In a time when the business world is constantly evolving, inspiration can be found in those who lead with purpose, creativity, and persistence. These entrepreneurs have carved their own paths, often through challenges, and continue to build with intention and impact. Their journeys offer fresh perspectives on what it means to grow, adapt, and stay true to a vision. Whether you’re an aspiring founder or simply interested in how people turn ideas into action, these are stories worth paying attention to in 2025.
Robin Hills
With over 40 years of experience, spanning from startups to large corporations, Robin Hills excels at transforming innovative concepts into practical solutions. As the founder and CEO of Ei4Change, Robin created a global platform that empowers individuals to understand and apply emotional intelligence in everyday life.
Robin’s journey began when he noticed a key element missing in traditional education. While schools focused on teaching cognitive skills, emotional intelligence was often overlooked. Recognizing the significance of this gap, Robin launched Ei4Change in 2014, a pioneering online learning platform now offering over 50 courses to learners in more than 200 countries worldwide.
His courses are filled with actionable tools designed to enhance leadership, communication, and decision-making. Robin incorporates cutting-edge insights from neuroscience and positive psychology, ensuring his materials stay relevant and highly practical. His work has been widely recognized, earning him titles such as “Transformational Leader of the Year” and “One of the 5 Most Inspiring Leaders You Should Be Following.” Through his book, The Authority Guide to Emotional Resilience in Business, Robin continues to solidify his position as a thought leader in the emotional intelligence space.
Outside his professional endeavors, Robin is passionate about mentoring young people at Bolton Lads & Girls Club, helping them build confidence and resilience. Looking ahead, he plans to further enhance the Ei4Change platform by integrating AI and gamification, aiming to make emotional intelligence even more interactive and engaging for users. His overarching goal is to make emotional intelligence an integral aspect of how businesses operate around the world.
With innovation at its core, Ei4Change stands as a brand synonymous with impact, growth, and transformative change in how we understand ourselves and relate to others.
Mandy Murry
Leading Hospitality Concierge Mandy Murry is a driving force behind the success of independent hotels across the U.S. With over two decades of experience, she’s worn many hats, including boutique hotel owner, general manager, executive chef, and VIP logistics director during the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. Her rare fusion of operational rigor and imaginative flair empowers boutique hoteliers to optimize efficiency, craft unforgettable guest experiences, and strengthen their brand identity.
After she and her husband sold their boutique resort in North Carolina, Mandy founded Hospitality Concierge. The company delivers expert guidance in operations, branding, guest experience, and marketing. Her mission is to drive purposeful evolution while positioning properties for long-term growth and lasting industry impact.
Having faced cancer three times, Mandy draws immeasurable strength from her battles. This profound resilience fuels her leadership style, inspiring others to embrace their challenges and emerge victorious, no matter the odds. In her memoir, Cloudsurfing: Abuse, Cancer, and Fear Took My Voice, Now I Soar, she shares a raw and powerful account of overcoming trauma. Her story echoes the bold, heart-led approach she brings to hospitality, helping others rise from hardship, rebuild, and soar with renewed clarity and purpose. She’s also been named Lux Magazine’s Best Travel Writer three times and has hosted TEDx events in 2012 and 2018–2019.
Mandy’s clients, including boutique hotel owners, managers, and hospitality professionals, value her personable yet authoritative approach. Her vision is to scale Hospitality Concierge into a comprehensive operations firm offering fractional CMO and COO services, empowering independents to stand toe-to-toe with chain “boutiques.” She also hopes to one day share the stage with hospitality icon Will Guidara, whose ethos aligns with her own dedication to excellence and emotional intelligence in leadership.
Dr. Kathryn Sneed
Health and beauty can feel out of reach sometimes, but Dr. Kathryn A. Sneed makes them feel accessible, welcoming, and real, with the right skills and a generous dose of community spirit. As the proud owner of Sneed MediSpa and Wellness, this third-generation dentist and cosmetic enhancement specialist has carved out a career and a life, one that revolves around health, beauty, and giving back.
Dr. Kathryn’s journey started in Ohio, where her love for dentistry was practically written into her DNA. She followed her family’s path, earning her DMD degree from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry in 2008. But she didn’t stop there. Her drive to mix clinical expertise with savvy business sense led her to earn an MBA in healthcare management from Indiana Wesleyan University. That combo turned out to be the perfect recipe for the entrepreneur she is today.
Dr. Kathryn started her first business at just 19 years old and has since successfully launched over a dozen ventures, several surpassing $1M in sales. She has also sold multiple businesses and finds joy in mentoring fellow entrepreneurs, especially women in leadership. At Sneed MediSpa and Wellness, she has created a warm, inviting space where beauty, wellness, and self-confidence intersect. Offering a full range of advanced aesthetic treatments and wellness services, she ensures each patient receives personalized, results-driven care. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she made headlines for personally distributing over 1,250 thoughtfully curated gift bags to frontline healthcare workers.
Dr. Kathryn has earned several prestigious recognitions, including Best Spa in Memphis 2024, City’s Best for two consecutive years, and a coveted spot on the national list of the Best Aesthetic Injectors in America. These honors speak not only to her clinical skill but also to the passion, integrity, and community-minded ethos she brings into every aspect of her practice.
Dr. Melinda Fouts
Dr. Melinda Fouts brings both psychological depth and heartfelt intention to executive coaching. Armed with a Ph.D. in psychology, she has spent 25 years mentoring individuals and teams across the globe. Her specialty in Jungian and depth psychology gives her an uncanny ability to listen beyond what clients say, revealing unconscious barriers and blind spots that prevent even the most talented leaders from reaching their full potential.
As the founder of Success Starts with You, Dr. Fouts transitioned her psychotherapy practice into a dynamic coaching enterprise upon realizing that top executives needed more than standard advice. Instead, they craved genuine transformation. She integrates emotional intelligence assessments to illuminate both strengths and growth areas, guiding clients toward meaningful, lasting insight.
Recognition for her work spans continents and industries. Her accolades include Top International Coach of the Year 2020, Empowered Woman of the Year 2021, and the 2025 Business Excellence Award from the UK Parliament. Yet, she remains grounded. Author of Cognitive Enlightenment: A Disciplining of Your Mind, contributor to Forbes, keynote speaker, and creator of 13 leadership training programs, she channels her expertise into every client interaction. Clients describe her not merely as a consultant but as a trusted thought partner who challenges perspectives with empathy and intention.
What drives her work is a core conviction: leadership begins from within. When leaders deepen their self-awareness, they catalyze positive change throughout their organizations and beyond. Dr. Fouts doesn’t just offer tactics. She helps clients reframe their inner narratives, turning limitations into leverage and overused strengths into balanced, strategic assets.
From emerging executives to seasoned CEOs, Dr. Fouts shines a light on the path to purposeful leadership. Visit successstartswithyou.net to discover how internal transformation can fuel external impact and enduring fulfillment.
Takashi Tsubota
Proudly carrying the hallmark of “Made in Japan,” AC BANK GLOBAL is redefining global banking standards. Rooted in the timeless values of Japanese craftsmanship, the bank reflects discipline, sincerity, and integrity at every level. With Takashi Tsubota at the helm, the bank delivers financial solutions defined by precision and purpose.
The bank’s foundation is built on two flagship fixed‑deposit offerings crafted to meet diverse financial objectives: a 9% annual compound‑interest plan designed for long‑term growth, and a flexible annual interest payout scheme that supports customized cash‑flow strategies. These instruments deliver reliable performance while supporting both seasoned investors and families fostering financial literacy among their children.
What sets AC BANK GLOBAL apart is its commitment to immersive global opportunity. Clients are invited to explore international real estate and business ownership, from visiting a landbanking place to visiting some restaurants as an owner of them. Facilitated by ACSEED Travel & Tourism, these journeys are guided by the Japanese principle of Omotenashi, serving with quiet anticipation and thoughtful care.
At the heart of the bank’s philosophy lies Tsubota’s vision of “Public Interest Capitalism.” Each deposit becomes a catalyst for progress: monthly contributions are directed toward education and welfare initiatives in Africa, while in-house financial literacy programs help equip future generations for economic independence. Serving over 5,000 clients in under four years and earning recognition as one of the GCC’s “Most Anticipating Private Banks” by Gulf News in 2024, AC BANK GLOBAL continues to distinguish itself through values-led performance.
Looking ahead, AC BANK GLOBAL plans to expand throughout Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, transforming wealth into a tool for holistic impact.
Jennifer Briskin
Jennifer Briskin isn’t just another coach, and that’s exactly why it matters. With over 25 years of experience, she’s mastered the art of unlocking potential. Her specialty? She helps artists and professionals tap into their fullest potential by sparking transformation from the inside out. At Listening Tree Healing Studio, she guides creatives to realign, recharge, and elevate their authentic self-expression.
Listening Tree isn’t just a place to recharge. It’s a launchpad for transformation. Through offerings like Insight Clarity Sessions, Rooted Renewal Sessions, and the Creative Flow Mastery Course, Jennifer helps creatives clear energetic blocks, overcome burnout, and align with their most authentic expression. Fluent in both the fast-paced demands of Hollywood and the inner work of personal growth, she knows how to guide clients through real, lasting breakthroughs.
Jennifer’s impact spans more than 500 individuals across workshops, retreats, private sessions, and collaborations like her recent course with The Artists Sanctuary for Actors. Through her steady presence on LinkedIn and Instagram, she continues to inspire a movement of creatives who value integrity, growth, and soul-aligned success.
And the next evolution is already in motion. In late 2025, Jennifer will launch a new venture designed to take creative support to an even deeper and more expansive level. This next chapter will focus on providing transformative coaching, healing, and mentorship experiences that bridge the gap between ambition and soul. Until then, she remains devoted to making real transformation accessible through free and low-cost workshops for those ready to rise.
The future of creative healing is here, and Jennifer Briskin is leading it.
Gabriele Werstler
In a world where business success is often associated with stress and pressure, Gabriele Werstler shows that true fulfillment, inner peace, and enormous sales growth and success can go hand in hand. As a Spiritual Mentor and the Top Managers No. 1 Spiritual Coach, Gabriele redefines leadership through her groundbreaking concept of “Soul Leadership,” leadership that heals, empowers, and comes from head, heart, and pure intuition.
Simply being near Gabriele feels like a gentle bath in deep peace. Clients often report profound clarity, renewed creativity, and a new joy in life, leadership, and relationships. Her influence goes beyond business. It truly touches people at their very core.
Gabriele’s impact is real and measurable. She has received numerous international awards and, among other things, built one of the largest and fastest-growing direct sales teams globally, with over 3,000 people in record time. Her secret? Living the wisdom she teaches: intuitive, authentic, and rooted in genuine empowerment. At a time when many are plagued by uncertainty and stress, Gabriele offers a space of calm and clarity.
Her clients are top leaders who sense it’s time for something new, a leadership that nurtures gifts, builds powerful teams, and flows intuitively. Gabriele helps them create spaces where success and joy grow together, teams grow together, and leadership is characterized by clarity and pure love, leading to great success.
From her early studies in psychology, sports science, and pedagogy to over 30 coaching certifications, Gabriele’s lifelong mission has been to make life more joyful, effortless, and successful, and above all, meaningful, fulfilling, and with deep inner peace. Her work is a natural blend of inspiration, education, and deep human connection.
To discover how her work can transform your life and organization, visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
Berke Kababulut
At the forefront of contemporary furniture design stands Berke Kababulut, the driving force behind LAZZONI’s rise from a family-owned craftsmanship legacy in Türkiye to a globally recognized leader in modern luxury living.
As Berke was born into a family of master craftsmen, he was naturally drawn to the world of furniture. He studied industrial design in the U.S., where he discovered how to make bold ideas into practical designs that serve real-world needs. By his early twenties, he was already leading LAZZONI into becoming a world-class design brand.
Under Berke’s guidance and the help of his brother Efe, the brand has expanded far beyond its Turkish roots. Showrooms now shine in global cities like New York, London, and Istanbul. But LAZZONI’s real innovation lies in how it engages with clients. He introduced a groundbreaking digital interior design service, allowing customers to co-create personalized spaces without leaving their homes. It’s a blend of convenience, creativity, and thoughtful design, all just a video call away.
But innovation doesn’t stop at technology. Berke applies his sustainability-first philosophy to every corner of the brand. Each piece is made to order, minimizing waste and maximizing purpose. The materials are carefully chosen for their environmental impact, and longtime artisans, many of whom have been with the company for decades, ensure every curve and detail is meticulously crafted.
Berke’s leadership has also earned the brand its fair share of applause. Honors from the IDA, iF Design, and Good Design Awards are just a few highlights that underscore his commitment to design, craftsmanship, and elevated living.
For Berke Kababulut, furniture is more than function. It’s an experience, shaped by heritage and reimagined for modern life.
Tim Dillon
Tim Dillon is placing his biggest bet yet, building a unified global platform for MicroBetting, backed by proprietary patents and a bold, state-focused vision. As sports betting apps roll out across the U.S., he sees a massive gap in how states benefit, or don’t. Today, some collect up to 10% in taxes from licensed sports betting platforms, while others, like Washington State, collect nothing due to tribal exclusivity. That’s untapped funding potential.
Tim’s approach mirrors the success of Powerball and Mega Millions, where multi-state alliances drive billions in funding for public services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Just as a portion of each lottery ticket goes toward public programs, MicroBetting could be structured to return a meaningful share of revenue back to the states, especially those currently locked out of sports betting tax dollars.
He’s not new to building things that shake up the system. Back in the early ‘90s, Tim co-founded Accelerated Media, one of the first web design firms, and helped ship iconic Microsoft projects like DirectX 1.0 and Windows Media Player. At Expedia, he scaled global IT infrastructure and platforms that streamlined bookings for millions. Later, he pioneered new forms of fan engagement in the sports betting space, including real-time MicroBetting tech that lets users place bets as the action unfolds.
In 2014, he co-founded 206 Sports Group, working with Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson and other top-tier athletes to blend digital innovation with personal brand building. He’s also a named inventor on multiple patents for dynamic sports wagering systems.
But resume aside, Tim’s a seasoned technologist who’s been around the block. What makes him dangerous is the clarity of his vision. MicroBetting isn’t just about fan engagement or new revenue streams. It’s a chance to build something that states can rely on, just like the lottery, to fund critical services in a sustainable, tech-forward way.
Maya Odeh
At just 22 years old, Maya Odeh has shattered expectations and rewritten the rules of what success looks like. She’s not just the CEO of Marketing Legend, a powerhouse digital marketing agency. She’s the heart, the vision, and the relentless force behind it.
Maya’s journey is anything but ordinary. She built her agency from the ground up, not with a silver spoon or a safety net, but with grit, passion, and a refusal to be underestimated. She was told she was too young, too inexperienced, that she wouldn’t make it. But instead of letting the doubt break her, she let it fuel her. She worked through the nights, taught herself the game, and turned every “no” into a reason to go harder.
Today, Marketing Legend is home to a growing team of 15+ sharp, driven creatives and strategists. Under Maya’s leadership, the agency has scaled countless businesses, driven real profit growth, and partnered with a wide range of franchises that trust her team to deliver.
But Maya’s mission is bigger than marketing. She’s driven by purpose. Whether it’s helping a small business owner take their first big leap or amplifying the voice of a nonprofit that’s changing lives, Maya is all in. She leads with empathy, believes deeply in her clients, and shows up every single day with a fire to help others win. She hasn’t just built a business. She’s built a movement. One that believes in impact over ego, community over competition, and purpose-driven work that lifts people up.
Maya also gives back by partnering with nonprofits to expand their reach and make a real difference. Her agency is mindful of the future, incorporating sustainable practices wherever possible, because for Maya, doing good is just as important as doing well.