In this episode of Be Anomalous, I sit down with Sheikha Al-Otaibi, a first-gen college graduate, co-founder of Interlix Staffing, and a relentless force who’s rewriting what success looks like when you come from worlds that don’t expect you to make it.
Sheikha shares her journey from growing up between cultures in South Jersey, to pursuing fashion and landing a coveted internship at Jimmy Choo — only to realize her passion didn’t align with the life she wanted. Instead, she pivoted hard, co-founded a remote staffing company from her dorm room, and built a growing business rooted in grit, empathy, and a powerful belief in people over proximity.
We talk about identity, ambition, hustle culture, work ethic across borders, and why learning to let go of people-pleasing is the most liberating thing you can do.
If you’ve ever doubted yourself, questioned your path, or wondered whether it’s too late to start over — this conversation is your reminder that betting on yourself isn’t risky. It’s necessary.
🎧 Listen to the episode
Spotify | Apple Podcasts
What You’ll Learn
Why Sheikha walked away from her dream job at Jimmy Choo and what it taught her about real happiness
The power of cold calling and why she started building her business before she called herself a founder
How her upbringing shaped her work ethic and her relationship with money
What it’s like being half Saudi, half American, and learning to own her cultural identity
The underestimated strength of choosing discomfort, again and again
Her favorite productivity strategies, lessons in rejection, and the mindset that keeps her moving
Why comparison kills jo,y and why purpose is something you build, not find
Favorite Quote
“Let people judge you. Let people gossip about you. Let people misunderstand you. What people choose to project onto you is not your problem.”
— Unknown
Favorite Book
📖 Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
In This Episode, We Cover:
(00:00) Books, ambition, and workday rituals
(03:00) Growing up between Saudi and American cultures
(06:00) Navigating cultural confusion and name-based assumptions
(08:00) On being the first in her family to go to college
(11:00) From Babson to Jimmy Choo: when the dream job didn’t feel right
(13:00) Realizing her strength in sales and talking to people
(17:00) Her relationship with money — and why she works like hell for freedom
(20:00) How Interlix Staffing started and why she was drawn to it
(22:00) The role of Babson’s network in helping her land first clients
(25:00) Cold outreach tactics, building confidence, and knowing your worth
(28:00) Advice for job seekers on AI-written resumes and authenticity
(30:00) Why short, value-based cold emails work better than long pitches
(34:00) How she’s changing mindsets in the construction and real estate space
(37:00) Building company culture — virtually and across borders
(39:00) People-pleasing, burnout, and learning how to be selfish with purpose
(42:00) On surrounding yourself with founders who “get it”
(45:00) What it actually means to “make it” — and who she wants to help first
(48:00) Comparing work ethic across cultures
(50:00) Wisdom, quotes, and advice for finding peace in a world built on hustle
Where to Find Sheikha Al-Otaibi
Referenced in This Episode
Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
Traction by Gino Wickman
Let Them by Mel Robbins
Rootless by Greta Bai
Babson College
Interlix.co
