Summer Owens

I attribute my success not to the absence of obstacles, but to the decision to keep moving forward through them. Every chapter of my journey has shaped my leadership philosophy, from becoming a teenage mother and putting myself through college, to building a corporate career with organizations such as the Memphis Grizzlies, ServiceMaster, and FedEx, launching multiple businesses, surviving breast cancer, and creating opportunities that help others recognize their own potential. Each experience has reinforced my belief that resilience is not something we are born with. It is a skill that can be developed, strengthened, and shared.

That belief is reflected in everything I do. Through S.O. What! LLC, I equip individuals and organizations with practical strategies to overcome obstacles, lead with confidence, and create meaningful change. Through the S.O. What! Foundation, I have dedicated my work to expanding opportunities for young people by helping them build resilience, develop leadership skills, and envision possibilities they may have never imagined. Watching students board an airplane for the first time, step onto a college campus, discover their voice through leadership experiences, earn scholarships, or simply begin believing in themselves reminds me why this work matters.

Whether I'm speaking from a stage, developing leaders, writing books, mentoring young people, or creating educational resources, my mission remains the same. I want people to understand that their circumstances do not define their future. With resilience, intentional choices, and a willingness to keep moving forward, obstacles can become opportunities, and success becomes possible regardless of where the journey begins.

One of the best pieces of career advice I've ever received is to stop waiting for permission and start creating opportunities. Early in my career, I realized that the people who make the greatest impact are rarely the ones who wait until every qualification is met or every door is opened for them. They prepare, take initiative, solve problems, and step forward with confidence.

That advice has shaped every stage of my journey, from earning promotions in corporate America and launching my own business to becoming an author, educator, nonprofit founder, and internationally recognized speaker. It has taught me that careers are built not only by talent, but by taking action, building meaningful relationships, continually learning, and being willing to bet on yourself even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Today, I encourage others to adopt the same mindset. Don't wait until you feel ready. Don't let fear of rejection or perfection keep you from pursuing opportunities. Prepare diligently, do excellent work, remain teachable, and when the opportunity doesn't exist, create it. Some of the greatest opportunities in my life didn't come because someone handed them to me. They came because I was willing to step forward, create value, and trust that I could figure things out along the way.

Summer encourages young women entering the industry to stop waiting until they feel "ready." Confidence is built through action, not before it. She advises them to seek out mentors and sponsors who challenge them, ask thoughtful questions, stay curious, and learn from people who have already achieved what they aspire to accomplish. Just as importantly, she encourages them to create opportunities instead of waiting for them to appear. Volunteer for leadership roles, develop your expertise, build meaningful relationships, and let your work speak before your title does.

She also reminds young women that comparison is one of the fastest ways to lose momentum. Everyone's journey is different, and success rarely follows a straight path. Obstacles, setbacks, and rejection are not signs to quit. They are opportunities to grow. The most successful leaders are not those who avoid challenges, but those who develop the resilience to keep moving forward despite them. Above all, she encourages young women to believe that they belong in every room they enter and to never allow someone else's opinion to place limits on what they are capable of achieving.

One of the biggest opportunities in my field is that organizations are finally recognizing that resilience, leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence are not "soft skills." They are essential business skills. Whether it's retaining employees, developing stronger leaders, supporting student success, or building healthier workplace cultures, organizations are investing more than ever in helping people navigate change, uncertainty, and adversity.

At the same time, one of the greatest challenges is that many people are overwhelmed. They are expected to do more with fewer resources while managing constant change, increasing stress, and competing demands. Motivation alone is no longer enough. People need practical tools they can immediately apply to make better decisions, lead with confidence, strengthen relationships, and remain resilient when life or work doesn't go according to plan.

Technology and artificial intelligence are also transforming how we learn, work, and communicate. While these advancements create incredible opportunities for innovation and efficiency, they also make uniquely human skills even more valuable. Critical thinking, adaptability, empathy, sound judgment, effective communication, and authentic leadership cannot be automated. Organizations that intentionally develop these skills will be the ones best positioned to thrive.

I believe the future belongs to women who can navigate uncertainty, embrace change, and help others do the same. My work is about equipping people with the mindset and practical strategies to turn obstacles into opportunities and lead with resilience, regardless of the challenges they face.

The values that guide Summer's life and work are integrity, resilience, purpose, excellence, continuous learning, and service. She believes that success is not measured solely by personal achievement, but by the positive impact we have on the lives of others. Every decision she makes is grounded in a commitment to doing the right thing, pursuing excellence, embracing lifelong growth, and creating opportunities that empower people to reach their full potential.

Summer also values authenticity and meaningful relationships. She believes trust is earned through consistency, genuine connection, and a willingness to serve others with humility and compassion. Whether she is speaking to thousands, mentoring a student, consulting with an organization, or spending time with family and friends, she strives to lead with empathy, intentionality, and a genuine desire to leave people better than she found them.

Outside of her professional work, Summer enjoys writing, reading, and traveling. Exploring new places, ideas, and cultures continually broadens her perspective, fuels her creativity, and reinforces one of her core beliefs: growth begins when we remain curious enough to keep learning.