In this episode, Kristen Toth shares her journey from engineering to leadership coaching and entrepreneurship, revealing her innovative approach to supporting high-growth ventures and fostering internal growth for sustained success. Whether you're a founder, executive, or aspiring leader, Kristen’s insights will inspire you to shift focus inward for exponential impact.
Key Topics:
- Kristen’s transition from engineering to leadership development and scaling businesses
- The importance of internal systems, culture, and team success over external fixes
- Her unique 'partner' model—advising, coaching, and implementation depending on client needs
- Strategies for saying no and focusing on intentional goals for 2023
- Her involvement in women’s sports and how athletic skills translate to business leadership
- Building authentic client relationships through content and investor networks
- The vision for a curated community space for women entrepreneurs
- Insights into the Enneagram and DISC personality assessments and how they inform leadership style
- Practical steps for business owners after funding rounds or strategic shifts
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and episode overview
00:26 - Kristen’s background and transition from engineering to leadership coaching
01:45 - The mission of Ulu Partners and her work supporting founders
02:36 - Challenges and insights around editing and preparing for podcasting
04:13 - Kristen’s personal journey, education, and board memberships
05:36 - Her role as a professor at the University of Michigan and her dual-location lifestyle
07:44 - The importance of saying yes to the right opportunities and goal setting for 2023
10:05 - Exploring her passion for women’s sports and its leadership lessons
11:30 - Playing rugby, her involvement with women in sports platforms, and upcoming leadership programs
12:53 - The transfer of athletic skills into business and entrepreneurship
13:58 - Playing violin and musical background
14:56 - From engineering to personal development—her curiosity-driven career path
16:28 - The significance of internal team development and building a strong company culture
18:24 - How Kristen supports entrepreneurs through complex scaling and internal systems
19:41 - The importance of internal focus versus external resource expansion
20:10 - Why business owners miss the internal growth opportunities
23:18 - The Enneagram and DISC assessments—Kristen’s self-awareness
25:12 - Her consulting approach—partners, advisories, and implementation
27:34 - Common triggers for entrepreneurs to seek her support—funding, strategy shifts
28:37 - Building authentic outreach and relationships over cold outreach
33:41 - Her business goals for 2023: projects, community-building, and content creation
36:10 - Final thoughts on her multifaceted expertise and future plansResources
Connect with Kristen Toth :
https://ulupartners.com
✅ IF WE WORK TOGETHER, YOU’LL GAIN:
➤ Enhanced intercultural communication and leadership skills.
➤ Strategies for building trust-based client relationships.
➤ Insights into leveraging AI for executive coaching.
➤ Tailored solutions for navigating US-India business dynamics.
✅ WHY IT WORKS:
This isn't just another leadership program; it's a partnership focused on results. We use cultural insights, AI, and relationship-building to make strategic decisions that elevate your leadership and business.
✅ WHAT’S NEEDED TO WORK TOGETHER:
➤ A commitment to intercultural growth and development.
➤ Openness to innovative strategies and AI tools.
➤ A desire to enhance leadership presence and authenticity.
✅ READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?
👍 If you're ready to transform your leadership approach, let’s talk. Schedule a call with us below to get started.
👉 Schedule a call
See you next week on The Marketing Matrix!
