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Visionary Leadership – Women Founders’ Advice - Part 19

Writer: Women Story
Women Story
11 minutes ago
8 min read



In the Visionary Leadership Series, we feature the insights of 10 women founders who share their lessons on turning experience into expertise, leading with purpose, trusting their own perspective, and taking action without waiting for perfect certainty. Their experiences highlight that visionary leadership can take many forms, but it is grounded in clarity, authenticity, resilience, strong relationships, and the courage to evolve. From building on what you already know to defining your own version of success, their advice encourages women founders to stay connected to their mission while creating businesses and leadership journeys that reflect who they truly are.


Featured Women Founders

  • Rebecca Sandberg  DO IT and do it with grace!

  • Jackie Santin  Build from what you already know.

  • Maya Simhon-Chocron  My advice to aspiring women founders is simple: own your expertise, build strong relationships, and don’t wait for permission to lead.

  • Annalisa Xioutas  Focus on the clarity of your vision and be clear in your execution plan but be ready to pivot when needed; don't wait to make a hard decision if you…

  • Randi Bednarczyk 

  • Victoria Yarnold  My advice to women entrepreneurs is to recognise that leadership does not have to follow a traditional mould.

  • Monica Kade  Understand your positioning.

  • Carrie Miller  One moment changed everything for me.

  • Tara Palmerton  Stay grounded in your mission.

  • Angie Ng Ying Ping 


Rebecca Sandberg – DO IT and do it with grace!

Founder – KosmiClix® Marketing & Design

Advice

DO IT and do it with grace! God has your best plan in mind. Trust in Him and know that every lesson along the journey was for a bigger purpose!


Jackie Santin – Build from what you already know.

Founder – Northight Divorce Consulting

Advice

Build from what you already know. Long before many women start a business, they are already doing the work quietly and consistently, inside organizations, families, and communities. We often dismiss this experience because it wasn’t paid, titled, or formal. But that lived experience is not a side note to your leadership story, it is the foundation.


I built my business by standing on the successes, skills, and credibility I earned in corporate leadership, and then aligning them with work that felt deeply meaningful. Nothing was wasted.


Be disciplined about clarity. Clarity is not rigidity, it is respect. Know what problem you are here to solve, and just as importantly, what you are not here to solve. When you are clear about your role and your boundaries, people trust you. Clients feel safer. Collaborators work better with you. And you conserve your own energy for the work that truly matters.


And do not wait to feel ready. Leadership is not something you step into once fear disappears. It is something you practice while fear is still present. When your work is rooted in service, integrity, and purpose, confidence grows through action. You become ready by doing the work, not by waiting for certainty.


Your past is not something to leave behind as you build. It is the proof that you are capable of building what comes next.


Maya Simhon-Chocron – My advice to aspiring women founders is simple: own your expertise, build strong relationships, and don’t wait for permission to lead.

Founder – Exclusive Florida Real Estate LLC

Advice

My advice to aspiring women founders is simple: own your expertise, build strong relationships, and don’t wait for permission to lead.


Confidence is built through action. There will never be a “perfect” time to launch, expand, or take the next step — growth happens when you move forward despite uncertainty. Invest in learning, surround yourself with mentors, and align yourself with people who elevate your vision.


Equally important, build systems and structure early. Passion starts a business, but discipline and consistency sustain it. Protect your reputation fiercely — integrity and reliability will open more doors than marketing ever can.


Lastly, remember that leadership is not about doing everything yourself. It’s about empowering others, building collaborative partnerships, and creating opportunities not just for your own success, but for those around you.


Annalisa Xioutas – Focus on the clarity of your vision and be clear in your execution plan but be ready to pivot when needed; don't wait to make a hard decision if you…

Founder – FFI Contracting Services

Website: ffi1.com

Advice

Focus on the clarity of your vision and be clear in your execution plan but be ready to pivot when needed; don't wait to make a hard decision if you already know the answer; ask a million questions and trust your instincts when there are more warning signs than green lights. 


Remember that not every idea is a good one, but every good idea likely came from a long list of bad ones!  Stay true to your mission and continually check your self-knowledge to ensure that it aligns with your goals and passions.


Randi Bednarczyk – 1.

Founder – Diamond Oak Wealth Partners

Advice

1. Your adversity can become your advantage.

The moments that feel like setbacks often become the foundation of your strength. Hard seasons build resilience, clarity, and conviction — all essential traits of a strong founder.


2. Build with purpose, not just profit.

When your business is anchored in a mission bigger than revenue, it becomes sustainable. Purpose fuels perseverance during the inevitable challenges.


3. Surround yourself with the right people.

No founder succeeds alone. Seek mentors, build professional partnerships, and don’t hesitate to ask for guidance. Collaboration accelerates growth.


4. Don’t wait until you feel ready.

Confidence is built through action, not before it. Take the step. Make the call. Launch the idea. You will grow into the role.


5. Own your story.

Your journey — even the painful parts — is part of your leadership edge. Authenticity builds trust, and trust builds businesses.


Victoria Yarnold – My advice to women entrepreneurs is to recognise that leadership does not have to follow a traditional mould.

Founder – Evolving Pathways

Advice

My advice to women entrepreneurs is to recognise that leadership does not have to follow a traditional mould. Your lived experience, values, and perspective are not barriers — they are often your greatest strengths. The most meaningful businesses are built when purpose and authenticity guide decision-making, rather than comparison or external expectations.


Be prepared to evolve. Growth rarely follows a straight line, and challenges are inevitable, particularly when balancing personal responsibilities, health, or family alongside business leadership. Resilience is not about doing everything alone; it is about building strong networks, surrounding yourself with people who challenge and support you, and allowing yourself to adapt as your circumstances change.


I would also encourage women founders to become confident in communicating the value of their work. Many women enter entrepreneurship from service-driven backgrounds and underestimate the impact of what they offer. Clear boundaries, strong leadership, and a willingness to step into visibility are essential for long-term sustainability.


Most importantly, remember that success does not have to look the same for everyone. Define your own version of impact, stay grounded in your purpose, and lead in a way that aligns with who you are — because authentic leadership is what ultimately creates lasting change.


Monica Kade – Understand your positioning.

Founder – MONICA KADE COPY

Advice

Understand your positioning.

Your gift.

Your essence.

That clarity will set you apart far more than trying to be faster or more visible.

When you know who you are and what you stand for, decisions become clearer. You stop adjusting yourself to fit expectations. You build from conviction instead of comparison.


Define success by your own standards. Build by your own definition. The market will shift. Trends will evolve. If you’re anchored in your identity, you won’t be pulled off course.

Don’t be afraid to refine your positioning as you grow. Evolution isn’t inconsistency — it’s leadership.


Speed is available to everyone. Depth isn’t.

If you invest early in understanding who you are, you won’t need to compete for attention.

You’ll be remembered for who you are.


Carrie Miller – One moment changed everything for me.

Founder – Focal Point Coaching

Advice

One moment changed everything for me. It was a fall evening, and I had just finished a long day at work—until eight o’clock at night, which wasn’t unusual. I was exhausted, still thinking about the problems I had tackled all day. When I walked into my house, there was my five-year-old daughter sitting at the bottom of the stairs, book bag and coat on, waiting for me.

I asked her, “What’s wrong, honey? Why are you sitting here?” And she looked up and said, “Mom, you missed my Ice Cream Social.”


I had completely forgotten. I hadn’t put her first that day.

That moment stuck with me. Two years ago, that same little girl had my first granddaughter, Isabella. After that night, just six months later, I left my corporate role. I wanted to give back—to support today’s leaders and tomorrow’s, especially women.


I won’t pretend I woke up that day and got it right. I missed hundreds, maybe thousands, of Ice Cream Socials in my daughters’ lives. That’s my reality, and it’s my why.


So, to women starting out as founders, here’s what I’ve learned: believe in yourself. Resilience is everything. You’ll face tough days, but those moments show what you’re made of. Build your “board” of mentors and trusted advisors who can guide and support you.


After 30 years in human resources and senior leadership, often as the only woman in the room, I know how crucial it is to know your worth—and hold on tight to it. Don’t let anyone make you feel less. We need more women leading, thriving, and passing the torch. Advocate for yourself by seeking equal opportunities and fair pay, and set clear boundaries on how you expect to be treated.


As a hyper-achiever, I’m still learning to enjoy the journey. Success isn’t just the destination—it’s every step along the way. Have fun, stay positive, and remember: every problem holds an opportunity. Your voice matters. Your success matters. And when you lead with heart, you make room for the next Ice Cream Social.


Tara Palmerton – Stay grounded in your mission.

Founder – InteGreat Solutions

Advice

Stay grounded in your mission. Take time to define what success truly looks like for you, and hold onto that definition. As things start to grow, it’s easy to keep pushing the bar higher and overlook how far you’ve already come. Don’t lose sight of the wins along the way, both big and small, all of our wins (and even losses) are what make the journey meaningful.


Angie Ng Ying Ping – To aspiring or early-stage women founders, my advice is this: 1.

Founder – Jewellery Education

Advice

To aspiring or early-stage women founders, my advice is this:

1. Build competence before confidence.

Confidence grows when you truly understand your craft, your numbers, and your value. Invest in mastering your skills and your business fundamentals.


2. Don’t romanticise entrepreneurship.

Passion is important, but discipline sustains you. Systems, structure, and consistency will carry you further than motivation alone.


3. Price with conviction.

Women often underprice out of fear of rejection. Remember — if you don’t value your work,

the market won’t either.


4. Separate emotion from decision-making.

Lead with heart, but decide with clarity. Business requires boundaries, especially when dealing with clients, partners, or even friends.


5. Build networks intentionally.

Collaboration accelerates growth. Put yourself in rooms where you are challenged, not just comfortable.


6. Grow your identity alongside your business.

Your leadership must evolve as your company grows. Learn to delegate, communicate vision clearly, and move from doing everything to building systems.


Most importantly — start before you feel ready. You will never have perfect timing, but you can build momentum.


Your journey will stretch you, but it will also shape you into a stronger version of yourself.


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