Women Building Influence | The Entrepreneurial Journey

Some leaders build companies. Val Lesak builds community. Val is the co-founder of Influential Encounters, an organization designed to support women in male-majority industries by creating spaces to meet, inspire, and influence one another. Her work grew out of real life experience. As the wife of a snow industry operator, a business professional, and a mother of three, Val saw firsthand the isolation, pressure, and unspoken challenges women often carry in industries built for men. In this episode, Val and Dave have a candid conversation about the realities behind the work. They talk about the mental load carried by women at home and in business, the resentment that can quietly build during long snow seasons, and the tools Val had to learn to navigate those moments with clarity and grace. She shares how breathwork, prayer, and community became essential tools not just for survival, but for growth. Val explains how Influential Encounters started with a single dinner in Boston and grew into sold-out events, a national conference, and an ambassador program designed to provide ongoing support, mentorship, and skill-building. The focus is not surface-level networking, but real connection, accountability, and leadership development that continues long after an event ends. They also explore the role of women in building stronger businesses, why mixed leadership teams outperform siloed environments, and how communication, boundaries, and conviction allow people to lead with confidence without losing who they are. Val’s story is about humility, discipline, and staying grounded while building something meaningful. It is a reminder that leadership is not about having it all at once, but about knowing what matters most in each season. If you care about people, culture, and building organizations where everyone can thrive, this episode is a must-listen.