To celebrate the 300th episode of C-Suite Mentor, I’m welcoming a special guest on the podcast: my husband, Dennis Cantley. When I started the C-Suite Mentor podcast back in 2018, I never imagined the journey it would take me on – not just as a host, but as an entrepreneur, mentor, and human being.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the lessons from podcasting often mirror the lessons from building and leading businesses. Today, I want to share a few of those lessons with you in hopes that they spark something in your own journey.
Business Lessons Learned in 300 Episodes of Podcasting
1. Your Story Is Your Superpower
For a long time, I thought I needed more certifications, more accolades, or more “official” accomplishments to really stand out. But the truth is, what makes me unique – and what makes you unique – is our individual stories.
Your story, your challenges, your perspective is what connects you to others. That’s what becomes your brand. When I finally leaned into sharing my experiences, I realized that my story was more powerful than any checklist of achievements could ever be.
2. Lead With Intention and Purpose
When I first launched the podcast, it was because “everyone” told me I should. It wasn’t until later that I really anchored into the why: I wanted to help people build businesses that improve lives and change the world.
The same is true for leadership. It’s not just about profitability or efficiency. It’s about asking yourself:
- Who do I want to be as a leader?
- What do I want my team’s experience to be like?
- How do I want to show up with intention every single day?
Profit matters, yes. But purpose is what sustains you through the challenges.
3. Breaking Down Leads to Building Up
These past few years have been full of breaking down old systems and rebuilding them into something better. From restructuring my business model to writing my first book, I’ve learned that every breakdown is really a breakthrough in disguise.
It’s messy, it’s uncomfortable, and sometimes it feels like everything is falling apart. But often, those detours are what bring you closer to what you’re truly meant to build.
4. Look for the Lessons
For years, I carried around regret about the 15 years I spent in corporate. I told myself I had wasted my time. But the truth? Nothing was wasted.
Every experience – the good, the bad, and the very ugly – taught me something. It just took time (and eventually writing my book) to see what those lessons really were.
Albert Einstein once said that his method of thinking was simplicity out of complexity. That’s exactly what life’s messy experiences do: they seem chaotic in the moment, but if you’re willing to sift through them, they often reveal simple, powerful truths.
Your job isn’t to wish those experiences away. It’s to look back and ask: What did I learn?
5. Honor Your Cause
Life will throw change at you, often when you least expect it. Illness, loss, business challenges, economic downturns. I’ve been through them all, sometimes at the same time.
But here’s what I’ve discovered: when you anchor yourself in your cause, you can weather any storm.
For me, that has meant choosing to focus on being present for the people I love, showing up for clients, and staying true to the difference I want to make in the world. Even when I had to shut down my store, my cause gave me strength.
6. Let Go of What’s Not Aligning
This one isn’t easy: sometimes the thing that’s holding you back is a person, a tool, or even a process you’ve outgrown.
I’ve had to let go of team members, podcast editors, vendors, and even beloved systems that no longer aligned with where I was headed. Avoiding those hard conversations only creates more friction and frustration.
Alignment matters. Whether it’s people, software, or partnerships, if something isn’t serving your vision, it’s time to release it. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. But holding on too long only creates bigger breakdowns later.
7. See and Develop Potential
Potential is greatness that hasn’t yet been expressed. Too often, leaders stop at simply noticing potential. They say, “Oh, she has potential,” and then drop someone into a role without support.
But real leadership requires more. It’s about developing that potential where a person is now, helping them grow into it, and guiding them into the right role at the right time.
Seeing potential is just the first step. Helping someone realize it is where transformation happens.
8. Everything You’ve Been Through Got You Here
It’s easy to want to bury your head in the sand when problems come up. I’ve done it, especially with financial challenges in the past. But avoidance doesn’t change reality.
What does? Facing the truth, even when it’s hard, and remembering that every single step – every struggle, every detour – brought you to this moment.
Your journey, with all its twists and turns, has prepared you for where you are now. And it will continue to prepare you for what’s next.
What Business Lessons Resonated With You Most?
Out of the eight business lessons we covered, which one resonated with you the most? Did something spark a new idea or give you clarity about your own leadership journey? Send me a message anytime at theresa@theresacantley.com to let me know, or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.
And if you’re thinking, “I know I’ve got some blind spots in my business, but I’m not sure how to find them or what to do next,” I’d love to invite you to apply for a C-Suite Snapshot session with me.
Here’s how it works: you’ll submit some information about your business, I’ll audit everything and put together a personalized report, and then we’ll sit down for a 90-minute conversation. Together, we’ll uncover your biggest gaps, highlight missed opportunities, and map out a clear 90-day plan to get things moving in the right direction.
Spots are limited, so if you’re ready to bring clarity, focus, and momentum to your business, apply today!
Resources Mentioned
Schedule a Virtual Coffee with Theresa
Book a C-Suite Snapshot with Theresa
Related Episodes
Building a Business from the Inside Out with Theresa Cantley (Replay from Meredith Grundei’s Show)
5 Tips to Be an Effective Listener and Build Deeper Connections in a Fast-Paced World
What Makes a Good Leader?: 9 Leadership Traits That Matter Most
