Embracing Challenges: A Professional Odyssey from Shyness to Spotlight

• Judy Slack opens up about her transition from a close-knit upbringing in New York to advancing in her career at Tom Hopkins International, emphasizing resilience and creativity.
• Overcoming obstacles such as shyness and gender discrimination, she discovered guidance, bravery, and triumph, embracing the importance of human relationships over worldly accomplishments.
• When she talks about her job, She feels privileged as it allows her to manage both her work and personal life efficiently. She is a great nature lover and likes to explore various cultures.
• She believes that success is ultimately about growing as a person and making meaningful connections in the process.

1. Tell us briefly about your childhood. What was it like growing up? What values that you’ve been taught since childhood that have molded you into the person you are today?

Growing up in the heart of New York State, nestled near Lake Ontario, I had a wonderful childhood. It was an experience filled with the magic of snowy winters, lazy summers and the security of a tight-knit community. As the youngest among five siblings, I quickly learned the importance of love, support, and sharing in our household, where negotiating for bathroom time was a daily feat.

My father had a significant impact on my life. He instilled in me the belief that all individuals deserve respect and that no matter what is happening, we can create a sense of joy every day. He taught me these things by example, often sharing the stories of some of his workers who had survived the horrors of World War II concentration camps and how they wanted to work hard and earn respect.

Equally influential was my mom. She was very sensible in her approach. Her forward-thinking ensured our family was prepared for anything, from snowstorms to festivities. Her kindness extended beyond the family. She expressed her love for neighbors and community people through small acts like knitting mittens for children who attended the neighborhood schools.

From my education in Catholic school, I gleaned the working hard at my studies and how that hard work would pay off. Language and writing were given utmost priority in our school. It taught me the power of effective communication and self-expression.

Being raised in an environment that valued education, preparedness, resilience, and a sense of belonging helped me tremendously on my path to becoming the writer and content developer I am today.

2. Tell us more about your dynamic professional journey.

After college, I took a leap of faith and moved from New York to Arizona to pursue independence and a fresh start. Joining Tom Hopkins International, despite having no sales or self-development background, was a pivotal moment. Mr. Hopkins’ mentorship instilled a love for continuous learning and personal growth.

Starting as a general office secretary, I thrived in a fast-paced environment, leveraging my writing skills for diverse roles – from proofreading manuscripts to overseeing print projects to video production. Each new responsibility broadened my skill set and challenged me to excel.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey was discovering hidden talents, such as writing and editing. Contributing to Mr. Hopkins’ books and training materials, knowing our work empowered countless lives, was immensely fulfilling. We strived to create accessible materials that anyone could benefit from, regardless of background or education level.

Over the years, I rose to Vice President of Business Development, experiencing multiple career trajectories within a single company. Despite the challenges and steep learning curves, I embraced each opportunity with enthusiasm and always sought ways to improve and innovate.

 Collaboration wasn’t limited to my expertise; working with designers fostered communication and mutual understanding.Together, we crafted materials that reflected our brand while pushing creative boundaries.

Throughout my journey, I remained dedicated to helping others and making a difference. My passion for reading and learning fueled my commitment to producing high-quality content that could empower individuals to achieve their goals.

Ultimately, my time at Tom Hopkins International was defined by growth, resilience, and the satisfaction of impacting lives – values that resonate with Girl Power, making my current involvement  a natural continuation.

3. What’s one characteristic you think is needed to be successful in any venture?

The most crucial characteristic for success in any venture is discernment. Early in your career, opportunities can be alluring, but learning to weigh their true value is essential.  Does the opportunity spark your interest and align with your passions? Are you equipped with the skills, time and experience to handle the demands?  Consider all perspectives, not saying yes to everything. 

I struggled with that for a long time. There was a time when I found myself juggling a workload meant for three people, and what was once fun soon became overwhelming. I started making mistakes and it was detrimental to myself, as well as to the projects. 

Optimism, tempered by a realistic assessment of each opportunity’s value is crucial. Ask yourself these questions: Will it stimulate growth? Is it going to be challenging?  Is it something I’ll genuinely enjoy? Having a sense of curiosity that allows you to weigh the value of different opportunities, whether professional endeavors or personal relationships, is indispensable.  

Remember, everything is negotiable. Don’t be afraid to counter-propose or advocate for what you need if an opportunity feels off-balance. By developing discernment and curiosity, you pursue ventures that truly align with your goals and well-being, setting yourself up for long-term success.

4.  What were some of the biggest challenges that you have and how did you face them?

Growing up, I struggled with being shy and always preferred to stay in the background. However, when I started working with Mr. Hopkins, I was forced to step out of my comfort zone. One memorable experience was when I was called on stage in front of an audience of  900 people at a seminar. I unexpectedly received a standing ovation in recognition of my efforts in developing the content for the seminar. This overwhelmed me, but it also helped me realize the impact of my work. It was a valuable lesson that taught me to embrace the spotlight’s positive impact and focus outward, on the value I could deliver.

Gender biases further compounded the hurdles I faced in the workplace. During a period when women were not encouraged to aim for leadership positions, I encountered doubts and disbelief regarding my professional future. However, Mr. Hopkins’ forward-thinking company provided a safe space to challenge stereotypes and observe other inspiring women in leadership positions. It gave me important insights into how to stand up for myself in male-dominated settings. By learning from their experiences and advocating for myself, I witnessed the changing dynamics of gender equality in the workplace towards merit-based advancement. 

Despite the initial obstacles, I took advantage of opportunities and significantly impacted the evolving cultural story about women in the business world. As I continued to learn and evolve, the ideas of what women could accomplish in their careers also expanded. It became more about capabilities than about conforming to stereotypes. I appreciate the progress achieved during my career and the trailblazers who helped create a more diverse and fair work environment.

6. How do you balance your work life and your personal life?

Finding work-life balance is about creating a cohesive, authentic life for myself. I enjoy giving back through volunteering and nurturing long-lasting friendships, which helps me find harmony between work and personal connections. I view colleagues, friends, and family as part of a larger community, all contributing to my sense of well-being. Instead of rigidly separating work and personal life, I strive for integration. I’ve recognized that separating different parts of my life only leads to unnecessary tension. For example, I use the same organization techniques, like color-coding, for both my work and personal schedules. This consistency reduces mental strain when switching gears. Balancing my time between work and life can be tough, but it gets easier when I apply these strategies to both areas.

7. Could you tell us if there’s a mentor who helped you guide your path and helped you become the person that you wanted to be?

At Tom Hopkins International, I was fortunate to find a mentor in Mr. Hopkin’s business partner. He saw my potential and frequently invited me to attend meetings. By encouraging me to participate in discussions and offer my insights, he pushed me to think critically and develop my communication skills. He showed me how to utilize my abilities in different situations, whether negotiating deals or examining legal contracts. His mentorship went beyond just teaching me practical skills. He instilled in me a mentality of careful analysis, teaching me to examine all opportunities from various perspectives. I attribute my promotion to Vice President of Business Development to this approach. His guidance was consistently respectful and light-hearted, creating a supportive atmosphere for my learning and development. Our partnership was truly symbiotic, as I helped him in his duties while gaining valuable knowledge and perspectives that helped advance my career.

8. What’s one thing that you enjoy the least about your professional journey and how do you navigate meeting those even though you don’t enjoy it?

While I’m retired now, the aspect I disliked most about the traditional work model was the rigid 40-hour week schedule. It felt inflexible – eight hours in the office, five days a week, with a one-hour lunch break. There were days my tasks took less time, and others where I needed more. Thankfully, today’s work environments often offer more flexibility, especially with remote work options. 

After Mr.  Hopkins retired, I worked with eXp Realty where everyone worked from home. That was wonderful. The focus was on completing tasks and attending meetings, not clocking in specific hours. This allowed me to flex my workday and personal life – finish tasks in 30 hours? Great! Need 50? No problem! Even the preferred work hours were open-ended. As long as the job got done, it didn’t matter. 

This freedom was a stark contrast to my earlier experience. Living in Arizona, beautiful spring days would have me locked indoors while others enjoyed the sunshine. It occasionally had a negative impact on my mood and productivity. Now, in retirement, I appreciate the evolution of work models. Many jobs now allow flexible schedules, prioritizing results over rigid time constraints.

9. Please share some of your passions and interests.

I love being outdoors. I find immense joy in activities like gardening and cooking so I grow vegetables in my garden and then cook them. I also love camping, and anything that allows me to be out in nature. Yesterday, my husband and I explored a local arboretum – the sunshine and natural environment were very invigorating.

Beyond the outdoors, spending time with my family and friends is vital to me. Having strong, long-lasting friendships brings me happiness. Whether it’s a quick lunch date or a four-day getaway with my girlfriends, these moments truly fill my soul. 

Time with family is a cornerstone of my life. While I don’t live near my siblings anymore, trips back to New York to visit them are pure bliss. My five children and 11 grandchildren all live nearby so I see them often. Seeing them light up when I show up with hugs at their homes or sporting events is a great feeling!  Even simple interactions, like a friendly chat with my next-door neighbor, while taking the trash out, bring me joy. Being surrounded by those I love and care about is truly life-enriching.

10. What’s your definition of success?

Success, to me, is a life filled with contentment and strong connections. It’s not about material possessions or accolades. True satisfaction comes from having a safe and comfortable home, enough to eat, and most importantly, the love and support of loved ones. It’s the human connections that are the most valuable to me. Having a strong support system gives you the confidence to navigate life’s challenges. 

Success is about reciprocity – caring for others who care for you. Opportunities come your way because of who you are. These opportunities can be for business ventures, friendships, or simply a shared laugh with someone. Success is about having a light heart, knowing that things are generally good, and confidence in having the capacity to handle challenges when they arise. It’s about the richness of human connection, not material possessions.

11. What are the favorite moments or memories you have at your work?

My work life brought many unique experiences, and two stand out in particular. The first was a personal milestone – receiving a company car. At the time, I was driving a very beat-up vehicle. We had completed a big training project. At the end of the project, I was told to go outside and there was a brand new vehicle for me sitting there. A brand-new vehicle was a fantastic surprise and a huge perk! 

Aside from that, the most rewarding aspect of my career was the incredible people I met. As a professional speaker. Mr. Hopkins crossed paths with many industry leaders and encouraged them to stop by our offices when in town. Imagine having casual conversations with the likes of Zig Ziglar, Earl Nightingale and Jim Rohn. Mr. Rohn was known as a contemporary philosopher. And his work changed my life. 

The list goes on – I got to meet Dr. Ruth, Ed Koch, the mayor of New York City, and NBA player Shaquille O’Neal. These weren’t fleeting encounters with celebrities. We connected as real people, and those moments hold value for me. Those experiences enriched my life beyond measure.

12. What goals or visions do you have for this year?

Travel is a huge passion for me, and this year, my biggest goal is to experience some other cultures. A trip to Ireland and the Netherlands is in the works! My mother’s Irish roots are strong, and I’m curious how those traditions have been woven into my upbringing. My dad’s father was Dutch. I am interested in uncovering our untold story. Since I can no longer ask my elders, this trip is a chance to explore my family’s past firsthand and understand how their traditions continue to shape me today.

Judy Slack’s inspiring story of learning and self-development demonstrates how she grew professionally and personally. By defying gender stereotypes and embracing continuous development, she thrived at Tom Hopkins International and rose to the position of Vice president of Business Development. She believes success stems from fostering meaningful connections and a genuine thirst for knowledge. She is a role model to many young women and youth who want to make a name for themselves. Her hard work and resilience will continue to inspire many to do so.