Yogi Mueller is an entrepreneur, author, and leadership consultant who believes mentorship is the bridge between experience and potential. After a successful corporate career, he launched Craft Leadership, LLC, a bespoke consultancy dedicated to helping organizations unlock their leadership ecosystems. His story is one of resilience, courage, and transformation—turning unexpected change into an opportunity to empower leaders and inspire the next generation. At Humans of Fuzia, we celebrate Yogi for reminding us that true success comes from lifting others as we rise.
Q: Yogi, tell us about your journey into entrepreneurship.
For over 13 years, I served as Vice President of Leadership and Talent Development in the hospitality industry. When that company was acquired, I suddenly had the chance to start fresh. It was unexpected, but I saw it as freedom to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. That’s how Craft Leadership began about a year ago. It’s been a journey of courage, facing imposter syndrome, and learning to truly believe in myself. Along the way, I also wrote my first book, The Great Slapping: The Power of Mentorship.
Q: One challenge every entrepreneur faces is getting clients. How did you approach it?
I joined a mentoring program here in Orlando and was paired with Kevin McCarthy, a consultant with 30 years of experience. His advice was simple but powerful: start with warm referrals—people who already know you and the quality of your work. That strategy gave me momentum. As my brand has grown, I’ve begun receiving cold referrals too. It’s proof that mentorship works, and it’s why I’m so passionate about it.
Q: How do you personally define success?
Success has never been about titles or paychecks for me. It’s about helping people grow and realize their potential—one person at a time. As a solopreneur, I’ve added another dimension: running a business strong enough to sustain the work I love. To me, success is the balance between thriving in business and making a real difference in people’s lives.
Q: Tell us more about your book, The Great Slapping.
The book is a call to action to bring mentorship back to the forefront. If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room—you need a mentor. At the same time, we must pass on knowledge to the next generation. I worry about the gap that’s forming: experienced professionals going one way, younger ones another, without connection. Mentorship has always been an age-old tradition of sharing wisdom. I don’t want to see it disappear.
Q: What kind of businesses do you work with through Craft Leadership?
I focus on privately owned companies, usually with 5,000–15,000 employees. Many of them are either growing so quickly that their leadership foundation can’t keep up, or they feel stuck and don’t know how to move forward. I help them analyze their leadership ecosystem and build structures that unlock potential—whether it’s an individual, a department, or an entire organization.
Q: What are your short-term goals?
Right now, I want to spread the message of mentorship through my book. I’d love to do more keynote speaking, conferences, and in the next year, a TED Talk. That’s the vision I’m chasing.
“Find a mentor, be a mentor, and keep the cycle alive—because mentorship is the key to unlocking the future.” – Yogi Mueller
Connect with Yogi Mueller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yogimueller?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android
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