Every leader has moments when a single decision, insight, or experience shifts their entire approach to business. These turning points don’t just alter strategy — they reshape identity, priorities, and the way leaders guide their teams. For the entrepreneurs in this feature, the changes came from unexpected sources: hard lessons, personal realizations, and the courage to lead differently.
Finding Purpose Beyond the Plan
For Mona Hovaizi, founder and CEO of Gaux, the biggest shift came when she stopped trying to fit her parenting and child development expertise into a rigid, expert-led framework. Instead of focusing solely on delivering answers, she began helping parents build confidence in their own choices. This change, sparked by seeing how overwhelmed families were by conflicting advice, led her to create more practical, enjoyable ways for parents to instill healthy habits in their children.
Similarly, Makena Finger Zannini, CEO of The Boutique COO, found her turning point in learning to filter feedback without losing her sense of purpose. As the opinions multiplied, she discovered that not all input is worth acting on — and that the strongest leaders are those anchored in their own principles, even while remaining open to new perspectives.
Owning the Role and Leading with Confidence
Geraldine Olea, founder of Academy Olea, struggled early on to embrace the title of “entrepreneur.” Being underestimated pushed her to step into leadership with quiet confidence, trusting her vision and letting results speak louder than explanations.
For Lauren Hammer, founder of Revive My Spaces, the shift came when she realized the emotional toll organizing work could take on her team. Implementing rotation systems and debriefs not only protected their energy but deepened their ability to serve clients with empathy.
Shaping Environments, Not Just Outcomes
Sendy Raymond, owner of Your Bali Wedding, faced the demands of operating across borders and cultures, discovering that delegation and trust in local expertise could drive better results than trying to control every detail herself.
From Data to Presence
For Brandy Morton, founder of Brandy Morton Marketing Ltd. Co., the turning point was in anchoring every move to data while fully owning her expertise. That discipline built a culture of accountability and eliminated second-guessing.
Brandon Leibowitz, owner of SEO Optimizers, saw firsthand how building digital authority could cut through bias when helping a female founder gain investor confidence.
Shawnda Williams of Southern Fried Concepts reframed impostor syndrome as a reflection of flawed environments, leading her to create inclusive spaces where diverse ideas could thrive.
For Ali Michelle, founder of Modern Potters, the turning point was internal — realizing that her biggest obstacle wasn’t external doubt but her own self-limiting beliefs.
And for Ashley Buckner, COO of Carr Workplaces, it was the decision to embrace her unique leadership style rather than conform to outdated norms, transforming both her confidence and company culture.
Across industries, these leaders’ turning points share a common thread: real change starts when you stop chasing other people’s definitions of success and start leading from a place that’s fully your own.
