AKP Innovations Founder Is Redefining Leadership and Legacy Through Purpose-Driven Transformation

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

At AKP Innovations, we specialize in leadership development and coaching for both organizations and individuals. Our work is designed to activate transformation at every level—personal, professional, and structural.

 For organizations, I design strategic programs that align leadership with mission, strengthen team dynamics, and build systems that support long-term impact. For individuals, I offer coaching that blends emotional intelligence, storytelling, and strategic clarity—guiding women through reinvention, career transitions, and legacy mapping. Whether I’m working with a founder, a corporate team, or a woman reclaiming her voice, my approach is always intentional: listen deeply, strategize boldly, and build legacy by design.

In October 2025, I released my debut book, Rise Into You: Reclaiming Power, Love, Life & Legacy—a transformational guide for women ready to expand beyond survival and into purpose. It’s part memoir, part manifesto, and a reflection of the movement I’ve built. AKP Innovations is more than a business. It’s a blueprint for rising—with clarity, courage, and community

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Not always—but the calling was always there, waiting to be claimed. But when I was laid off, something shifted. That moment of disruption became a moment of divine clarity. I realized I wasn’t just meant to lead—I was meant to build. To create a movement. To empower others through storytelling, and soul. Entrepreneurship wasn’t the original plan. It was the deeper truth. And once I stepped into it, everything aligned.

Are you a mamaprenista?

Absolutely—I’m a proud Mamaprenista and mother of two incredible adult daughters. My best advice for managing both business and family is this:

Lead with legacy, not just logistics. As a mother and founder, I’ve learned that the most powerful way to integrate both roles is to build a life that reflects your values across every domain. Here’s what that looks like for me:

• Honor your motherhood as part of your brand—my daughters have witnessed my reinvention, my resilience, and my rise. That’s part of the legacy I’m building.
• Design your business around your rhythm, not against it—I structure my schedule to allow for connection, celebration, and presence with my family.
• Share the journey—I involve my daughters in my wins, my pivots, and my purpose. They’re not just watching—they’re part of the movement.
• Release the guilt—you don’t have to choose between being a visionary and being a present mother. You can be both, beautifully.

Being a Mamaprenista means modeling possibility. It means showing your children—no matter their age—that purpose evolves, and power is reclaimed.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first launched AKP Innovations, my marketing strategy was rooted in visibility, authenticity, and connection. I began with organic social media outreach, sharing my story of reinvention, the mission behind the business, and empowering messages that resonated with my audience. I leaned into platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook to build community and spark conversation.

Once I saw momentum building, I expanded into paid social media advertising—targeting audiences aligned with my message and offerings. I crafted ad copy that reflected both emotional resonance and strategic clarity, spotlighting my services, my book Rise Into You, and the transformational outcomes clients could expect. Did it go as planned? Not exactly—but it went as it needed to. I learned to adapt quickly, refine my messaging, and lean into what worked: storytelling, intentional branding, and showing up consistently. That foundation helped me build a movement. My business is still new, so I'm still adjusting accordingly.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

The accomplishment I’m most proud of to date is the momentum I’ve built through visibility, impact, and divine alignment. Being featured on Oprah’s podcast was a transformational moment—not just for my brand, but for the movement I’ve built through AKP Innovations and Rise Into You. It affirmed the power of my story and the depth of my mission to help women rise with clarity, courage, and legacy.

Then came the invitation to speak at the Euro Global Women’s Rise – Ultimate Leadership Conclave Week in Paris, where I’ll join an international circle of powerhouse women redefining leadership on a global stage. That opportunity reflects the reach and resonance of the work I’ve poured into leadership development and empowerment strategy.

And now, I’m preparing for my upcoming feature on Daymond John’s (Shark Tank) new series, Next Level CEO—a platform that celebrates visionary entrepreneurs and legacy builders. To be recognized among leaders who are shaping the future of business is both humbling and electrifying. Each of these milestones represents more than exposure—they’re evidence that when you lead with purpose, the world responds.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

One thing I wish I had known when I started my Entreprenista journey is that credibility takes time—but alignment accelerates everything. When I launched AKP Innovations after my corporate layoff, I knew I had the experience, the strategy, and the heart. What I didn’t realize was how long it could take to be seen, heard, and trusted in a new space. I thought my decades of leadership and billion-dollar portfolio management would speak for themselves—but entrepreneurship requires a different kind of visibility.

What did you go before starting your own business?

Before founding AKP Innovations, LLC, I spent 34 years in the corporate financial industry, from entry-level to culminating in my role as Vice President of Operations. I led operations across several departments, managed a nationwide staff team, and oversaw a book of business exceeding $1 billion. My work included developing training modules, streamlining processes, and driving innovation across service delivery and operational strategy.

A cornerstone of my leadership was client relationship management—building trust, delivering excellence, and cultivating long-term partnerships with high-value clients. That relational depth and strategic rigor now fuel the heart of AKP Innovations.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I was laid off. That moment could have marked an ending. Instead, it became a beginning.

The layoff was the catalyst for launching AKP Innovations, LLC. I took everything I’d built—my leadership experience, client relationship expertise, operational strategy, and emotional intelligence—and turned it into a movement. I chose to rise, not just for myself, but for every woman who’s ever had to start over. AKP Innovations is my answer to that transition. It’s where I now empower others to reclaim their voice, build visionary ventures, and lead with legacy. Reinvention wasn’t optional—it was divine timing. And I’ve never looked back.

Do you have any recent wins?

One of the most meaningful wins I’m celebrating this year is being named Best Women’s Empowerment Leader in the U.S. of 2025 by Best Of Review. This honor reflects the heart of my mission through AKP Innovations—to help women rise with clarity, courage, and legacy. After decades in the corporate financial industry and a powerful reinvention journey, this recognition affirms that purpose-driven leadership leaves a lasting impact.

It’s more than an award—it’s a reminder that when you lead with intention, the world takes notice.

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

The one app I absolutely cannot live without is Google—especially Google Workspace, which powers nearly every layer of my business. Google Workspace helps me stay aligned, organized, and ready to execute with precision. I use it to:

• Research for a pitch or keynote
• Manage Gmail for outreach and follow-ups
• Access, store and share in Drive for press kits, trackers, and branded assets
• Sync my calendar across ventures and events
• Staying sharp with quick searches and market insights

 Google isn’t just a tool—it’s a lifeline for execution.

Who are your customers?

My customers are visionary women and mission-driven organizations seeking transformation, clarity, and legacy. I work with:

• Entrepreneurs and founders ready to build intentional brands, launch ventures, and lead with soul and systems

• Corporate and nonprofit teams seeking leadership development, strategic alignment, and culture-shifting programs

• Authors, speakers, and creatives who want to elevate their voice, refine their messaging, and expand their impact

• Women in transition—whether reinventing after a career shift, launching a new chapter, or reclaiming their power personally and professionally

Whether I’m coaching an individual or consulting with a team, my clients are united by one thing: they’re ready to rise—with clarity, courage, and legacy in mind.

What's your top productivity tip?

My top productivity tip: build systems that honor your energy, not just your tasks. Whether you're leading a team or launching a legacy, productivity isn't just about doing more—it's about doing what matters, when you're most aligned. I recommend:

• Create branded templates and trackers for repeatable tasks—this saves time and reinforces your identity
• Time-block your day around your natural energy peaks (not just deadlines)
• Use emotional clarity as a filter—if it drains you, delegate or defer; if it fuels you, prioritize
• Anchor your week with legacy goals, not just to-dos—what are you building that lasts?

What's your favorite business tool?

Notion. It’s my digital command center—where I build:

• Branded dashboards for podcast outreach, press kits, and event planning
• Legacy trackers for book milestones, media features, and impact documentation
• Messaging libraries for pitches, gratitude notes, and tailored communication
• Systems for scaling—from e-commerce audits to strategic planning

What's your approach to work-life balance?

As a multi-venture founder, author, and empowerment strategist, my work is deeply personal. It reflects my values, my story, and my mission. So instead of chasing balance as a perfect split, I focus on alignment: making sure my work, rest, relationships, and creativity all flow from the same source of purpose.

 Here’s how I practice that:

• I design my schedule around energy, not just tasks—honoring when I’m most creative, most relational, and most reflective.
• I build in sacred pauses—moments for gratitude, celebration, and restoration, especially after high-output seasons.
• I treat legacy-building as a lifestyle—whether I’m writing, speaking, or resting, it’s all part of the mission.
• I stay relationally attuned—celebrating others, honoring milestones, and making space for joy in the midst of strategy.

 Work-life integration, for me, means showing up as a full woman—not just a polished one. It means letting my story breathe through every part of my day.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I avoid burnout by honoring the rhythm of both my mission and my humanity. 

After decades in corporate leadership and now as the founder of AKP Innovations, I’ve learned that rest is not a reward—it’s a requirement. I build intentional pauses into my workflow, not just to recharge, but to reconnect with my “why.”

Here’s what that looks like for me:

• Sacred boundaries — I protect my mornings and evenings for reflection, gratitude, and stillness.
• Rhythmic planning — I alternate between high-output weeks and restoration-focused ones, especially after major launches or events.
• Joy as strategy — I infuse my schedule with what lights me up: celebrating others, storytelling, and creating beauty with purpose.
• Permission to pause — I’ve released the pressure to always be “on.” I now see rest as a form of resistance, restoration, and leadership.

 Burnout loses its grip when you lead from overflow, not depletion. That’s the rhythm I’m committed to—and the one I teach others to embrace.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

My advice for aspiring Entreprenistas is this: build with soul, scale with systems, and lead with legacy. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about launching a business—it’s about creating something that reflects your values, your voice, and your vision for impact. Here’s what I’ve learned on the journey:

• Your story is your strategy—don’t hide your journey. Share it. It’s what makes your brand magnetic and your mission unforgettable.
• Build systems early—from branded templates to dashboards, structure gives you freedom and clarity as you grow.
• Lead with emotional intelligence—your ability to listen, adapt, and connect will open more doors than any pitch ever could.
• Visibility is earned through alignment—when your message, mission, and momentum are in sync, the right platforms will find you.
• Honor the season you’re in—you don’t have to be everywhere at once. Build intentionally, celebrate often, and trust your pace.

 Entreprenista isn’t just a title—it’s a calling. And when you build from purpose, you don’t just create a business—you create a movement.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today

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