An Immigrant Nightmare Turned into the American Dream

Personal Journey

Background: I’m Arianny Mercedes, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. My early life was marked by significant challenges, including fleeing gun violence and systemic inequalities in my home country with my family. Despite these hardships, I excelled academically and graduated at the top of my high school class. However, at 18, I faced a significant setback when my scholarship was revoked due to my country of origin, despite being assured of a full ride. This setback was especially disheartening because it felt like my hard work had amounted to nothing.

The Challenge: The revocation of my scholarship was a profound personal and professional challenge. It left me feeling worthless and disillusioned as if my efforts had been in vain. The impact was not just emotional but also financial, as I had to navigate a new path under challenging circumstances. Either I went into over $150K in debt for an undergraduate degree or sucked up my ego and attended community college. I decided my ego was not that strong, so I attended community college. The Turning Point Defining Moment: The turning point came when I started working as a hostess at a high-end steakhouse. A regular guest, recognizing my potential, suggested I explore a career in human resources. This unexpected encouragement was the catalyst that sparked a change in my approach and mindset. He shared his business card with me and suggested I follow up.

Actions Taken: Embracing this new direction, I reached out to him. Long story, short, while still attending community college I was able to land a full-time role to help me afford my studies. I transitioned into human resources, which led to a successful career. I leveraged every opportunity to learn and grow, ultimately founding my own career and workplace consulting firm, Revamped.

I relied on mentorship, continuous learning, and my growing network to navigate and overcome the challenges I faced. Lesson Learned Key Takeaways: The most important lesson I learned is that setbacks can be redirections rather than dead ends. Overcoming adversity taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of unexpected opportunities. These experiences have shaped me into a more determined and resourceful professional.

Advice for Others: For those facing similar challenges, my advice is to remain open to unexpected opportunities and seek support from mentors and peers. Embrace setbacks as learning experiences and use them as fuel for your journey forward. Persistence and adaptability are key to overcoming obstacles. Achieving Success Current Achievements: Today, I am the founder of Revamped, a workplace consulting firm that has helped over 500 professionals. Additionally, I provide over 100K global followers with free resources, insights, remote job postings, and motivation to help them alongside their career strides. My book of total client salaries exceeds $10M, and I have accumulated over 7 years of HR experience. I also graduated from the University of Virginia with honors graduating debt-free and have worked with leading organizations like American Express and Accenture. These achievements are a testament to the resilience and determination that emerged from my early challenges.

My words and insights have been tapped by leading publications like US World News, Business Insider, CNN, and NPR. I've spoken on panels at Columbia Business School and conferences sponsored by leading tech companies including Google and Microsoft.

Future Goals: Looking ahead, I plan to continue expanding Revamped, helping more professionals achieve their career goals, and contributing positively to the workplace consulting industry. My vision is to inspire and support others in their professional journeys, making a lasting impact on their lives and careers.

I am also studying for the LSAT and GRE to embark on a path towards a JD/MBA as I aspire to transform my consultancy to offer legal council while mastering the essence of building a sustainable business. Inspiring Others: Be delusional. Believe in your wildest dreams. I encourage people, especially women from underserved communities to reflect on their own challenges and view them as opportunities for growth. No will always mean no if you let it.

Take the first step towards overcoming obstacles by embracing new opportunities and seeking support. Remember, resilience and a positive mindset can transform setbacks into powerful catalysts for success. Website: www.ariannymercedes.com

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/arianny