Fail Fast, Rise Strong: Leanna DeBellevue on Building, Scaling, and Letting Go

In this episode of SHE DECIDES, host Staci Swiderski sits down with Leanna DeBellevue, founder of DeBellevue Global Marketing and a trailblazing entrepreneur who built, scaled, and successfully exited her award-winning agency after more than 15 years. Leanna shares her unfiltered journey into entrepreneurship, from starting her company as a single mom with no safety net, to growing an international client base across Dubai, London, Sweden, and beyond. She opens up about the realities of business ownership, the sleepless nights, the failures that fueled growth, and the mindset shifts required to keep going when quitting feels easier. The conversation explores what success really means, why failure is a necessary teacher, and how leadership evolves when it stops being about revenue and starts being about people, time, and impact. Leanna also dives into her post-exit chapter, where she now focuses on consulting, mentoring, accountability, and helping business owners uncover blind spots that hold them back. This episode is honest, encouraging, and deeply relatable for anyone who has ever felt the pull to build something of their own, especially women navigating ambition, family, and identity all at once. Because when she decides to trust herself, even without all the answers, everything begins to change. 🔗 Connect with Leanna DeBellevue Website: https://debellevueconsulting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ldebellevue/ Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/ldebellevue Facebook (Business): https://www.facebook.com/debellevueconsulting