_edited.png)
Visionary Leadership – Women Founders’ Advice - Part 25
In the Visionary Leadership Series, we feature the insights of 10 women founders who share lessons on trusting your vision, taking action before everything feels perfect, and developing confidence through experience. Their advice also highlights purposeful leadership, continuous learning, authentic self-expression, supportive relationships, resilience, and creating meaningful impact through the businesses they build.
Featured Women Founders
Mary Njoki Leadership/Entrepreneurship for women is not just about getting the top job.
Docia Boylen My advice is simple: stop waiting until everything is perfect.
Kimberly Oliger, APRN, FNP-C My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to believe in your vision, even when the path forward is uncertain.
Kelly Harple My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: start before you feel ready.
Edna Castillo My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: trust yourself sooner.
Ciemone Sheppard My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is simple: bet on yourself, build with purpose, and don't wait for permission.
Syed Ali fathima My biggest advice to early-stage women founders is to embrace continuous upskilling and never hesitate to build a supporting team around your vision.
Angie Simonetti My advice to aspiring women founders is simple: don't wait until you feel ready.
Milla Cassidy My advice to aspiring women founders is to start before you feel completely ready and allow your purpose to guide you.
HEIDY LOPEZ Build your business around purpose, not just profit.
Wendy Preyssler, MCC Invest in your own leadership as intentionally as you invest in your business.
Franziska Neumann My advice to aspiring and early-stage women entrepreneurs is to start with clarity: know what you stand for, understand the value you bring, and do not be afraid to communicate it confidently.
Mary Njoki – Leadership/Entrepreneurship for women is not just about getting the top job .
Company– Glass House PR Ltd
Website: www.glasshousepr.co.ke
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-njoki/
Advice
Leadership/Entrepreneurship for women is not just about getting the top job . It is about setting the tone and creating a future that is acceptable within certain arenas and spaces. As the most powerful mouthpieces, we must raise a leadership standard that is not nepotistic, parochial, or capitalistic in nature.
If we are to dismantle nepotistic or deeply capitalistic systems, we have to look beyond a woman’s title and look at her impact. Women leadership must liberate others and not just protect the status quo?
Docia Boylen – My advice is simple: stop waiting until everything is perfect.
Company– Handyman Connection
Website: Www.handymanconnection.com/golden
Advice
My advice is simple: stop waiting until everything is perfect.
Many women hold themselves back because they believe they need more experience, more confidence, more funding, or a perfect plan before taking action. The truth is that entrepreneurship is learned by doing.
Done is better than perfect.
Find something you genuinely love and build a life around it. When your personal values and your business mission align, success becomes much more sustainable and meaningful.
I would also encourage women to stop comparing themselves to others. There is no one else with your unique combination of experiences, talents, and perspective. Build your business your way.
Most importantly, learn to ride the roller coaster. Entrepreneurship will always have highs and lows. The goal is not to eliminate them. The goal is to keep your equilibrium in the middle, celebrate the wins, learn from the setbacks, and keep moving forward.
The world needs more women who are willing to step into leadership and create the future they envision.
Kimberly Oliger, APRN, FNP-C – My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to believe in your vision, even when the path forward is uncertain.
Company– Poised Medical, Wellness & Beauty Spa
Website: www.poisedmedspa.com
Advice
My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to believe in your vision, even when the path forward is uncertain. Success rarely happens overnight, and challenges are a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. Stay focused on your purpose, be willing to learn continuously, and don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.
Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and a strong professional network who can offer guidance and support. Invest in both your personal and professional growth, and remember that resilience, consistency, and integrity are often more important than perfection.
Most importantly, trust your abilities and lead with confidence. As women, We sometimes underestimate the value of our experience, knowledge, and perspective. Your unique voice and leadership style are strengths. Stay committed to your goals, remain adaptable, and never lose sight of the impact you can make in the lives of others through your business.
Kelly Harple – My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: start before you feel ready.
Company– Stroll Riverview
Advice
My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: start before you feel ready.
Many women wait until they have every answer, every qualification, and every detail perfectly planned before taking action. The truth is that confidence is built through action, not before it. Some of the greatest opportunities in my life came from saying yes to challenges I had not yet fully figured out.
Build relationships before you need them. Your network is one of the most valuable assets you will ever create. Invest in people, show genuine interest in others, and focus on how you can help before asking for help in return. Business is built on trust, and trust is built through authentic connection.
Do not be afraid to take up space, share your ideas, and own your expertise. Too often, women underestimate the value they bring to the table. Your experiences, perspective, and leadership style are strengths, not limitations.
Most importantly, remember that success is rarely a straight line. There will be setbacks, disappointments, and moments when you question yourself. Those moments do not mean you are failing. They are often the moments that shape you into the leader you are becoming.
Lead with integrity. Stay curious. Keep learning. Celebrate progress, not perfection. And never lose sight of why you started.
The world does not need more women waiting for permission. It needs more women willing to step forward, trust themselves, and create the opportunities they wish existed.
Edna Castillo – My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: trust yourself sooner.
Company– RealityDreams Life Coaching
Website: https://livingrealitydreams.com/
Advice
My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is simple: trust yourself sooner.
Many women spend years gathering more information, seeking more certifications, waiting for more confidence, or looking for permission before taking action. Yet some of the most meaningful opportunities in my life and business came when I decided to trust my experience, my intuition, and my ability to figure things out along the way.
Do not wait until you feel ready. Clarity comes from action, not from overthinking. Start before you have all the answers. Learn as you go. Your willingness to take the next step is often more important than having the perfect plan.
I also encourage women to build a business that reflects who they truly are. Your greatest competitive advantage is not trying to be someone else; it is bringing your unique story, perspective, and gifts to the people you serve. The challenges you have overcome may become the very foundation of your purpose and impact.
Finally, remember that success is not created through constant hustle alone. Sustainable success comes from learning to manage your energy, trust your inner wisdom, cultivate meaningful relationships, and stay connected to the vision that inspired you to begin.
The world does not need more women playing small. It needs more women willing to step fully into their leadership, share their voice, and create the change they are here to make.
Ciemone Sheppard – My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is simple: bet on yourself, build with purpose, and don't wait for permission.
Company– Ciemone Inc
Website: www.ciemoneinc.com
Advice
My advice to aspiring and early-stage women founders is simple: bet on yourself, build with purpose, and don't wait for permission.
1. Start before you're ready. There will never be a perfect time. Take the first step and learn as you go.
2. Know your value and own your expertise. Confidence comes from preparation and experience. Don't underestimate what you bring to the table.
3. Build a strong network. Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and other entrepreneurs who will challenge, support, and open doors for you.
4. Be resilient. Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with setbacks and uncertainty. View challenges as lessons, not failures.
5. Protect your time and energy. Prioritize what truly moves your business forward and don't be afraid to say no.
6. Lead with purpose. The most successful businesses solve real problems and create meaningful impact. Stay connected to your "why."
7. Keep the ladder down. As you grow, create opportunities for other women to succeed. Collaboration and community are powerful forces for change.
Most importantly, remember that success is not about becoming someone else—it's about becoming the fullest expression of who you already are. Trust your vision, stay persistent, and never underestimate the power of your voice and leadership.
Syed Ali fathima – My biggest advice to early-stage women founders is to embrace continuous upskilling and never hesitate to build a supporting team around your vision.
Company– FK Fashion hut
Advice
My biggest advice to early-stage women founders is to embrace continuous upskilling and never hesitate to build a supporting team around your vision. When you start, you might have to wear all the hats—from designer to marketer—but to truly scale, you must learn to invest in your own growth and delegate.
Leverage digital platforms early on to share your authentic story, because building a community is just as important as building a product. Most importantly, trust your creative instincts and view every operational hurdle not as a setback, but as an essential step in your leadership journey.
Angie Simonetti – My advice to aspiring women founders is simple: don't wait until you feel ready.
Company– Advanced Landscape LLC
Website: www.advancedlscape.com
Advice
My advice to aspiring women founders is simple: don't wait until you feel ready. Confidence isn't something you have before you begin—it is something you build by taking the next step, learning from mistakes, and refusing to quit.
Expect obstacles. Every day of building a business will present challenges, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt. Don't become discouraged by them. Instead, drive through them with confidence, determination, and intensity, knowing that growth and success are often waiting on the other side of the difficulty. The obstacle isn't a sign to stop—it is often the very thing preparing you for what's next.
Never stop learning. Every experience—whether in the military, a classroom, a boardroom, or a difficult season of life—can become an asset if you're willing to grow from it. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, ask questions, seek mentors, and remain teachable.
Use your voice. Your perspective, experiences, and ideas have value. Don't be afraid to ask for what you need, establish healthy boundaries, or make decisions that align with your values rather than trying to please everyone.
Finally, remember that success isn't measured only by revenue or awards. True leadership is about the positive impact you have on others. Build a business that solves problems, serves people well, and leaves your employees, customers, and community better than you found them. If you focus on creating value, lead with integrity, and persevere through challenges, success will follow.
Milla Cassidy – My advice to aspiring women founders is to start before you feel completely ready and allow your purpose to guide you.
Company– Viva Travel Agency LLC
Website: https://www.vivatravel.agency/
Advice
My advice to aspiring women founders is to start before you feel completely ready and allow your purpose to guide you. Building a business comes with uncertainty, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt, but those moments do not define your potential.
Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, stay connected to your community, and never be afraid to ask for help. Most importantly, remember your “why.” My own journey taught me that life is too precious to postpone your dreams. Take the first step, keep learning, and trust that every challenge is helping you become the leader you are meant to be.
HEIDY LOPEZ – Build your business around purpose, not just profit.
Company– HLO CONSULTING LLC
Website: WWW.HLOINSURANCE.COM
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hlo-insurance-837865243
Advice
Build your business around purpose, not just profit.
Invest in your knowledge, stay teachable, and never underestimate the value of integrity. Success doesn't happen overnight, but consistency, faith, and genuine care for people create lasting relationships and sustainable growth.
Don't compare your journey with someone else's. God has given each of us unique gifts and a unique mission. Lead with authenticity, serve with excellence, and trust that every small step is preparing you for greater opportunities.
Wendy Preyssler, MCC – Invest in your own leadership as intentionally as you invest in your business.
Company– Coaching By Wendy
Website: https://coachingbywendy.com
Advice
Invest in your own leadership as intentionally as you invest in your business. Success isn't determined solely by what you do, but by who you are being while you do it. Develop the self-awareness to recognize your strengths, your blind spots, and the impact you have on others.
Stay curious, continue learning, and surround yourself with people who will both support you and challenge you to grow. Lead with empathy, courage, and authenticity. Never stop investing in yourself. The business can only grow to the extent that its leader continues to grow.
Franziska Neumann – My advice to aspiring and early-stage women entrepreneurs is to start with clarity: know what you stand for, understand the value you bring, and do not be afraid to communicate it confidently.
Company– FZK
Website: https://byfzk.com/
Advice
My advice to aspiring and early-stage women entrepreneurs is to start with clarity: know what you stand for, understand the value you bring, and do not be afraid to communicate it confidently.
You do not need to have every answer before you begin. Some of the most important parts of my own journey came from being willing to learn new skills, adapt to change, and move into areas where I was not yet an expert. Curiosity and continuous learning can become some of your greatest competitive advantages.
I would also encourage women founders not to build their businesses by constantly comparing themselves with others. Trends, platforms, and technologies will continue to change, but a strong understanding of your purpose, your customers, and what makes your business different will give you a much more durable foundation.
Surround yourself with people who complement your strengths, ask for help when you need it, and build relationships rather than simply building a network. Leadership does not mean doing everything yourself.
Most importantly, trust that your perspective has value. You do not have to lead exactly like someone else to be successful. Build a business that reflects your values, remain open to reinvention, and use your success to create opportunities, share knowledge, and help others grow along the way.
Comments