At 26 years old, Eloise Stewart walked away from teaching design courses at Auburn University and stepped into the unknown. With no guarantees, she started Eloise Design Co. — a business built on helping others discover who they are and communicate it clearly. Nine years later, she’s grown a thriving brand rooted in intentionality, purpose, and deep connection.

In this episode, Eloise shares the pivotal moment that led to starting her business, how she leads with clarity and generosity of her time, and what she's learned about delegation, boundaries, and burnout.

From rebranding Leadership Lee County to launching masterminds like Buildwell and co-founding Beingwell, Eloise gives us a transparent look into her growth as a leader and the power of tiny conversations that shape big impact.

Whether you're a business owner, creative, or leader in your own lane — this one is for you.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: @leadershipleecounty

Website: www.leadershipleecounty.org

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. Learn more here.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Gray, a former NC State football player turned entrepreneur, community leader, and Alabama State Representative for the 83rd District. From his early days in Opelika to playing sports and stepping into politics, Jeremy shares how leadership, influence, and personal branding have shaped his journey.

He discusses the importance of influence over authority, leading with empathy, and the power of compromise in politics to drive real change.

With an untraditional path into politics, Jeremy reflects on resilience, adapting to challenges, and staying focused on the bigger picture—even when progress feels slow. He emphasizes knowing who you are, how to navigate the system, and where to draw the line as a leader. His ultimate goal? Leaving his community better than he found it.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: @leadershipleecounty

Website: www.leadershipleecounty.org

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. Learn more here.

Welcome to the first episode of Leading Locally! We're excited to feature leaders within our community and highlight the impact they're having in Lee County, Alabama.

Our first guest is Todd Shackett, President of Southern Union State Community College, who shows us how leadership skills are transferrable as he takes us through his career starting in manufacturing to leading a strong team at Southern Union.

From his years of experience in leadership, he shares advice on hiring the right people for the team, situational leadership and being comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Connect with Leadership Lee County

Instagram: @leadershipleecounty

Website: www.leadershipleecounty.org

Leadership Experts: Are you an experienced and trained leadership expert? We are always taking applications for local leadership experts who specialize in one-on-one coaching and group training. We will then add you to our public database that is shared with community partners and marketed publicly. Learn more here.