Succeeding in the film industry was no easy feat. Ashley and Erica reflect on ingrained biases against women and recount difficult interactions with male colleagues. When you're in an uncomfortable situation, communicating and using your voice is key. Knowing what you want and then articulating it in a way that the audience hears you is am entire art. If only we didn't have to expend so much mental energy!We talk about how sometimes not everyone will like you, but when you are your authentic self, you will find that there is always an abundance of opportunities coming your way. Listen to us speak about how placing yourself outside your comfort zone can help you grow and learn tremendously about increasing your confidence!About Ashley:Pioneers in Skirts Director, Ashley Maria, is a filmmaker located in Los Angeles, CA. Ashley received her MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and is known for her work on many feature & short films, new media, and television commercials. When not on set, Ashley is a directing instructor at UCLA’s Film School and a sound instructor at the American Film Institute’s Young Women in Film program. She is the recipient of the prestigious Directors Guild of America award, and most recently, she was recognized as the “Best New Director” at the DTLA Film Festival. Connect with Ashley:Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/itsashleymaria/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymaria/About Erica: Coming from Philadelphia with no connections to the entertainment industry, Erica booked her first TV show just two weeks after moving to Los Angeles. Over the past decade, Erica has lived her dream, designing graphics for television and film. You can see her work on hit shows like Glee, The Office, Superstore, and most recently Top Chef. After fulfilling her own dream, Erica felt called to help other Hollywood creatives with their dreams, and started a coaching business. Since then, Erica has developed a reputation as Hollywood's Leading Success Coach, and between herself and her clients, they've booked work on over 60 television shows and films on every major network, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and more.Connect with Erica:Instagram: @hollywoodsuccesscoachFacebook: facebook.com/hollywoodsuccesscoachLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erica-wernick About me:Karen Laos s a keynote speaker and leadership coach equipping women to stand out with unshakable confidence. She specializes in communication: executive presence and compelling messages. Karen champions female business leaders to own their value and find their voice so they can be seen and heard. She also works with teams to create cultures of trust and function at their best.Karen has coached leaders at Facebook, Google, Netflix, Uber, Sephora, Sony, Microsoft, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Trip Advisor, Bacardi, Levi, and more. Karen’s style is fun, encouraging and results-oriented. She immediately moves past the “fluff” and gets straight to the issue (just ask her clients).Connect with me:Website: https://www.karenlaos.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosconsultingFacebook: Ignite Your Confidence with Karen Laos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/karenlaosconsultingEpisodes also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos