What happens when a talented engineer reaches her breaking point with workplace inequality? She builds something better.
Monica Hernandez, founder of Infinity Growth, takes us through her remarkable journey from Colombian immigrant to successful entrepreneur and advocate for women in STEM fields. The turning point in her 17-year corporate engineering career came when she was instructed to pay an equally qualified female candidate less than a male counterpart simply because "she only asked for 80." That day, Monica decided if there was no workplace offering equal pay and opportunity, she would create one herself.
Our conversation explores the psychological conditioning that leads women to consistently ask for less than they deserve. Monica shares how mentors throughout her career encouraged her to "fit in" and "blend" rather than embrace her authentic self. This pattern extends across cultures, particularly in Latin American communities where women traditionally put themselves last. As Monica wisely observes, children don't learn from how they're treated, but from watching how their parents treat themselves.
The discussion ventures into eye-opening territory about male-dominated workplaces that overlook basic accommodations for women—like bathroom waste baskets for sanitary products in offshore facilities. These seemingly small oversights communicate powerful messages about who truly belongs in these professional environments and who remains an afterthought.
Monica offers profound wisdom through her favorite quotes, including "Life is beautiful and life is hard, and one doesn't cancel the other." She shares details about the upcoming WeDo (Women's Entrepreneurial Day) Summit in Vancouver on November 18th, and introduces us to her 12-year-old son Lucas's remarkable book "The Light Within," which offers simple yet powerful guidance for navigating stress and challenging emotions.
Listen to this episode for a masterclass in resilience, authentic leadership, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. If you're seeking inspiration to break free from limiting environments and create something better, Monica's story will light your path forward.
YouTube: Welcome to the Materials.Business Podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2p78aF08QzHdIydykh4SXM?si=0f787e5853c743d0
Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/materials-business/id1754234797
And here is Luca's book's link again: https://a.co/d/6rk7KSI
If this conversation stirred something in you… good. That’s where change begins.
Make sure you’re subscribed, share this with someone who needs it, and if you’re ready to tell your story, step into your voice, or build a life that actually feels like yours… You’re in the right place.
I’m Julie Fairhurst, and this is where stories turn into power.
Go to my website if you would like to be a guest on the Women Like Me Stories & Business in the toolbar click Let's Podcast
