In this in‑studio interview, host Ashley talks with Reena Vokoun, founder and CEO of PassionFit, about practical strategies for thriving in today’s tight job market. Reena outlines four core tips: (1) be proactive by continuously acquiring high‑demand skills such as AI training, marketing automation, and data analytics; (2) seek and provide mentorship to accelerate career growth and create a supportive professional cycle; (3) invest in genuine networking—building real relationships through conferences, retreats, and internal events—to uncover hidden opportunities; and (4) always have a plan B, whether that means exploring adjacent industries, consulting, side‑hustles, or entrepreneurship, to reduce stress and maintain control. The conversation also highlights Reena’s upcoming Season 2 of her podcast, a Times Square billboard celebration of her award‑winning books, and her broader brand activities. The interview blends actionable career advice with personal branding updates, delivering an optimistic, supportive tone for viewers navigating a volatile employment landscape.
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I feel like we don't even need to introduce you anymore. You've been such a regular on this show, but if you're new here, PassionFit founder and CEO Reena Vokoun is here. You've got some great tips for success really within the workplace and your career today. What inspired you to put this list together for us?
Yeah, you know, last month we talked all about success as an entrepreneur, but I think there's probably so many of our viewers that are working for other companies, and it's been a tough job market, so I wanted to speak specifically about tips where you can feel in control and even shift your mindset to help you be successful in this ever-changing job market.
Okay, wonderful. Well, the first one seems pretty obvious. If you're just sitting around, good things aren't gonna happen to you. So you said you have to be proactive.
Absolutely. The economy is changing. You know, according to Indeed, only 50% of consumers that are spending are in the top 10% of earning potential. So when you look at jobs, jobs are becoming fewer and far between. And so make sure that you're getting the the right skills, whether it's AI training, whether it is focusing on marketing automation or data analytics. You don't want to get left behind, and you want to be somebody even within your company that is tapped on or upon for different job opportunities. So get the right trainings and skills to help elevate yourself.
How important would you say that mentorship is? You know, when we're thinking about learning from others, where would you kind of rank this on what we should be doing?
Yeah, I mean, I think it's number 2 on the list for a reason. In addition to having those buttoned-up skills, mentorship is a tried and true way to kind of keep your career growing. Find people in your field, um, within your industry that you work in that can share their wisdom and their knowledge and their experience to really help you navigate your own career. Because chances are any challenges you might be facing, somebody that maybe has 5 or 10 years more experience than you has been through it themselves. And then I also think it's important to give back and mentor the next generation as well so that it becomes this really nice full circle moment of mentorship and helping others in their careers.
So mentorship is one area of like really kind of the socialization that comes with working in the corporate world. Networking, super important as well.
Absolutely. I spent, you know, 16 years in corporate America before becoming an entrepreneur, and you can never underestimate the power of networking. And even in the world of AI, human connection is still important. And this isn't not superficial networking. I know a lot of people shy away from it for that reason, but this is about building genuine relationships, right? Helping others as much as they're helping you, building even friendships through it. So attend conferences, go to retreats, go to different networking events or happy hours, different off-sites even within your company so that you can meet people inside and outside of the company that you work for because you just never know when somebody has an opportunity that has your name written all over it.
You know, I think when we set goals, it's important to stay focused on your goal, But you don't wanna have blinders on, so you think it's really important that we have a plan B.
Absolutely. I think if this, you know, uncertain job market has taught us anything with layoffs and fewer job postings, you have to have a plan B. And that way you're gonna feel more in control, and that's gonna help positively impact your own stress levels, right? So just have a plan B in terms of maybe, you know, know a couple of different industries that you can work within based off of past experience, or a few different companies that you can always sort of have in your back pocket if things don't work out with your current company. Let's say if layoffs are going on. Maybe go back to school, maybe think about doing some consulting work on the side or create a side hustle or even start your own business and go into entrepreneurship like we talked about last month. But having that plan B is just gonna give you a little bit more peace of mind so that if things don't go the way that you planned, you have something in your back pocket to focus on.
Wonderful advice. We had all those tips up on the screen for all of you. And you know, we were showing some video. I don't know if we can bring the video up again, but it was a lot of fitness video and that's kind of really where you started with Pashmina. Fashion Fit, but you have expanded on just so much more, including one-on-one coaching when it comes to entrepreneurship and life coaching. And, um, season 2 of your podcast is coming out in September. What can we look forward to?
Yeah, season 2 is coming out, and there's going to be just, you know, some different types of elements with the guests that I interview. I, I'm literally booked out until April of 2027 with guests, which is really exciting. And then we're also going to take it out on the road, so there's an event in LA that my producer and I, and I are going to in September for LA Magazine, and so it's just really exciting. We're trying to kind of do different things and, and continue to share at the heart of it power moves that you can do to really help motivate yourself both personally and professionally.
It is such a lovely podcast, always inspiring every episode. And now even before season 2 comes out in September, you have a big trip to New York to celebrate some accomplishments. What are you going to be doing in New York?
Yes, and we'll have to talk about it on the show next month, but yeah, both of my books, as I talked about previously with you, Ashley, they won Book Excellence Awards, and so on August 15th, they are going to be featured on a billboard in Times Square for 24 hours, every hour on the hour, and so my husband and kids and I are actually going to go out to New York and make a weekend out of it and also go see it.
How fun! Well, congratulations on all fronts. We always appreciate having you in studio. I know you're super busy, and we have more health talk coming up after the break, a free health event for your whole family next.
