Follow the Founder

Taking the leap into entrepreneurship is scary. ... But sometimes that fear is exactly what holds us back from tapping into our full potential. ✨ Tiwa Ogunlesi of @confidentandkillingit reminds us that it’s when we fully commit to our purpose that the universe responds with unexpected opportunities. If you’ve been waiting for the “right” moment to chase your dreams, this is your sign to take that leap! 🌱 https://lnkd.in/ga_zikSx #FollowTheFounder #EntrepreneurMindset #ConfidenceCoach #WomenInBusiness

Hey everyone, it’s been a minute! It’s Hagood-Earl, Annalee here, founder of Follow the Founder, and I just wanted to pop in and say hello again! 👋 Life’s been a bit of a whirlwind lately, between working on exciting projects, meeting amazing founders, and growing this community. But I’m so grateful to be back with all of you. There’s so much more to share ... new stories, fresh insights, and a whole lot of inspiration from the incredible founders we’ve connected with. 🚀 Whether you’re building your business, dreaming of taking that leap, or just need a bit of motivation, we’ve got something for you. Stay tuned for more updates and some exciting new content coming soon! Thanks for being part of this journey 🌟 #FollowTheFounder #HelloAgain #FounderCommunity

Did you know that building strong relationships with your competitors can actually help your business grow? Andrew Everingham, Founder & CEO of Capital-e, swears by it! 🤝 He believes that learning from and supporting competitors not only fosters industry-wide growth but can also create opportunities for collaboration. Sometimes, when Capital-e is fully booked, they refer clients to competitors they trust, knowing that this goodwill often comes back around. Want to dive deeper into Andrew’s insights on building relationships and planning for success? Check out the full interview on the blog: https://lnkd.in/gdSeRzb4 #BusinessTips #EntrepreneurLife #GrowthMindset #FollowTheFounder

How Do You Overcome Business Hurdles? Bridget Doherty, co-owner of Encore Events Rentals, shares three powerful strategies for navigating challenges in business: 🌟 People-Centric Leadership: Guiding your team through crises and supporting them personally builds resilience and fosters growth. 🌟 The Right Community: Joining business groups and industry associations can provide invaluable support and fresh perspectives when facing tough decisions. 🌟 Strategic Growth: Scale your business in alignment with your values, focusing on sustainable growth and long-term vision. Discover more insights from Bridget’s journey in our latest blog! #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #FollowTheFounder

From Side Hustle to Global Brand Tiwa Ogunlesi turned her personal journey of overcoming low self-esteem into a thriving media organization, Confident and Killing It. Learn how she made the leap into entrepreneurship, took control of her narrative, and built a community of women who believe in their own worth. Her story will remind you that the path to success is about using what you have and betting on yourself. Read more about Tiwa’s inspiring story and how she created her own opportunities! 💫 https://lnkd.in/gEbAjRzt #ConfidentAndKillingIt #FollowTheFounder #EntrepreneurJourney #Inspiration

Our Journey is Worth Every Step To all the dreamers out there: we know the journey of entrepreneurship is filled with challenges.! At Follow the Founder, we’re more than just a community; we’re a network of passionate individuals who support each other through every twist and turn. Whether you’re an established business owner or just dreaming of starting your own venture, we’re here to cheer you on and share our collective wisdom. Keep pushing forward, your dreams are worth it! 💪 #Entrepreneurlife #Startupsupport #Motivational #Businesscommunity #FollowTheFounder

The Benefits of People-Centric Management 👥 According to Adam Grant, a renowned organizational psychologist and author, people-centric culture within an organization has a long list of benefits including higher employee retention rates, increased engagement and productivity, better customer relations and higher employee well-being and work satisfaction. While some of these might be logical to expect, an interesting perk of prioritizing your employees is also increased innovation within the company. Grant explains this is due to fostering a feeling of understanding and support, which makes people feel at ease and prompts them to share their ideas and collaborate more freely. Read more in our latest blog here: https://lnkd.in/gwtaMR5p #Peoplecentric #Leadership #Workplaceculture #FollowtheFounder

Business success through People-Centric leadership In our latest blog, we dive into the inspiring journey of Bridget Doherty, the visionary co-owner and president of Encore Events Rentals. From transforming a small family business into a leading events rental company in Northern California, Bridget shares her invaluable insights on building a strong, people-focused team and fostering a thriving company culture including: ✨ Why a dedicated HR team is essential for business growth ✨ The innovative employee benefits that set Encore Events Rentals apart, including scholarships and a unique first-time homebuyer program ✨ The personal evolution of a founder. Balancing the demands of leadership with the freedom to enjoy life beyond the office Explore the full story and get inspired by Bridget’s journey! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gwtaMR5p #Peoplecentric #Leadership #Entrepreneurjourney #TeamSuccess

Thinking about starting a business? 🤔 "Many people assume you need a partner from day 1. However I'd disagree and stress that it’s really crucial to weigh the pros and cons. A partner will own a stake in your company, which can be beneficial, but it also makes decision-making far more complex. I am so lucky to have my close friend, Danielle Leeke, as my co-owner of Bash Creative. Even though she initially turned down the idea to preserve our friendship, over time, we realized how perfectly we complemented each other. I had strengths in business acumen, vision, and client connections, while Danielle brought an unmatched work ethic, a love for 80-hour weeks and operational skills I didn’t have. We supported each other as sounding boards and referred clients back and forth until it became clear we were stronger together. But here’s the thing: partnerships only work if the other person adds value you can’t achieve on your own or hire for. Otherwise, it’s better to secure a loan and hire the talent you need. In the startup phase, making decisions alone can be much easier, so be sure to evaluate whether a partnership is truly necessary. If you can pay for the expertise rather than giving away a share of your business, that might be the better route. Remember, a partnership is like a marriage ... you both need to bring something unique and valuable to the table. Choose wisely and find your own Danielle!" - Annalee Hagood-Earl, Founder and CEO of Bash Creative Inc #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessPartners #StartupJourney #EntrepreneurAdvice

Unleashing the Power Within ✨ Meet Tiwa Ogunlesi, the incredible founder of Confident and Killing It! In our latest interview, Tiwa shares her inspiring journey from self-doubt to self-belief, building a global movement to empower women everywhere. From growing up in Nigeria surrounded by trailblazing women to launching her business with just three months of savings, Tiwa’s story is a true testament to courage and resilience. Check out the full story on how she mastered her mind, followed her passion, and became unstoppable. https://lnkd.in/gEbAjRzt #FollowTheFounder #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #SelfConfidence