Taking the next step

When I first applied for The Global Leadership Mentoring Programme, my goal was to develop my leadership skills. I was seeking solid mentorship to help me take the next step in my career. However, as the sessions unfolded, I realized that my focus wasn’t just about leadership development — it was about defining the path that I truly wanted to pursue.

What initially seemed like a midlife career crisis — that feeling of uncertainty and confusion — quickly turned into an opportunity for reflection. I had been feeling the weight of figuring out how to transition into the luxury marketing space and how to carve out a successful niche for my venture. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I wasn’t just struggling with career direction. I was also grappling with refining my own business model, defining both the service and product I wanted to offer.

Session one with Dino Myers-Lamptey

In the first mentoring session with Dino Myers - Lamptey, I shared that I felt quite lost in my journey. I had the desire to pivot into luxury marketing strategy but didn’t quite know how to connect the dots. Dino’s approach was exactly what I needed — it was practical and action-oriented. He helped me recognize that the skills I had gained from my past roles, where I had worked at the intersection of transformation, marketing, and human resources, were transferable and could be applied to the luxury sector.

What was even more valuable was that Dino encouraged me to put my thoughts into action by starting small, creating thought pieces, connecting with luxury brands, and building case studies. He suggested I begin coaching within the industry to build my confidence, develop expertise, and establish myself as a subject matter expert. I walked away from that session with a clear plan, and I immediately enrolled in a coaching program, completing the first module. I can now begin to offer coaching as a side practice while continuing to focus on my luxury marketing goals.

Session two with Jason Foo 

The second session with Jason Foo took the conversation to another level. It was clear from the beginning that Jason wasn’t there just to check off the usual mentor boxes. He was genuinely curious about where I was in my journey, acknowledging the fact that a lot had changed since I first applied. We dove deep into my confusion and the internal struggle I was facing with my pivot and venture. Jason’s experience with luxury clients made him a valuable sounding board, and he offered a candid view of what my next steps could look like.

Jason emphasized that it might be challenging — not impossible — to transition directly into a leadership position in the luxury sector, but he suggested that a sideways move, or even a step back, could be a viable option for gaining experience. The real breakthrough, though, came when Jason asked me time and again, “Why do you want to do this?” He wanted to get to the heart of my passion, and I shared with him how the ballet show sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels had made a profound impact on me. It was a moment when I realized that my love for luxury marketing wasn’t just about a career move; it was about a deeper creative calling.

My Eureka Moment 

What followed was a powerful moment of realization: I told Jason about how I’ve always had an eye for fine things, sharing a funny story about how my sister teases me for picking up designers before their prices soar. I realized that this "eye" could be a key part of my journey — especially when I combined it with my expertise in storytelling. Jason loved the idea and encouraged me to pursue it, even if it started small. It was exactly the kind of side venture that could build over time, while also adding value to my expertise.

Jason also helped me see the importance of networking. He advised me to keep looking for opportunities and connecting with people within my network, especially those who could introduce me to others in the luxury space. He suggested that building these connections would be crucial to eventually getting my foot in the door.

The final insight Jason left me with was simple yet profound. I shared how, for a long time, I had been trying to decide between building my own venture and working in the corporate world. I felt as though I was constantly swimming back to the familiar, not knowing how to move forward. Jason reframed this for me: instead of seeing it as an either-or situation, he suggested I could travel both paths simultaneously. That realization has been a game-changer for me. Maybe I don’t have to choose between my dream of luxury marketing and building my own business. Perhaps I can pursue both in parallel — living my dream while still working within the corporate world.

These mentoring sessions have been a turning point, addressing both my confusion around pivoting into luxury marketing and my struggles with refining my business model. I walked away from both conversations not just with action plans but with a renewed sense of purpose. The journey may still have its challenges, but thanks to the insights from Dino and Jason, I now feel equipped to move forward with confidence, knowing that the path to success is not linear — it’s about exploring, connecting, and ultimately trusting the process.

Authored by Anshika Tandon

Published on 22 April 2025