The Most Influential Founder & CEO to Follow in 2024

1. The Most Influential Founder & CEO to Follow in 2024 Ashley M. Wilson Charting Paths of Resilience and Growth

3. Leadership is not about titles, positions, or owcharts. It is about one life inuencing another. J O H N C . M A X W E L L www.insightssuccess.com

5. Editor’s VIEW The Entrepreneur's Dilemma oo many people start businesses for the wrong reasons—money, status, or an easy exit strategy. But T the cold, hard truth is that successfully building a company from scratch requires an obsessive level of passion and commitment that borders on unhealthy. If your main motivator is just turning a profit or having an exit plan, you simply won't have the stamina to survive the inevitable trials and tribulations. The line between work and life blurs into oblivion when you are obsessed with your business. You will find yourself living and breathing it every waking hour, pushing through countless challenges most would view as dead ends. The entrepreneurial journey is brutal; you will be spat on, beaten down, and constantly question why you started in the first place. An obsession is the only thing that will make you persist and plow forward when any sane person would quit. It has to be something you love so much that you will do it for free. If you view your business as just another job you can clock out of at 6 p.m., do yourself a favor and get a regular 9-to-5 instead. Entrepreneurship is all-consuming; do not start a business unless you are obsessed with the idea and ready to make your life's work. Highlighting such an entrepreneur, Ashley Wilson, whose obsession gave birth to AMW WELLNESS LLC, Insights Success brings forth an edition, The Most Influential Founder & CEO to Follow in 2024, underscoring her remarkable journey from obsession to success. Have a good read ahead!

6. Creds Editor-in-Chief Merry D'Souza Managing Editor Preston Bannister Executive Editor Eva Miller Visualizer Michael Warner Art & Design Head Donna Claus Co-designer Yasmin Nasser Business Development Manager Sherin Rodricks Marketing Manager Jenny Jordan Business Development Executives Reem Almasoud, Sheldon Miller Digital Marketing Manager Isabel Barnes Technical Head Phil Simon Research Analyst Helena Smith Circulation Manager Finn Wilson sales@insightssuccess.com June, 2024 Corporate Ofce Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-859-2600 Email: info@insightssuccess.com For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.com www.twitter.com/insightssuccess Follow us on : www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/ We are also available on : RNI No.: MAHENG/2018/75953 Copyright © 2024 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success.

7. Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world. - Roy T. Bennett www.insightssuccess.com

8. S T O C O V ER Y Ashley M. Wilson Charting Paths of Resilience and Growth nancial gain., , Recognizing the importance of genuine interest in one's business pursuits beyond

9. Ashley M. Wilson Advocate, Visionary & Entrepreneur

10. and business., , Fostering Empowerment through Innovation! Ashley emphasizes the necessity n the dynamic landscape of of balancing negotiable and modernity, where change is the I only constant and innovation non-negotiable aspects of life reigns supreme, there exists a realm that pulsates with boundless potential: Entrepreneurship. Here, amidst the swirling currents of creativity and ingenuity, individuals forge uncharted paths, daring to defy convention and carve out their destinies. fostering a strong work ethic and a Throughout her career, Ashley pledge to personal growth. dedicated herself to serving A pioneering figure in this vibrant marginalized communities, particularly ecosystem is Ashley M. Wilson, Education held paramount importance youth and women facing adversity. recognized for her role as an advocate, Drawing from her personal experiences in Ashley's upbringing, with her family visionary, and entrepreneur. With a and guided by a sense of calling, she emphasizing academic achievement steadfast devotion to driving positive and the pursuit of higher education as approached her work with compassion change and empowering communities, non-negotiable priorities. Her close and empathy, viewing each individual Ashley embodies the spirit of purpose- relationship with her grandmother, not as a statistic but as a person with a driven leadership, leveraging her whom she affectionately called "Nana," unique story deserving of platform to address pressing societal exposed her to the value of creativity understanding and support. issues and foster holistic well-being. and hard work, whether through crafting intricate doll outfits or As a leader, Ashley prioritized Throughout her illustrious career, nurturing gardens. fostering environments of trust, Ashley has left an indelible mark on growth, and collaboration within her the entrepreneurial landscape, founding From an early age, Ashley displayed teams. Drawing from her own ventures that resonate deeply with her maturity beyond her years, earning her experiences under both positive and values and aspirations. From initiatives the moniker of having an "old soul" negative leadership, she curated spaces focused on wellness and empowerment due to her preference for adult where team members felt valued, to endeavors dedicated to supporting company and her keen observation of empowered, and heard. Embracing a vulnerable populations, her journey the world around her. This early continuous learning mindset, Ashley exemplifies the transformative power exposure to diverse environments and welcomed constructive feedback as an of entrepreneurship in creating life experiences shaped her worldview opportunity for personal and meaningful societal impact. and laid the foundation for her future professional growth, recognizing that leadership roles. effective leadership is a journey of Let's delve deeper to learn more: perpetual self-improvement. During her college years at Kutztown Navigating Challenges, Inspiring University, Ashley's focus on Through her commitment to advocacy, Change leadership and her innate desire to visionary leadership, and assist others became evident. Eager to entrepreneurial spirit, Ashley emerges Ashley traces her origins to Staten embark on her career journey, she as a transformative force dedicated to Island, NY, where she spent her accelerated her studies, graduating six creating positive change and formative years. Born into a family months ahead of schedule with a empowering those around her. that later experienced divorce, Ashley Bachelor of Science in Clinical navigated the complexities of blended Psychology in 2009. Continuing her Empowering Through families, relocating to Pennsylvania educational pursuits, Ashley pursued Entrepreneurship with her mother and stepfather at the online courses and obtained a Master age of 10. Despite the challenges posed of Arts in Management and Leadership In her teenage years, Ashley found by shifting family dynamics, Ashley's from Liberty University in 2014. herself engrossed in creative pursuits, parents instilled in her a relentless sketching shoe designs and pursuit of excellence and resilience,

12. work, brings her fulfillment. Her faith keeps her grounded as she directs the entrepreneurial path, ensuring her purpose aligns with her spiritual beliefs. Seizing Opportunities, Embracing Growth In the month preceding the pandemic, Ashley formed a new board for her nonprofit organization, necessitating a shift to virtual meetings via Zoom amidst the challenges of the pandemic. Concurrently, she discovered a newfound passion for bracelet-making, initially as a calming hobby, which later evolved into a business following its promotion on social media platforms. Amidst the upheaval of the pandemic, Ashley's interest in holistic health insecurity, Ashley advocates for beyond just financial gain. Her strong deepened, prompted by her economic empowerment as a pathway faith and belief in Jesus Christ guide observations of the body's resilience to freedom and choice. She believes her direction and decisions as she during challenging times. Drawing that financial stability provides strives to live out her calling and from her personal journey with individuals with the means to rebuild achieve success in a way that aligns infertility and Polycystic Ovarian their lives and pursue opportunities for with her spiritual values. Syndrome (PCOS), she pursued further growth and self-improvement. education in integrative health, For her, being an entrepreneur means completing an online program and Despite the reluctance of many to having the freedom and creativity to obtaining certification as an Integrative engage in conversations about money, prioritize family while pursuing what Health Practitioner in November 2021. Ashley emphasizes its fundamental she is passionate about. She sees role in navigating the world. She endless opportunities in business During this period of personal and envisions a future where resources are ownership to solve problems, create professional growth, Ashley also directed into the hands of valuable products, and build seized the opportunity to update her communities that positively impact compassionate and visionary professional image by arranging for others. This ability to make a individuals, driving positive change headshot sessions with a photographer. difference is immensely rewarding to and innovation to address pressing These headshots, captured outdoors her. global challenges. near her residence, proved invaluable for future speaking engagements, Entrepreneurship represents With a steadfast commitment to underscoring the importance of independence and limitless potential making a difference, Ashley remains strategic preparation and leveraging for personal and professional growth. dedicated to leveraging her opportunities well in advance. Ashley embraces the journey, knowing entrepreneurial spirit, resources, and network to contribute to meaningful each challenge provides valuable Through her experiences, Ashley solutions and empower others to thrive. lessons for improvement. emphasizes the significance of prudent time management and foresight in Driven by Purpose and Family Above all, her commitment to her maximizing the impact of one's family fuels her drive. Contributing to endeavors. Ashley's entrepreneurial efforts are their well-being, whether financially or driven by a deep sense of purpose through enriching experiences from her

13. Navigating Growth utilized in seizing opportunities, and Navigating Entrepreneurship and applied to problem-solving endeavors. Motherhood Ashley attributes her success to a combination of deep care for people, Wisdom for Success Ashley reflects on the challenges she authenticity, dedication, and hard work. faced while building her nonprofit, However, she acknowledges that these Ashley encourages turning life's Rewritten of Tioga County, amidst traits, if not properly honed, can also challenges into opportunities for limited time constraints. Juggling her pose challenges. As a visionary, Ashley personal growth and teaching. responsibilities as a mother and wife possesses the ability to see potential in Whenever faced with adversity, Ashley alongside her entrepreneurial individuals, organizations, and resolves to overcome it and become an endeavors, she strategically allocated ministries, sometimes even more than advocate for others facing similar her time, primarily dedicating Fridays they see in themselves. This propensity issues. Professionally, she reflects on to developing the organization. She occasionally led to frustration when both successes and challenges, seeking emphasizes the necessity of balancing desired outcomes were not achieved. input from her board, committees, and negotiable and non-negotiable aspects trusted networks to excel in her of life and business, highlighting the Recognizing the need for a shift in her endeavors. importance of protecting personal and approach, Ashley sought guidance home goals while pursuing from trusted advisors to navigate her Ashley emphasizes the value of professional success. tendencies and establish healthy collaboration over competition, boundaries. Through this process, she recognizing that partnering with Despite the challenges, Ashley and her learned to manage expectations, clarify individuals who possess dedicated team made significant her role, and accept situations as they complementary skill sets accelerates progress in raising awareness about were without feeling compelled to fix progress and the achievement of shared human trafficking and providing everything herself. By prioritizing self- goals. She advocates for delegation, support to survivors through Rewritten. Through strategic collaboration and care and discerning where to invest her understanding that focusing on conflict resolution mechanisms, her energy, Ashley emerged as a stronger, strengths and wisely allocating more liberated individual and leader. organization became a model for anti- resources optimizes productivity and trafficking efforts in rural communities. effectiveness, especially during These lessons enabled Ashley to focus Rewritten's commitment to being different seasons of one's career. more effectively on her own growth donor-funded and debt-free operations With discernment, Ashley advises and areas where she could make the carefully selecting opportunities, contributed to the accolades and greatest impact, ultimately enhancing considering their impact on time, recognition received for the her leadership capabilities and overall energy, and resources. She emphasizes meaningful impact made on the lives well-being. the importance of recognizing when it's of those served. time to transition to new roles or Continuous Growth Through Self- endeavors, whether to pursue growth Now, with her appreciation for Investment or to maintain integrity. pivoting when appropriate, Ashley is transitioning this impactful work from Ashley advocates for a daily Maintaining a balance between career her nonprofit to her LLC, FREED commitment to self-investment to and personal life is paramount to Communities. Navigating foster continuous learning and growth, Ashley. She stresses the importance of opportunities and adjusting strategies thereby enhancing one's ability to nurturing relationships with family as needed, she further acknowledges positively impact their spheres of members, as a harmonious home life the grit required to balance influence. She recommends joining positively impacts professional entrepreneurship, leadership, mastermind groups, attending endeavors. Additionally, Ashley motherhood, and marriage. Despite the conferences, participating in online advises discretion in sharing work- challenges, she finds solace in the training sessions, and listening to related details with the world, meaningful purpose behind her audiobooks relevant to the business or advocating for focusing on essential endeavors, recognizing that each specific areas of interest. Ashley input and sharing progress when assignment contributes to her calling emphasizes that these investments are appropriate. and prepares her for what lies ahead. invaluable, as they provide insights that can be shared in conversations,

14. Pursuing the Root: A Holistic Wellness Journey Ashley M. Wilson announces the upcoming launch of a course titled "Pursuing the Root," aimed at addressing various aspects of everyday wellness from a holistic perspective. This comprehensive course is designed to assist individuals in enhancing their overall well-being. Ashley anticipates that "Pursuing the Root" will resonate with a wide audience, as prioritizing holistic self-care contributes to sustained effectiveness and impact in both personal and professional spheres, particularly for leaders and entrepreneurs. She looks forward to empowering individuals to optimize their health and well-being through this transformative course. About the Leader Ashley M. Wilson is an advocate, visionary, and entrepreneur with a common theme: helping others feel seen, cared for, renewed, and inspired. Ashley founded a nonprot ( Rewritten of Tioga County) that addressed human trafcking issues for a number of years but recently pivoted her focus to the creation of her new LLC called FREED Communities, which is due to launch soon and will help a number of communities and organizations care for vulnerable populations well by having an emphasis on trauma-informed care and economic empowerment. Simultaneously, she creates content for several social media platforms, is an integrative health practitioner at AMW Wellness, LLC, and is an artist of different mediums through her business, A. Wilson Creates. Beyond these roles, her most important ones include being a proud mama bear to her three children and being a wife to her favorite guy, Jason, of 13 years. Leadership and Awards Anti-Trafcking Advocate 2024 Marquis Who's Who Honored Listee Member of the Regional Interdisciplinary Collaborative Tioga County Change Maker Award in Recognition of Outstanding Service to Educate & Protect ( presented by Develop Tioga) Former AHEC board member ( resources for health education/health careers) Former HAVEN board member ( domestic violence awareness & assistance) Former Task Force Member to Bring a Pregnancy Center to Tioga County Former Ansamn Board Member (rebuilding family relationships in Haiti) Tioga County IF Gathering 2017 - 2018 Team - Public Relations Former MOPS Member/ Former Discussion Leader Dearden Leadership Academy Program ( while at MHS) Former Speaker at Tabor Community Services, Inc. Who's Who Amongst Colleges and Universities Award Kutztown University's Commencement Speaker to the Class of 2009.

15. A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus. - Martin Luther King Jr.

16. How to Become a and Leader eaders in any field are required to be skilled in persuasion. It is L the capacity to convince others by presenting compelling evidence and arguments. In business environments, people need to persuade others to consider other points of view. Persuasion skills might be beneficial in a variety of professional organizations and workplaces. It may be used in the workplace to promote goods, hire team members and boost output. It is possible to advise someone personally or in writing by employing logical argumentation, statistical analysis and verifiable facts to demonstrate the viability and validity of one’s position. The article describes an understanding of persuasive leadership's fundamental ideas and strategies and how to acquire the skills necessary to become a capable leader. Three Types of Persuasion: Three natural strategies for persuading a listener or audience are the use of ethics, reasoning, and emotion. To effectively persuade, one must develop a solid awareness of these factors.

17. The Power of Persuasion

18. Logic anything. The tactic promotes Commitment and Consistency camaraderie and teamwork among Provide facts, evidence, historical members. If someone makes a pledge in writing information, and logical reasoning to or in public, they are more likely to back up the claims. When using logic Social Evidence keep it. As a leader, you can use this as a persuasive technique, make sure idea to promote responsibility by the reasoning makes sense to the If individuals observe others engaging having team members make a public person one is trying to convince. in a behaviour, they are more likely to commitment to their objectives or Rather than criticizing others' points of follow it. Social proof is a useful tool tasks. Building credibility and trust view or any reasoning they may have for leaders to foster an innovative and also requires someone to show used, try to help people understand the cooperative culture. Tell success dedication and consistency. other side of the argument. stories, acknowledge group accomplishments and inspire team End Note Ethics members to impart their knowledge and insights to others. Effective people skills are essential for It can be easy to convince someone if every leader or manager, including others trust them. Increasing credibility Authority persuasion and influence as emotional is crucial for the desired result. The intelligence strategies. Having the right People are more inclined to notice the leader's Reputation, background, and people or soft skills is just as important advice of someone they consider to be credibility can support one’s as having the authority to execute in knowledgeable or authoritative. As a today's complex and changing trustworthiness. It's often the case that leader, one can raise the perception of corporate climate. one has to persuade the audience that one's authority by demonstrating the motivations are generous. others' knowledge, keeping up to date When it comes to managing cross- Establishing and retaining one’s on market developments, and functional initiatives or interacting credibility may take years. improving one's abilities over time. As with stakeholders at the board level, a result, one can become more credible the effectiveness of the person in Emotion and have more influence on the team. charge ultimately determines performance. When handling opposing Persuasion by emotion is the process of Liking viewpoints or people in positions of influencing and persuading someone by appealing to their emotions. When authority, discretion outperforms utilizing emotion to advise, it's crucial Someone that people like and trust has power. to avoid manipulating others in an a greater chance of influencing them. immoral way. When using emotional Establish connection and trust with the Effective leaders and managers can appeals, the persuader must accept team by being really interested in their leverage interpersonal skills such as accountability for the results. personal and professional lives, sensitivity, judgment, persuasion and praising and acknowledging their influence to establish win-win The Six Rules for Effective accomplishments and paying attention situations. Considering the changing Persuasion: to their ideas and worries. Building nature of the business environment and strong bonds with people will help you the dynamics of the business, The famous Psychologist and Author influence and inspire your group more executives stand to gain more from Dr. Robert Cialdini identified six effectively. establishing stronger bonds with universally persuasive principles. others. Scarcity Reciprocity An opportunity may appear more If someone feels they have gained precious when there is a sense of something in return, they are more scarcity. The idea can be applied in a likely to comply with a request. As a leadership setting to inspire a sense of leader, you can take advantage of the urgency and motivate action. reciprocity principle by lending assistance, providing resources or expressing gratitude before requesting

19. Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson www.insightssuccess.com

20. How to Your Str Tou Times? n an unpredictable environment, leaders often find themselves at I the frontlines of unanticipated crises, demanding quick judgments and decisive actions. Crisis leadership—the ability to lead a group or organization through hard times—becomes important in these circumstances. An organization's outcome and long-term viability can be greatly impacted by the way its executives respond to crises and lead their staff. Today's business environment makes crises inevitable and a leader's capacity to guide a team through adversity frequently makes the difference between success and failure. Additionally, it is impossible to predict when a crisis will end. The duration can be as short as a day or two or as long as several years. In this article, we will discuss crisis management techniques for team leaders, along with lessons learned that apply long after the crisis has passed. The Importance of Leadership During a Crisis Uncertainty is caused by crises. People look to their leaders at these times for

21. Leadership in Crisis consistency, wisdom and inspiration. In the face of constant disruptions to their personal and professional lives, great leaders promote regular and honest communication that keeps staff members informed and encouraged. Crisis Leadership The practice of crisis leadership involves handling sudden circumstances that may destroy organizational cohesion or even obstruct chances for professional advancement. An organized and analytical approach to crisis management can facilitate finding creative solutions to keep employees motivated and productive while reducing the organization's losses. There are a few strategies that crisis managers and organizations can use to adjust and lead during a crisis. Project Honesty and Confidence Everyone turns to a leader in times of crisis for direction or confidence; therefore, it is one of the most important things a leader must do, especially during a crisis. It spreads like a contagious disease to everyone around a leader who manifests fear and anxiety. For this reason, it is imperative that leaders project an air of dominance over the circumstances. Workers don't need to be reassured; they need someone they can trust. But leaders must exhibit more than just confidence. Honesty is also essential. It will be extremely tempting to say, "Everything will be fine," but it is crucial for leaders to have a realistic outlook. Decisive and Adaptable There are certain circumstances in which leaders must act quickly or decisively. One of them is a crisis. Leaders must possess the ability to make snap decisions, and in certain situations, that can entail making tough

22. decisions, which they are aware will Through valuing open communication, cost them points. adaptability, cooperation and well- being, leaders may assist their teams in There isn't time to hesitate or even overcoming obstacles and creating consider the advantages and stronger bonds in the process. disadvantages of a choice carefully. A leader who chooses to wait and not act Leading during difficult times can be will not be as successful in weathering challenging and frightening. By a crisis as one who acts decisively, implementing some of the above takes initiative and is flexible enough advice, one can ensure that the team to modify their decisions to fit the stays motivated and cohesive to circumstances. overcome any obstacles. Control the Chaos Leaders may succeed in difficult circumstances by staying organized, Stress and fear are the main emotions being adaptable, attending to a sense of that run strong during an immediate community within the team, and crisis and this can quickly lead to getting expert assistance when needed. chaos in the workplace. A leader must Teams will have the best chance of succeeding if their leaders exhibit seize the initiative and prevent the fortitude and resilience in challenging panic from growing. In fact, when word of a crisis spreads, a leader's scenarios. initial instinct is usually to take action. This could be as simple as bringing a space into order or as complex as swiftly assigning tasks. In any case, starting a crisis action plan requires that everyone involved be dedicated to completing the current task. Exercise Caution Except in extreme cases where there is no other choice, a crisis is not a reason to abandon caution and take unnecessary risks. Rather, leaders need to be both measured and rapid. Here, it's important to assess all the available information as soon as possible and then decide on the best course of action after careful consideration. Although this might appear like an overwhelming effort, it is actually a habit that can be developed gradually. Utilizing a sharp mind is a valuable quality for leaders to have because it helps a lot in difficult situations. End Note In times of crisis, effective leadership demands empathy, bravery and the capacity to lead and assist your team.