In this powerful episode of SHE DECIDES, host Staci Swiderski sits down with Tissa Richards, founder, CEO, TEDx speaker, author, and former tech founder turned leadership strategist, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, resilience, and choosing alignment over burnout.

Tissa shares her journey from the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley startups to walking away from a career that no longer served her, even when the stakes were high. She opens up about the emotional and financial realities of shutting down a company, losing everything, and rebuilding with integrity, clarity, and purpose.

Together, Staci and Tissa explore what it means to pivot without apology, how to define success beyond titles and revenue, and why knowing your values before things fall apart is the ultimate form of self-advocacy. The conversation dives into leadership under pressure, resilience as a proactive muscle, the power of saying “I’m known for…,” and why women must stop overexplaining their worth.

This episode is both grounding and energizing, filled with practical wisdom, humor, and real talk for anyone standing at a crossroads, questioning what’s next, or learning to trust their own voice.

Because when she decides she doesn’t need permission to choose herself, everything changes.

Connect with Tissa Richards

• Website: TissaRichards.com

• LinkedIn: Tissa Richards

• Instagram: @tissarichards

In this episode of SHE DECIDES, host Staci Swiderski sits down with Gwendolyn Young, the powerhouse Business and Operations Management Consultant trusted by six and seven figure CEOs who are ready for their next level of growth.

As the Founder and CEO of Your Virtual Admin Expert, a multi six figure, results driven agency celebrating 12 years in business, Gwendolyn brings over 15 years of experience advising corporate executives and entrepreneurs on how to scale sustainably without burnout. Known for her rare blend of strategic vision and tactical execution, she is the behind the scenes force helping leaders reclaim their time, protect their energy, and grow profitably.

Together, Staci and Gwendolyn dive into the delegation advantage, mastering executive productivity, and why strategic executive assistants are not just support, but a critical asset for scalable success. Gwendolyn shares actionable insights on how leaders can stop doing everything themselves, step fully into their genius, and build businesses that support both growth and freedom.

✨ Because when SHE DECIDES to lead with clarity, trust, and the right support, she scales with purpose and power.

📍 Based in Chicago, Illinois

🔗 Connect with Gwendolyn Young
Instagram: @youradminexpert
LinkedIn: Gwendolyn Young
Website & Podcast: yourvirtualadminexpert.com

In this special one year anniversary episode of SHE DECIDES, host Staci Swiderski reflects on what began as a podcast and evolved into a powerful platform for women’s voices, stories, and self defining decisions.

Over the past year, SHE DECIDES has amplified women who chose courage over comfort, clarity over expectation, and purpose over permission. From bold career pivots and resilience through adversity to conversations around confidence, boundaries, and leadership, this episode honors the collective impact of the women who shared their journeys and the listeners who saw themselves in those stories.

Staci reflects on the responsibility of holding space, the common threads woven through every conversation, and how SHE DECIDES grew beyond the microphone into a movement and the SHE DECIDES Collection, allowing women to carry the message with them as confidence you can wear.

This episode is a celebration of one year of choosing yourself, trusting your voice, and remembering that when SHE DECIDES, everything changes.

Website: www.shedecidescollection.com, www.staciswiderski.com, www.familysourceconsultants.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shedecidespodcast/, https://www.instagram.com/staciswiderski/, https://www.instagram.com/shedecidescollection/, https://www.instagram.com/familysourceagency/