In this episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly Williams talks with Ari Montanez, a footwear designer whose journey is a powerful example of what happens when discipline, curiosity, and action come together. From leaving home at a young age to building a career in design and working alongside industry leaders, Ari shares how he navigated uncertainty, embraced opportunity, and created his own path forward. Beverly highlights the importance of effort, follow-through, and recognizing opportunity, reinforcing that success is never accidental. Ari’s story is not just about talent. It is about resilience, intentional decision-making, and the willingness to step outside of traditional paths to build something meaningful. Key Points Early discipline shapes long-term successAri’s experience at St. Benedict’s instilled structure, accountability, and leadership early on. Being responsible for peers and pushed through rigorous challenges built a mindset that carried into his career. Growth comes from being “thrown into the water” Leaving home as a teenager forced Ari to adapt quickly. He learned through trial, failure, and persistence, gaining real-world experience that couldn’t be taught in a classroom. Success requires action, not just ambition Beverly emphasizes that dreams alone are not enough. Progress comes from pursuing internships, building relationships, and consistently following up and following through. Create your own opportunitiesAri didn’t wait for doors to open. He sought out programs, internships, and jobs that aligned with his interests, even leveraging connections and positioning himself strategically to gain access. Real-world experience accelerates growthBy working while in school, Ari gained hands-on industry knowledge early. This gave him a competitive advantage and allowed him to transition into professional roles before many of his peers. Diversify your learning and perspectiveAri intentionally explored areas beyond his core focus, including marketing, photography, and retail. This broader understanding helped him think holistically about product design and business. Failure is part of the processStruggling in certain areas of school did not stop Ari. Instead, he adapted, focused on his strengths, and continued to move forward in ways that aligned with how he learns and works best. Purpose evolves with experienceAs Ari matured, his focus shifted from simply building a career to creating meaningful products with long-term value. His journey reflects a transition from chasing opportunity to defining purpose. Ari’s journey is a reminder that success is not linear and rarely comfortable. It is built through discipline, adaptability, and the courage to pursue opportunities others might overlook. Beverly Williams reinforces a simple but powerful truth: if you want to move forward in your career, you must be willing to put in the work, stay intentional, and take action when opportunity appears. Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.  Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices