Mary Henderson is an entrepreneur, coach, and thought leader whose journey from the corporate world to building tech startups and coaching businesses embodies resilience and reinvention. Her story is one of bold risks, deep self-discovery, and an unshakable belief in truth-driven leadership. Featured in Humans of Fuzia, Mary inspires our global community of 5M+ women by proving that success is not about titles or money, but about authenticity, service, and embracing the courage to evolve.
Q: What inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey?
Mary: I worked in corporate tech before 2005, but I often felt confined, unable to bring my innovative ideas to life. When my company dismissed one of my ideas, I decided to take a leap of faith, leave my secure executive role, and start my first tech venture. It was terrifying yet liberating—I went from having a full corporate team to wearing every hat as CEO, CFO, COO, and beyond. That first step into the unknown shaped the rest of my journey.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship?
Mary: The loneliness and uncertainty were overwhelming. In corporate, I had constant structure, but as an entrepreneur, it was all on me. Still, I persisted. My first startup landed in Australia’s largest retailer, and later, I built a software company serving universities—a seven-figure business with a big team. But eventually, I realized that despite external success, something was missing. That realization led me to take a sabbatical and embark on a spiritual journey, which ultimately gave birth to my coaching practice.
Q: Looking back, what milestones are you most proud of?
Mary: Professionally, taking risks when the odds were against me is what I’m most proud of. I created my own brand consciously, even when I was the underdog, and that courage helped me win major contracts. Personally, motherhood has been a profound milestone, as well as the inner journey of self-discovery. Understanding my true self has changed how I see the world, how I serve others, and how I show up every single day.
Q: How do you view women in leadership today?
Mary: We’re still working within outdated paradigms. Many women carry limiting beliefs—like “it’s too hard” or “it’s a man’s world.” True leadership, to me, isn’t about fitting into those molds. It’s about service, truth, and love—not fear. Leaders must ask themselves: What does leadership mean to me? When you define it on your terms, you lead authentically and powerfully.
Q: What message would you like to share with aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Mary: Stop normalizing fear, failure, and competition—they’re outdated paradigms we’ve been taught. Your identity is not what society has labeled you as or even what your past experiences define. True power comes from unlearning those beliefs and embracing your authentic self, even if it makes others uncomfortable. That’s the real path to empowerment.
Q: What is your idea of success today?
Mary: For me, success is no longer about money or status. It’s about remembering that I am already abundant, already perfect, and already provided for. True success is living aligned with that truth every day—carrying it with me in every choice, every challenge, and every relationship.
“In the end, success is not about what we acquire—it’s about who we become when we strip away fear and step fully into our truth.” – Mary Henderson
Connect with Mary Henderson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhendersoncoaching
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
