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?
When I first began my career, I never imagined stepping into the level of leadership I hold today. I opened my business with a passion for caring for patients and helping people feel confident in their own skin but I didn’t yet see the full vision of what it could become.
Now, nearly ten years in, it’s surreal to reflect on how far it has grown. What started as a treatment room has evolved into a true brand. We’ve expanded into product development, including launching a fragrance line rooted in emotional connection and self-worth, and we are now preparing to step into an exciting new chapter, expanding into a larger space that I will own, allowing us to integrate more advanced services in wellness, health, and longevity.
Looking back, I would tell my younger self this: think bigger, sooner. Don’t wait to grow into the vision, step into it. Trust your instincts, stay rooted in your purpose, honor who you are and don’t be afraid to evolve. The path may not be linear, but if you stay committed to serving people at a high level, the opportunities will follow.
Who inspires you and why? What is your most valued attribute in the leaders you respect or mentors you have had?
This is a hard question to answer because I’ve truly been blessed with so many mentors and leaders throughout my life. From my parents and youth group leaders growing up, to close friends, colleagues in the industry, and business coaches along the way. Each of them has shaped how I lead and how I see the world.
The people who inspire me most all share one common trait: a genuine desire to help others and empower them to become more of who they’re meant to be. They lead with intention, integrity, and heart.
If there’s one attribute I value most in the leaders I respect, it’s that they understand that both business and life are deeply relational. Success isn’t just about outcomes, it’s about people. It’s about how you make others feel, how you show up for them, and how you choose to honor and uplift those around you.
That perspective has stayed with me and continues to guide how I lead my team, care for my patients, and build my business.
What did it take in order to trust yourself to step into leadership?
Stepping into leadership takes trust but also a willingness to grow into it. For me, it wasn’t a moment where I suddenly felt fully ready. It was more of a leap of faith, choosing to step forward even while I was still learning.
Leadership development is ongoing. I’m still refining, still learning from my coaches and mentors, and still becoming a better leader every day. What I’ve come to understand is that great leadership starts with self-awareness. You have to take the time to truly understand who you are; your values, your strengths, and even your blind spots before you can effectively lead others.
The more I’ve leaned into that inner work, the more confident and grounded I’ve become in leading my team. It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about being willing to grow, stay humble, and lead with intention.
Have you experienced any hardships and how did you overcome the obstacles. When did you know, the business was going to make it?
There have definitely been hardships along the way. I started my business during a very full season of life, my triplets were in kindergarten and my oldest was in first grade. Balancing motherhood, patient care, team leadership, and building a business all at once was both beautiful and incredibly challenging.
I went into it knowing there would be obstacles, and that mindset helped me navigate them. What carried me through was a deep sense of determination. I made a decision early on that I wouldn’t give up no matter what came my way. When challenges arise, I focus on finding solutions, staying adaptable, and continuing to take calculated risks. Hardships are inevitable in business, but they also refine you and make you stronger as a leader.
As for when I knew the business was going to make it, I don’t know that there was ever one defining moment. Even now, I don’t believe in becoming complacent. I always say to my team that we have to stay ahead of the curve, continue to evolve, and be willing to pivot when needed. Success isn’t a finish line, it’s something you actively protect and grow every single day.
What advice would you give other local women leaders?
My advice to other local women leaders would be to spend intentional time truly understanding who you are. That has become a deep passion of mine not only for myself, but for my children, my patients, my team, and the people I have the privilege to lead.
I believe that when you understand who you are at your core and you choose to honor that, you make better decisions, lead with greater clarity, and create a life and business that is fully aligned with your purpose.
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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.