The next entry in the Best Advice Q&A series comes from Tristin Vaccaro, founder of Vaccaro Copywriting & Marketing Solutions and community engagement coordinator of Mission 500. She talks about the best advice she’s ever gotten, what she does to elevate the security industry and the person whose words boost her most.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Tristin Vaccaro: If you knew it would all work out, would you enjoy it more along the way?
A few years ago, I took a risk leaving my corporate job to start my own freelancing business. I agonized over that decision for a while, fearing the loss of stability and the unknown. The anxiety was real and it affected my mental health for far longer than I’d care to admit.
Even after starting the business, I was bracing for failure rather than celebrating my progress. I wasn’t enjoying all the things I had gained – more free time, more autonomy, greater fulfillment – because I was so wrapped up in my fears. But hearing this advice really reframed my thinking. Things were working out (as they usually do) and I was able to start appreciating the journey instead of worrying about the outcome.
I’ve since tried to apply this thinking across my professional and personal life. It’s helped me loosen my grip on the “what-ifs” and trust myself more. Now, when I feel myself getting anxious about the future, I come back to that question. It reminds me to keep moving forward with a little more confidence and a lot more joy.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Vaccaro: Dive in and give it all you’ve got.
Join a committee, attend conferences, ask people you admire for virtual coffee, volunteer your time, engage on LinkedIn, network early and often, join an industry association (or two), find a mentor and build genuine friendships. Basically, say yes to everything! Then, later in your career, you can be more selective with the opportunities you say yes to.
And while doing these things won’t guarantee success, they will open doors and give you a soft place to land when success seems out of reach.
SSI: If you could point to one person in the security industry and tell up and comers, make sure to listen to what they have to say. Who would you pick and why?
Vaccaro: Janet Fenner.
I might be biased because she’s my mentor, but she exemplifies the kind of leader I aspire to be. She’s authentically herself, lifts as she climbs, and continuously gives back to the industry.
She’s also incredibly creative. Her New York City scavenger hunt to coincide with ISC East? Iconic. Her LinkedIn posts? Unique and insightful. Her marketing tactics? Truly unlike anything else in the industry.
There’s so much I’ve learned from her example, and if others can gain just a fraction of that insight, they’d be incredibly lucky.
Click here to check out the entire Best Advice series!
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