Today we talk to Beatriz Zanatelli — entrepreneur, founder, immigrant, and one of the most intentional people I know.

Bea and I have known each other for years, but this conversation felt different.  It’s a perfect example of what can happen when people show up with genuine curiosity and no expectations about where it might lead.

What came out of it was a conversation about identity, confidence, intuition, childhood insecurities, building a life in a new country, and the strange ways we slowly grow into ourselves over time.

Bea shares the story behind her obsession with the CN Tower — which turned out to be way more emotional and meaningful than I expected — and we talk about the difference between following data versus following your gut when making big life decisions.

This one felt deeply human. Vulnerable, funny, emotional at times… and honestly just a really beautiful conversation between two friends trying to figure life out in real time.

Please enjoy, Beatriz Zanatelli.

Key Takeaways:

• The things that make us feel different as kids often become the things we grow to love most about ourselves.
• Confidence isn’t having all the answers — true confidence is being comfortable saying “I don’t know.”
• Intuition can be just as powerful as data when making big life decisions. Sometimes your body knows before your brain catches up.
• The CN Tower became a symbol for Bea of possibility, belonging, and building the life she dreamed about for her family in Canada.
• Vulnerability and curiosity are the foundation of real trust and connection.
• Breaking generational patterns takes awareness, courage, and intentional choices over time.
• Purpose-driven work feels different — as Bea says, Smartgoos became “my soul in the shape of a business.”
• Most of us never fully “figure it out” — even later in life, there’s still uncertainty, insecurity, and constant growth.

Connect with Bob Mathers

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram 

The Restless Leader Newsletter on Substack: https://bobmathers.substack.com/

Links & Resources

Bea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrizzanatelli/

Bea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatrizzanatelli/

Smart Goose Academy: https://smartgooseacademy.com/