Who the hell is Isabelle Guarino? This week I’m sharing my history and how I ended up as the CEO and owner of my business, RAL Academy. From grade school rejection to double majoring and being a broke flight attendant to cashing over 1 million dollars in sales and running a million dollar business. This is my story… Let’s dive in.
In this episode, we’re getting into the heart of my entrepreneurial journey, which truly began during college—although I didn’t know it at the time. I was a double major, juggling an intense workload, working two jobs, and serving on my sorority’s leadership board. Looking back, I realize that experience was preparing me for the nonstop hustle of running a business.
I never planned for a career in business. Honestly, I thought I’d be a stay-at-home wife and mom. But then, an unexpected Disney internship in Florida changed everything. That experience gave me the entrepreneurial spark—I wanted something bigger than just a daily grind. Eventually, I became a flight attendant, but I quickly realized the financial limitations of the job. So, I moved back to Arizona, started working for my dad in the family business, and learned the ins and outs of sales, marketing, and operations. I quickly figured out that if I wanted to increase my income, I had to master sales. As I took on more responsibility, my role naturally grew, and I eventually became the company’s COO.
Then, everything changed when my dad passed away. I went from working behind the scenes to stepping into the spotlight, and honestly, it was terrifying. The pressure was intense, but I leaned on my skills in leadership, organization, and public speaking to keep the business moving forward. The first time I spoke on stage, I sold over $1 million, and that moment solidified my confidence.
Now, three years later, I’m still leading RAL Academy, honored to carry on my father’s legacy and build on his entrepreneurial journey. His decision to take a leap into entrepreneurship set our family up for success, and now I’m helping others do the same.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Embrace being young and don’t fear failure. When I was 23, I had no shame in failing because I knew it was part of the growth process. Whenever fear or doubt creeps in, I remind myself—it’s just another hurdle to overcome.
