We had the good fortune of connecting with Cathy Pedrayes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cathy, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Letting go of fear. The fear to post online, the fear of being embarrassed, the fear of being judged or being wrong or thinking something isn’t good enough. I’m still cautious and I put a lot of thought into what I do, but I’m not afraid of the outcome. Fear can hold you back from reaching your full potential, I have to remind myself of this all the time because I can overthink things to point where my ideas become stagnant. I have to remind myself to let go of those fears.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m proud that I’ve been able to bring mass awareness to everyday safety and security issues such as cybersecurity, data privacy and more. It’s something I’ve become interested in because in my former job as a national television host I was exposed to the risks that come along with putting yourself out there. While there isn’t a perfect solution that guarantees safety, I started learning about ways to mitigate my risks and I’ve since shared a lot of what I’ve learned online. It wasn’t immediate, it took years before I realized that I had a voice or a perspective worth sharing, but once I realized it, there was no turning back.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a huge fan of speakeasies, art and broadway. I love anything unusual, immersive and experiential. If a friend was visiting I’d recommend Korean BBQ because it’s not easy to find outside of NYC, then we’d head to an immersive art gallery or a broadway show and we’d end the night at a speakeasy (a fake one because they are legal bars but still the idea is fun).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Nothing I do is possible without the love and support of my husband, but family aside, I also think my education has played a huge role in my success. I am constantly seeking out ways to improve and chasing interests. If school weren’t so expensive, I’d be a student for life. I truly love to learn and the institutions I’ve attended have taught me skills I continue to use every day.

Website: www.momfriendguide.com

Instagram: @CathyPedrayes

Twitter: @CathyPedrayes

Facebook: @CathyPedrayestv

Youtube: @CathyPedrayes

Other: TikTok: @CathyPedrayes / https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Mom-Friend-Guide-to-Everyday-Safety-and-Security/Cathy-Pedrayes/9781982185671

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