#113 - Caterina Fake and Kat Manalac

Wall Street

Caterina Fake shares her transformative experience working on Wall Street. Initially drawn by the allure of a six-figure salary, she quickly found herself changing to fit the aggressive culture. She recalls, "I was just becoming, you know, the Wolverine of Wall Street. And I didn't want to become that." This realization led her to quit and return to a simpler, more authentic life 1.

   

Education

Caterina's unconventional approach to education shaped her entrepreneurial mindset. She often clashed with traditional schooling, preferring self-directed learning over structured classes. "I was a great student, and I was a horrible student. I liked to learn, but I didn't like to be taught," she explains 2. This mindset helped her forge her own path in the entrepreneurial world 3.

   

Representation

Kat Manalac discusses the importance of representation, particularly for underrepresented groups. Seeing people who look like oneself in prominent positions can be incredibly inspiring. "I didn't know any other Filipino women that were featured anywhere," she notes, highlighting the impact of visibility 4. Caterina agrees, emphasizing the value of cultural icons in shaping one's aspirations 5.