection is God’s protection. I had never, you know, I’ve outlined before protect rejection is God’s protection in look out like this, you know, so we’re going to dive in, but let’s grab recruit friends here. Eight, Nancy. Nancy, Curt Anderson. Monday, Angela. I know your dear friend is on stage here. Dan says and I ended up in manufacturing for the last 25 years. And let’s see Nicole at a comment here. Everything happens for a reason. All part of the plan. It’s tough when you’re living in it. Blessings to Karen, how cool is that? And how about outstanding perspective? Nicole says that is awesome. And yeah, I’m just I’m, I won’t take credit for that one. Karen. All right. So you Was there a particular was a long game? Was there a particular event like how your your ex helped you kind of snap out of it? As you snapped out of it? What can walk us through that transition as you got your career back on track?

Karen Rivera  11:25

Well, funny I was I was let go right around recession time. And I’m proud to say that I’m a recession survivor. But a was like losing it all. Home cars, career health, the rock bottom. And so I figured it was only the only way to go is up because you’re already at the bottom. And I absolutely cook a temp job just out of sheer desperation because I kind of like food and shelter would like to maintain that. And

Curt Anderson  11:58

sort of how we get picky as humans.

Karen Rivera  12:02

And it ended up being in a boiler manufacturing company. And I figured it was just going to be, you know, something temporary until I get back on my feet and go back to hospitality. Well, 16 years later, I move up in the company and now I work at the corporate office. And it’s it has been a roller coaster ride. Definitely material for the book. Wow.

Curt Anderson  12:29

Well, hey, we Daymond I better be hopefully we’re invited for the book signing Karen. So let’s do a recap. So guys, happy Monday. Welcome to the program. We’re here with Karen Rivera. We’re talking about women in manufacturing big celebration right now. And Karen, we were planning this. So thank you, for your honesty, guarantee your vulnerability. You know, everybody, all of us have a story, right? Everybody? You know, sometimes you tried to be online and lay Everything’s perfect. Well, guess what? It’s not always perfect. It’s not. So 2008 you get hit with health, personal career, a lot of curveballs are coming your way. And maybe Big Brother’s helped you with like, Hey, Karen, what are you going to do about it? Right? So you roll up your sleeves, you start in that start with cleaver Brooks? Is that where your career started with cleaver Brooks at the time? Actually,

Karen Rivera  13:17

no, it was another company called home and boiler and then they were purchased by cleaver Brooks ultimately, so started off as an independently owned company. Got

Curt Anderson  13:27

it? Okay. Was there a point in time when you’re like, This is just the transition? I’ve got, as you said, you know, as humans, you know, we need a roof over our head. You know, gosh, you know, unfortunate we need to eat once in a while. Is was there a point where you’re like, hey, I think I think I’m turning the corner here. Like I’m building a career, maybe I’ve put that past behind me, like, can you pinpoint a point? Was there a point in time, where you felt like you were turning the corner here?

Karen Rivera  13:55

Um, it was, it was another redirection. I was kind of coasting along. And we were acquired, and our new boss wouldn’t say secretive. But he’s, you know, creating a strategy for this newly acquired company, and he would always talk about swimming in your lane. And I was nervous because I didn’t know what my lane was. So I was having like, this deja vu, like, here we go again. I’m gonna like get like go. And I finally just sat him down and, and said, I’m nervous. I’m nervous, because I don’t know what my lane is with all of the changes. And he says, Well, I was actually wanting to talk to you about this later, but we could do it now. And he says, I want you to take on the implementation and the adoption process for Salesforce for the company. And I was like, come again. Jim, and these were my words exactly to him. I never learned how to pro grabbed my VCR to stop blinking and you want me to want and I will forever thankful to the guy because he apparently saw something I didn’t. And that started my journey on the tech side. And if you would have told the younger Karen that you’re gonna end up working with sales technology, I’m gonna Yeah, no, but here I am.

Curt Anderson  15:27

Man, I ya know, David, for anybody under the age of 30. Karen, do we need to explain where the VCR was? I don’t Yeah. Yeah, if you don’t know what vi CR stands for a Google is something Yeah, back in our day, right. Yeah, that is hysterical. So now I first off guys with Karen Rivera, please connect Do yourself a favor connect with Karen on LinkedIn. She’s just a dynamo. Just with a warm heart she has as you’re getting a good gauge here. Two times Salesforce, certified problem solver. Now did you met was his name Jim, is that we just did now. Can we dive into that for a second? The Jim sees something in you that you didn’t see in yourself that he would like Yes. How did he so he here’s a guy, mentor friend, how would you describe him as a co worker supervisor? What was he do? That

Karen Rivera  16:17

he was my he was our president at the time. If I had to rank I would say mentor friend, boss third

Curt Anderson  16:27

night. You just get chills or what man? Yeah. You know what? God bless the gyms because a lot of times we hear about the bad bosses the bad this that, you know, you incur and you mentioned your previous situation went south. But here, see something in you believes in you and challenges you with something that you’re like, Dude, I can’t control my VCR how to do? Yeah, take us through eight. We’ve got a couple of comments. You got to see. I don’t know if you’re seeing these love that current. You are an inspiration. Nicole, I couldn’t agree with you more. Diane Byers in a house. Diane, happy Monday, she says women in manufacturing. Dan, eight another shout out for it. Thank you, Dan, my mom, appreciate you. And so and then Angela says, That’s a great story, Karen. So let’s keep the party rolling, you get into multiple transitions. And now also you’re going to be like Salesforce superstar at the company walk us through what did that look like? Started off

Karen Rivera  17:24

on the divisional side. And it was a it was a tough journey. Because man, you want to talk about resistance to change. So I had to be the ultimate salesperson for an idea and and get adoption up and running. And we ended up leading the company in terms of adoption. And then when the corporate Salesforce admin left the company, and she was also a mentor of mine. She says Karen, why don’t you don’t you apply for the position? I was like, Are you crazy? Ah, and, and at the time, I was caring for my mom, because she was in her later stages of dementia. So I needed to work from home. And the pieces weren’t coming together. So I was like, well, Karen, this might be an opportunity or a reason for you to look elsewhere. Still, nothing. I couldn’t find anything that I could work remote. And then the new year comes in and Jim walks into my office and it says you’re about to get a phone call and you need to take that phone call and I was like, okay, and and you really need to take the phone call. I was like Okay, I will take the phone call. And it was the corporate office offering a remote position for the Salesforce admin, the position I’m in now.

Damon Pistulka  18:42

Nice. Yeah.

Karen Rivera  18:43

What a nice man. What so Jim law appeared listening out there. snaps up to you. Well,

Curt Anderson  18:51

ya know, be like Jim, every you know, what a what a fantastic story. I don’t care. And we’re going to completely off script today. Yeah, yeah. And Angela says, Let’s get Karen to do she can do anything man dropped the mic. Angela. I couldn’t agree with you more. Let’s go here. So do you have any advice if someone out there is hearing you know what, Karen, I’m in a similar role. I’m, I’ve been tasked and I’m championing some type of a technology, upgrade transition. I’m getting a lot of pushback resistance. Were there any and again, I don’t want me to put you on the spot. We can slide past this. But were there any tips or advice that you have to help with digital transformation? For anybody out there may be going through what you Karen did years ago.

Karen Rivera  19:39

Um, really get good at using examples that people can relate to. It’s no secret that our industry is male dominated. So if I had to explain a concept, I had to go into my rolodex of ideas and We’d be like, Okay, come up with a fishing example, or come up with a hunting example to prove, you know, to get this point across something that they can relate to. So that helped out a lot because it’s taking this technical jargon that they’re not familiar with. Okay, let’s convert it into something you’re familiar with. It’s like, okay, so when you go hunting and you do this, it’s like, yeah, okay, so that same concept, we’re gonna apply it here, but we’re gonna use different tools. And then it’s like, oh, okay, I see what I see what you’re getting at. And, and the explanation in the fact that I met them, they’re really helped them adopting this new technology, this new fangled thing. So it was, I had to learn quick, though.

Curt Anderson  20:47

Brilliant. Absolutely. You know, Karen, between us, you know, guys are we’re not the smartest guys in the room. We think we are but we’re really not. So I love what you did. And Damon, we were somewhat this on Friday, I think, you know, that meet them where they are, you know, we’re, you know that that expression gets us a lot. But Karen, I love that you’re gonna speak their language. You know, if talk baseball, I mean, Damon, like we totally get it. You know, like the clouds clear. Oh, yeah, I can understand the list when you converted the baseball, right? So, absolutely love that. So when you brought it down to their level, put it into like a fun analogy or something that really that they were passionate about? Then you started seeing some buy in and some less resistance?

Karen Rivera  21:28

Yeah, you know, some, some guerrilla tactics had to come into play as well, about changes inevitable. And in some were kicking and screaming and, and then when they started seeing how easy things got, it’s like, oh, okay, like, I’m here to help. My job is to set the stage for you to shine and work your magic. That’s all I do. Yeah. All right.

Curt Anderson  21:54

This is awesome. Okay, and I go ahead, Damon. Well,

Damon Pistulka  21:58

and from the sales side, I know CRMs I mean, you first look at him, you go, Oh, why are we doing? Wow, well, you gotta be kidding me. But then when you start seeing what they can do for you, on the back side are really engaging with your, with your potential customers staying in touch with and just as a resource for you to be able to go back and listen. Oh, what did I talk to Steve or Susan, last year about? You know, and we’re doing that it’s just those kinds of things that it gives you is incredible anymore. Yeah. And, and, but yeah, and they’d be you know, when, when they were first introduced? It’s like, no, everybody’s like, this is what are we do it?

Karen Rivera  22:45

I would still giggle when it went from what in the feminine Hein and the digging in their heels to wow, it could do that. You can do really? And I’m like, yeah, yeah. Yeah, we can do that.

Curt Anderson  22:57

No, no, Karen, you never have any of those. I told you. So moments when when when your teammates are like, Man, I don’t know how we ever got by without this. Like, do you ever like hey, do you remember that day?

Karen Rivera  23:07

I’ve had a couple and I just say, you know, that is a great idea. And just let it let it ride.

Curt Anderson  23:14

Well, hey, kudos to you. And so Hey, Nicole here says preach. And then she, this is a great quote that Nicole shares, quote that she was given last week, be the person that everyone else thinks that you are love that Nicole keep them coming. If you guys have any questions, drop them in the chat box here, I strongly encourage you connect with Karen, you’re just you’re getting a sense of her passion, her energy, caring if we’re ready to slide into I want to dive into women in manufacturing. Okay, you’re very passionate about the organization. Can you Can we go there? Let’s start with how did what is women in manufacturing? And how did it come on your radar first?

Karen Rivera  23:51

Um, well, it’s the only industry association dedicated with year round programming for women in manufacturing for women who have chosen a career, whatever that career is in manufacturing. And it came about because there were, I believe, like six of us in the state of Texas wondering why there wasn’t a chapter in Texas. After the initial shock wore off, we reached out to the organization and, and started having conversations with them. And and we were, you know, putting things together to do the chapter launch and just as we were getting ready to do the launch COVID it and we had to switch gears to the virtual world and, and it’s funny because our founding chair, I didn’t meet her till almost two years later at the annual summit in Atlanta. And she actually flew in from Germany and oh my goodness, I almost knocked her over. With the hug guide I gave her because Angela was with us and she said, Hey Karen Look who decided to join us in Summit and when I turned around and saw Lisa there it was just Like 1x

Curt Anderson  25:00

That is

Damon Pistulka  25:02

awesome. That’s cool. Okay,

Curt Anderson  25:04

so, so women in manufacturing. So I want to dig into, there’s a group of you that are questioning why is there not a chapter in the state of Texas. And there is one now, in here, you guys raise your hand, your roll up your sleeves, and you know, like big brothers say, Hey, Karen, what are you going to do about it? You guys do something about it. So instead of complaining about it, you make it a reality. How. So again, like maybe talking to other folks out there, maybe they’re in a state where they don’t have a chapter, what inspired you to take the time, the energy, the resources that let’s go there for a minute about how you know in what it can what it did for you to raise your hand and to take this project on?

Karen Rivera  25:48

I think working in the Salesforce ecosystem, and starting with that, and then transitioning into corporate and being the new kid on the block again, the one question that helped me till this day is, how can I help? How can I help? If it’s a project at work that I’m not familiar with? I may not know all of the bits and pieces of the project, but I can contribute something? How can I help? The same thing with the chapter? Do I know what I’m doing most of the time? No. But I wing it, and I we have great resources, our team is amazing. And if I don’t have the answer, someone’s gonna have the answer. And it goes back to the question to our members to the industry to the community. How can we help?

Damon Pistulka  26:39

There you go,

Curt Anderson  26:40

Damon, I know we I know if we have had a moment of silence for a little bit, Karen, on our show, I know you, we’ve got a few of our shows, we have like these, you know, we have to drop the mic moments. But then we have the moments of silence. That was a really good one. What I want to dig into is as you as you’ve spearheaded and champion, bringing this chapter to the state of Texas, and again, for the potential Karen’s out there that are like, Hey, we don’t have one in our state. What has it done for you personally, like you know, the friendship you have with? You know, you’ve mentioned Angela, when you’re given a almost makeover, Lisa with a big hug? What have these relationships done for you personally and professionally by by bringing this chapter to Texas? Well, personally,

Karen Rivera  27:23

it has helped a lot because I wasn’t a military brat, but our family moved a lot. So we were I guess my parents were nomads in another life, I don’t know. And so I never was really around anyone, for extended amount of time to form, friendships and relationships. So the chapter has helped me personally that way. I’ve met some amazing women that I mean, girl fan, geek out amazing women. And I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the chapter. professionally. It has taught me project management. Shout out to Angela. She’s been my project management mentor and answered the plethora of questions that I have for her. It helps me at work because also with project management skills, patience, diplomacy, because my younger self was cool, rough around the edges. And so yeah, it has definitely helped in many aspects, aspects that I would have never imagined.

Curt Anderson  28:32

That is awesome. Let’s

Damon Pistulka  28:34

grab a lot of comments coming in here.

Curt Anderson  28:36

I’m going to work my way backwards. So there you go. My dear friend Diane buyer says to make the world a better place believe in someone and thank your mentor. I’d say that was you know, big shout out to Jim. I want to get the replay to Jim. Karen. So Angela says you know what, let me back up. Women in manufacturing Texas OHS cares so much she is the heart of the chapter. She drives across the state to attend events that she has planned so that local members feel her love man is that good?

Karen Rivera  29:08

I did not wear waterproof mascara today.

Curt Anderson  29:15

Well, he will we got your cover Damon time on the show. So Dan says hey, come fixing the problem. Yeah. How about Nicole says thank you I have another that’s this was amazing. Nicole thank you for Monday too. You know what and before we before we lose anybody in what Karen I have I apologize so speaking of like women and manufacturing friendships relationships, Dan before we lose anybody else let’s get it so I’ve got a little gift box so Karen you if you don’t mind I’m going to do a little little reveal. Curious

Damon Pistulka  29:47

for national occurred Anderson day. Yeah. So by Curt

Curt Anderson  29:51

right so I’m just Alright. So let’s take first off I’ve got a hat from the savannah banana. My goodness you guys are baseball fans. Oh my goodness. If you want to learn about branding or marketing oh my goodness guy is absolutely in

30:07

sane. Dude, I

Curt Anderson  30:09

can’t thank you enough. That’s a perfect head cover my my my bald head. Okay, secondly, so Dan because David Oh, friendship is when people know all about you. Karen How about that? Well, I was I was that one.

Karen Rivera  30:25

It’s a beautiful thing when they get you.

Curt Anderson  30:27

Yeah. And then and Dan his wife, Julie. They manufacture these products right here. Julie bigger. Glimmerglass gifts. Right there. Look at that, Damon. Yeah. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you for supporting homemade in America. So this is a this manufacturing right here. Yeah, yeah, actually, I’ve got the gift of a tree. And look at this. Damon. Nice. Wow, about that right there. So this all came from, you know what? And I didn’t pay my bed. I don’t have the what do you what do you call it waterproof cried proof, either, but this is, you know, the tree life symbolizes the interconnectedness of everything. Reverse. It honors our ancestors and family connections. With its branching arms. It stands for growth and strength, and a foundation of its strong roots. So, Dan, to you and Julie. God bless you, brother. Thank you. Thank you. I love you. You are the best.

Damon Pistulka  31:25

This is very cool.

Curt Anderson  31:26

So I might get choked. Alright, so Sabine Savannah bananas. Alright, how about that? So I tied in perfect with the show women manufacturing. Karen. So let’s go here. Talk a little bit about your superpower. I know you’re very modest. Talk about your superpowers today how you help companies you’re helping and our dear friend Angela, women in manufacturing you do some social media your content? Sure a little bit about what you do on a daily basis. How are you making the world a better place?

Karen Rivera  32:00

I’d like I said earlier, I I like setting the stage for others to shine. And it’s funny because back in my hospitality days, even event planning, my excitement was the build up to the event, the logistical all the you know, the logistical side of it, the planning side of it once it was Lights, Camera Action. I’m like, Okay, what’s the what’s the next event? And it’s the same concept just in a different arena. It’s how can I set the stage for people to shine, whether that’s women in manufacturing, whether that’s our sales rep organization, because if you win, I win. Well, I like winning. So if the equation is you win, I win. I’m gonna do everything in my power to make sure you win. Because if you win, I win. And and just watching people shine, especially people that don’t, wouldn’t have the voice whether they’re shy, they’re, you know, introverted. They’re not in the, you know, just giving them that stage.

Curt Anderson  33:13

Awesome. Okay. Hey, we’ve got a diamond buyer says, Let others shine. Wow. So let’s go in what did I think we got a couple other Angela says, Hey, I love the Savannah, bananas and dances. I’m still waiting for them to play dance as a no matter of fact, and you know what? My empty walls gonna be looking good with some Glimmerglass gifts right there. And thank you, brother. I appreciate you, dude. Karen, I want to come back to women in manufacturing. What are some challenges that you want to what do you what do you see some challenges for women in manufacturing today? And what are some advice that you tell for younger folks, Dave and I are both girl dads. What are some things that you tell younger women about just the enormous wonderful, incredible opportunities in manufacturing? So two questions are What do you see with some of the challenges? And then where do you see some of the future opportunities for young women in manufacturing?

Karen Rivera  34:05

Um, funny the challenges. I see more in women my age because it’s whether you’re approaching midlife, you know, you’re thinking you’re on the, you know, downside of the hill. Don’t count yourself out just yet. There’s still more for you to give and more for you to grow and opportunities for you. And especially to my moms, whether you’re a single mom or two parent home, but moms you’re already doing the hardest job known demand. So any challenge you come across at work is a cakewalk because you’ve already conquered the hardest. So, go for it. Push forward, tell them hold my beer, and just show them what you’re made out of. It. To now for the young generation, I would say, do not count manufacturing out. There are so many opportunities more than you can even imagine. And I tell people all the time, it saved my life. I’m living proof that there are options for you in manufacturing.

Curt Anderson  35:21

Yeah, that’s awesome. So for So for anybody listening, maybe they missed what you mentioned earlier. So you’re mentioning it now again, saved my life can just just, you know, without an I mean, be redundant, but just share a little bit. How did this career saves you? What did it mean? What did it do for you?

Karen Rivera  35:39

Aside from protecting me, from the detrimental health concerns that were developing with my previous career, he showed me what I’m capable of it showed me it gave me self confidence. Yeah, it’s funny, because the day I walked into the corporate office, I bumped into the CEO. And he asked me well, Karen, you know, we’re expecting great things from you now that you’re at the corporate level. And the old me would have coward and ran away. And I just told them, Bart, I have just one phrase for you. And he was like, what’s that? Hold my beer. He just got such a kick out of that. The HR manager probably cringed. But he got a kick out of that. And now every time he sees me, he’s like, do you need me to hold your beer? And I’m like, not quite yet. But I’ll let you know.

Curt Anderson  36:33

Oh, my gosh, my beer hold. I take care of you. We’ve got a lot of great quotes that have dropped the mic. You’ve talked about how, you know you’ve saved your life. You know, God’s path. You know, you’ve talked about just you know, your brothers, you know, what are you going to do about it? And just there just a lot of inspiring things here. And I know you’re super busy, we’re going to start winding down. We talked about you know, opportunities for women. What are you so excited about in the future of US manufacturing? Why are you so bullish excited? Such a fierce advocate for manufacturing? What are you so excited about for the future in manufacturing?

Karen Rivera  37:14

I’m seeing how so many companies came to a standstill because of offshoring, bringing it back home, and being reliant on us, excites me, because if there’s ever a disruption, again, it’s not going to make us skip a beat. Because we’ll be ready. I’m excited about the opportunities with all of the technology and the stuff that the younger generation is going to do. long after I’m gone. And that’s exciting to see. You know what magic they’re gonna make. Yeah.

Curt Anderson  37:53

Love it. All right. Hey, Dan, Dan. Bigger says, Hey, amen. My wife built the business by raising two sets of twins, coaching volleyball, being the director of a volleyball club and on the school board. And that is absolutely awesome. Julie is a great inspiration, another woman in manufacturing. Karen, let’s take you here. Where can folks find you? Obviously, here on LinkedIn, are there any other places that people can find you to connect with you that LinkedIn

Karen Rivera  38:19

is, is probably the easiest way have to do a plug, we want to check out the wind, Texas chapter page on women in manufacturing. And you can see all of our events coming up will be actually Sunday, I’ll be in Austin, kicking off the first meet and greet in Austin with a wonderful brunch at the Josephine house. I’m looking forward to that.

Curt Anderson  38:42

Awesome. That’s fantastic. David, what are your takeaways today from this conversation?

Damon Pistulka  38:48

Well, I first of all, it’s cool to hear your story and how you’re able to, you know, land in manufacturing and and you know, accidentally, self admittedly, but how it’s been able to really give you a career, a career, a long lasting career with a lot of challenges and stuff. And that’s, that’s what I think if people are listening, and they haven’t considered manufacturing, wow, it is such a such a. I mean, there’s so many different things to do. And you can just like in life, you can start doing one thing in manufacturing, I might go to I might go to school to be a CNC machine operator, right, or a programmer or something. But I may end up running a facility or doing the engineering forum or do quality assurance or who knows marketing. There’s just so many things in these businesses, that once you get into the industry, it just opens a plethora of different things you can do and then you being able to go from Okay, now I’m working at a division that I’m then I’m heading up the corporate efforts for it. It’s just so cool to hear your story.

Curt Anderson  39:52

Well, thank you. Yeah, that there’s man, there’s just so much to unpack here and health challenge, correct that, you know, anger, some if I can use the word resentment, right, Karen, how you came to peace, how you embrace forgiveness, you know, out of survival, you start a new career in manufacturing. Yeah, you connect with a mentor in as much as it takes a mentor and I give Jim God bless Jim and a ton of credit. Look at what you did the role that you played that Jim believed in you. And I just love what an inspiration that is that you came in, you know, though maybe a few things were thrown your way that were not welcomed. We’re not pleasant. We’re not exciting, health career, so and so forth. You just show true resiliency. And look at where you’re at today. And so I man, I tell you, you gave me chills today. Hey, Sarah is here today, sir. That’s awesome. I

40:50

saw that. Yeah, we’re celebrating

Curt Anderson  40:51

women in manufacturing. super inspiring. Karen also shot shout out to the male allies curtain, Damon. Sara. Thank you. God bless you. Karen here on LinkedIn. Wonderful. And so Karen, I do have I do have one last important question for you. So let’s have one now I know you’ve you’ve caught the show. So maybe you’re familiar with us. But you’re in Houston. Right. My job that correct your Newson?

Karen Rivera  41:15

No, I mean, East Texas, the piney woods.

Curt Anderson  41:18

You’re an East Texas. Okay. So hey, Angela says love out, Karen took advantage of the opportunities that were presented. You know what, there were so many guys, there were so many nuggets here. You know, Karen raised her hand, she took advantage of opportunities. The question, how can I help? How can I? How can I be help? It wasn’t what was me? What do you guys gonna do for me? How can I help you? And look at the career that you’ve built? Karen? So Karen, are you so you mentioned hunting and fishing for the guys that kind of speak? You know, like, guy we need it simple. Are you are you baseball fan by any chance?

Karen Rivera  41:53

I would say no. Because I think if I said yes, it’d be insulting to baseball.

Curt Anderson  41:57

That’d be insulting. But like, you know, you get the idea. You know, I’ve got my I’ve got my new Savannah bananas, man. Is this going to be perfect? Because, you know what, Damon when you don’t have any hair, you need a hat. You know? It’s especially where I live. Okay. Karen, if let’s, let’s say you’re a baseball fan. We’re at this baseball game or he’s you know, whoever Do you have a team? Do you have a team?

Karen Rivera  42:21

I don’t know. Do you have the evil empire? Is my team. Oh, the Yankees?

Curt Anderson  42:25

Yes. Oh, what? Damon pluggerz? Hey, so much. All right. So let’s say the Yankees are playing the dreaded Red Sox. hypothetic. This hype has happened. The Yankees are playing the Red Sox. Karen. Okay. It’s a playoff game. It’s a bottom of the ninth Damon. We can have from from opening next week.

Damon Pistulka  42:46

I know. I’m going to a game next week.

Curt Anderson  42:48

So it’s it’s it’s bottom of the ninth. It’s tied score. There’s somebody on second base. And the Yankees need. It’s two outs bottom on the ninth and Yankees need a run right now? You’re with me? Yes. Two outs. runner on second base. We need a hit to win this game. Okay, a manager turns down the bench and says Hey, Rivera. Get up to the plate and hit the run. And we need to wrap this game up. You walk up you grab your helmet. You grab your bat. you’re swinging. You’re ready. On your way to the plate. What is your walk up song?

Karen Rivera  43:30

Oh my goodness. I have three and I know I have to choose one.

Curt Anderson  43:39

Rental up all three. Damon, you got your phone ready? Yeah, got it. Okay.

Karen Rivera  43:43

Back in my much younger years in my early 20s. I was an amateur bodybuilder, and my coach. Think of the old guy from Rocky. Yeah. That was him. Got me personification. And we were preparing for for competition. And my walkup song, I guess would be Van Halen is right now. Right. All right. That’s a good one. And unfortunately, he passed away suddenly. But then again, he was poking at and it just broke me losing him. And I never got to compete to that song. So I would probably say that would be one. And the second one is it’s an independent rapper named Tom McDonald. He’s a little controversial, very political, but he has struggled so much with his demons and his journey. And I and I kind of have much respect for him for being so vulnerable and honest about it. And he has this one song called Best Rapper ever. And, and I don’t know what’s better the song or the video but it’s This battle with his demons telling him that he’s not good enough. And his responses on the best rapper ever. I don’t care what you say. I would probably gun to my head I would probably pick that one. Tom McDonald’s best rapper ever.

Curt Anderson  45:14

Okay, so Van Halen right now. Tom McDonald best rapper ever. What did you have a third?

Karen Rivera  45:19

The third one is Eminem. Um, I can’t think of the name of the song right now.

Curt Anderson  45:26

Lose yourself.

Karen Rivera  45:27

Yes,

Curt Anderson  45:28

yes. That’s a good that’s it. So all right, Karen, thank you for playing our little game. I love it. We’ve got a couple of comments here. Wrapping up. Karen walked into the lion’s den as the lioness she is a never felt like rather great role model for the future women in manufacturing. Diane, I could not agree with you more. Dr. Power says you are motivation for many Thank you, doctor. Appreciate you joining us today. Man Daymond. Was this an awesome chattering? Yeah, it

Damon Pistulka  45:55

was it was.

Karen Rivera  45:56

If there’s one thing I learned if, if you’re going through hell walk in like you own the place.

Curt Anderson  46:06

Right, we’re gonna walk in like you own the place. Like you own the place. We’re confident. All right, Karen, I want to thank you. I want to thank everybody in the chatbox today. Thank you for the comments. Boy, you know, go back, catch Perrin, connect with Karen on LinkedIn. Do yourself a huge favor, as you can tell high integrity, incredibly inspiring, just a huge advocate for US manufacturing. Karen. And, you know, everybody has been serious as my chapter you’ve been hanging out, you know, it’s great time to stand up and stretch. And how about a big round of applause for Karen Rivera today. So

Damon Pistulka  46:41

thank you. Awesome stuff.

Curt Anderson  46:44

Hey, we appreciate you. We appreciate everybody out there. And so let’s close out. We have a great show coming up on Friday. But in the meantime, I encourage you, I invite you I welcome you just be someone’s inspiration just like Karen was for us today. And it’s just we’re on making the world a little better place. So Karen, hang out with us for one second. Thanks. God bless you. God bless everybody. Have a killer week and we will see you

Damon Pistulka  47:09

Friday. Thanks, everyone.