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.

Kathryn Ann

The best boss I ever had, was a female executive who led with wanting to know where I wanted to go with my career. She then took action to guide me there. She knew I wanted to focus on makeup artistry, and gifted me an event director chair for my own freelance work. She also chose me to do corporate video shoot work and fashion show work within the brand. I truly felt like she was a pivotal part of my dreams becoming a reality as a makeup artist. Read more>>

Tamara Franklin

Tara Scott Barnes is a physical therapist, the owner of Club Pilates East Memphis, Club Pilates Collierville, and Club Pilates Memphis-Lakeland. I happens to be a full-time pilates instructor working out of all 3 studios. I’m blessed to have this position, because of her. I think very highly of her not only because I see she is a genuine ray of sunshine, but she makes sure her instructors have all they need to teach in a flourishing environment. Read more>>

Taylor Hoverson

My boss, Jonathan, has been integral in my growth as a business owner, friend, and person. I worked under him the entire time I was creating this brand and he has not only been supportive but also gives me constructive criticism, which is something I do not get from many other people. He has enabled me to build confidence in myself and always offers a very logical point of view. Read more>>

Yesica Glikman

When I moved to Buenos Aires, I had just finished my law studies at the University of Cordoba. I knew from the beginning that I would have to work as a lawyer or paralegal in the big city in order to survive as an actress ( that was kind of my plan-b) In short, after a few days of living officially and all alone in the city, I started walking around downtown and had the idea of knocking on the doors of some offices and law firms. Read more>>

Christine George

Working for a company that had invested in continuing education and training. Read more>>

Daniel Johnson

My mentor and long time friend who got me my start in the business is a gentleman named Ralph Patlan. He’s produced some incredible huge artists and he really took me under his wing and taught me skills I apply every day. Read more>>

Yuh Okano

My uncle was one of the top designers in the Japanese graphic industry and many famous typographies were done by him. My uncle was always very strict with me about my artistic career. After graduating from the Art collage ( RISD ), my first job was as a graphic design assistant in Tokyo. It happened to be graphic design, and my uncle was angry that I had entered his world. I was still a new assistant designer and was just starting out in my career… Read more>>

Debbie Scofield

Ray Amanat, my mentor, Martial Arts instructor, boss, and friend, has been an exceptional leader whose impact on my personal and professional journey has been truly remarkable. Ray’s leadership style is characterized by a unique blend of wisdom, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to empowering those around him Read more>>

Cait Beckert

I have had 2 bosses who would win this title. One boss would be a man named Brad. He was the restaurant owner of one of the first restaurants I worked at right out of high school. Brad was strict, was a stickler for being on time, didn’t want us getting distracted on our cell phones and he expected the best. He hired me at 19 to be a hostess and through out the years I worked my way up to a waitress, a bartender and eventually a manager. Read more>>

Samantha Rosenbaum

I had the privilege of working with a remarkable leader named Carla Jakubovic, she was the Director of Guest Relations at The Ritz-Carlton and has forever left a positive mark on my journey. Carla understood the impact that creating unforgettable experiences could have on the human spirit. Read more>>

A’Lexus Jones

The best boss that I ever had in the past 7 years has most definitely been myself, not to step on any of my previous “bosses” toes or make my own head big but the truth stands. I say this to say that the best teachers in life are your own personal experiences. I believe that being a great leader requires a combination of qualities including empathy, communication skills, having a vision and the ability to inspire and motivate others; in my experience working in the corporate world many didn’t always possess these qualities in a fulfilling way to me. Read more>>