Breaking Barriers: The Trailblazing Journey of Women in Silicon Valley
Women’s History Month is the time to recognize and celebrate the women’s achievements in all fields. Maryles Casto’s book, A Hole In The Clouds, is a true testament to the resilience and determination of women in business. Her story is one of transformation, hard work, and a passion for travel that drove her to succeed.
Maryles started her journey as an unemployed ex-flight attendant from the Philippines who moved to the United States with her new husband. With no job and a desire to make a living, she tried door-to-door sales but found it to be disappointing. However, she didn’t give up and eventually landed a job at a local travel agency.
At the travel agency, Maryles dedicated herself to learning everything she could about the industry. She was determined to succeed, and her focus and energy quickly paid off. As she learned the travel business, her ambition only grew. She bootstrapped and launched her own agency.
Maryles continued to excel. Her hard work and dedication to customer service caught the attention of Andy Grove, the CEO of Intel, who trusted her to handle his travel plans. This was a significant turning point in Maryles’ career and set her on a path to success in true Silicon Valley style. Casto Travel soon became the go-to agency for the giants of Silicon Valley, such as Intel, Apple and Kleiner Perkins.
Maryles faced numerous obstacles and the inherent challenges of starting a business from scratch in an unfamiliar country. But she never let anything discourage her. She persevered and her determination and grit paid off. A high point was lecturing a room full of MBA students at Harvard, nearly all of whom predicted her business would fail.
Maryles’ story is an inspiration to all women who dream of starting their own businesses. Her journey shows us that with hard work, determination, and a passion for what you do, anything is possible. For ANYONE. She broke through barriers and shattered glass ceilings, paving the way for future generations of women entrepreneurs, who she now dedicates time to mentoring.
Join Silicon Valley Press in celebrating the achievements of women such as Maryles whose story is a testament to the strength and resilience of women in business, and reminds us that we all have the power to pursue our dreams and achieve success no matter how we start.
Maryles Casto’s book, A Hole In The Clouds, can be found at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other e-tailers.