What happens when you push past fear and self-doubt to take on a leadership role? In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn sits down with Grace Lemerise, a standout Student Works alumna, to discuss how she transformed her confidence, leadership skills, and career path through the program.

 

Grace shares how she went from feeling uncertain about entrepreneurship to running a $100,000 business in her rookie year and later overseeing $348,000 in revenue as an executive. She opens up about the skepticism she faced from her university advisors, the resilience it took to push through outside doubt, and how the program helped shape her into a confident leader.

 

Now working as a Senior SDR at demandDrive, Grace explains how the skills she learned—accountability, persistence, and leadership—continue to drive her success in her career today. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone looking to step outside your comfort zone, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on growth and mindset shifts.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why you don’t have to have everything figured out to start

• How mentors and surrounding yourself with the right people accelerate growth

• Why pushing through fear is a sign you’re on the right path

• How to overcome skepticism and doubt from others when making bold career decisions

• The power of accountability and mindset shifts in achieving long-term success

• And much more…

 

 

Resources

YEAA Website

Leaders Across America

Connect with Grace on LinkedIn