Sustainable success is rarely built overnight. Behind most enduring careers lies the steady accumulation of knowledge and experience — the second pillar in our Founder, Beverly Vanterpool’s career guide, Build Your Table, where she explains: “In most successful career journeys, knowledge and experience form the foundations, and thus in our table metaphor it is the first leg. However, growth does not happen by accident it requires you to be intentional, seek feedback and continuously focus on learning and developing to keep advancing”.
For Alejandra Rojas, entrepreneur, Forbes contributor, and founder of Brown Way To Money, knowledge is a daily investment. “You are investing every single time, every single day — whether that’s time, energy, or money — because you want an outcome from what you’re doing,” she explained. Her work in financial empowerment began with recognising her own financial trauma and identifying the same patterns in others. By reframing financial literacy as an active, ongoing process, Alejandra challenges the belief that financial independence is simply a number. “If you believe that financial independence is a number, tell me what that number will mean to you,” she said. For her, the true value lies in knowing how to use resources intentionally and aligning them with purpose.
For Patlian Johnson, who has built a career in strategic planning and reform, knowledge and experience are inseparable from credibility. “Even if you have a seat at the table, I’ve always felt that sometimes you’re overshadowed,” she said. Her way forward wasn’t to force visibility but to earn it through consistent delivery. “You can only create influence by your experiences,” she noted. Each project, each decision, and each success became part of a track record that spoke for itself. In her view, knowledge is not only academic; it is built through real-world application and the trust it earns.
Sharon Zachariah offers another perspective — blending deep expertise with strategic career moves. As the first legal hire at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Sharon didn’t take the “front door” route. She describes her approach as “going through the garden gate.” When faced with rejections for being overqualified, she aimed higher instead, asking recruiters to target more senior positions. It worked — but only because she had a strong foundation of experience and skills to back it up. Sharon’s story shows that while unconventional moves can accelerate careers, they are most effective when supported by genuine expertise.
Across these journeys, one truth is clear: knowledge and experience are active tools, not static achievements. Alejandra’s emphasis on daily financial engagement shows the value of consistent application. Patlian’s focus on building trust over time highlights the compounding effect of experience. Sharon’s leap to a senior role demonstrates that readiness meets opportunity when your foundation is strong.
In today’s non-linear career landscape, it’s tempting to prioritise speed over depth. Social media celebrates rapid promotions, but the less visible reality is that sustainable careers rely on years of deliberate skill-building. This pillar asks for patience and persistence — to seek challenges that stretch your capabilities, to reflect on the lessons learned, and to apply them at the next stage.
It also calls for recognising that expertise extends beyond technical ability. Soft skills — listening, relationship-building, strategic thinking — often determine how knowledge is received and valued. Alejandra links financial acumen to personal purpose; Patlian’s credibility rests on trust; Sharon’s strategy combines skill with confidence to step into new contexts.
The Knowledge and Experience pillar may not be the most glamorous, but it is the most stabilising. With it, you can adapt to change, navigate uncertainty, and make confident decisions. Without it, opportunities can slip away. These stories show that investing in knowledge, honouring experience, and expanding both over time is not just a career strategy — it’s a commitment to building a foundation that lasts.
Episode 4: Alejandra Rojas
Empowerment & financial Wellness: Transforming entrepreneurial journeys
Listen Here
Episode 9: Patlian Johnson
Pathways to Success: Career Growth and Adaptability
Listen Here
Episode 6: Sharon Zachariah
Career Transitions: Navigating new paths and leadership
Listen Here
