In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Christie Wong Barrett, former CEO and owner of MacArthur, a global manufacturer of innovative labels and functional components with operations in the U.S., China, Mexico, and Poland. Christie currently serves as an Independent Board Member for DMI Companies, a Lecturer at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and Co-Director of AmplifyD, a nonprofit incubating startups led by minority and women founders. She has also advised on national manufacturing policy through her appointment to the White House Advanced Manufacturing Partnership.
Christie shares her framework for evaluating opportunities—when to say yes and when to say no:
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Is it new? If it’s a fresh opportunity, consider saying yes.
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Are you passionate? Ensure it aligns with your interests, passions, and goals.
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Will it build your skillset? Growth potential makes an opportunity worthwhile.
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Can you realistically succeed? You should have at least one foundational strength—whether it’s knowledge of the industry, clients, or team—to set yourself up for success.
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Does it create multiple benefits? Look for opportunities that offer value beyond just work—advancing your career, expanding your network, or opening future doors.
While it’s tempting to say yes to everything, Christie emphasizes the importance of prioritizing what truly matters. Ideally, we should only say yes when all these criteria align.
Thank you, Christie, for your insightful advice!
Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/episode-100-when-to-say-yes-with-christie-wong-barrett