Is the American Dream holding you back? | Sandra Bean | TEDxSt Pete Women
In this talk, speaker Sandra Bean challenges the deep-seated belief that individual hustle and effort are the singular keys to success. She argues that the American Dream is a fairy tale, warning that relying solely on relentless work is like sprinting on sand.Sandra reveals why belonging is as important as effort for sustained wealth and growth. Drawing on the powerful case study of her own accidental empire, St. Pete Girl Boss, she presents a clear look at intentional ecosystem design. She explains how this environment unlocks three foundational supports to include Psychological Safety, Connections, and Mentorship, which multiply effort and protect against burnout.Watch to learn how to stop hustling alone, build your own supportive circle, and create the strategic conditions that transform your existing effort into opportunity, support, and the wealth you deserve. Sandra “Sandy” Bean is an award-winning business and visibility strategist, community builder, and systems innovator, helping entrepreneurs, leaders, and teams grow with connection and confidence. She’s the founder of St. Pete Girl Boss, a 9,000-member ecosystem for feminist entrepreneurship, and the editor of The Girl Boss Effect, a collaborative anthology on healing-centered business.With roots in education and neurodiversity advocacy, Sandy blends strategy with soul, building frameworks and programs that make success more accessible, human, and sustainable. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Bloom TV, Tampa Bay Times, and on local and national stages, where she champions relationships, compassion, and nervous system awareness as tools for equity, growth, and collective power. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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