Bozoma Saint John says she's successful in her career because she ignored this piece of advice: 'It really shrank me'

Bozoma Saint John doesn’t shrink away from the spotlight.

Saint John, 48, was Netflix’s first Black C-level executive as their chief marketing officer. She became Uber’s first chief branding officer tasked with rehabbing the rideshare company’s image. And she made headlines in 2016 when she shook up the stage at Apple’s annual conference despite not looking like a typical “Apple fan boy,” she says.

Saint John’s career moves are as as bold as her personal style. And she has what she considers some well-meaning but misguided advice to thank for that.

“An early manager told me never to wear red lipstick or red nail polish,” Saint John tells CNBC Make It when asked about the best career advice she’s ever gotten.

“She did it with good intention, like, ‘You walk into a room and you don’t want to be too bold. You don’t want people to make opinions of you before you even open your mouth,’” Saint John says.