10 Self-Made Women Who Built Success Through Hard Work

Women Who Built Success Through Vision, Resilience, and Hard Work

Success rarely comes overnight. It is earned through vision, resilience, and relentless hard work. The women featured in this article didn’t wait for permission or the perfect moment. They built careers, brands, and legacies by trusting their instincts, overcoming setbacks, and staying true to their values. Their journeys are not just impressive—they’re deeply human. Each woman turned challenges into growth and ideas into impact, reminding us that true success is built from the ground up, one determined step at a time.

Latrice Galloway-Crawford | Childcare Wellness Advocate & Founder of KidZville Learning Academy

When it comes to creating spaces that nurture the whole child, Latrice Galloway-Crawford is a force to be reckoned with. As the founder and director of KidZville Learning Academy, a thriving seven-figure childcare center launched in 2007, Latrice is redefining early childhood education by blending care, structure, and wellness in powerful ways. Her journey began as a young single mother in Houston searching for a safe, enriching place for her son and finding none. Rather than settle, she built what her community was missing.

Now, nearly two decades later, Latrice has not only transformed the lives of thousands of children and families, but she’s also empowering the next generation of childcare leaders through her coaching brand, The Childcare Clique. Her programs and national Born To Teach ECE Conference have become must-attend events for early childhood professionals looking to lead with excellence, equity, and heart.

With her signature pink style and down-to-earth approach, Latrice is proof that leadership in education can be both bold and deeply rooted in purpose. Her commitment to quality, safety, and emotional well-being in learning environments has earned her national recognition including being named an INC 5000 company in 2024.

Whether she’s mentoring new business owners or championing children’s wellness, Latrice brings a message of faith, confidence, and possibility to everything she does.

Mishel Rych, PhD | Psychotherapist, Educator, and Founder of Doctor Mishel

Dr. Mishel Rych built her platform on a powerful blend of lived experience and clinical expertise. A licensed clinical social worker with a PhD in psychology, she has spent over 15 years helping people recover from narcissistic abuse. What began as a personal journey watching her mother escape abuse when she was just a child became a lifelong mission to guide others out of confusion and into clarity.

From an early age, Mishel knew her purpose was to help people. She initially went to law school with dreams of advocacy, but soon realized her calling was deeper. She shifted paths, earning her Master’s in Social Work and later completing her PhD in psychology. Along the way, she raised two sons as a single mother, worked as a waitress to support her education, and slowly built the foundation for a career that reaches far beyond the therapy room.

Through her platform, Doctor Mishel, she now supports a global audience with coaching, community, and clinical insights. She is the creator of the RISE Method and author of Surviving Narcissism: A Guided Journal and co-author of Chasing Rescue, a newly released book for those seeking deeper healing and empowerment.

Mishel doesn’t just teach recovery; she walks people through it with compassion and clarity. Her blend of science and soul helps survivors feel seen, supported, and capable of true transformation.

Stephanie Broersma | Author, Speaker, Life Coach & Founder of Reclaimed Ministry

When betrayal shattered her marriage, Stephanie Broersma chose healing over hiding. With grace rooted in faith and fierce compassion, she turned her personal story of heartbreak into a national mission of hope. As the founder of Reclaimed Ministry, Stephanie walks alongside women navigating the trauma of infidelity offering Christian-centered resources, practical coaching, and a message of identity restoration through Jesus.

Before launching Reclaimed, Stephanie spent 15 years as a successful salon owner, unintentionally preparing for ministry by listening, praying, and supporting clients through life’s highs and lows. But it was the collapse of her own marriage that redirected her path. Rather than stay silent, she stepped out in faith and began sharing her story. What followed was an outpouring of women seeking connection and healing.

Now a certified life coach and award-winning author of Reclaimed: Finding Your Identity After Marital Betrayal, Stephanie empowers women to process pain, rebuild worth, and find purpose again regardless of whether their marriage survives. Her resources, including Reclaimed: A Course To Guide You Through Betrayal & Infidelity Trauma, are a unique blend of trauma awareness, faith, and practical tools praised by counselors for their holistic approach.

Stephanie’s vision is clear: no woman should walk through betrayal feeling alone. Through her coaching, books, and small groups, she offers community, truth, and hope to brides in every stage of healing.

Lisa Nicole Perez | Founder & PR Lead, Perez Relations

With over a decade of coast-to-coast experience in public relations, Lisa Nicole Perez has built a reputation as a powerhouse storyteller and strategic connector. After climbing the ranks at top PR agencies in NYC and LA working with household names like Ruffino Wines, Dunkin’ Donuts, and SOREL, Lisa took a leap of faith and launched her own boutique firm: Perez Relations.

Her approach? Real, intentional, and refreshingly hands-on. Unlike big agencies that delegate once the contract is signed, Lisa remains involved at every stage, from pitching press to leading brand activations. Her clients don’t just get a strategy; they get a trusted partner who listens, adapts, and delivers with heart.

Perez Relations isn’t about copy-paste campaigns. Lisa’s specialty lies in crafting custom brand narratives that stick with a sharp eye for detail and a calm, collaborative style that keeps things moving, even when challenges arise. Her agency blends the grit of New York hustle with the balance of LA ease, making her a standout in a crowded industry.

In a world of quick wins and surface-level hype, Lisa is building something that lasts. Her vision for the future includes growing a small, purpose-driven team and expanding her footprint in lifestyle PR, especially food, wine, and experiential branding.

Whether she’s leading press trips in Italy or mentoring the next generation of PR pros, Lisa leads with kindness, clarity, and a deep respect for the craft.

Courtney Chase | Family Grief Coach, Parent Coach, Young Adult Coach

Courtney Chase’s work was born from heartbreak. When her son Sam passed away in 2020 from accidental fentanyl poisoning, she was faced with unimaginable grief while still navigating how to support and lead her husband and three surviving children through it. That pain became the starting point of a mission that now supports families across the country.

With over two decades of experience in health and fitness coaching, Courtney stepped into a new calling. She became a certified grief coach and breathwork facilitator and launched a coaching practice focused on helping families process loss, restore connection, and move forward with purpose. Alongside her family, she co-founded the Sam Chase Foundation, which provides scholarships, fentanyl awareness education, and resources for young adults seeking healing and growth.

Her approach isn’t clinical or scripted. It’s rooted in lived experience, nervous system support, and a deep sense of empathy. Courtney speaks to families, students, and communities about grief, trauma, and emotional regulation. She’s also the creator of “Rooted in Healing,” a unique program that blends breathwork, emotional tools, and family-focused guidance.

Through retreats, talks, and one-on-one sessions, Courtney offers what many families can’t find elsewhere: grounded tools, honest connection, and a safe space to grieve and grow. Her journey is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest chapters, transformation and healing are possible.

Kelly Allison | Kinesiologist, Medical Intuitive, and Founder of The Self Healing Keys

Kelly Allison spent two decades climbing the corporate ladder before she realized her true calling wasn’t in boardrooms, but in helping people heal. After a traumatic experience following the birth of her second child, Kelly turned to kinesiology for support. The transformation she experienced was so profound that she retrained and built a career centered around energy medicine and holistic healing.

Today, Kelly runs a thriving private practice and is the visionary behind The Self Healing Keys, a groundbreaking series of courses designed to make energy healing accessible to everyone—not just future practitioners. Her work stands out for its practicality, empathy, and a clear goal: to help people rely less on others for their well-being and more on the wisdom of their own bodies.

She brings a rare combination of intuition, clinical insight, and disruptive thinking to the field. Instead of following traditional norms, Kelly empowers individuals with hands-on tools they can apply in everyday life. Her work demystifies the mind-body connection, offering simple yet powerful techniques to unlock physical and emotional healing.

Kelly’s mission is to shift the way people think about health and vitality from reactive to proactive, from confusion to clarity. Through compassion, clarity, and a firm belief in our innate ability to heal, she is changing the conversation around wellness.

Catherine ‘Cat’ Gagliardo: Redefining Corporate Merch Through Strategy and Storytelling

Cat Gagliardo is the founder of Branded by Cat, a boutique branding consultancy that’s transforming how organizations approach branded merchandise. With a background in brand marketing at HSN and product development at Koozie Group, Cat has spent over 15 years at the intersection of creativity, logistics, and strategy. Her early work launching celebrity brands and collaborating with international manufacturers laid the foundation for her current mission helping organizations turn everyday items into thoughtful, brand-aligned experiences.

Since launching her business in 2017, Cat has built a seven-figure company from the ground up, fueled entirely by strong relationships and a reputation for excellence. She doesn’t just deliver products; she creates curated solutions that align with each brand’s identity and vision. From luxury swag for internal teams to custom merchandise for high-profile events and influencer campaigns, Cat acts as a strategic partner who makes every touchpoint intentional.

Her career highlights include selling 31,000 Mary Poppins umbrellas live on air, landing product placements on Times Square billboards, and developing branded merchandise for major retailers. Her work has even made its way into the iconic Macy’s Day Parade. But for Cat, the real win is building long-term partnerships with brands that care about consistency, quality, and impact.

As she continues to grow her consultancy, Cat is passionate about educating others in the space and shifting the perception of branded merchandise from throwaway giveaways to strategic brand-building tools.

Jillian MacKenzie | Founder of Purposefully Align, Certified Yoga Therapist, Coach, and Podcast Host

Jillian MacKenzie didn’t just climb the corporate ladder—she took the stairs two at a time while everyone else waited for the elevator. From hauling luggage to running an entire airport by 26, she mastered high-stress environments early (and learned that true leadership often means being the only calm voice when the coffee machine breaks during a 5AM shift).

But here’s the plot twist: While hustling in the Alberta Oil Sands, she had a revelation: What if “hardened professionals” actually needed… permission to slow down?

So she did what any sane person would: turned work camp rec rooms into impromptu zen dens, teaching roughnecks that downward dog pairs surprisingly well with steel-toe boots. Turns out, even the toughest humans soften when you give them space to feel things—who knew?

Today, Jillian runs Purposefully Align, where she helps people stop avoiding their own brilliance—with a mix of spiritual coaching, yoga therapy, and zero fluff. Think of her as your soul’s project manager, blending lived experience, existential humor, and tools that actually work (because enlightenment shouldn’t require a 12-step spreadsheet).

She’s a mom of two tiny chaos-gurus (her most advanced spiritual teachers), host of the Interested in Chaos? podcast (for people who prefer their epiphanies with a side of laughter) and firmly believes fear is just curiosity in a bad mood. Her story from corporate leadership to conscious entrepreneurship is proof that you don't need to follow a traditional path to success—you just need to listen to your inner voice and take the next aligned step.

Jenny Modin | Mindset Coach and Senior Media Advisor

Jenny Modin’s story is one of strength, purpose, and deep personal transformation. She began her career in the world of sports journalism, reporting on major events and building a name for herself in the fast-paced world of broadcasting. But behind the camera, Jenny was navigating her own complex path shaped by childhood loss, relationship struggles, and the heavy demands of leadership.

When the world shifted in 2020, so did Jenny’s direction. The birth of her youngest daughter during the pandemic and a year-long recovery from illness became a turning point. She began questioning what truly mattered. That reflection led her to mindset coaching, where she now helps women in their 30s to 50s reframe challenges, rebuild confidence, and reshape their lives with clarity and intention.

Jenny’s approach blends the sharp communication skills of her journalism background with a grounded, personal understanding of growth and resilience. She creates a safe, honest space for clients to explore their thoughts, emotions, and next steps free of pressure or judgment. Her 90-day program helps women shift patterns, reconnect with their goals, and find balance between ambition and self-care.

Whether she’s supporting clients, leading teams at SVT Sport, or raising her daughters, Jenny leads with intention and heart. She reminds others that progress matters more than perfection—and that true change starts by taking the first step.

Jody Diamond | CEO, Diamond PR + Social Media

Jody Diamond is a name that resonates across both coasts and across continents. As the founder and CEO of Diamond PR + Social Media, Jody brings more than two decades of experience to the helm of one of the most respected agencies in the travel and tourism industry. From her early days as a celebrity publicist in Los Angeles to carving out a niche as a unit publicist on major film sets, her journey is marked by reinvention, drive, and an eye for the extraordinary.

In 2000, Jody transitioned from Hollywood to hospitality, and never looked back. Today, she leads a bi-coastal team with offices in Miami and Los Angeles, and clients spanning from Cape Cod to Curaçao. Known for her forward-thinking approach and unrivaled energy, she remains hands-on jetting from Iceland to Italy to Mexico in pursuit of storytelling that resonates and campaigns that convert.

Diamond PR is exclusively dedicated to travel and tourism, blending creative strategy with deep industry insight. The agency is known for building long-term relationships with both media and clients, and for delivering colorful, inventive campaigns that stand out in a saturated market. Whether it’s luxury hotels, boutique destinations, or lifestyle brands, Jody’s team understands how to cut through the noise.

Off the clock, you’ll find her snowboarding, cruising mountain roads on her Harley, or sampling spicy homestyle Mexican food with a glass of fine tequila. Her philosophy? Embrace change, lead boldly, and never stop exploring.