What does leadership really look like when things are hard?

In this episode of The Heart-Aligned Brand Podcast, LeeAnn Stromyer sits down with leadership strategist Nayli Russo, founder of Russo Leadership, to talk about leadership under pressure, building a business that reflects who you truly are, and what it means to evolve your brand as you grow.

Originally from Venezuela, Nayli built her career navigating systems that weren’t designed for her. That experience led her to develop a powerful leadership philosophy focused on resilience, identity, and navigating bias in the workplace.

In this conversation, LeeAnn and Nayli explore the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership growth, and how understanding the “worst version of yourself” can actually make you a stronger leader and business owner.

This episode is an honest look at the internal work behind building a business that is strategic, impactful, and deeply aligned.

In This Episode We Talk About

• The difference between confidence coaching and systemic leadership change• Why Nayli shifted her business model from B2C to B2B consulting• Navigating corporate leadership as an immigrant woman of color• How entrepreneurship forces you to confront your own habits and patterns• Why learning the worst version of yourself can make you a better leader• Setting boundaries in business and saying no to misaligned clients• How to scale a business without compromising your values• The role of curiosity instead of self-judgment when things feel misaligned• Why evolving your brand is a natural part of entrepreneurship

Key Takeaway: Optimize for the Worst Version of Yourself

One of the most powerful ideas Nayli shares in this episode is the concept of optimizing your life and business decisions around your “worst version.”

Rather than planning for your most motivated, productive self, Nayli designs systems that support her when she’s tired, overwhelmed, or unmotivated.

By acknowledging those realities, she creates structures that make success easier and more sustainable.

This shift has transformed the way she approaches leadership, boundaries, and decision-making in her business.

The Evolution of a Personal Brand

LeeAnn and Nayli also discuss the evolution of personal branding and how your brand should grow alongside you.

Nayli shares how her brand visuals and messaging have shifted over time:

• Initially expressing power and authority after leaving a male-dominated corporate environment• Later incorporating a softer, more compassionate leadership presence• Now embracing the full spectrum of both strength and empathy

This evolution reflects an important truth for entrepreneurs:

Your brand is not static — it grows as you grow.

Boundaries, Values & Business Decisions

Another important theme in this episode is boundaries in entrepreneurship.

Nayli shares a story about walking away from a potentially large consulting contract because the client wanted to use her work to justify a predetermined agenda.

Rather than compromising her integrity, she chose to protect the reputation she wants Russo Leadership to have.

As she explains:

“I would rather be known as the consultant who tells you what you need to hear than the one who tells you what you want to hear.”

For entrepreneurs building purpose-driven businesses, these decisions are often the difference between short-term revenue and long-term alignment.

Advice for Entrepreneurs Feeling Misaligned

If you’re feeling disconnected from your brand or business, Nayli encourages entrepreneurs to approach that feeling with curiosity instead of judgment.

Misalignment doesn’t necessarily mean failure. Often, it simply means you’ve grown beyond your current systems, clients, or messaging.

Rather than immediately changing everything, start asking questions:

• What specifically feels misaligned?• Is it your brand, your clients, or your work structure?• Are you solving the wrong problem?• What conditions help you do your best work?

Sometimes the solution isn’t a complete pivot — it’s simply adjusting the conditions that support you.

Connect with Nayli Russo

If you enjoyed this conversation and want to follow Nayli’s work on leadership and navigating systems in the workplace:

LinkedIn:Nayli Russo

Website:russoleadership.com

LinkedIn is where Nayli shares most of her leadership insights and thought leadership content.

About the Heart-Aligned Brand Podcast

The Heart-Aligned Brand Podcast explores what it really looks like to build a business rooted in authenticity, strategy, and self-trust.

Hosted by LeeAnn Stromyer, brand strategist and photographer, the show features conversations about:

• personal branding• entrepreneurship and identity• creative leadership• building businesses that support your life

Each episode dives into the deeper side of business — where strategy meets personal growth.

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