Frankie DeCarlo
One of the best parts of raising kids is watching them grow into amazing adults. My college roommate Pam DeCarlo and I were best friends roaming the halls at Regis University in Denver. After graduation we stayed connected in spite of distance, jobs and family commitments. We had kids at the same time and we shared many special moments as time and milestones passed quickly. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Francesca “Frankie” DeCarlo from birth. Francesca has always been a bright light in the world. As a young child she found her voice in musical theater and became a talented performer. At 24 years old, Frankie is on the fast track for her career in technical sales and marketing. She is an outstanding example of a young woman Living the b words.
Here is Frankie’s story:
TK: Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do for work?
FD: I'm a Denver native and graduate of Columbine High School. I attended college at the University of Colorado, Boulder (CU) and was in the Leeds School of Business. I decided to join a sorority and was on the leadership board there. Throughout college I had a number of professional internships, one taking me out to Los Angeles for the summer. I loved my summer there, and wanted to return after graduating. My first full-time job was at a large advertising agency in south-LA running ad campaigns for Toyota North America. I ultimately decided to return home to friends and family and pursue my current career in software sales.
When I was younger I was an avid performer in musical theatre; this wasn't something I ultimately pursued professionally, but I think it greatly helped me develop skills in my professional life like confidence, public speaking, and storytelling.
Frankie, CU Class of 2018
TK: After you graduated from college you moved to California for a while. How was it? What kind of challenges did you experience, and how did you address them?
FD: When I moved to LA the second time, I felt there was an underlying permanence that was not existent during my summer internship. Moving to a new city, relatively on my own and with few good friends nearby, was extremely difficult for me. I sought community in a church group and rekindled relationships with fellow CU alumni in the area. Still, I couldn't help but feel somewhat isolated.
Another challenge was that the professional experience I was getting was not aligned with my goals nor my potential. Because I had tunnel vision to be in advertising and work for a prestigious agency in a big city, I did not recognize the fact that I was underpaid, and under-utilized at my large company where my day-to-day work was unchallenging. There was little room for upward mobility within the company unless you stayed there almost your entire career.
My ultimate decision to come home and focus on a career that better aligned with my skills was one of the best personal decisions I have ever made. I think sometimes we force ourselves to keep pushing in situations that don't set us up best for success. Not only is my new career in better alignment with my personal skills and passions, but I will be far better compensated and have much more room for growth and eventually leadership.
Frankie and Family
TK: As a young female professional what kind of challenges do you experience in finding your niche in the workplace?
FD: While I fully recognize there are many more opportunities available to me than the women who came before me, it can still be challenging.
Internally, while I'm sure my company takes strides towards gender equality, there are 7 men and 3 women on my direct team. In a sales role you are continually evaluated on performance. For two quarters in a row, we have had one of the men and all three women in the top half of performance. This is a pool of candidates selected from hundreds of post-college applicants; if we can clearly perform, why aren't we better represented?
Externally, in my current role, it is my responsibility to reach out to the C-suite executives from 35 different companies each and every day and schedule meetings for Account Executives (my superiors). It dawned on me the other day that I don't recall a single time I have reached out to a CEO/President of a company who is a woman. One of my Account Executives has been in our industry for 20 years. In sales conversations, I am always surprised at how much easier it is for them to exchange in casual, personal conversations- sending their kids to college, golfing, sports, etc. It seems that he is able to relate to a prospective customer who is a carbon copy of him- thus, giving him a competitive advantage to someone like myself who won't be able to relate on these topics.
“It dawned on me the other day that I don’t recall a single time I have reached out to a CEO/President of a company who is a woman.”
TK: You recently became a pilates instructor. How do you manage this while working full time?
FD: Managing being a Pilates instructor while working a full-time job has been no small feat. My initial reasons for starting this chapter of my life were for personal growth, trying something new like instructing, having some kind of passion or interest outside my day-to-day job, and lastly- let's face it- to get free Pilates! I currently teach 4 classes a week. On Wednesdays, I go straight from work to the studio, for a near 14 hour workday. Like most things in life, this is a balancing act; I see this as an investment in my personal growth and overall wellness. What else would I be doing on a Wednesday night, washing my laundry or getting wine with my friends? These are both great things, too, but I make sure to time manage and spend other parts of my weeks on these events to prioritize Pilates.
One of my favorite moments was when a Senior VP at my company asked my team for a fun fact. Naturally, I shared that I was a Pilates Instructor. He instinctively remarked, "just make sure that it doesn't get in the way of your day-job." It took every bit of energy not to show him that I was leading my sales team in attainment, even with juggling a second job.
Frankie & her mother
TK: Do you have a mentor or role model?
FD: I have never been able to pinpoint a single role-model in life but rather a handful of women who have left me with some kind of gift, that have truly shaped and molded my life.
My Mother- for being my number one supporter and teaching me what it looks like to truly love and care for others, even if it means putting them before myself.
My Grandmothers- who unfortunately left me on this earth earlier than I would have wished, but taught me grace, dignity, class, style, and how to always put family first.
My Aunt Patty- who has been like another mom to me and taught me strength, encouragement, and love.
My Aunt Michelle- who has taught me to be fierce in my career, and that if you want it, all you have to do is roll up your sleeves and go get it.
My Sisters- for taking on newfound motherhood with courage and humility.
My professional mentor (former Disney Studios Exec) Lisa- for reassuring me that hard work and positivity will always take you where you need to be.
TK: Do you have a favorite quote or words to live by that you would like to share?
FD: There are nearly too many positive words of wisdom that I channel in my day-to-day life that people have blessed me with. I would encourage people to always stay true to themselves and their values. Quality is always better than quantity. Don't chase things for the wrong reasons; if you find something in life you're truly skilled or passionate about, the money will come eventually.
TK: What advice do you have for someone just graduating and trying to get started in a career?
FD: My biggest advice is to network early and network often. You never know where an opportunity may pop up. If someone reaches out to me on LinkedIn with intention to work at my company, I almost always put in a recommendation for them at my company, because I've been there before! Do your homework before interviewing (usually by talking to people currently within the company), and see what they say and what the company needs. At your first company/in your first role, be EXTREMELY curious and ask thoughtful questions. It shows to your company that you want to learn more, to get better, and grow, which helps you stand out. Be confident in your skills, and always keep your ears and eyes open.
