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When Cate Luzio left her banking career at 42, she didnt initially see herself becoming a founder.
Layra Marz Photography
I wasnt where I wanted to be culturally [at my former employer], she says.
She met with a mentor from JP Morgan to talk about her plan to find another banking job.
And he cautioned me and said, Why?
You want to do something where you have an impact.
And then I was severely depressed for six to eight weeks.
I thought, What did I just do?
I still think about that question six years later.
Did I make the right decision?
And I think that’s okay to admit.
I talk about this now more openly because I think founders need to hear that.
In the midst of her career transition, Luzio reluctantly went to a womens networking event.
I realized I could do it better.
So I wrote a business plan.
And that was it.
We’ve never had an tool process to join outside of our fellowship program.
I refuse to believe that you need an system to be part of a community.
Glamour: Whats your morning routine?
Cate Luzio:As soon as I wake up, I check my email.
I just want to confirm there’s nothing that’s coming that I need to attend to.
Usually there isnt but its a habit from being a banker.
Then I read the news and either call or text my mom.
Do you have a formula when getting dressed for work?
Oh yeah, definitely.
It is never about comfort.
It is always about what’s going to make me feel the most powerful.
If I don’t feel good in my outfit, I don’t feel good for my day.
You’ll very rarely see me dressed down.
I just feel like I have to be presentable.
Even during the entire pandemic, I never wore sweatpants or yoga pants.
I got dressed every day including putting shoes on.
I need to feel like I am at my best.
I tend to lean towards dresses but the jeans this fall have made a really good comeback.
Oh, yes jewelry.
So this is my rationale for the jewelry.
I don’t own china, but my grandmother always used to say, Use the china.
you’re able to’t wait for a special occasion.
So my version of china is my jewelry.
Why wait for a special occasion to wear it?
A lot of my jewelry that I wear every day is gifts from my partnerhe knows what I like.
But I love a high-low mix.
I love finding women-founded brands.
Gwen Beloti is a Luminary member and Black woman-founder who does gold jewelry.
I always have her bangle on.
One of these is Mejuri.
This is Mignonne Gavigan.
Its secondhand so I wonder who owned it.
I think of timepieces as generational hand-me-downs.
Who knows what the story isIm thinking its a powerful man who owned it.
What are the work essentials you cant live without?
I can’t live without a notebook.
And now my reading glasses.
But they make so many cute ones.
Oprah swears by them and you’re free to get them on Amazon.
And you’ll never catch me without heelsthat’s a big work essential.
They’re a big part of my armor every day as far as getting ready.
Peepers Shine On
Peepers
What was your childhood dream job?
I always wanted to be in a position of power.
When is the first time in your career that you felt successful?
When I got promoted to managing director at JP Morgan.
I was quite young, I was 33.
It was a huge point of pride for me.
Whats the best career advice youve ever gotten?
My first job out of college where I was getting paid was for a nonprofit in DC called Manna.
I was working there for about a year when the CFO at the time called me into his office.
He said, listen, you’re too good to stay here.
It was really the best advice I ever listened to.
How do you ask someone to be your mentor?
What does that look like?
I don’t think you do.
Mentoring can come in so many different forms.
I think that’s where people get stuck.
I think we have to change our definition of what a mentor is.
Mentoring to me is about building a relationship.
Where did you learn what a good leader looks like?
I grew up playing sports.
It’s a huge part of who I am, how I lead, and how I think.
You’ve got to go through a lot of tough shit when you’re on a sports team.
And the more ingrained in sports you get, the harder it is.
How do you use those lessons to fight for change?
I’m naturally a connector.
If it feels like people are not connecting, that’s going to be my biggest challenge.
Like, no, we’re walking out of here in love with each other.
How do you deal with rejection?
A no is always a maybe.
There were plenty of times that I wanted something and didn’t get it.
There’s very little that’s going to hold me back or hold me down.
What does self-care look like for you?
I have a really great relationship with my boyfriend.
That’s really important to me.
He puts things into perspective very easily.
