How a Single Mom of Three Built a 6-Figure IT Consultancy Business–Carmen Santiago E180

The NoDegree Podcast – No Degree Success Stories for Job Searching, Careers, and Entrepreneurship

Four bullets in her back, children by 19, divorced by 25 but operates a successful IT company. This week Carmen Santiago discusses her high school experience, early life in the foster care system and how she got into tech sales. She also emphasizes the value of self-education, trade schools, and upskilling workers. Find out how this former foster child built a successful business.

Key points discussed:

- Success can be achieved through intentional relationship-building and a servant's heart, attracting opportunities and positive energy.

- A wide range of technology careers is available without a degree, with entry-level positions starting around $45-50k and potential to earn well into six figures with experience and certifications.

- Life experiences, including adversity and trauma, can develop resilience and problem-solving skills that are valuable in the workforce and can lead to opportunities for those without a college degree.

Timestamps:

• (00:56) — Introduction to Carmen Santiago and what she does
• (04:19) — Carmen's blueprint of success
• (07:40) — Salary range in tech
• (11:41) — High school journey | early life struggles
• (13:21) — Learning disabilities and early graduation
• (17:14) — Career ambition in high school
• (17:42) — Carmen's early life in the foster care system and journey into sales
• (23:09) — Carmen's entrance into tech sales and the value of workers without degrees
• (30:52) — Leveraging opportunities by positive relationships
• (38:36) — How the 'It Girl Solution' brand began
• (42:54) — What Carmen would have done differently
• (47:28) — Future goals

Support/Contact Carmen:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-santiago-keenon-a2235b58/

Books and resources mentioned in this podcast:

- Resume course: https://bit.ly/podcastpca

- "Awaken : Santiago-Keenon, Carmen: https://amzn.to/3Rmk8NA

Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.

• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/JonaedIqbalND

Connect with us on social media!

• LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeLinkedIn
• Facebook: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeFB
• Instagram: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeIG
• Twitter: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeTW
• TikTok: https://bit.ly/3qfUD2V
• Join our discord server: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeDiscord

Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, drop us a review on Apple Podcast and/or subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nodegree.

Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at nodegree.com.

Need career or resume advice? Follow and/or connect with Jonaed Iqbal on LinkedIn.

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/JonaedIqbalND

Connect with us on social media!

- LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeLinkedIn

- Facebook: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeFB

- Instagram: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeIG

- Twitter: https://bit.ly/NoDegreeTW

- TikTok: https://bit.ly/3qfUD2V

Thank you for sponsoring our show. If you'd like to support our mission to end the stigma and economic disparity that comes along with not having a college degree, please share with a friend, drop us a review on Apple Podcast and/or subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nodegree.

Remember, no degree? No problem! Whether you're contemplating college or you're a college dropout, get started with your no-degree job search at nodegree.com.