Ines Manziano: From Teen Workaholic to Venture Capital Visionary

I do really believe 100% from every part of me that everyone has the capacity to be able to do the things that they want and not to be held back by the mental baggage that's in our head that we want to push through.

Welcome to the do the Thing podcast. In each episode, we get down and personal with people who go after the things they want to make all their wildest dreams come true. Join us as we unveil and dissect a formula for what it takes to do the thing. Here is your host, Stacy Lauren.

Hey, everyone.

Welcome to the do the Thing podcast. This is your host, Stacy Lauren. Well, you guys, I'm excited because of my adventures and getting to go out and about and do new things. I met my next guest. Anytime I've talked to her, I could just tell that she is doing the thing with everything she's doing, whether it's the company she's working with, the travel she's doing, the people she's connecting to, and just how. Man, I want to say how fast she moves, because I don't even know how she does everything she does. She's managing a million things at the time, all the time, and able to balance all of it. And it's amazing when you get to see the end result of something that someone is doing. And I would was just really excited to get to talk to her because I want to actually get inside her brain to learn how she does all of this stuff. Because, as you guys know, with do the Thing, it's not just important to do the thing, but it's important to really tap into who you are and how you can live your life in the way that you want to and not because someone else says that you should. So I am welcoming Inez to the show. Hey, Inez.

All right. Thanks for the big go. Welcome. Yeah.

I'm so excited to have you here.

Me too.

So, okay, I'd love to start off and just have you share your story.

Which one? So many.

Yeah, we'll kind of go on your do the Thing story. So just we'll kind of grab whatever feels good to start at from 5 years old or.

Yeah, you don't need to go that far back, but I'll go back. I guess. I've always been a workaholic, unfortunately, but never to my detriment. I think at least I've been working since I was very young, probably about 12 or 13 years old, before I was technically allowed to. So I just worked off the books. I'm originally from the Northeast, so it's not that hard to find those type of jobs unfortunately. So I worked all through high school, worked all through college and then after college I worked, started working professionally I guess is how I would call it because it was a typical 9 to 5, 40 hour week job. I started my world in banking. Originally I started there mainly because again northeast I lived in New Jersey. So I worked in New York City and in New Jersey combo starting in banking I went to school for forensic psychology. So my original plan was to become an agent. That was what I really wanted, that was my goal. And then after college the rules of becoming a specific FBI agent are either get your master's or have a professional career in institute like a business institute. So I hate school. So I swore I would never go back to school again. So I decided to go to the banking route, started working there and then I met my now ex husband and then he kind of just changed my course in life just because he didn't want me doing that. He didn't want me getting shot at, which I understand and respected him enough and liked him enough to say okay, I'll just continue in banking. So I stayed in banking. We moved out of the northeast to Chicago. We lived there for. I was there at least for just over 10 years. And then I fell into venture capital is where I was working. So still banking ish, but different. We worked for a small family business and they invested in a lot of companies and or owned a lot of different companies. Most of it was in tech and then one of it was a product based business. So that's where I started my world in products was long time ago and then I learned all the ins and outs. I was the right hand to the CEO of that specific product based company. So I did everything but my main job was I was her assistant but then obviously handled everything that she needed. And then I also started doing accounting work with them just because anytime something was like hey, we need to reduce fees, we need to fire a person, I'm like I'll do it. I'll like I always had my hand up. I always wanted to learn. I love learning new things. I specifically love working for companies where I can do everything. To me it's just, it's who I am as a person. I want to know all the ins and outs so that I can help the company get better progress and just do more. I don't call myself an entrepreneur. I'm probably more of an entrepreneur just because I will always be someone's right hand. But I'm not Going to be the girl that's going to go out and start her own business. I just have no interest in it. But I love helping people with the visions. I want to be able to do whatever I can for them. So I was there. I left Chicago, and then I went back into banking because I moved back to the Northeast for a few years and then ultimately got tired of the Northeast and came to Texas. And that's where I met Ryan, but didn't work for him right away. I worked for a different company. They were also a startup. They were more e commerce, though they didn't have a physical product. It was an e commerce company. So I started working for them, and I met Ryan. Cause Ryan was friends with the CEO at the time, and so I met him. They podcast, of course. We did podcasts. So he did a couple podcasts with them. And so I would talk to him. And then one time I went to one of Ryan's events, Capcom specifically. And I think it was in 2017 was when I went and I saw Ryan. And as soon as Ryan saw me, he warm welcome, remembered my name. And like, you introduced me. My name's Inez. No one remembers my name. It's a different name. It's not a common name. So no one ever remembers it. So the fact that he met me, maybe. He definitely met me maybe once, maybe twice before, and immediately welcomed me with open arms, like, hey, come on over. Introduced me. So we're in the green room too. He introduced me to all the speakers, and like, you need to talk to this person. Ryan barely knew me, but he knew how to connect me. And also, it was really nice and welcoming. I was like, wow, he's a really nice human, this guy. He's a good dude. So then I stayed for the event, and then I went, I left. And then within probably a few months, I decided I didn't want to be at that company anymore. And I was looking for a new role. And my boss at the time knew it was a reciprocal thing. We're gonna break up now. So he was at the gym with Ryan or something. Of course he's at the gym with Ryan. And Ryan asks how I'm doing. He's like, oh, how's Inez doing? And he's like, oh, she's good. She's looking for a new opportunity. And so he's like, wait a. What does she do? And then my boss is like, everything. And he's like, well, that's a loose statement. He's like, can I talk to her? And he's just like, yeah. He's like, I'll ask her. She's okay with it, but sure, you can talk to her. And he's like, okay. So then he asked me, of course I'll talk to Ryan. He's the nicest guy in the world. I don't know anyone nicer than him. Sure, I'll. I'll talk to him. So I talked to Ryan in our first interview with. Basically, he's like, what do you do? I'm like, ryan, I do everything. But here's a list of the most basic things I can do. But I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty. I don't even know what you do. I don't know what capitalism does. I knew nothing about his company at all. But I love helping people, and I love making your life easy. That's how I always give it to entrepreneurs. I'm like, I know how to make your life easy if you let me work with you and. And let me in on everything. But you need to let me in on everything. Otherwise, I have no idea where you need the most help. But I'm very good at working with someone and seeing what they're doing is ridiculous, and I can handle it much faster or hire someone to do it, and they don't need to worry about that anymore. So he basically like, you're hired for the most part. I mean, I went through the process, interviewed a bunch of times, and then ultimately they hired me. And now I've been with him for just over six years.

Wow.

Six years. Five years. Six years, Yeah. I don't know. Long time. Six years. Yeah. I believe it's six years of our anniversary. So for him, he always says I'm his right hand, which is probably the easiest way to put it. I work with him in all of his businesses. I do various tasks in all the businesses, but it's more. I help him build whatever he. The next project is. So now we're working on a new project. I'm helping initiate it, create the beginning frame of it, and then ultimately we'll hand it to someone else to run. But being who I am, I love the building part of it, because then I know how everything works. And so I'll know if something breaks or there's an issue, I can catch it relatively easy to make sure that we can fix it or address it, or if just the wrong person's in the role running the company, it's easy for me to step in, take care of whatever's happening at the moment, and then help Rehire the new person that can come in and do that.

Yeah, it's amazing when you get to see you. Right. When you see someone that's you just. I could literally see all the things that you touch. Right. With that company and just all the people that are then able to be helped by the stuff that you're doing. The words that you said, which I feel like this is where we have to go for a minute. But you said how to make their life easy. What does that look like for you?

First of all, how do you have.

The confidence to say that? That's so cool. I love that. And then also, how do you actually do it? Do you have a framework that you use, or is there something that kind of helps you?

It's different with everyone. I look at it more. I know how to fix what's broken. It doesn't matter what's broken. I may not even be an expert at the field, but I can figure out how to get it done. I'm scrappy in the sense that I'll probably Google it, and now I'm going to AI it because that just makes life really easy now. But I can see where there's a hole or I can see where there is the issue. So when we talk about a new business or anything, a new product even, Ryan is a visionary, 100% visionary. He's not a doer. He tells you what he wants. And then I will say to him, here's why we can't do this. Well, I. I find the issues and things. I guess that's probably what it makes me so good at, that is that I can see the problems that are going to come up with whatever we're about to create or produce. And if I don't catch the problem right away, I can catch it while we're going through the system, and then I can clean it up and fix it and address it then. So whenever I work with entrepreneurs like Ryan specifically, I sit with him and just listen to him. We talk about whatever it is that he's working on or even thinking about. I can tell him, here's why this is a good idea. Here's why this is a bad idea. Here's how we can make it work. Or like, this is just not something we should do right now. Let's wait two years. We're not ready yet as a company. So it's easy for me to see a hole in a product or a problem before anything else.

Where do you think that comes from?

I'm always expecting the worst. Not even I mean, that's the only thing I'm a cynic by. Truly, I'm a cynic. I'm always waiting for the shoe to drop and something bad to happen. So I'm looking for it before it can happen and truly affect us or affect me even as a person.

Well, I think the interesting thing is though, because if you were a full cynic, right, then they fall into the problem and they can't bring it back up. So how are you able to just know that you could just fix any problem? How does that come up?

Honestly, I think it's just. I'm just always been a confident person and I. And almost to the point where I think growing up, I was. I. I grew up with siblings, so I was just. And I was the last child, so I was mostly ignored, which no big deal. But I also never wanted the spotlight. So I didn't. It didn't affect me that I was doing that. But I also wasn't seen. A lot of times they weren't paying attention to me. So as I got older, I'm like, how do I make myself seen? And I think that's where I realized I saw so much as being had no one paid attention to me. I just saw everything going on all the time. I can figure it out easier than most people because I'm not. You're talking to, let's say, person named Jane. I'm just sitting there listening to conversations. And I think that's why the introvert in me is helpful, because I don't insert myself into a lot of stuff because I'm listening to everything else around me go on. And then I can see all the things happening and being like, oh, that's going to be a problem, or, oh, here's where I can see that being an issue. So seeing it in that view has helped me see the issues. And because I was never seen me putting my foot forward at all. I needed to prove myself. So I feel like doing it is also proof of I can do this. And I know I can do this because I know I'm a confident person and I know I have skills. So let me show you I can do this.

Where do you think the confidence comes from?

I honestly don't know. Maybe. My father always told me I was amazing growing up. I don't know. I just think that. I mean, my father was always very positive with us growing up. He always said if we got a 98 on a test, he's like, what happened to the other two points? And we're just like, well, but it didn't matter. He's like, I know you can do better, do better. But in a loving way. It wasn't like a. We were never scolded for. He was just like, I know you can do better. Do your absolute best all the time. And so I think maybe that just as a very young kicks. He passed away when I was very young. Maybe just as a young child hearing that all the time, I know you can do better. I have that in me. I can do that. He's right. I can do this. And I. I've proven myself that I can. And I'll be the first to admit if I can't do something, I will try, I will fail. And they're like, hey, I can't do this. And here's where I need help. But here's where I think I can hire someone to help because I don't know if you can do it either. I kind of know my weaknesses too, but I always want to try first because more so I love learning and I love knowing how to do everything, which is funny that I never liked school. It's weird to me that I never liked school because I do love learning. And now as an adult, an older adult too, I'm constantly looking at classes to take. So it's weird. Like, oh, now complete went reverse. I'm like, I want to take some classes now. I'm learning a new language. Once I master that, let's say I want to learn another language. Recently I was like, I want to start sewing. So I'm going to probably start sewing soon just to sew. It's just stuff like I just love learning new tips that it just makes me feel good, I guess. I don't know.

Yeah, so I'm fascinated with. It's a lot of people call em lateral skills. And as I was exploring lateral skills that I'm calling it Life Assets now I have a whole episode on it. And I just love seeing these connection dots between something that happened when you're younger and then these skills that were built either through something you didn't have or something you did and then how that's translating to now. Because what you're doing now is not.

I don't want to say not normal.

But it is rare to find someone that could do what you're doing where you're able to fix any problem and you're. Even if you can't figure it out, you're figuring out who can. So you're just able to really tap into to all of that. And it sounds like almost too on top of your, your dad giving you praise and instilling that confidence in you, which is incredible. But having worked since you were 12 and 13, I'm imagining those stints of different things that you did. Probably did something there with that belief too.

I'm sure it did. I'm sure. I remember I semi remember my jobs back then. I just remember always school work, school work. That was my life from when I as long as I can remember. I mean I was taking buses to work just because it was like I worked for a family business and because again I was getting paid under the table so I had to get there and it was about a half hour journey from my house and I'm doing this at 13 years old. It was weird that I did it too.

Yeah, yeah. So you have that figuring it out muscle landed on.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And you're okay with uncertainty it sounds like.

Yeah. Which is why I think I like exploring and traveling. You know what I mean? Just because it gets me there's. It's always uncertain wherever you go and so going to weird places. It's like I don't know what's going to happen when I get there. But I'm looking forward to it. Like I'm never dreading it, I'm looking forward to it. I'm like oh, a new challenge which I think I like moving too. I've moved to handful of times and every time I'm like, I get so excited by I'm like oh my God, there's going to be a new grocery store I could find. There's going to be restaurants. There's always something to explore and find in these little pockets of places that I go to. So I do enjoy that in life.

Yeah, I'd love to talk a little bit about your travel too. Just because every time I've seen you I feel like you've like just come from another trip. Do you mind just kind of sharing a little bit more about.

Yeah, that so yeah, I do. I try to. At least I hope so. I'm very excited for this year's journey. So this year is going to be a good one. Well, not that they're ever bad but I do love traveling all over the world. Ideally I wasn't really able to until after I got divorced because my ex husband hated it so I couldn't so I almost felt restricted. And also once I get to get divorced I'm like I'm with anyone, they better travel non negotiable, don't care about anything else, they better travel, so they better have their passport ready. So my current husband, he loves travel. He actually travels for work domestically, so he's always on a plane, but he never complains because I always want to go international. Our rule is, together, we have to do at least one international trip every other year. But me personally, I'm going to go internationally every year. Like some friends, I'll go somewhere just because with his work, it's hard because he does travel so much. But I was like, no, no. And then when the off year, the off year for us, we're going to do a lot of domestic travel. So this year is our big international trip. We're going to Antarctica.

Oh, my gosh. How cool is that?

I'm so excited for this trip. I'm so excited.

When are you going?

November. So that's when their summer starts, and their summer is not summer, but it's better than right now.

Yeah.

Okay.

That's so cool. So what brought that on? Was there something that got you excited or.

It came out of literally nowhere. This was the year. We're going international. I have a map above my desk, literally above my monitor of the world, and I have pins in everywhere I've been to. And then like, okay. We were staring at it, and I'm like, where do you want to go? And we just went to Europe for our honeymoon, which was two years ago. We went to Spain and Portugal and traveled both countries. All of Portugal and most of Spain, at least not all of it. But I was like, I don't necessarily want to go back to Europe just because we were just there. Where else can we go? So then we. We can go to Iceland. We can go. I love Australia. So I was like, can we go back to Australia? He's like, I want to go somewhere you haven't been yet. And I'm like, okay. And then I'm just staring. Then he's looking. He's like, what about Antarctica? He said it. And I'm like, you'll go to Antarctica? And he's like, yeah. And because it's very cold, my husband hates the cold. So I was like, yoga. He's like, yeah. I'm like, oh, let's do this. I'm like, all right. Well, don't put this in me if you don't want to. And he's like, no, let's do this. So we start researching it, and then we realize you need to book an article way in advance. They're saying a minimum of a year in advance because you have to do it via cruise. There's no. Because there's no hotels there. You can't stay there. The only way to get there or to visit it is via a cruise. You can fly and land there, but then you're getting on a cruise to then tour it, because there's no. There's no such thing as a hotel there. So we started researching it, and then I went down that rabbit hole of figuring that out. I have a good friend who is also a travel agent. When I reached out to her. Cause I was like, I need help with this. This is something that I need an expert, because I don't know I'm the right person to find this. And by coincidence, when I reached out to her, she was at a conference with a lot of other travel agents. And so she met the specialist that does the cruises. He only focuses on Antarctica cruises. She's like, you are so lucky you got me right now, because I have the best person to talk to. So she talked to him forever and then came back to me. She's like, all right, here are your options. And she just gave me a couple options. I then dived into all of them to see which one was best fit for us. So I am a big adventurer. I don't want to just sit on a boat, especially because it's a cruise. I don't want to sit on a boat and have a cocktail. I want to go and see the. I want to hang out the penguins and ideally see whales and see all the animals that are out there. So when I was looking at it, I was stuck between two different boats. One was pure adventure. It's a smaller. It's a smaller ship. They only max out, I think, at 76 people. Guests on board, not including staff. So when I was looking into it at the ports in Antarctica, they max it at 100 people. So I'm like, wait a minute. If I take this smaller boat, I get more opportunity to see more places. Yep, that's what I want. And she's like, but this other one is much nicer. And they're free cocktails. I don't care about drink. I don't care about that. I want to be able to get. I want to not be on the boat as much as possible. I want to go see things. And then she's like, well, do you want a kayak? And I'm like, yes. And so she's like, we need to book that now too, then. So we also rented kayaks. So for us, at least, they only allow 10 people to get this, we have our own kayak, so we can take it all the. The whole time we're on the. We're there, we can just take them and go wherever we want. I'm like, oh, like, this is gonna be so much fun.

So, yeah, it's so great because you're just able to just jump in. Right. And so that's coming from a lot of years of just you probably doing things and then seeing that you're good. And then it just keeps building the confidence up, which then can compound over time.

Yeah. And I think. I mean, not to be mad at my ex husband, but I'm slightly mad at him in the sense that he held me back with everything that now I'd like, I'm never gonna let that happen. And I'm gonna take every possible opportunity I can to do what really makes me happy. And that's where I'm like, this is it. Everyone I told I'm going to Narca, they're like, what? Either I get a reaction of that's really cool, or why would you go there? And I'm like, why wouldn't I? It's. Oh, it's on pretty much everyone's bucket list, you know? I mean, someone's gonna be like, that would be cool to go there. I'm. Again, it's. Of course it's on my bucket list. It's South Pole. Like, who goes to the South Pole? And I was like, and at this time, I'm healthy physically. I can financially afford it. Why wouldn't I just go instead of waiting for someday? I think everyone's always waiting for someday. But what if someday doesn't happen? Or what if Sunday, when someday happens, where everything goes, something might, like, your health might not be great, or you might not be able to afford it. This. I'm like, I can easily do it right now. I was like, let's go for it. Because there's a good chance I'll go back if I can. You know what I mean? I don't want to go to every country just once. If I can go multiple. If I love it and can go again, I absolutely would. Which is why I want to go back to Australia. I've been there, but I loved it, so I definitely want to go back.

Was there anything that helped you after the divorce to get into this mindset where you're ready to go now? Was there a shift at all?

I think. I mean, I didn't know it while I was married that he held me back so much. I didn't consider it just, it was a loving relationship. He was very good to me as a human. He was a very nice guy. But once I was going through the emotions and therapy and everything of realizing, wow, he really stopped me from having my life. I think it woke me up to be like, you need to have your life. And knowing me before him and even after, no one believes me on how much I would held back with him. They're like, you the way you are. And I'm like. But I wasn't like that when I was married. I was very almost numb, it felt like. And it could just because I was just dealing with a lot of trauma in general during the time of being married. I was, we married. I was very young. I was 23 years old. So I mean, I was very young. My father had passed away. I think I probably never really dealt with that. Had other things in high school and stuff that happened that I never dealt with with. So I think meeting my ex, it helped me just not have to worry. I wasn't as worried anymore with life. And then once we were getting, when we, once we were breaking up and everything, I was just like, I don't need to worry, I can enjoy, I don't need to be held back in order to truly enjoy what I really want to do and just finding out what is it that I want to do. And I think I always got pushed into even jobs. I did things that I thought I was supposed to, like banking. I'm from the northeast, so banking's normal. Everyone goes into banking in some banks. So it's like you just. You do what that you're supposed to do that you're supposed to do that. The company I worked for in Chicago, the CEO I worked for, she really helped me see my potential work wise too, because she kept giving me more and more opportunities to do more and more. So I think that's when I also realized, wow, I can. I'm way more capable of doing a lot more than I even thought for myself. And then coming to Austin and working for Ryan. Ryan, sky's the limit. Honestly, he's just like, he just tells me all the time, stop holding yourself back. Please be you. Be yourself. Even this week he said it to me. He's like, he's like, remember when we had this conversation a couple of weeks ago with this other, with another partner of ours? He's like, remember how you were go, yeah, I was. He's like, you were so confident and you were so you. I want that girl all the time. And I'm like, okay, I almost need the permission sometimes from my boss because I. I've been yelled at for being too much me. So I've had. In every banking job I've had, I'm not allowed to be me at all. Even to the point where I couldn't show my tattoos. None of my bosses knew I had them. You know, I mean, they were all. Everything was hidden. I was reserved and brought down. So that's when I left that last banking job in New York that I was like, I will never work for someone like that again. That just. It just was not a good place for me. Instead of pushing me down, it just made me really angry. And I was like, I don't like angry. And I was just like, it's not fun at all. And I just want to be happy and just live my best life.

So it's so, so huge what you're saying. Do you mind giving some advice to people listening that maybe have been told whether they're in a relationship or they're at a job with friends, that they're too much them. That they're too much for that person or too much for that job or too much for that relationship. How would you help them? Kind of they.

So they very well may be too much for that person. Job, relationship. They're just with the wrong person. They're in the wrong place. They're not with someone that can help bring them out. If someone isn't shining all your glories all the time, then you're not in the right position ever. Whether it's a relationship with a business or a personal relationship, even friendship. I've broken up with friends that have said, you're too dominant. I do have a friend that tells me that. She's like, you. You come off dominant. And I'm like, I am dominant. But that's just because I'm confident. I'm not dominant, aggressive. I'm confident. And I'm sorry if that offends you, but then maybe you shouldn't be my friend because I'm not going to stop being who I am or how I am. Because when people say that to me, I can tell, is that a compliment or are they saying something negatively? And when it's a compliment, I'm like, thank you, I appreciate that. They're like, no, yeah, it's great on. It looks great on you. And some people are just like, I don't know how to handle it. I'm like, well, that's your problem, not mine. So it's like, that's not Me? Yeah.

It just makes me see because you know who you are so deeply to the core, and you've already lived that life where you weren't able to kind of have the freedom that you wanted, that you are okay telling people what you need and what you want in order to be.

You have. You have to be okay with breaking up with relationships that you might think are right or good for you, but probably aren't, because, again, if you're not who you really are, then you're. That's not the right relationship for you. I've had to do that with all of my relationships, whether it's work or personal, except my current stance right now, which is probably why I feel so great in my own skin right now. My husband does anything. He never has said to me, you're never said to me, you're too much. He's like, no, I love that about you. And same with Ryan. He's like, I love that about. You know what I mean? It's like, that's who you are. I need that girl to come out more and not someone who's like, timid or shy. And I'm like, well, I'm never timid or shy. I just might have a heavier filter than usually than usual, I guess.

Yeah, I think you're right. I think it's like we all have those moments, but when you have someone that's able to support and encourage that, it just makes all the difference in the world.

Well, and if when you have people that support and encourage it, you're not afraid to naturally do it. Whereas I have friends that are like, well, I'm just really honest. And I'm like, no, you're just rude. There's a difference with that, too. I'm not rude to anyone. And I will never say something that's mean or nasty to anyone. I'm going to be polite because that's what they deserve. They've deserved my respect. So. And I want that back. But when people say nasty stuff to me, I'm like, that's not okay. I also won't take it. And I think as a kid, too. I mean, when I was a kid, I saw a lot of bullying. I was never bullied, thankfully, But I saw it. And back 30 years ago was when I was 35 years ago, probably even more so when I was young, that was new to the world. That wasn't common, but I noticed it. And I would always stand up for the person being bullied because I never liked it, because I was. I almost like, was their Voice. So I got in trouble a lot in high school for that, because I was someone else's voice. And they're like, you said, well, no, because you're inappropriate. And this doesn't. This kid doesn't deserve what you're doing to them. So I was. And I. And that still goes on in life. When I see an injustice like that makes me go bonkers. If I see something happening, I immediately will jump in, whether I know them or not, and try to alleviate that person. Because I can see the person getting beaten down and that they don't know how to stand up for themselves. And I'm like, I will do it for you. I will jump in and help you. Because I don't want anyone ever feeling that they need to be in that position or that. Or treated that way, because no one deserves that ever.

Yeah, it's amazing because earlier you're saying that not feeling seen at home, but then you're able to be people's voice outside. So it's like you're able to take that into something that is now helping people.

Yeah. And I work in rescue to dog rescue because I love dogs and stuff, too. So same with that. I will help. If I can help a dog, I will help a dog. And I want to. I always told Ryan my goal is to be a multibillionaire so that I can buy a lot of land and save every dog in the world. I want them all on my property. I want hundreds of acres, and I want them all so that I know that they're taken care of and that there's nothing happening to these poor animals in the world. Because I was like, there's no one that can fight for them. I want to fight for them because they deserve it because they're beautiful creatures.

Okay. So for the introverts that are listening, let's talk to them.

Believe it or not, I have an actual interview. Yeah.

And we connect in that way, too. So it's like, how in the world. Because you're the. Just so you guys know, Inez is literally the. I'm using my arms because I can't even think of the words. But everything in that business where she's around all these people all the time organizing everything. Some people don't understand there's certain ways that an introvert can process, get energy and all that. I'd love to just have you share a little bit there.

Sure. So it's funny. So we do events. We do big events and small events. I am the person that does all the events as well, at the company. And it's funny because when Ryan gives me kudos on stage, I want to hide. It makes me cringe. And I literally want to hide all the time. It makes me so uncomfortable. And he loves doing it to me because he knows it makes me so uncomfortable. And that's where my true introvert comes out. I'm like, oh, my God, Just don't. I get it. Ryan, I know you appreciate my hard work. I thank you. Don't tell everyone to tell me. Still tell everyone here to tell me something. Like, he did that to me at one event. He's like, I changed my hair that year or something. And he's like, telling us, your hair looks fantastic. So everyone came up to me and I was like, I am so mad at you right now. I'll see if you had every single person come up to me. But with smaller. I think it also depends too. Like, with groups. With smaller groups, I'm great. I can talk to anyone. I'm not afraid if it's a limited amount of people. But when it's a large, like, don't put me on stage. Like I've always said, do not put me on that stage. I will run. Or I just talk even faster and no one understands me. And it just is horrible. But yet people like large groups of people. I don't know why, because maybe it is the shy factor of I don't know if I'm seeing makes sense. I don't know if they understand what I'm saying. I also. I'm confident, but I don't know what to tell them or teach them that will make them feel away. Just be yourself and. But I don't. I don't even know what that is sometimes. What is myself, like, I don't know. Like, whenever, you know, you started, like, you know, tell your story, I'm like, well, which story? My work story or my travel story or, I don't know, my love story. I don't know my animal story. I have a lot of random stories, but I don't think I have a big, generic story, I guess. And I'm even trying to meet people. If I, for example, I go to the gym and I see the same person over and over, it's hard for me to go up to them. I want to, but I'm like, I don't know how to introduce myself to people or even talk to people that I know I probably have stuff in common with and that I would get along with to have a friendship with. It's just hard for me to figure out that muscle. That muscle is very hard for me to use to be more open in meeting new people.

Yeah, I have a hack for that. I don't know if you've tried this before, but I like to go to groups with a structure to it, some kind of structure. Because if I know kind of what. In the beginning, as you're getting to know people, even a candle making class, because then you're with other people and you have a job to do. That's what I like. I like having a job. And then all of a sudden, then you're not so dependent on the conversation, so then the conversation could come out a little naturally. And then once you get to know people, it's a little bit easier. Anyway, that's just my. So give me a job. Anytime I go to another event, like, just give me a job to do.

I would even be scared to go to an event. You know what I mean? Even events scare me. And it's funny. Like, I know how to do an event. I know how to do the event, but I don't know how to be a participant. I went to one last year with Ryan, and I went with him, though. So it was like I had my little buddy with me. So it was easy to go. And I just sat there, took my notes, and then we ran away. It was great because I had him the whole time. But even me going to an event, I'm like, I don't know what to do. And even I'm a big yoga person. I used to do yoga retreats. I haven't done them in a while just because I've been too scared to. And scared's the wrong word, but it's like, go on your own to these type of things. I used to go with a good friend of mine who lived in New Jersey with me. So it was easy because I had a friend with me. And when I'm with someone, I can talk to people. I feel like that almost gives me a weird bodyguard or something. I don't even know. I feel more comfortable with someone else. And I think too, then I'm not the center of attention. They can be. And I can just sit back and listen and then interject when I think it's appropriate.

Yeah, you have an incredible do the thing story from the time that you were a kid to the being seen. That really connects with me because that's kind of my story is the not feeling seen. Right. And then now, then being the voice for others. And actually you're. That's still Streaming through your life and then being able to figure everything out and literally whatever it is you're able to do it, whether it's traveling, whether it's work and all of that. So yeah, it's incredible to see the through line of everything that you are doing. I wanted to ask, so for the entrepreneurs that are listening or maybe people that.

What did you call it?

I love that name. I never heard of it. Intrapreneur. So the entrepreneur or the intrapreneur, the people that maybe didn't know that's what they want to do is be an intrapreneur. There was a part that you mentioned earlier. Do you have any tips for doing what you do for someone else to do that? Is there anything that could make their life easier in terms of the day to day workload?

So I can give you multiple answers on that because I think it's. It would help the entrepreneur to have someone like me. And then as an entrepreneur, I think a lot of times they don't realize that's what they are and they just like to do a lot of work and like to stay busy and like to learn. For the most part they don't realize that oh, I can really help a business. I think a lot of people get just boggle down in the day to day basic stuff. I can't do basics. That to me is boring, very boring. I need new, I need other projects. Which is why I love working with Ryan too. Because he's always ready to open up another company or do something different, add on to what we're doing and stuff. So I love that about him. Most people might think that's a lot, but I'm like, no, bring it on. I'm better busy than I am not busy. If I have five things to do, I'm like, I'll just not do them. When I have 50, everything is done very time. Because I'm just like, oh, I feel great. I'm energized when I have more work going on.

Yeah. So you're caught up by the momentum. Yeah, it's like caught you.

Yeah. And it just feels great. I love just looking at the clock and I'm like, oh shoot, it's already dinner time. Okay, I guess I'm done today kind of thing. So it's. I love that. That's. Whereas if I'm looking at them, it's not even lunchtime yet. I'm like, shoot, what am I gonna do now? I mean I have those five things I should do. I should do them. I don't want to do them. That sounds boring because then I got to do when that's done. And so it's like my brain doesn't work well when I'm not busy. I work very well. But so let me back up. I do believe entrepreneurs don't necessarily know it until they know it. So I think a lot of them are just like to work hard. And a lot of them I started as an executive assistant and most of them, in my opinion, start that way. Someone's assistant, an assistant of some sort because they're still trying to figure out where do I belong as an. I did the EA work because I didn't have a skill because I was right out of college. And I'm like, what do I do? I don't know what to do. I don't know anything. My bigger dream was to be an agent. So I'm only doing this for now. This is a short term thing. I. My real goal is to fight crime. So I just did it. And then the more I did it, I'm like, well, I can do more. Well, I can do more. It kind of made me realize how much more I can handle. So then I just kept taking on more and more. And then once I worked for the company in Chicago that, I mean, it really opened me up because I always kept asking for more of different things. So I started there as an executive assistant as well, but to higher level people. But then I also became an office manager. We bought a building. So then I had to create an entire office for the whole office. And then I started doing bookkeeping and then I started doing higher level accounting. And then I started doing paralegal work. I've touched almost every field there is. I've done fine. You know what I mean? So it's weird that I was able to open up my experiences because people trusted me, because I worked my butt off. And so that's where if people love working, that's the path they should take. But then they also need to find an entrepreneur or someone to work for that's going to allow them to really open up and do all the things. And I say entrepreneur because that's who you find it. And you find it in someone who is so hungry and has such an amazing vision that they're going to give more people opportunities because they see it in them as well, just differently. It's just because plenty of times I've been asked, I want to join your business. I'm like, because I don't want to. I don't want the responsibility I also don't have the vision. I can't come to anyone and say, here's where. Here's the bigger thing. Here's all the things I want to do under. I'm like, nope. If you tell me what yours is, I can absolutely figure it all out though. So as an entrepreneur, I think they do need someone like me, but someone they need to be scrappy, they need to know is not an option kind of thing. They need to really want to be involved in building. But you also have to treat them like they are your right hand, not just an EA checking your email or your calendar. That's what's going to bring them down. They're not going to. They need more. Yes. Can they handle that? Absolutely. But that's not what. That doesn't jazz me up when I'm doing stuff like that. It actually just. It brings me down when I have to do that, which is why I don't doing it. So I keep trying to convince Ryan to hire a PA just so I'm like, I don't want to do this anymore. It's not. It deflates me and it makes me feel less than in a sense. So I need the bigger projects, the bigger things. And I was like, you know, I can handle them. He's like, you are. And he's like, okay, so I think we're finally coming to an agreement where.

Yeah, that's great. Yeah, I love that. Because then you'll be able to do more, right? And which will then get more. Yeah. And then. So how do you manage all the projects? Do you have a system that you're using to be able to keep track of everything? So I can't even imagine how you're doing it.

It's wild that I don't. It depends what it is, I guess, because we use softwares for my tasks and stuff. But it's. That's all the reoccurring stuff. A lot of my stuff isn't necessarily reoccurring, especially when we're building a new product or company. It's all different. So we're doing a new thing now where we're doing a second. We're in the process of creating a second fund. So we already had one fund. So I'm like, okay, I can recreate what I did for the first one, which I did, but then I top rated it. I am so organized. I'm unorganized and it makes no sense. People like, what's up? I'm like, I use notes, I use G sheets, I use Monday board. I have so many different places for different things. It just depends what you're asking me to do. I have SOPs. That is the one thing I will say. SOPs I live off of because I truly do believe if something were to happen to me or anyone, you got to know what I do. Because I'm the only one at our company that does what I do. There are some things that I work on that people can absolutely take away from me, but there's some things they have no clue how to even log into systems to do it. So they. There's SOPs on it. They're there in case I get hit by a city bus. Like. And that's one thing I recommend any person working in general. You gotta have those. As much as they're boring and whatever you. Those are necessary and just for your own edifice so you're not constantly looking back like, how did I do this again? What did I have to do to get here? I have to get place. Because there's so many things that are intertwined in systems that I need to look back. I still look back at my SOPs to make sure that I'm like, wait. And it's a faster route to get to the end result too.

So have you found an easier way to do it with AI now where, like, you could take a video and do something and it transcribes it or not.

I'm still a little green on the EI bet. I. It took me a minute for people to be like, you need to start using it. You need to chat. I'm like, okay, I'll start doing it. So now I'm slightly obsessed with chat GPT. I don't even Google. I just use that even though Google is a leader of the chat of that. So like, oh, I guess Google can help. But I'm starting to, but not yet. So I'm sure by next year I'll be very AI friendly. But even crypto scares me. I keep telling I need to deep dive into crypto and figure it out because I don't know it and it just is weird. I understand that. I know crypto is. I don't have a wallet. I don't even even NFT started coming out. We have an NFT mastermind, as you know. Yeah. And I know. I'm like, I don't know how to do this. Shoot. I got to figure this out now. I've been like slowly working on it because it just hurts my brain to figure out the fake because it's. To me, it's like weirdly fake. And I'm like, I can't work with fake. I need tangible. I need money in my hand or to know it won't stop. And NFT is weird to me. It's just a picture. Yeah. So.

Oh my gosh, Inez, this is so much fun getting to talk to you. I just know it's going to help a lot of people in terms of just hearing about your story and your confidence and how you ask for what you want and then also know what you want, know who you are and all the things that you're doing. I'd love to hear if you have one piece of advice for people on doing the thing.

Sure. My biggest piece of advice I tell anyone is try everything. Do not stop yourself because you don't know if a you're going to like it or even be good at it. And you could be really good at it. For example, I'm not sports person. I love working out. I love the gym in general. I love it. So people think I'm athletic. I'm like, I'm not athletic at all. And then one time I was somewhere, I was traveling somewhere and I was like, I want to try surfing. And I'm great at surfing. Didn't know it, but I'm great at it. And I'm like, this is amazing. And it's so much fun. It's the only sport I can do, which is weird.

That's so hard.

But it's the only sport that I can get up on the board. And I'm just like, this is wild. And I had no idea. And I'm like. So I always say to everyone, just try it. Try it twice. Don't even try it once. Whatever it is, whether it's work, whether it's fun, anything, try it twice. And then if you still don't like it, then don't do it. But you're not going to know until you really kind of put yourself out there and really see what it is that you're going to enjoy. And you might be awful at it, but still love it. So then you still do it anyway.

Please share where people can follow along with you or see what you're up to.

I don't really post a lot. I post travel stuff on my Instagram. Really. So just add in E, S, M, A, N, Z. But I even that I'm light on because I just. I'm just quietly living my life.

Well, now you got to share something about anarchy. I'll definitely be posting a penguin or something.

Yeah, you'll definitely get a penguin. I'm hoping to get a whale. Like someone's joke. What if you're in the kayak and the whale flips you over? I'm like, how awesome is that story?

I was like, oh, everyone.

That a whale flipped the overall, like, that would be amazing. That'd be so cool. And I was like, and if I die because of a whale, I'm good with that. That is so okay with me.

Oh, my God. Well, thanks so much for coming on. I really appreciate you doing this.

Thank you, thank you. This is awesome. It's so much fun.

And for you guys, do the Thing. Don't wait for opportunity. Create it. And hey guys, have you checked out my Facebook group yet? It's do the thing community.com and I just started a new one at do the Thing collaboration dot com.

Thanks for listening to the do the Thing podcast. We hope you enjoyed the show. But even more, we hope you'll be inspired to do the Thing. Do you have a burning question on Doing the Thing that you'd like answered? How about an inspiring do the Thing story of your own that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear all about it. Just leave us a voice message at do the Thing callcast Co or email us@helloothethingpodcast.com.