How To Lead With Authenticity

Lynda Ellis is the CEO of Capitol Concierge, a leading provider of corporate, residential, and commercial concierge services. She joined the company in 1998 and later purchased it in 2007, guiding its growth into a nationally and internationally recognized service brand serving more than one million people worldwide. Lynda has received multiple industry honors for her visionary leadership and community involvement. She has also been appointed to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council, where she advocates for small‑business interests with policymakers. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: • [0:00] Introduction • [2:03] Lynda Ellis shares her early career experiences in instructional technology and managing learning centers at Control Data Corporation • [10:49] Lynda’s philosophy on facing business challenges • [14:12] An overview of Capitol Concierge’s growth, including its expansion into residential and corporate markets • [17:22] The distinction between entrepreneurial “A-types” and operational “Z-types” • [20:00] Lynda talks about her near-collapse business experiences • [26:25] The evolution of Lynda’s leadership philosophy, influenced by her upbringing, family values, and a service-oriented mindset • [29:55] Lynda’s community engagement and outreach efforts • [39:56] Advice for peers: be authentic, pursue work you enjoy, and embrace challenges In this episode… Entrepreneurship demands persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to tackle challenges head-on. Leaders must find ways to stay motivated while guiding teams through uncertainty. How can business owners navigate high-stakes decisions while maintaining focus and resilience? Lynda Ellis, an experienced business leader and strategist, emphasizes the importance of leaning into challenges rather than avoiding them. She suggests framing obstacles as opportunities for growth, building a strong support network, and empowering employees to take ownership of their work. Lynda encourages entrepreneurs to maintain daily rituals that foster clarity and focus, helping leaders manage personal and professional responsibilities effectively. By integrating these practices, leaders can turn complex problems into actionable solutions and cultivate a motivated, engaged team. In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney chats with Lynda Ellis, CEO of Capitol Concierge, about leadership and growth strategies. Lynda discusses her early career lessons in management and service, strategies for staying motivated and seeking new challenges, and her approaches to community engagement and giving back. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Susan Kearney on LinkedIn -   / susanpkearney   • Heather Bennett on LinkedIn -   / heather-h-bennett   • Newport LLC - https://newportllc.com/ • Lynda Ellis on LinkedIn -   / lynda-ellis   • Capitol Concierge: Website - https://www.capitolconcierge.com/ | Instagram -   / captlconcierge   • St. Mary’s University San Antonio - https://www.stmarytx.edu/ • National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) - https://www.ncpc.org/ • Howard County Chamber of Commerce - https://www.howardchamber.com/ Sponsor for this episode... This episode is brought to you by Newport LLC, a national business advisory firm. Newport is a team of over 50 seasoned C-suite executives who have founded, built, bought, and sold businesses. We help CEOs of privately held companies achieve exceptional value quickly and with less risk. We use our proprietary Value Acceleration Program — a set of research-based tools and methodologies — to help growth-stage businesses build and sustain value. To work with us, visit https://newportllc.com/. Powered by Rise25 Podcast Production Company - https://rise25.com/