Sandra James is the Founder and CEO of Private Eyes, which creates safe workplaces through high-quality background checks. She is also the bestselling author of Don’t Tell Me I Can’t, a memoir recounting her journey from growing up on a farm and battling substance abuse to becoming an entrepreneur. As an advocate for entrepreneurship, Sandra served on the board and is a member of the leadership forum for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). She also serves on the board of WBEC-West.

Growing up disadvantaged can make achieving career fulfillment and growth feel like an illusion, especially if you grew up during a time when women couldn’t obtain a business loan without a man’s co-signature. Learn how a farm girl turned entrepreneur overcame incredible odds to reach the pinnacle of her career.

Sandra James grew up working on her family’s farm and slept in a closet in a two-bedroom house with eight siblings. Rather than become complacent with her situation, Sandra altered her perspective and leveraged her childhood-acquired work ethic to become an entrepreneur. Along the way, she struggled with substance abuse and navigated a tumultuous relationship when her first husband stole her business idea. Despite these obstacles, Sandra maintains that resilience, persistence, and optimism are crucial in overcoming hardships.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Sandra James, the Founder and CEO of Private Eyes and the author of Don’t Tell Me I Can’t, to talk about her journey from farm girl to CEO. Sandra delves into her early entrepreneurial endeavors, why she joined WBENC and Vistage, and her decision to become sober.

Sylvia Theisen is a Life Coach at Prime Time Coaching, where she coaches women through a transformational process of discovery. As a former psychotherapist, speaker, author, and business owner, she specializes in human behavior and personal development, helping women lead more fulfilling lives. Sylvia is also the author of Break the Rules: An Uncommon Guide to Creating the Life You Crave.

Antiquated gender roles are shifting as women begin to recognize their limitless possibilities. As of 2022, women comprise half of the college-educated workforce, and single women now own and occupy more homes than single men. How can you participate in this radical movement to create the life you want?

Traditionally, women have felt uncomfortable when served food and other comforts and were hesitant to embark on solo adventures. As a midlife development coach, Sylvia Theisen encourages women to engage in the process of self-discovery by stepping out of their comfort zones to develop confidence and essential life skills. These skills include disappointing others to avoid disappointing yourself and setting crucial boundaries.

Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston invites Sylvia Theisen, Life Coach at Prime Time Coaching, to speak about how she empowers midlife women to rewrite their life stories. Sylvia talks about breaking free from societal expectations, how to embrace the changes of midlife, and how she helps women identify their unique potential.

Minette Norman is an author, speaker, and consultant with decades of experience leading global teams in the software industry. As a vital voice in inclusive leadership, she speaks about psychological safety and empathy. Minette is also the author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader and the co-author of The Psychological Safety Playbook.

In a corporate world dominated by male leaders, women often feel silenced and suppress their opinions and emotions. Yet vulnerability and emotional intelligence are vital characteristics of women leaders. How can you harness these qualities to make a true impact on your team?

After being forced out of Silicon Valley by male leaders threatened by her dominance, Minette Norman discovered the power of inclusive leadership. This involves cultivating a diverse team to enrich company dynamics and promote creative problem-solving. It also entails establishing psychological safety in the workplace to ensure team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks. Embracing your authentic self in your leadership role fosters genuine connection and creates an atmosphere of trust.

Tune in to the latest episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston welcomes Minette Norman to talk about transforming leadership through emotional intelligence and inclusivity. Minette reveals insights from her book, how she cultivated a network when starting a new business, and her transformation from acting to leadership in Silicon Valley.