Katie Leimkuehler is a leadership coach, career strategist, and entrepreneur passionate about helping people unlock their potential and achieve their goals. After years in the corporate world, she transitioned into coaching to empower individuals in career transitions, entrepreneurs building businesses, and leaders developing their influence. At Humans of Fuzia, we are featuring Katie because her story of resilience, action-taking, and service reflects the spirit of our 5 million–strong global community. Her journey reminds us that women supporting women—and leaders stepping up with She-for-She and He-for-She solidarity—can shape a more empowered future for all.
Q: Katie, what inspired you to step into entrepreneurship after working in corporate roles?
A: What inspired me was the opportunity to serve others. I wanted to create a platform where people could feel supported in reaching their goals. I’ve been through career challenges myself, without having a coach, and I know how isolating that can be. That’s why I wanted to create a space where people could talk openly, find guidance, and feel empowered to take action.
Q: Who do you primarily work with in your coaching practice?
A: I work with people going through career transitions, small- to midsize-business owners seeking growth, and organizations launching leadership development programs. My goal is to help individuals and companies build momentum and create long-term success.
Q: Can you share some of the outcomes your clients have experienced?
A: Absolutely. I’ve helped people land new jobs within weeks, navigate challenging workplace dynamics, and earn promotions from director roles up to VP and even C-suite levels. On the organizational side, I’ve designed leadership programs from scratch for companies without a learning and development function—helping them retain talent and invest in their people’s growth.
Q: Many entrepreneurs face self-doubt. How do you approach imposter syndrome?
A: I think self-doubt is normal. For me, I treat everything as an experiment—like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. That mindset removes the pressure and turns challenges into learning opportunities. My advice for others is to just start. Try things, even if it’s volunteering with nonprofits or taking on small projects. Each step builds confidence and momentum.
Q: Looking back, what would you have done differently as an entrepreneur?
A: I would have built a strong support network from day one—a personal “board of directors” of other entrepreneurs. Having peers at a similar stage of growth is a game-changer because you can share insights, lessons, and encouragement. It shortens the learning curve and helps you stay motivated.
Q: How do you personally define success?
A: Success for me is empowering someone to achieve their goals. Whether that’s landing a new job, starting a business, or stepping into leadership, I feel successful when I see my clients reach their dreams.
Q: What challenges have you faced in your own entrepreneurial journey?
A: Isolation has been a big one. When you’re starting out and doing everything yourself—sales, marketing, content, website management—it can feel overwhelming. Learning to outsource and focus on the highest-impact tasks has been a major lesson for me.
Q: What message would you like to share with women entrepreneurs in our community?
A: The best time to start is now. Momentum builds when you take action. You don’t have to know everything—just be willing to learn along the way. That action-oriented mindset becomes a superpower because it gives you both confidence and progress.
Q: Are there any exciting projects you’re working on right now?
A: Yes! I’m launching a women’s entrepreneurship mastermind. It’s a small, virtual group of 12 women who will meet monthly to share challenges, spotlight their work, and support each other. It’s about lifting each other up and growing together.
“The best time to start is now—momentum comes from action, and with each step you take, confidence will follow.” – Katie Leimkuehler
Connect with Katie Leimkuehler:
LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieleimkuehler/
Business LinkedIn Page- https://www.linkedin.com/company/executiveleadershipcenter/posts/
Website- https://www.executiveleadershipcenter.com/
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
