Many business owners we’ve spoken with didn’t start with a huge team on day one. They had to learn how to be a good boss, but the problem is the books on leadership are often highly theoretical and so we wanted to hear practical examples of what it means to be a good boss. So, we asked some brilliant, insightful folks to share stories about the best bosses they’ve had.

Dominique Stasulli

I spent a summer fellowship during college working on an urban farm and mentoring underprivileged students as part of an agricultural high school initiative to involve the students in community projects. My boss and mentor during this fellowship left a formative impression on me that I continue to emulate to this day. She was extremely sharp, innovative, and driven to constantly learn and grow in her character and her craft. Read more>>

Clinton Ramsden

Prior to working in real estate development, I was a naval officer. My last job in the Navy was serving as the military aide to a high-ranking naval officer, Rear Adm. Charlie Brown, at the Department of Defense headquarters in the Pentagon. The admiral’s days were characterized by making high-level decisions that had significant consequences, weighing the sometimes natural competing interests of the uniformed and non-uniformed Defense Department leaders, and navigating the intensely complex inter-agency process in D.C. My role included managing his schedule, handling all of the logistical elements of his day, and at times communicating on his behalf with both his internal staff and external partners. Read more>>

Amanda Crew

My very first boss in the Army was actually the very best boss I had. She forced me way outside my comfort zone and had a profound impact on me, my way of thinking and the leader I became. She wasn’t molding me into simply a “boss” mentality, or a practicing pharmacist; instead her lessons were far reaching, and years later, I still smile when I think of the growing pains of learning to be excellent. Read more>>

Sheena Morning

Tanya Dickens… I will never forget her as long as I live. Tanya gave me my first job as a hairstylist after graduating Mitchell’s Hairstyling Academy. Now, I was practically raised in the salon environment. My Great-Aunt was a cosmetologist and cosmetology school owner, and my mother is a retired cosmetologist and cosmetology instructor. However, my experience working with Tanya was different. From a business perspective, she ran her salon in a way that I had never witnessed before. Read more>>

Carmen Tucker

This person literally changed my life. Someone that has helped learn things about business that I didn’t fully understand at the time. Sometimes people give you knowledge that you may not notice the significance of what is being taught to you until years down the line. A constant teacher, a hands on teacher and mentor. Someone that I can and still do call on til this day. Someone that has blessed me with a lifelong gift. Someone I will forever love and pray for. Read more>>

EDDIE LEROY CUNNINGHAM

Michael Douglas, Kirk Douglas’s son he was an awesome man to work for and his company Third Stone Music / Warner Chappell music publishing company. Michael also allowed me to co-publish my music. Eddie Cunningham music BMI. Michael was a very awesome boss and loved my music and his president for Third Stone was Dick Rudolph and my connection to them was through Betty Rosen from the A&R department, I was introduced to her by Dan Pinnella a guitar from my band The Amber band in San Diego. Read more>>