From the origin story of their businesses to the ways they allowed themselves to grow as entrepreneurs, our Female Founders series gives a view into the lives of successful women from a variety of industries. Join us for today’s feature, Sierra Abler, offering a behind the scenes look at some of what she has done to succeed so far, advice for those starting off, and plans for the future.
What’s your business and how did you get started?
Innovative Leadership is a professional development organization that works with educators to increase their confidence within their classroom related to the student misbehaviors they work with each day.
As a former teacher, I saw the need for a change in how professional development is approached with educators and the importance of gaining educator confidence. When educators are given the necessary professional development to gain confidence and be able to positively work through student misbehaviors, there will be visible positive student academic success, decreases in teacher turnover rates, and a decrease in student misbehaviors.
What is one thing you’re really proud of that you’ve created or accomplished?
One of my biggest accomplishments throughout the past five years is continuing to chase my dreams while working, getting married, having two (almost three) boys, working toward my Ed.D., and still prioritizing my family. My long-term goal is to create a community of supporters that genuinely enjoys seeing others be confident and successful.
What is the boldest thing you’ve ever done in business?
I continue to reach out and work hard to get my name out into the public so that I can reach more educators. My programs are created with one goal in mind: increase educator confidence in everything they do.
Our educators work with the future of our communities, states, and nations each day. If we do not have confident educators, how will our students grow up and know what confidence looks and feels like?
What’s one thing you’re currently excited about for the future of your business?
Continuing to build relationships and connections is something that is crucially important not only for myself, but to help other educators receive more connections and resources that will help them in their classrooms. Watching educators gain their confidence in themselves is an experience that is inexplainable.
What’s your best business advice you would give to other women?
Don’t ever stop chasing your dreams – no matter how hard it may get. Women are expected to be Superwoman at all times and in all areas of life, and it is extremely hard to admit at times that we can’t be successful in every aspect of life.
No matter how difficult things get, or how many challenges arise, don’t ever give up on yourself or your dreams. You were made to do hard things – so believe in yourself, and don’t stop chasing your dreams.
What’s your favorite thing about being a business owner?
Having the opportunity to work with educators to increase their confidence is a very humbling experience, but showing my boys what hard work and determination can accomplish is also a large part of why I do what I do.
