Yanique Williams, Founder of Ambitious One & Ambitious Global, On How To Be Ambitious By Trusting the Process

Yanique Williams joins Jerlisa “Juju” Fontaine, in a conversation on the Very Necessary Decisions podcast. Yanique is a trailblazing technologist, entrepreneur, and investor whose career journey is an inspiring blueprint for navigating the modern professional landscape. From her humble beginnings in the Bronx to her impactful roles on Wall Street and Young Ambitious One, Yanique's story underscores the value of ambition, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous growth.

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Early Foundation of Ambition

Growing up in the Bronx, Yanique benefited from strong educational opportunities and a network of ambitious peers. Her early experiences in advanced placement courses and academic programs laid the groundwork for her career aspirations. Yanique recalls being inspired by her surroundings and mentors, which fueled her desire to succeed despite societal and geographical limitations. She credits her upbringing for instilling resilience and a relentless drive to seek opportunities, regardless of odds.

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While attending SUNY Albany, Yanique had a pivotal encounter with a career services professional who introduced her to the limitless potential of technology. As a naturally curious individual, Yanique was drawn to the field's problem-solving aspects. Encouraged by this mentor, she pursued a degree in Information Technology with a minor in Business Administration, setting the foundation for her future career in fintech, data privacy, and cybersecurity.

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Breaking Barriers on Wall Street

Yanique’s career on Wall Street saw her work with prestigious firms like EY and Deloitte, where she honed in on her technology and risk management expertise. She applied her skills across various sectors, building a reputation for her ability to lead teams, manage risks, and deliver results. Yanique emphasizes the importance of using these corporate experiences as a "toolkit" to excel in any professional setting, whether in a traditional job or entrepreneurial endeavor.

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The B2B & B2C Of Young Ambitious One 

Driven by a desire to empower others, Yanique founded two companies: Young Ambitious One (YAO) and Ambitious Global. YAO is a learning and career advancement platform designed to help students, professionals, and executives excel through tailored workshops, courses, and career coaching. Its unique approach pairs clients with industry-experienced advisors who provide targeted guidance, resulting in a 95% success rate of clients landing higher-paying jobs within six months. Yanique’s vision extends beyond career advancement; she aims to bridge the wealth gap by helping individuals secure high-paying roles, enabling them to save and invest.

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Ambitious Global is a trusted advisory that serves startups and businesses to support scaling and growth. The company’s focus on diverse founders and women entrepreneurs highlights Yanique’s commitment to fostering inclusivity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Another focus for YAO is making sure clients make more, save more, and invest more to close the wealth gap among people of color.

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The business started in the B2B space, partnering with businesses, colleges, and organizations to run accelerators, programs, and workshops. Recently, YAO had an entrepreneurial development accelerator in which they held a live Shark Tank experience, and participants could pitch their businesses. The B2C side of the business emerged when participants and attendees of past events approached Yanique and her team for additional career support.

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As a result, Yanique launched a career coaching service and invested in Write Sea, an AI career advancement tool that she utilizes to further support YAO career coaching clients. Yanique recommends starting in business by investing in one business model at a time. If you are a B2B company, master it first before launching an additional product. To figure this out, ask yourself the question, “Do you want to attract businesses or consumers first?” 

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What It Takes To Become An Angel Investor

In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Yanique is a venture capitalist, angel investor, and senior executive partner at a fund called Impact. Her investments prioritize diverse founders, particularly women, providing not just capital but also mentorship and strategic guidance. She views this as a way to "pay it forward," recognizing the importance of support systems in achieving professional success.

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Remain Ambitious And Trust The Process

Yanique’s career underscores the importance of cultivating a personal brand that reflects one’s skills and values. The job market is at an interesting time, where the market is an employer market, not a candidate’s market. She advises others to view their skills as transferable assets, whether in corporate roles or entrepreneurial pursuits. This mindset, coupled with her commitment to lifelong learning, has enabled her to navigate seamlessly between industries and opportunities.

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Yanique shares actionable advice for professionals looking to stand out in today’s competitive job market:

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• Resumes: Focus on results and impact rather than tasks. Highlight achievements using quantifiable metrics to demonstrate value. 
  
  • For example, instead of writing “I created PowerPoints and submitted summary reports”, you should write “I created Powerpoints and submitted summary reports that helped senior management make decisions that impacted business growth by 25%.” The second statement follows the formula of “what I do + impact + results”. 

• Interviews: Prepare thoroughly by practicing responses to common questions. Use industry-specific language to convey expertise and enthusiasm. Always vocalize your impact during interviews. Remember, an interviewer has already seen your resume, now they want to get to know YOU. When it comes to interviews, follow the same formula as your resume but add the value you want to add to the company. 

• Career Coaching: Continuously assess career goals and seek guidance to identify growth opportunities. A coach can provide clarity and help navigate challenges.

• Networking: Leverage relationships to uncover new opportunities and seek mentorship. Building a strong community is crucial for professional development. 

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How To Use AI For A Career Pivot

Human intelligence/natural intelligence plus AI equals a partner. Yanique recommends utilizing AI as a partner to come up with creative solutions. There is a lot of conversation about AI replacing humans, it can never provide human intelligence. By strategically leveraging AI, through use and learning more about it, we can get ahead. Yanique suggests becoming a creator in the AI space, not just a consumer. AI has always existed in algorithms and other places but we had indirect contact with it. With tools like ChatGPT, we now have direct access to AI. 

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HuCapital x Young Ambitious One: Winning Women 

Last year, in March 2024, HuCapital partnered with Young Ambitious One to hold a conference called Winning Women. Winning Women is back in March 2025! You can learn more about the conference and purchase tickets here.

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Ready to turn your ambitions into career success in 2025 and beyond?

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Check out Yanique William’s work here:

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaniquewilliamsinfo/

Instagram: instagram.com/youngambitiousone

Winning Women Instagram: Instagram.com/winningwomencon

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Get your ticket + check out the conference agenda here. We can’t wait to see you. If you can’t make it, consider sharing the link with a friend or colleague.

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Keep up with all things HuCapital:

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Instagram: @hucapitalco

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/he-capital-community/

Website: https://hucapital.co

Email: info@hucapital.co

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