This week on Here’s What We Know, we’ve got the perfect episode to inspire you—just in time for International Women’s Day! Meet Chia-Lin Simmons, CEO of a NASDAQ company, AI startup founder, licensed New York State attorney, and all-around powerhouse. From dreaming of a publishing career to leading at Google, Audible (Amazon), and Harman, her journey proves that success isn’t always a straight line—and that’s more than okay.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or just needed a reminder that your path is yours to create, this episode is for you!
This episode is sponsored by:
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(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter service!)
License #: 679261
In this episode, we dive into:
- Taking unexpected career turns (and why they often lead to the best opportunities)
- Why soft skills—like adaptability and resilience—are just as important as hard skills
- AI, creativity, and why human innovation still matters
- The future of work and why treating employees like adults is the way forward
- The power of finding your people and learning from every step of the journey
Quotations:
“College is a really great place. You will find your tribe, you’ll find your place, whatever college you go to.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“Whatever you study doesn’t mean that that’s what you’re going to do in life. And eventually people find the space that’s really an area, a place that they feel like they can contribute to.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“Whatever you do, you want to do something that hopefully will make somebody’s lives a little better.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“We always need people who are creators in the world.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“Work experience is one that they’re building together. Work culture is a live thing. It’s not a static thing that we impose on other people.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“If they can get their work done, do I care if they’re doing it like in another state? Do I care if they’re doing it on the beach? Are they delivering what they need to deliver? You know, the reality is I don’t care so long as the work gets delivered; meetings are had so that we can actually get things done together.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“With really good managers, they’re looking for opportunities; they can see what you can do, and they’re looking for opportunities for you to feel like you can stretch. And if you pick a really great person, they can stretch to in ways and learn in ways that you cannot imagine.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“I do believe in putting in practice and working at something; there’s no overnight success in many ways. Like you’re putting in your time, you’re learning, and you’re applying, right? It may not be always directly the same thing, but whatever you’re learning in business, it’s you’re putting in the hours and times to basically be proficient at being in business.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“Working skills and practicing is important. And then being at the right place at the right time also makes a difference.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“When you take a new job, you’re looking at it the way that an investor would look at an opportunity because you’re investing your time.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
“I always tell people shareholders and boards do not hire me to basically, the words of Gretzky, right? And in ice hockey, I shouldn’t be skating to where the puck is. I have to skate to where the puck is going to be. And so you may not see it now, but I see where the puck is going to be and that’s where I need to drive towards, not where it is today.” ~ Chia Lin Simmons
Bio:
Chia-Lin Simmons is the CEO of LookyLoo, a technology startup that brings together social, big data and machine learning AI to help identify fit in apparel, increase conversion, increase customer confidence and drive down return rates for apparel and online retailers. Chia-Lin is active in the automotive, transportation, digital media ande-commerce technology space as a consultant and advisory board member for a number of companies in the space. Her interest and expertise in the automotive technology space stems from her role as the former VP of Marketing & Content for Harman International’s (NASDAQ: HAR, now a Samsung business) Connected Car business. Chia-Lin helped build and launch Harman’s Connected Car service Aha which is featured in Honda, Subaru, Porsche and other automotive partners and availability in millions of vehicles and more than 50+ countries worldwide. Prior to her starting her own company, Chia-Lin was an executive at a number of high visibility technology companies. She was the former Head of Global Partner Marketing for Google’s digital business Google Play Music and the Google Play Store, the VP of Marketing and General Manager of Playphone North America, a senior business development executive at Time Warner/ AOL, as well as the VP of Strategic Alliances at Audible (an Amazon company). Chia-Lin serves on the Board of Directors for Servco Pacific, a $1.3B global automotive / goods company, and recently gave presentations on Autonomous Vehicles and legal concerns to more than 400+ autonomous car experts in Silicon Valley. In her free time, Chia-Lin founded the #bindersproject, which helps connected women tech founders with global funders looking to accelerate female founded startups. Chia-Lin graduated Magna cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from U.C. San Diego and received her MBA from Cornell University, where she was a Park Leadership Fellow. Chia-Lin is a licensed New York State attorney and earned her JD from George Mason University School of Law.
Guest Contact Info:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/csimmons/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chialinsimmons/