From scaling women-owned businesses past the million-dollar mark to rebuilding with clarity after burnout, I’m reflecting on the real work of leadership, discernment, and sustainable growth behind She Leads Media.
In this episode, I step out from behind the mic to share my own journey as CEO of She Leads Media and host of the She Leads podcast, rooted in a mission that’s bigger than revenue alone. Less than two percent of women-owned businesses scale beyond seven figures, and I’ve dedicated my work to changing that trajectory by helping women gain access to capital, confidence, and visibility. When women succeed financially, they reinvest in their families, communities, and causes, and that ripple effect is what drives everything we do at She Leads.
I open up about the non-linear realities of entrepreneurship, especially for women navigating gender, culture, and systemic barriers. I reflect on how pressure-based growth models and urgency-driven decisions caused She Leads Media to lose momentum in 2024, and how 2025 became a year of recovery, discernment, and realignment. That reset clarified that sustainable leadership is all about honoring values, resisting manipulation, and trusting your own judgment even when advice comes from impressive voices.
We also explore the practical work behind scaling with intention: building sound business models, strengthening financial health, developing media strategy, and using visibility as a tool for impact. I share what I’ve learned teaching entrepreneurship at Rice University’s Jones School of Business and NYU, and why critical thinking, not blind imitation, is essential when learning from other founders’ stories.
As I look ahead to 2026, I share what’s coming next for She Leads Media: personalized advisory work, curated global experiences, strategic partnerships, and renewed momentum symbolized by moving into the “year of the horse.” This episode is an honest invitation to lead with clarity, courage, and confidence, and to remember that extraordinary growth starts with conscious choice. Tune in and walk forward with me.
Chapters
🎙️ 00:56 An Unexpected Solo Episode
🚀 02:36 Adrienne Garland’s Professional Journey
💡 03:06 The Mission Behind She Leads Media
👩💼 05:03 Empowering Women Entrepreneurs to Scale
📅 08:06 Upcoming Events and New Initiatives
✈️ 11:27 Teaching Entrepreneurship and Traveling the World
🧠 23:34 Reflections and Lessons Learned Along the Way
✨ 31:26 Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
Sponsor
Go From Expert to Thought Leader with the Genius Discovery Program.
Book Directly with Kent: http://talktokent.com
Or, Check Out: geniusdiscovery.org
Links
Reach out to Adrienne: hello@sheleadsmedia.com
Visit our website: www.sheleadsmedia.com
Join us at the upcoming She Leads LIVE 2025 conference in NYC on November 6th & 7th. Learn more at sheleadsmedia.com
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— Adrienne