Biz Her Way Series: Meet Leslie T. Mitchell the Corporate Entrepreneur
By Sacha Walton, Business Strategist and CEO of SWI Management Group
It’s Women’s Business Month, and I’m excited to take the opportunity to celebrate stories of everyday businesswomen making an impact in their communities.
According to the Small Business Association (SBA), “over 13 million women own businesses in the US.” Women are taking their place in society and scaling businesses with ideas, talents, passions, and skillsets while staying focused on legacy building. As a part of my efforts to honor this year’s Women’s Business, I’m celebrating by dedicating this month to elevating the voices and stories of inspiring women entrepreneurs.
Let’s lift up and applaud all the amazing, talented, and diverse women around the world who are making their voices heard.
Recently, I had a wonderful interview with the business owner, Leslie T. Mitchell, The Corporate Entrepreneur
Thank you for having this interview with me. I’m excited about sharing your story in our Biz Her Way Series for Women’s Business Month. Our readers would love to learn more about you. Please tell us who you are and a little something about yourself.
Hello, my name is Leslie! I’m a wife, mom, entrepreneur, business coach, realtor, author, and professional speaker. I’m the CEO and Founder of Mind Work Solutions, a global training and development consulting firm, for Fortune 500 companies, working with companies such as General Electric, Florida Power and Light, Verizon Wireless, Oasis Outsourcing, Prudential, and more.
Additionally, I am a sought-after motivational speaker and empowerment coach. My mantra is ‘’You Can Have It All.” I host a newly trending online talk show, You Can Have It All, streaming every day on Woman TV network to over 40 million viewers worldwide.
My success as an entrepreneur emanates from my unrelenting attitude toward failure and my avidity toward overcoming barriers to greatness.
As a Certified Life Coach, I recognize the unprecedented levels of growth and improvement that driven and motivated individuals amount to when directed by a professional who relates to them and who is equally after success as they are. I believe this starts with shifting our mindset to be the best at what we want to achieve.
I’m the author of a best seller The Balancing Act: Finding Your Footing on the Balance Beam of Life and has the #1 Masterclass on Balancing.
I’m in the process of releasing two new books a 21-Day Devotional: Believing in the Greater in You, and You Can Have It All. Both are self-development tools that will transform your mind from unsure to sure and from I can’t to I can.
Ultimately, I am a vessel that is simply being used by God. I understand that my life is not my own and that I am here solely to fulfill God’s purpose in the earth. I am someone who did not allow my circumstances to define me but instead used them to transform the way I saw myself and more importantly the way God saw me.
Everyone has a story behind the beginning of their business. Why did you start your business, write your book, be a creative, or speaker?
I was that kid who did everything my parents told me to do to succeed in their eyes. You know… go to school, get good grades, go to college, and get that “good” corporate job.
So, I did just that. In 1995, I graduated with a dual master’s degree and found it hard to land a job because I was overqualified. Go figure! I had to remove my college degree from the application to get my foot in the door as a Customer Service Representative with a major corporation.
I worked in Corporate America for about 18 years and climbed that so-called “corporate ladder.” Unbeknownst to me, this was the beginning of wanting to be my own boss.
I always knew and felt that there was more to life for me than working a 9 to 5, but at the time, I didn’t really know what it was. It lit a fire deep down in me; however, it remained dim for quite some time. In 2013, my outlook on working for someone changed.
I was out on medical leave recuperating from major surgery and was advised that my position was being displaced. You see, this was not the first time I had been displaced from a company. No, it was more like my fourth time. Yes! My fourth time!
I would always get my job back, but there was something different about this one. Something in me told me, OK, Leslie, it’s time to make a life adjustment and start your own thing.
At that moment, I prayed to God and said I never want to be in a position where I allow someone else to dictate my income. I could feel the flame that had been dim all those years begin to burn with such force. It was time for me to pursue my dream of being an entrepreneur.
So, I took my skill set as an Instructional Designer and turned it into a business, and just like that, my training and development consulting company MindWork Solutions, LLC was born. I went from employee to entrepreneur and was blessed to consult with Verizon Wireless, GE, FP&L, Prudential, and Owens Corning, just to name a few.
Which quotes or affirmations inspire you?
“You can have it all, but you don’t have to do it all” is something I live by, and it is an original quote. My favorite scripture is John 15:5
How are you making an impact with your business or project?
Often times I receive DMs and inboxes from women I don’t know telling me what an inspiration I am.
Because of me sharing my journey, my truth so to speak they have decided to pursue their dreams, or they were on the verge of giving up and something I posted resonated with them, and they have decided to keep going.
So, I think by me just being vulnerable, transparent, and authentic, is one of the most significant impacts I can make during this season of my life.
If you saw a woman struggling in business, what advice would you share with them?
Struggling is a part of the process as success does not happen overnight. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. Give yourself some grace and acknowledge that it is okay to face obstacles. The most important thing is how you face and react to those challenges.
Failure is a steppingstone to success; so don’t be discouraged by the setbacks. As you continue to take one step God will take two. Keep the faith and know that if God bought you to it He will bring you through it.
We celebrate Women’s Business Month every year. How could you make a difference in the lives of other women entrepreneurs?
My own journey from employee to entrepreneur has given me insights into the challenges women face in the business world, and because of it, I use my experiences to mentor and guide not only women entrepreneurs but those aspiring to become entrepreneurs as well as those in the corporate world.
Also, through my TV show, “You Can Have It All” I provide a platform to help women entrepreneurs become visible and share their expertise.
The show is dedicated to showcasing inspiring stories of women who have achieved success in various fields. This visibility not only acknowledges their accomplishments but also serves as a source of inspiration for all women.
Provide words of wisdom in 2 -5 sentences for another woman.
Believe in yourself and your unique journey. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and remember that setbacks are just setups for comebacks. Stay true to your vision, and never underestimate the impact of your passion and hard work.
You are capable of achieving greatness, and you can have it all when you set your mind to it. Keep the faith and keep moving forward. And remember this simple truth: With God, “ALL” Things Are Possible. There is nothing you cannot do, accomplish, or overcome when He is at the forefront.
What’s next for you?
Well, I just released a 30-day devotional Rise, Pray and Slay with 14 other amazing authors. I host an inspirational morning call every M-F called Rise, Pray, and Slay in which anyone can join.
I am in the process of finishing up my 3rd book You Can Have It All. Just launched my very own TV channel “LTM TV” which streams on the Everyday Women TV Network. I am currently looking for women who would like to have their own TV show or currently have a show to be a part of LTM TV.
In 2024, I will be bringing back the #1 Masterclass on Balancing where I help women balance their lives while building their empires.
Follow Leslie T. Mitchell: Facebook and Instagram
Sacha Walton, business strategist and owner of SWI Management Group helps entrepreneurs level up their businesses with strategic planning, marketing, and branding, which drive business growth and visibility. Biz Her Way is an annual series for Women’s Business Month and if you would like to be featured this month, email us at info@swimgtgroup.com
