In this episode, Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with marketer, agency founder, and podcaster Leslie Youngblood for a powerful conversation about building a business that supports your life instead of consuming it. Leslie shares how her eclectic career in New York advertising, fashion, chambers of commerce, and entrepreneurship shaped her leadership style and eventually pushed her to walk away from 80+ hour workweeks and chronic burnout. Together, they unpack the realities of the gender pay gap, why entrepreneurship can be a powerful path to wealth and autonomy for women, and what it really looks like to learn the "game" of money, taxes, and business instead of letting it happen to you. Leslie also talks candidly about motherhood, identity shifts, and giving yourself permission to evolve while still honoring your ambition. This episode is perfect for women entrepreneurs, people leaders, and high-achieving mothers who are craving more freedom, better boundaries, and a business or career that actually matches the life they want.

Connect with Leslie:

Youngblood MMC Website: www.youngbloodmmc.com/

Podcast Website: www.seriousladybusiness.com/

Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieyoungblood/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/youngblood-mmc/

Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serious-lady-business-the-podcast/about/

In this special year-end episode of Bright Ideas, Desiree B. Sharpe highlights five standout insights from guests who shaped the conversation on leadership this season. She revisits lessons on staying curious, understanding your numbers, choosing aligned opportunities, and leading with a forward-looking mindset. Desiree also explores how daily habits and intentional self-reflection can shift both culture and career direction. Each moment offers a practical takeaway for leaders preparing for the year ahead. This episode is perfect for people leaders, founders, and anyone wanting to grow with more clarity and confidence in the new year.

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with Michael Vajda, Managing Director at Elevate Global US, for an honest conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and building resilient teams in today's shifting economy. Michael shares how running his own boutique agency shaped his leadership style, why "getting things done" is the most underrated career strategy, and what it really took to transition back into a corporate role after a decade as an entrepreneur. They dive into intergenerational dynamics at work, the realities of hiring in a turbulent market, and practical ways leaders can build trust through communication, consistency, and genuine human connection. Michael also opens up about parenthood, empathy, and the importance of directing your energy toward what actually matters.

This episode is a great fit for people leaders, founders, and anyone navigating career transitions or looking to strengthen their leadership approach.

Connect with Michael:

Website: https://weareelevate.global/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvajda/

In this episode, Desiree sits down with Kathy Bremer, managing director at Boardwalk Consulting and author of Headhunter Confidential, for a deep look at what it really takes to build a meaningful career in a volatile job market. Kathy shares the lessons she's learned across five distinct career chapters and explains why mindset, self-awareness, and clarity are still the strongest tools job seekers have, especially in an era dominated by AI screening and automated hiring systems. Together, they unpack the "unwritten rules" behind landing roles that align with your strengths, values, and long-term goals. The conversation also highlights how genuine relationships, warm introductions, and thoughtful employer branding can transform both sides of the hiring experience. This episode is a great fit for anyone navigating a career transition, supporting a team through rapid change, or looking for real-world strategies to land work that feels purposeful and energizing.

Connect with Kathy:

Managing director at Boardwalk Consulting

Author of Headhunter Confidential

Contact Desiree if you'd like to speak to Kathy

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with Michele Thornton, President of LocalFresh, for a candid look at what it really takes to lead and scale a small business. Their conversation digs into people-first leadership, succession planning, and how founders can build resilient teams that thrive through uncertainty. Michele shares her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, the lessons she learned stepping into a legacy business, and the mindset shifts that helped her grow the company while protecting its culture. They also explore changing marketing trends, especially in SMB and manufacturing sectors, and how transparency empowers teams to contribute at a higher level. This is an inspiring listen for people leaders, founders, and anyone building a business designed to last.

Connect with Michele:

Website: www.localfresh.com

In this Bright Bite episode of Bright Ideas, host Desiree B. Sharpe reflects on a transformative season of growth, faith, and entrepreneurship. She shares her experience inside the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, an Atlanta-based accelerator helping women founders access leadership training, strategic partnerships, and capital. From securing investor meetings at Venture Atlanta to refining her leadership mindset in the program's labs, Desiree offers an authentic look at what it takes to evolve from founder to CEO. She also opens up about launching Savix, her AI-powered vendor management platform, and the divine alignment that continues to guide her journey as a woman of faith, tech founder, and new mom. It's a grounded, inspiring glimpse into leadership, balance, and the power of being in the right rooms.

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Desiree sits down with Kathleen Lucente, founder and CEO of Red Fan Communications, for a deep dive into building a thriving agency culture rooted in transparency, values, and trust. Kathleen shares how her global career in corporate communications shaped her approach to leadership and why courageous conversations, financial transparency, and empowering teams are non-negotiables in today's PR landscape. She also explores how AI and evolving SEO trends are reshaping communications strategy and what leaders must do to stay ahead. You'll come away with actionable insights on how to scale your business while protecting your integrity, keeping your team engaged, and maintaining a strong, values-driven culture.

Connect with Kathleen:

Website: https://redfancommunications.com/

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Check out their Resources page on their website

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenlucente/

Email: kathleen@redfancommunications.com

In this episode of the Bright Ideas Podcast, host Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with Paxton Gray, CEO of digital marketing agency 97th Floor, to discuss how embracing a results-only work environment (ROWE) has reshaped their culture and performance. Paxton shares what it's really like to lead a 90-person team where flexibility isn't tied to hours but to outcomes, and how this shift has improved retention, autonomy, and innovation, especially through times of uncertainty like the pandemic. They dive into the importance of clear KPIs, redefining leadership during rapid growth, and how to build systems that let people perform at their best no matter when or where they work. If you're a people leader looking to scale while honoring culture, accountability, and employee trust, this conversation is full of practical insights you won't want to miss.

Connect with Paxton:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paxtongray/

paxton@97thfloor.com