Season 4 | Episode 2 | From Adversity to CEO

Send us Fan MailToday, Trudy Heins sits down with Di Geddes, founder of Exceptional Care For You, a values-led disability and aged care business she started at 54 after rebuilding her life following breast cancer, divorce, workplace bullying, grief and years of caring for others.What began with a desire to make a difference has grown into a business employing more than 90 people, proving it's never too late to start again.Di shares how encouragement from clients, the support of mentors and learning to believe in herself gave her the confidence to take the leap into business. She reflects on the milestones that mattered most, from securing her first office to leading a growing team, and the mindset shifts required to transition from doing everything herself to becoming the CEO her business needed.Together, Trudy and Di explore values-led leadership, compassion in business, building culture, trusting others, setting boundaries, overcoming loneliness as a business owner, and redefining success beyond revenue alone.If you've ever questioned whether it's too late to start over, struggled to let go of control, or wondered what it really takes to lead a growing business, this conversation is for you.Connect with Di GeddesDi's bookEpisode Highlights01:22 Meet Di Geddes03:07 Rebuilding after cancer, divorce and adversity05:50 Finding purpose through care06:38 The mentor who encouraged Di to start her business08:54 Strength, support and healing11:20 Letting go of resentment12:41 Starting a business at 5414:20 Why positive feedback changed everything15:40 The mindset shift from employee to business owner19:04 Moving from operator to organisation20:57 Scaling the business and thinking like a CEO23:30 Building a business led by compassion25:09 Looking beyond the NDIS headlines26:14 Can compassion and profit coexist?26:51 Hiring for values before skills29:52 Boundaries, trust and leadership32:28 Building your business tribe35:38 Lessons in loyalty and leadership38:31 What the CEO Shift really means39:14 Redefining success and leadership41:28 Designing a business that supports retirement43:22 Why it's never too late to begin again45:18 Final takeawaysBecome a Fempire Certified Business CoachIf you're an experienced businesswoman ready to turn your knowledge into a profitable coaching business, we'd love to have a conversation. Click here to learn moreFind a Fempire Certified Business CoachLooking for practical business support from a coach who understands the realities of business ownership? Find your coach hereJoin the FEMPIRE AcademyAccess practical business resources, masterclasses, templates, workbooks and a supportive community of women building commercially strong businesses.Join the AcademyConnect with FEMPIREWebsite FacebookInstagramLinkedInSupport the show