Karen Snyder is a seasoned leadership coach, speaker, and solopreneur whose 34-year journey is rooted in integrity, trust, and deep human connection. From corporate banking to entrepreneurship, Karen has built a career helping individuals and teams grow through honest conversations and self-awareness. Humans of Fuzia features Karen because her story reminds our global community of 5M+ women (and allies) that leadership is not about perfection—it’s about courage, ethics, and showing up as your authentic self.
What inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey?
It wasn’t a single person or challenge—it was an opportunity. I was working as a Vice President and Director of Training at a regional bank, and I was hiring consultants to do work that I realized I wanted to do myself. I was evaluating them, paying them, and thinking, I can do this. So I decided to start my own business.
What challenges did you face while building your consulting practice?
Entrepreneurship is often a cycle of feast or famine. Sometimes there’s not enough work, and sometimes there’s too much. Both are challenging in different ways—you want to serve clients well, stay healthy, and not compromise quality.
One particularly difficult experience involved a team I was coaching. I had earned their trust and encouraged them to speak respectfully to a very controlling manager. Despite careful preparation, it went terribly wrong. She reacted with anger, and I had no authority within the organization to fix it—only trust. That experience stayed with me because it reminded me how fragile trust can be and how important it is to try to restore it when things go wrong.
What has been your proudest milestone so far?
There are both private and public moments I’m proud of.
One private moment was coaching a man who struggled with anger and alcohol addiction. Through coaching, he sought help, saved his marriage, and transformed his life. Every year, he and his wife still reach out to thank me.
A public milestone was becoming President of the National Speakers Association’s DC Chapter and earning my Certified Speaking Professional designation—a rigorous, peer-reviewed recognition that meant a great deal to me.
Are you a solopreneur, or do you work with a team?
I’m a solopreneur, but I’m never alone. I’ve worked with my bookkeeper and social media partner for nearly two decades, and I collaborate with researchers, designers, and peers when projects demand it. When work increases, I bring in other talented professionals. So while I may be a solopreneur on paper, in practice, I work in circles of support.
What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
Many women are incredibly talented but hesitate to step into leadership unless they feel 100% ready. Men, on the other hand, often jump in and learn as they go. That difference in mindset holds women back.
Another challenge is that women are sometimes less supportive of other women’s careers than they are in personal matters. We’ll share clothes without hesitation, but when it comes to careers, we start finding faults. True empowerment means supporting women professionally with the same generosity.
We need to empower women at every stage—from childhood to our 80s. If she’s breathing, she deserves empowerment.
What advice do you have for aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Find mentors—and remember, men can be wonderful mentors too. Always have a mentor and be a mentor. Ask for help early. There’s no need to repeat mistakes others have already learned from. Don’t hesitate to reach out—support is everywhere if you ask.
What does success mean to you, personally and professionally?
They’re the same for me. I want to be the same person in my work and in my life. Being ethical, trustworthy, candid, and authentic matters deeply to me. When someone tells me, “You’re the same in class as you are in person,” that’s the highest compliment. It means I’m living in alignment with who I truly am.
“Be ethical. Be trustworthy. Be candid. And most importantly, be the same person everywhere you show up.”
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