In this episode of Be Anomalous, I sit down with Natalie Trotta, a strategy consultant who calls herself a translator, someone who takes founders’ big visions and turns them into real, actionable roadmaps. Natalie’s path runs across industries: fashion and beauty, neuroscience and climate science, professional services, startups, and now her own consulting practice. At the heart of it all is her curiosity and her conviction that moving forward even without all the answers is better than standing still.
We talk about growing up in Ohio and knowing, at 12 years old, that New York was where she belonged. Natalie shares how shows like Ugly Betty and Gossip Girl shaped her dream, how she learned resilience through pivots across industries, and what her MBA at Columbia really taught her (and what it didn’t). She opens up about building her firm, her quadrant time-management system, and why “quitting” might be the most underrated leadership skill.
This episode is about curiosity, confidence, and carving out a career that doesn’t fit into one box.
If you’ve ever wondered how to juggle ambition with self-awareness, or whether it’s okay to walk away from paths that don’t fit, Natalie’s story is a reminder: quitting can be just as powerful as grit.
🎧 Listen to the episode
Spotify | Apple Podcasts
What You’ll Learn
How growing up in Ohio shaped Natalie’s independence — and why she knew she had to be in New York
The role of Ugly Betty, Gossip Girl, and early career instincts in sparking her ambition
Transitioning across industries: fashion, tech, neuroscience, climate, and consumer brands
What her MBA at Columbia gave her — and how she used it to launch her consulting practice
Why she formalized her business as an LLC and the practical first steps she recommends
Natalie’s quadrant system for managing time, tasks, and multiple clients
The Pomodoro method, the Eisenhower matrix, and other tools that keep her accountable
The power of reframing failure as an opportunity to learn and pivot
Why emotional intelligence is as critical as strategy when working with founders
Why quitting the wrong things can help you double down on the right ones
Favorite Quotes
“People will forget what you did. They will forget what you said. But they will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou
“Honesty without compassion is cruelty.”
— Unknown
Favorite Books
📖 Quit by Annie Duke
📖 Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
📖 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy
In This Episode, We Cover:
(00:00) Meet Natalie: translating vision into action
(01:00) Growing up in Ohio, dreaming of New York
(03:00) Why Ugly Betty made her believe New York was hers
(05:00) Moving at 18 and the “soft landing” of college in NYC
(08:00) Internships every semester, building resilience through new industries
(10:00) Fashion and beauty, then neuroscience and climate science at Columbia
(13:00) Returning to beauty and consumer brands with consulting
(18:00) Why she pursued an MBA at Columbia — and what it really gave her
(23:00) Executive MBA lessons: network, perspective, and timing
(27:00) Launching her consulting firm — from freelance projects to LLC
(30:00) Practical first steps to set up your own business
(34:00) A day in her life: client strategy, product launches, and digitization projects
(35:00) Tools for accountability: quadrant system, Pomodoro, Eisenhower matrix
(44:00) Reframing failure, building a growth mindset, and emotional resilience
(49:00) Advice for those who feel stuck: keep moving, even if just one step at a time
(53:00) Favorite quotes, books, and lessons on quitting as a form of strength
Where to Find Natalie Trotta
LinkedIn
Natalie Trotta Consulting
Referenced in This Episode
Ugly Betty & Gossip Girl
Carol Dweck’s research on Growth Mindset
Pomodoro Method & Eisenhower Matrix
Columbia Business School (Executive MBA)
Columbia Climate School
Be Bold. Be Real. Be Anomalous.
