Meet Frankie Russo, a thought leader, author, and keynote speaker whose journey from struggle to self-discovery is as inspiring as it is transformative. From running homeless shelters with his parents as a child to battling addiction and rebuilding his life, Frankie has channeled every challenge into a purpose-driven mission — helping others rediscover their “why” and embrace their unique “weird.” His story reflects resilience, authenticity, and a deep belief in the power of aligning purpose with passion — values that deeply resonate with our Humans of Fuzia community of 5M+ women and allies worldwide, all working toward empowerment, authenticity, and growth.
Q: What inspired you to begin your journey as a speaker and thought leader?
Frankie:
When I was a kid, I wanted to be everything — an astronaut, a cowboy, a mad scientist, and a TV preacher. Everyone told me that was weird, and for a long time, I believed them. But life has a way of bringing you back to who you really are. After years in business and a personal crash in 2008 — when I lost everything and had to get sober — I realized my true purpose was helping people. That’s what I had done as a kid in homeless shelters, and it’s what saved me again.
In 2017, I wrote my second book, Breaking WHY, which was born from that rediscovery. My work since has focused on helping individuals and organizations unlock their collective genius — that childlike creative spark we all have — and align it with their purpose. I call that fusion the growth loop, and it’s what I now help companies and people achieve worldwide.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in building your name and brand?
Frankie:
It’s been one person at a time, one day at a time. When I started out, the focus was just on staying sober and helping others do the same. I found that what keeps me centered is service — helping other people find freedom, joy, and purpose. Over time, as I lived those values consistently, people started to notice. You don’t have to promote yourself endlessly; when you become the kind of person others are drawn to — happy, free, and purpose-driven — visibility and recognition follow naturally. It’s all about being attractive, not promotional.
Q: Do you consider yourself a solopreneur today?
Frankie:
Yes, for the most part. I used to have over 150 employees, but now I work with independent teams and partners. Technically, that makes me a solopreneur. That said, I also have about a thousand “robot employees” — automation tools that help me scale efficiently. I couldn’t do what I do without my extended network of humans and robots alike!
Q: What are some milestones in your journey that make you proud?
Frankie:
Getting sober in 2008 is definitely one of my biggest milestones. That shift changed everything for me.
Another is building a blended family with my wife — we have six incredible kids, and they’re all beautifully weird in their own ways.
Professionally, being recognized eight times among the fastest-growing companies in America, selling my company to a Fortune 500 in 2021, and now making a living as a speaker — these are major blessings. But the most meaningful milestone is using my voice to help others transform their lives.
Q: What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
Frankie:
I think it’s ridiculous not to have women in leadership. Forget equality for a second — from a purely strategic business perspective, it’s a mistake not to. Women bring a crucial perspective that balances masculine-driven models of leadership. They bring empathy, sustainability, and emotional intelligence that prevent burnout and promote real growth.
Even in my own work, my wife is my sounding board for every major decision. She brings insights I often miss — and yes, it’s frustrating how often she’s right! But the truth is, having women in leadership isn’t optional; it’s essential for any organization that wants to thrive long term.
Q: What message would you like to share with aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Frankie:
Two words: Don’t flinch.
There will be countless reasons to doubt yourself — fear, pain, exhaustion, competing priorities. But if you keep realigning your purpose, your “why,” and your unique genius in service of others, you’ll stay grounded.
You can’t eliminate challenges, but you can decide not to flinch when they come. That mindset is the difference between burnout and breakthrough.
Q: What does success mean to you — personally and professionally?
Frankie:
Success is the same in both life and business: being of maximum usefulness to the people around me.
Money, fame, and recognition are just byproducts — they’re not the goal. True fulfillment comes from being of service. When you operate from that place, abundance naturally follows. The real question every day is: Was I useful to someone today?
“Don’t flinch — your purpose will always make sense in hindsight. Just keep serving, keep showing up, and keep being useful to the people around you.” — Frankie Russo
Connect with Frankie Russo
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com
