When I look back at my 20+ years as a woman in leadership, I see a journey built from the ground up. I’ve led in many different capacities, sometimes stepping into roles where I was the youngest, sometimes the only woman at the table, and often the one asked to pave a new path. Each season of leadership taught me lessons that I now share with other women who are just starting their own business journey, or who, like me, are seasoned leaders looking to keep growing.
In this blog post, I want to share my story, my strategies, and my perspective on what it takes for women to thrive in business today. These aren’t theories pulled from textbooks, these are real-world lessons I’ve learned from building teams, overcoming setbacks, and finding my authentic voice as a leader.
If you’re a woman entrepreneur, business leader, or simply dreaming of taking your first step into leadership, I hope my journey sparks encouragement and gives you practical tools you can apply right away.
The Power of Starting From the Ground Up
One of the greatest advantages of my career is that I didn’t start at the top. I wasn't raised in the top 1 percent of the population, I wasn't gifted a successful network of people who connected me to where I am, I started from the bottom. I built my leadership muscles from the ground up. From my earliest days in entry level positions, I learned how important it was to:
- Understand every role on the team.
- Listen more than I spoke.
- Prove myself through action, not just words.
These early years taught me humility and resilience. They reminded me that no one is “too good” for the small tasks. Even now, as a seasoned leader, I don’t hesitate to roll up my sleeves when my team needs me.
Tip for women starting out: Don’t despise small beginnings. Every step you take is preparing you for the next one. Those experiences will give you empathy and credibility when you’re the one leading others.
Finding Confidence in Your Voice
For years, I struggled with one of the biggest challenges women in business face: finding my voice in heavily dominated rooms. I often questioned myself before speaking up, wondering if I was “too bold” or “not experienced enough.”
But over time, I realized that my voice and ideas brought value, not because it was perfect, but because it was unique. My perspective, as a woman and as someone who worked my way up, added depth that others couldn’t see.
The turning point for me came when I stopped trying to sound like everyone else and started leading from a place of authenticity.
Tip for women leaders: Your voice matters. Don’t wait until you feel “ready” to speak up, use your voice now. Confidence isn’t about knowing all the answers; it’s about trusting the perspective you bring to the table.
The Balancing Act: Business and Life as a Woman Leader
One reality many women in business face is balancing leadership with personal life. For me, this has meant juggling family responsibilities, personal growth, and professional ambition all at once.
There were seasons where I felt stretched too thin. Times when I gave more to work than I gave to myself. Times when I questioned if balance was even possible.
Here’s what I’ve learned: balance isn’t about perfection, it’s about prioritization and boundaries.
- Prioritization: Each season of life has different demands. Sometimes your business will need more, sometimes your family will. Give yourself permission to shift priorities without guilt.
- Boundaries: Burnout doesn’t make you a better leader. Learning when to say “no” is one of the most powerful skills a woman in business can develop.
Tip for women entrepreneurs: Success doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself. Protect your health, your family, and your peace. That’s what allows you to lead for the long term.
Building Resilient Teams
Over my career, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about people. And people thrive under leaders who are clear, consistent, and caring.
I built resilient teams by focusing on three principles:
- Clarity: People can’t follow what they don’t understand. I learned to communicate goals and expectations clearly.
- Consistency: Trust is built when your actions match your words, day after day.
- Care: The best leaders don’t just manage tasks, they care about people. Taking time to understand your team’s strengths, struggles, and aspirations changes everything.
Tip for new leaders: Don’t just focus on results, focus on relationships. Strong teams are the backbone of sustainable business success.
Overcoming Setbacks and Failure
If you’ve been in business long enough, you know setbacks are inevitable. I’ve faced projects that didn’t go as planned, opportunities that fell through, and seasons where doubt crept in.
But every failure taught me something invaluable. Failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s the pathway to success. Each setback revealed blind spots, strengthened my resilience, and reminded me to keep moving forward.
Tip for women in business: When setbacks come, don’t let them define you. Reflect, learn, and move forward stronger. Failure is feedback, not a final outcome.
Mentorship and Paying It Forward
One of the most powerful forces in my career has been mentorship. I wouldn’t be where I am today without mentors who challenged me, guided me, and believed in me when I doubted myself.
Now, as a seasoned leader, I see it as my responsibility to pay it forward. Supporting and mentoring other women in business is not only rewarding, it’s essential if we want to change the landscape of leadership for future generations.
Tip for women leaders: Find mentors who inspire you, and then become a mentor for someone else. We rise higher when we rise together.
My Top 7 Leadership Lessons for Women in Business
To bring this all together, here are the core lessons I’ve carried with me through two decades of leadership:
- Start where you are, use what you have. Small beginnings matter and observe carefully.
- Speak up, even if your voice shakes. Confidence grows with practice.
- Protect your boundaries. Burnout isn’t a badge of honour.
- Lead with clarity, consistency, and care. That’s how you build trust.
- Learn from failure. Every setback is a setup for growth.
- Seek mentorship. Wisdom shared accelerates success.
- Stay authentic. Your leadership is strongest when it’s true to who you are., not the expectations of someone else
Final Thoughts: Thriving as Women in Business
If there’s one message I want every woman in business to take away, it’s this: you belong in leadership. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been leading for decades, your contribution matters.
Being a woman in business isn’t always easy, but it’s powerful. We bring perspectives, resilience, and creativity that change companies, industries, and communities.
As I continue to grow in my own leadership journey, I’m passionate about helping other women rise. That’s why I created Thrive With Samantha, to share strategies, stories, and encouragement for women who want to step fully into their potential.
Because when women thrive, we don’t just change businesses, we change the world.
By Samantha Almas – Canadian Entrepreneur | Founder & CEO, IGNITE FUEL SUPPLEMENTS