What It Really Takes to Be a Woman in Business: Unfiltered Leadership Lessons from Kathryn Elizabeth and Laura Kelly

Being a woman in the trades isn’t for the faint of heart.

It takes resilience, grit, and an unapologetic commitment to authenticity. In a standout episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley welcomes Kathryn Elizabeth and Laura Kelly for a candid conversation about what it really means to lead as a woman in business—especially in industries where female leadership is still the exception, not the norm.

This isn’t your typical leadership talk. There’s no sugarcoating, no perfectionism, and no filters. Just real women sharing real insights from the trenches of entrepreneurship and executive leadership.

Why This Conversation Matters

If you've ever felt like you had to shrink to fit someone else's mold, this episode is for you.

Kathryn and Laura break down the internal and external battles that come with being a woman in business—especially when you choose to lead differently. They talk openly about identity, boundaries, burnout, growth, and the power of speaking truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

They don’t just encourage women to break the rules. They show what it looks like to live beyond them.

Authenticity Is Non-Negotiable

Both women make it clear: the cost of hiding who you are is too high.

Laura Kelly put it plainly: “I will not ever suppress a part of myself to make another person feel better. If I’m acting ethically, I will show up as me”.

Too many leaders feel pressure to conform—to tone it down, smooth it over, or dilute their personality to appease others. But as Kathryn and Laura remind us, real leadership starts with self-respect and truth. Not everyone will be comfortable with it, but the people who matter will respect it.

Leading with Heart Means Making Hard Decisions

There’s a misconception that leading with compassion means avoiding confrontation. But Kathryn challenges that narrative directly:

“Leading with your heart doesn’t mean you never fire someone. It means you do what’s best for your team—even when it’s uncomfortable”.

As businesses scale, tough calls become inevitable. You can’t build a thriving company if you’re avoiding necessary change. Leadership means serving the greater good, and that often requires bold, data-driven decisions rooted in values—not emotions.

Criticism Comes with the Territory

Being visible means being vulnerable. And when you put yourself out there, you’ll invite feedback—some of it helpful, some of it not.

The key, according to Kathryn and Laura, is to know who you are. As Kathryn shared, “There are people who are here to hear your message. And there are people who are just here to judge. Show up anyway”.

Not everyone will like your leadership style, your voice, or your truth. But when you stop performing and start showing up with purpose, the right people will find you—and follow.

Perfection Is a Lie. Progress Is the Goal.

Too many women hold themselves to impossible standards, believing they have to do it all, perfectly, all the time. Laura flips that script.

“The work isn’t to be perfect. The work is to blow up less often, and get back on track faster”.

You’re going to mess up. You’re going to fall short. You’re going to second-guess yourself. That doesn’t disqualify you—it defines your capacity to grow. What matters is how quickly you recover and how honestly you reflect.

Choose Your Circle. Define Your Values.

Leadership is a lonely road when you’re surrounded by people who don’t get it. That’s why both Kathryn and Laura emphasize the importance of community and clarity.

Laura encourages leaders to stop living based on feelings and start acting from their values.

“Get clear on what you value. Not what you say you value—what your life actually shows. Then act in alignment with that”.

It’s not about being driven by outdated definitions of success or chasing validation. It’s about creating a life and business that feel rich, on your own terms.

Show Up Scared. Show Up Anyway.

Visibility is essential for impact. Whether you’re posting a video, stepping on stage, or running a meeting, leadership requires courage.

Kathryn shares, “It’s not that I’m not scared—I am. I just hit ‘go live’ anyway. There are people who need to hear my message. And I show up for them”.

If you wait until you're confident, you’ll never move. Clarity comes from action. Confidence is built in the doing, not in the thinking.

Real Talk for Women in the Trades

Business is hard. Leadership is harder. And doing it all while navigating personal growth, health, and societal expectations? That’s a level of difficulty no spreadsheet can measure.

Kathryn and Laura are transparent about what it looks like behind the curtain. From juggling payroll to dealing with hormonal chaos, they’re living proof that you don’t have to choose between being powerful and being human.

This episode is a reminder that women in the trades don’t need to fit into someone else’s model of leadership. They need to own their voice, lean into truth, and trust that their difference is their advantage.

Final Thoughts: The Middle Is Invisible

Jennifer Bagley closed the episode with a powerful reflection: “The more visible you are, the more feedback you’ll get. But the middle is invisible. Playing it safe doesn’t grow your business—or your impact”.

If you want to build something meaningful, it’s time to stop hiding and start leading.

Be bold. Be loud. Be honest. And surround yourself with people who push you to grow, not shrink.

Listen to the full episode of Catalyst for the Trades to hear the full conversation with Kathryn Elizabeth and Laura Kelly. If you’re a woman in business—or someone who supports one—this episode is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and unapologetic leadership.

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Meet Your Hosts

Jennifer Bagley
Jennifer Bagley is the CEO and founder of CI Web Group, an AI-enabled marketing agency helping home service businesses achieve exceptional growth. With over 15 years of experience, she has led companies to significantly increase their leads and revenue through innovative strategies and emerging technologies. Her 12 Step Roadmap to Accelerated Results is a trusted framework for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies looking to expand their markets and achieve lasting success.

Chuck Staszkiewicz
Chuck is an accomplished entrepreneur and growth strategist, renowned for scaling All Hours Plumbing into a $20 million industry leader before its successful sale in 2023. A co-founder of The Opus & Golds Group, he helps companies grow through innovative strategies and operational excellence. Through his work, Chuck continues to inspire entrepreneurs to achieve their highest potential.

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