Leaving corporate leadership for entrepreneurship sounds freeing. But for a lot of founders, it just means swapping one kind of pressure for another. Strategy becomes overwhelming, Burnout creeps in, and suddenly the business you built for freedom feels… heavy.
In this episode, Kareen Zahr shares how her path from corporate leadership into Coaching reshaped the way she thinks about building a business. Her approach blends clear strategic thinking with something most entrepreneurs ignore: the internal work that actually supports sustainable Growth.
Whitney and Kareen talk about what it really means to operate like a CEO — not just in title, but in mindset and decision-making. From evaluating partnerships to understanding your role as a founder, the conversation digs into the frameworks and self-awareness that help entrepreneurs stop reacting and start leading.
In This Episode, We Cover:
- The difference between running a business and actually thinking like a CEO
- Why strategy alone isn’t enough for sustainable business growth
- A simple CEO quiz to assess how you’re currently showing up in your business
- What to consider before entering a business partnership
- How spiritual alignment and business strategy can work together (without the fluff)
If this episode gave you a new perspective on leadership and growth, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who’s figuring this out in real time. You can also connect with Whitney to learn more about Brand Rescue and upcoming conversations with founders doing things differently.
Hey Kareen App
CEO Quiz – Kareen’s Framework
All Up In Your Business Podcast
Upcoming retreats with Kareen Zahr
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Whitney Lee, APR, CPRC, is a marketing and PR expert and the founder of True Story Public Relations – an award-winning creative agency helping companies in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries get in front of the right people with the right message.
With a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Florida State University, an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), and a Certification as a Public Relations Counselor (CPRC), Whitney left her fancy corporate job in Destin, Florida, at age 26 and started as a freelancer, helping small businesses to get more visibility, clients and customers. Today, True Story has grown into fully-remote agency of ten, serving clients all over the US and internationally.
She was named Scarlett Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in PR, one of the “Five Most Dynamic Women Leaders Ruling the PR Industry” in the CIO Times and one of United Way’s 40 under 40. Her insights are regularly featured in well-known media outlets like 850 Business Magazine, Emerald Coast Magazine, and the She Who Wins podcast with Renee Bauer to name a few.
Whitney is also a keynote speaker and the host of True Story: The PR Podcast where she shares marketing and PR tips, as well as insightful info on best practices of leading and working in a fully-remote agency.
