In corporate, I was the senior executive “with a seat at the table” – but not really. I fought every day to be recognised for the expertise and value I brought. I was overlooked, undermined, and bullied by people who had more power and louder voices. I know what it feels like to give everything you’ve got and still be told, silently or directly, you’re not good enough.
Eventually, I walked away.
Starting my own business was supposed to be the dream. Freedom. Flexibility. Impact. But my first attempt? A baby supply store – in hindsight, way before its time, and without the due diligence on my business partners. It failed. Not just a little stumble, a full collapse. There were tears. Cancelled birthday parties for my kids. Nights wondering how I would put dinner on the table.
And that whisper of “not good enough”? It grew louder.
But one failure wasn’t going to stop me.
My second attempt, building the LBD community, was a grind. But eventually, we broke through. It was the beginning of something bigger: the power of community and connection. Even now, years later, I love seeing the relationships that started around that table still going strong. It was my first real taste of how networks, support, and collaboration can change everything.
That decision opened doors I once thought were out of reach. I became an author, publishing three best-selling books, books that were translated into multiple languages and sold around the world. I spoke on global stages for some of the biggest companies on the planet. I was engaged by organisations across the globe to facilitate leadership development – working with them over years, not just days, to drive cultural change, unlock future leadership talent, and unleash the brilliance already within their teams. And I still love this work deeply.
And then, in 2020, it all disappeared. Every dollar of projected revenue was gone overnight. The pandemic hit, and the world shut down. Once again, I was staring failure in the face.
But this time was different.
This time, I leaned into every lesson. Every failure. Every pivot. Every ounce of resilience I’d been forced to build. And that’s how Elevate was born.
It didn’t start as a polished mastermind. It started with me gathering women in small groups, asking: What do you really need right now? And then building strategies and tools to solve those problems. Brick by brick, Elevate grew into something far bigger than me. And as it grew, Inner Circle was born too – for the women ready to think bigger, expand their influence, and create impact beyond revenue.
Today, Elevate and Inner Circle are movements. They’re circles of brilliant women rewriting the rules of business and leadership – not building by someone else’s blueprint, but creating businesses and careers that truly work for them.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Failure is not the end – it’s the forge of your next beginning
- Doubt is not truth – it’s the voice you must rise above.
- Wanting to give up is not defeat – it’s the moment opportunity appears.
So if you’re in the middle of the mess right now – in business, in leadership, in life – know this: it’s not the end of your story. It could be the very beginning of your best chapter yet.
And if you’re ready for support, strategy, and community to walk alongside you, Elevate or Inner Circle may be your next step. Doors close this Friday. If you’re curious, reply with “ELEVATE” and let’s talk.
And if you’re reading this as a leader inside an organisation – yes, I still partner with businesses globally. I continue to deliver keynotes, leadership development, and long-term programs designed to unlock brilliance within teams and shape the next generation of leaders. If that’s what you’re looking for, reach out – I’d love to explore how we can work together.
Janine x