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In this powerful episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Scott Ballard, CEO and owner of Confidence Coach LLC, about the life-altering experience of exiting a business and navigating the uncertain space that follows. After building a highly successful company from the ground up, Scott found himself with time, money, and no clear plan. What began as a pause after selling his company became a deeply reflective period of personal growth and spiritual searching. During this time, Scott immersed himself in volunteer work, traveling with young adults to underserved areas around the world, seeking clarity on what came next in his journey.

Scott recounts how a simple request from a peer in his former industry to offer leadership advice reignited his purpose. That single encounter led to the realization that his true gift lay in helping others identify and overcome limiting beliefs—something he understood intimately through a childhood marked by dyslexia and destructive labeling. A pivotal figure in his early life helped him reframe his identity, sparking a lifelong commitment to mindset transformation. These formative experiences shaped his passion for coaching CEOs and entrepreneurs who, despite their external success, often feel like impostors or disconnected from their true purpose.

The conversation closes with Scott urging leaders to consider the deeper purpose behind their pauses. He emphasizes that a pause isn’t just about rest, it’s a gateway to discovering how one’s future can align more fully with their core identity and long-term legacy. His story is a powerful reminder that mindset is not only foundational to success but essential to fulfillment, and that the most significant growth often comes from intentional stillness.

For more information about Scott, visit https://www.confidencecoach.org/

For more information about Ellen, visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/

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In this episode of Time to Press Pause, Ellen Williams interviews Anatoly Spektor, founder of Soul to Soul Business and a seasoned entrepreneur, about the pivotal pauses that reshaped his life and work. Anatoly shares his early experiences as a software developer and consultant, reflecting on how he repeatedly ignored the signs of burnout and misalignment in corporate roles. These experiences led him to press pause, journal deeply, and analyze recurring patterns, ultimately shifting his focus toward creating businesses that align with his values. He candidly discusses the dangers of staying in comfortable but unfulfilling roles and how chasing "passive income" disconnected him from both his customers and his purpose.

Anatoly recounts how stepping back—sometimes for months—allowed him to reassess his strengths, recognize gaps in leadership and team dynamics, and build a business model that integrated his technical and strategic expertise. This journey culminated in the creation of Soul to Soul, a consultancy helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs scale impactful businesses. Rather than pursuing ventures purely for financial gain, he now works with clients whose missions he believes in, bringing clarity, process design, and deep personal investment to each engagement.

Throughout the conversation, Anatoly emphasizes the power of asking the right questions, the importance of listening to internal and external signals to know when to pause, and the transformative value of seeking help. He challenges the myth of effortless passive income and reframes success as building a business that brings peace and pride. Ellen echoes this sentiment, reflecting on her own journey toward finding peace through introspection and alignment. Together, they offer a compelling message: growth comes not just from doing, but from pausing with purpose.

To learn more about Anatoly, visit https://soultosoulshow.com/

To learn more about Ellen, visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/

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In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Mitchell Levy, a global credibility expert, executive coach, and prolific entrepreneur. Mitchell shares his journey through various business ventures, highlighting how critical feedback, especially the kind that challenges your assumptions, can be the catalyst for meaningful growth. He discusses how his past ventures in credibility and clarity, though profitable, weren’t aligned with market demand. A conversation with a trusted advisor helped him realize he had been selling what people need instead of what they want, prompting him to rethink his business strategy and offerings.

Mitchell describes how he used that pivotal moment as a chance to “press pause” and realign his focus toward offerings that resonate more clearly with his target audience. This led to the development of two core areas: “executive abundance,” a coaching philosophy centered on five stakeholder groups (self, family, customers, employees, and community), and a streamlined LinkedIn success service focused on delivering high-impact results with minimal effort. These changes allowed him to align what he delivers with what business leaders truly want, while still integrating the values of credibility and clarity.

The conversation wraps with advice for leaders on recognizing when it’s time to pause. Mitchell urges entrepreneurs to seek input from referral partners and prospects, not just friends or existing clients, to avoid the echo chamber effect. He stresses the importance of vulnerability, coachability, and being willing to question whether you're truly addressing your market’s wants. Pausing, he says, isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about finding the clarity and courage to pivot toward more meaningful, effective work.

To learn more about Mitchell, visit https://mitchelllevy.com/

To learn more about Ellen, visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/