If you want something, ask for it.

At 17, I moved to Paris and got my first job.

I worked at Sony Music's warehouse packing CDs.

Not the most glamorous job, but I loved my first taste of international business.

After a few months, I plucked up the courage to talk to HR and asked for an opportunity to work in the marketing department.

I spoke three languages that they didn't, so they said yes.

In the coming months, I supported the team that handled visiting artists and met Lenny Kravitz, Sade, and NKOTB, amongst others.

I was thrilled and learned a transforming lesson:

If you want something, ask for it.

↑ I often share this advice while coaching founders and CEOs in a tough spot.

Need more funding?

Talk to your investors.

Need pay cuts to survive a financial strain? Talk to your executives.

Need to pivot your company's strategy?

Talk to your board members.

Quiet mouths don't get fed.

P.S. I recently revisited Paris with my mom.