Carol Little is a transformational leadership coach, public speaker, and founder of The Little Training Company. With a powerful journey from corporate CFO to purpose-led entrepreneur, Carol’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rediscovering joy in meaningful work. From teaching soft skills to coaching top executives, she brings wisdom, empathy, and lived experience to the world of leadership development.
At Humans of Fuzia, we are proud to feature Carol as part of our commitment to She for She and He for She—celebrating voices that empower others. Her story is a beacon for our 5 million-strong global community of aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, reminding us all that success isn’t just about status—it’s about soul.
Carol, you’ve had an inspiring shift from corporate life to entrepreneurship. What sparked this change?
I started out in the stock brokerage industry and climbed my way up to being a VP and CFO. But despite all the outward success, I wasn’t happy. I realized money alone wouldn’t bring me fulfillment. I needed purpose. That began a journey through different industries—entertainment, public speaking, corporate training—until I found my true calling in coaching. Now I help people uncover what they truly want and support them in achieving it. That’s what brings me real joy.
What does The Little Training Company focus on today?
My company primarily works with corporations to develop soft skills—leadership, communication, resilience, and work-life balance. I used to do more sales training, but now the focus is on helping people become better versions of themselves within their workplaces. Increasingly, since COVID, my work has shifted to executive coaching. I love working with people one-on-one to help them move past internal blocks and step into their full potential.
What kind of transformation do your clients experience through coaching?
So often, people come in with a roadblock—sometimes they know what it is, and sometimes they don’t. My role isn’t to provide all the answers, but to ask the right questions that help untangle their thinking and shift their perspective. It’s deeply fulfilling to watch someone go from stuck to empowered, making real changes in their personal and professional lives.
As an entrepreneur, have you ever dealt with self-doubt or imposter syndrome?
Oh, absolutely. I still do at times, which is why I also have a coach! When you’re used to the structure of a 9-to-5 job, working for yourself requires a new level of accountability and discipline. I had early success with big clients like BMW and SCI, but I also faced huge challenges—like losing everything during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. I had to rebuild from scratch. Doubts crept in, but I chose not to give up. Entrepreneurship demands resilience and belief in yourself, especially in the hard seasons.
Looking back, is there anything you would do differently when starting out?
Yes—I’d have more fun. In the beginning, I took everything so seriously. I wish I’d allowed myself to enjoy the process more, to celebrate wins, and to not get so caught up in the stress. We can get so focused on achieving that we forget to feel proud of what we’ve already done. I’ve learned that joy and success aren’t mutually exclusive—you need both.
What’s one message you want to leave with aspiring entrepreneurs in our community?
Do something you love. Passion matters more than just chasing profit. Of course, money is important, but if that’s your only driver, the victory will feel empty. When you genuinely care about what you do, your chances of success multiply. That’s when your work becomes a gift—not just to others, but to yourself.
“Don’t lose yourself chasing the ladder—real success is when you find joy in the climb and still hold on to who you are.” – Carol Little
Connect with Carol Little:
You can connect with Carol on LinkedIn.
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