When you began your career did you ever imagine you would have a leadership role like you have now? What advice would you give your younger self?
Honestly, no. I didn’t grow up believing I would lead at this level. I had the work ethic and the drive, but not always the belief in myself. That came later.
If I could talk to my younger self, I would tell her this: you don’t have to wait until you feel ready or confident to step into something bigger. Confidence is not a prerequisite. It’s a byproduct. I would tell her to decide sooner, trust herself earlier, and stop asking for permission. The belief comes after you move, not before.
Who inspires you and why? What is your most valued attribute in the leaders you respect or mentors you have had?
The leaders I respect most are the ones who can hold both high standards and deep humanity at the same time. They tell the truth. They give feedback in the moment. People always know where they stand with them. And at the same time, when something real happens in someone’s life, they show up as a human first.
That balance is not easy, and it’s something I work on every day.
What did it take in order to trust yourself to step into leadership?
It didn’t happen all at once. Trust was built over time through evidence. I had to stop waiting to feel like a leader and start acting like one. Making decisions. Taking responsibility. Following through. Even when I wasn’t sure.
Trust comes from keeping promises to yourself. From showing up consistently. From proving to yourself, over and over again, that you can handle what’s in front of you. That’s what built my confidence. Not a moment, but a pattern.
Have you experienced any hardships and how did you overcome the obstacles? When did you know, the business was going to make it?
Yes. My story includes a lot of early hardship. I grew up in a trailer park, experienced instability, and went through things no child should have to go through. Those experiences shaped how I saw myself for a long time.
For a while, I carried the belief that I wasn’t worthy. But I never lacked discipline or work ethic. Over time, I started building a different story through action. As for the business, there wasn’t one moment where I knew it would “make it.” It was a series of small wins, decisions, and moments of resilience that stacked over time.
Looking back, it wasn’t certainty that built the business. It was consistency, relentless action, and the decision to never quit on myself.
What do you attribute your success too? Secret to your success…
If I had to simplify it, it would be this: I decided who I was before I had proof, and then I built my life around that decision.
I put systems and habits in place that supported that version of me, even on the days my belief wavered. I also track my evidence. The outcomes, the impact, the moments where I showed up and followed through. I don’t rush past them. I pause and capture the wins, the progress, and what was actually created because I was there. That’s what builds real confidence, not just temporary motivation.
There’s no shortcut. It’s discipline, self-awareness, and a commitment to keep going, even when it’s hard.
What advice would you give other local women leaders?
Stop waiting to feel ready. You are not behind. You are not late. And you don’t need permission. Decide who you are. Build your life and your leadership around that. And then start collecting proof.
Also, surround yourself with people who tell you the truth and support your growth. You don’t have to do this alone.
And most importantly, don’t minimize your impact. The way you show up matters more than you think. It matters to your team, your family, and the people watching you build.
I can’t wait to see more women step fully into who they are capable of being.
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https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8987243/
Jennifer Bardot (left) (ownyourgrit@gmail.com, or 314-630-1451) is CEO and Founder of G.R.I.T. Community For Women.
Marianne Biangardi (right)(mbiangardi@uhy-us.com or 314-322-4871) is Sr. Associate, Marketing and Business Development, at UHY LLP.