Jeff Skipper has spent over 25 years helping organizations design disruption and lead change from the inside out. His clients have included household names like IBM, Suncor, Goldman Sachs, and The Salvation Army, but his work is far from corporate buzzwords and boardroom jargon. At his core, Jeff is someone who believes in the power of transformation—both for organizations and the individuals within them—by helping them master the art of change.

With a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and certification as a Change Management Professional, Jeff has built his career by asking one question over and over: how do you get people to embrace change?

Reinvention, Three Times Over

Jeff didn’t begin his career with all the answers. In fact, he remembers his very first consulting gig back in 1994 so vividly—because he was so nervous, he couldn’t remember the conversation afterward. That feeling of impostor syndrome followed him until he landed a role at IBM in 1996, where he learned how to consult with confidence.

Years later, the work caught up to him. “In 2008, I left IBM as a burned-out husk,” Jeff says. Starting his own business wasn’t just a career move—it was survival. With no business background, he studied how successful companies managed their cash flow and slowly began applying those lessons. He shifted from worker bee to leader, from unsure to unstoppable.

By 2014, Jeff found himself facing another barrier. The demand for his services was growing, but he couldn’t clone himself. That’s when he made another bold move: switching to value-based fees. Clients weren’t just looking for deliverables—they wanted results. That shift changed everything, and his business surged once again.

Sharing What Works

Today, Jeff runs his own consulting firm and continues to support organizations through strategic transformation. But he’s also focused on something deeper: helping the next generation of consultants and entrepreneurs learn the ropes.

He’s launching a new course for coaches and consultants, distilling decades of trial and success into practical advice. His two books, Dancing with Disruption (2023) and High Impact Workshops for Leading Change (2024), are packed with the same insight he shares with clients and peers.

“I love seeing people excel,” Jeff says. “When their eyes light up with understanding or triumph, it’s the greatest sensation to know you enabled that to happen.”

The Value of Outside Perspective

One of Jeff’s strengths is bringing an outsider’s eye to complex problems. He’s a voracious news consumer and constantly watches global and industry trends to understand where the future is headed. That insight helps him identify patterns and blind spots that internal teams may miss.

“It’s too easy when you’re on the inside to get locked into perspectives shared by everyone else,” he explains. Jeff helps organizations challenge assumptions, spot real opportunities, and avoid costly mistakes.

Paying It Forward

Early in his career, Jeff benefited from the generosity of experienced professionals who offered their time and advice. “They would often say, ‘When I was in your position, I needed someone to help me,’” he recalls. That spirit stuck with him.

Now, he gives back in multiple ways. His website offers free downloadable resources, including The Executive Interview Guide—a practical tool for preparing leaders to ask better questions and lead more focused conversations.

He also volunteers with the Association of Change Management Professionals and leads webinars to share consulting techniques and lessons learned.

It’s all part of a larger belief: we rise by lifting others.

Growth through Adversity

Like many professionals, Jeff has had moments that left a mark. One, in particular, happened early on at IBM when he gave feedback to a manager. The manager took it as a personal criticism and publicly berated him. That moment shook Jeff’s confidence for years.

“I don’t mind admitting that I needed professional help to overcome it,” he says. But once he did, it unlocked new levels of confidence and impact in his work. It’s a reminder that even difficult moments can lead to powerful growth—if we choose to work through them.

Advice for Those Just Starting

Jeff has reinvented himself three times over. Each pivot led to growth, and each step required an investment in new skills. His advice to those starting out is simple: don’t hesitate to invest in yourself.

“People become so focused on the tasks at hand that they fail to look ahead and recognize the skills that will propel them,” he says. “It takes money to make money. Spend the money to improve your skills or to get the help you need. Two heads are better than one.”

Leading with Purpose

At the center of Jeff’s career is a set of personal values. As a Christian, he believes in putting others first. He recalls helping set up a mic for a speaker at a conference, even though it wasn’t “his job.” In that moment, he realized that titles and roles mattered less than making sure the event succeeded for everyone.

That perspective—serving others and helping them grow—is woven into every project he takes on.

Connect with Jeff Skipper

•  Website: https://www.jeffskipperconsulting.com/
•  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jskipper/
•  Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/jeffskipperconsulting/masterclass
•  Email: jeff@jeffskipperconsulting.co

When you read Ujwal Arkalgud’s story, one thing becomes clear: he’s not here to play by the rules. He’s here to reveal the ones nobody talks about. Ujwal, a cultural anthropologist turned entrepreneur, built and sold his tech company, MotivBase, without outside funding. No VC money. No elite network. Just a breakthrough idea, grit, and a deep understanding of people.

His journey didn’t just defy the odds—it brought them into focus.

From Frustration to Breakthrough

Ujwal’s pivot from founder to advisor started with a feeling many entrepreneurs know well: frustration. On paper, his company was doing everything right—solid product, happy clients, growing revenue. But the startup world kept sending the same message: “You’re not fundable. You’re not scalable. You’re not a real business.”

It wasn’t about performance. It was about perception.

“I kept running into invisible barriers,” he says. “It was like there were rules to the game that no one had written down, but everyone else seemed to know.”

That experience didn’t just shape him. It lit a fire. After selling MotivBase on his own terms, Ujwal began meeting other founders who were facing the same silent walls. That’s when his mission shifted. He set out to help others see the unspoken norms and hidden expectations that control who gets taken seriously and who doesn’t.

Turning Anthropology into Action

Ujwal’s background in anthropology gave him a unique edge. He didn’t just build tech—he built it around what people value and believe, not just what they say or click. But early on, that approach met resistance.

“The industry wasn’t ready,” he explains. “It wanted pie charts, not anthropology.” His tech was innovative, but buyers didn’t know how to trust it.

So he studied what the market did trust—familiar visuals, language, and formats. Then he adapted. “We packaged our insights in ways that felt instantly usable,” Ujwal shares. It worked. And that’s exactly the kind of tactical strategy he now helps other founders build—without sacrificing what makes their ideas unique.

The Invisible Rulebook

Today, Ujwal invests in and coaches growth-stage founders who are tired of being overlooked. He helps them shift from playing defense to playing smart. His focus? The “invisible rules” that shape credibility in any industry:

• What kind of language earns trust?
• What do buyers expect to see before they say yes?
• Who gets taken seriously—and why?

These hidden dynamics are the foundation of his upcoming book, Mastering the Invisible Rulebook, which aims to change how founders think about success.

Because success, as Ujwal puts it, isn’t just about the exit.

Defining Success on Your Terms

“Success, to me, is about building something real—something that solves meaningful problems and creates opportunities for others,” he says.

He’s had a big exit. But what stuck with him more were the in-between moments: earning client trust, proving skeptics wrong, building a team around a different vision.

Now, success also means helping others redefine what it means to “make it.” Not every business needs to chase hypergrowth or play the VC game. And not every founder needs to fit the mold.

“There’s more than one path,” Ujwal says. “Sustainable, profitable businesses are often more powerful than the ones that make headlines.”

The Human Side of Growth

One of the biggest lessons Ujwal teaches is that growth is about more than product-market fit—it’s about understanding the human element behind every decision.

“Most people focus on the logical stuff,” he explains. “But buyers are human. They respond to trust signals, not just features.”

He works closely with founders to uncover those hidden levers—misaligned messaging, misunderstood buyer behavior, and subtle credibility gaps. The result? Clearer paths to traction, without wasting time chasing what doesn’t move the needle.

A Hard-Earned Perspective

Not everything went smoothly. Ujwal still remembers when a $25M acquisition deal fell apart after months of negotiations.

“It felt like our one shot,” he admits. “When it disappeared, so did our momentum.”

That moment taught him a hard truth: tying your identity to one outcome can break you. Instead, he learned to focus on the process—how he navigated setbacks, how he led, how he kept showing up.

“That shift changed how I lead, how I invest, and how I help founders today,” he says. “Because the people who thrive are the ones who learn how to keep steering through the fog.”

What It All Comes Down To

Ujwal Arkalgud isn’t trying to game the system. He’s teaching founders how to see it clearly, challenge it with intention, and build meaningful success on their own terms. His work is a reminder that success isn’t always about changing your product. More often, it’s about understanding the invisible rules that surround it.

Because once you see those rules, you can stop playing small and start building smarter.

For a deeper dive into this mindset, Ujwal created a free guide that expands on these ideas:

The Invisible Playbook: 5 Hidden Rules for Startup Growth No One Tells You

Connect with Ujwal Arkalgud

• Website: https://www.investmentark.net
• Newsletter: https://www.decisionlab.news
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ujwalarkalgud
• Email: ujwal@investmentark.net

Dr. Esther Graham’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. From navigating corporate leadership to founding multiple businesses, her life’s work has been about empowering others—especially women—to step into their calling and create lives of fulfillment and success. But like many who pursue greatness, she battled self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the fear of failure.

The Path to Transformation

Despite her success as a CEO, consultant, educator, speaker, and coach, Dr. Esther struggled with the question that lingers in so many minds: Do I have what it takes? She wondered if she truly belonged in the entrepreneurial space and if she was capable of building a multi-million-dollar company.

But instead of letting fear dictate her future, she did what every strong leader does—she sought guidance. Through prayer, mentorship, and a supportive community, she leaned into her fears, set practical goals, and took the necessary steps to grow.

She didn’t just build businesses—she built herself.

A Personal Journey Back to Herself

Several years ago, Dr. Esther embarked on a deeply personal journey she called “The Journey Back to Me.” Though she had already achieved success, she knew she was capable of more. She had three businesses at the time (now she has four), but something was holding her back.

That’s when she discovered the power of personal development. She attended a transformational retreat, and during that experience, she began to unpack past traumas that had been silently limiting her growth—not just in business, but in every aspect of life.

Self-awareness became her superpower. She realized that healing wasn’t a one-time event but a continuous process. By leaning into her past, she created a future filled with purpose and clarity. This shift didn’t just change her—it revolutionized her business model and the way she helped others.

Empowering Others to Step into Their Calling

Dr. Esther’s mission is to help people—especially women—embrace their power, heal from their past, and build businesses and lives that align with their purpose. Through her company, Festa Della Donna, she offers transformational retreats, leadership training, and executive coaching for individuals, businesses, and organizations.

As a Certified Neuro Transformational Coach and Lisa Nichols Certified Trainer, she provides high-impact coaching that helps leaders break through mental barriers and unlock their full potential. Her programs, like Rising to Your Destiny and Dare to Live Fully, inspire people to step out of fear and into possibility.

She’s not just talking the talk—she’s walking it.

Giving Back and Building a Legacy

Beyond coaching and entrepreneurship, Dr. Esther is deeply committed to her community. She believes in creating opportunities for others, especially those who might not have the resources to access personal development.

Her impact includes:

• Hosting pro bono coaching sessions and retreats.
• Organizing an annual free baby shower for families in need.
• Leading parent personal development training to support family growth.
• Running a nonprofit teen program called Designed Naturally Amazing.
• Hosting community health fairs, laundry takeovers, and philanthropy projects.

Her dedication to service isn’t just a part of her business—it’s a part of who she is.

A Vision for the Future

Dr. Esther isn’t slowing down. Her vision includes franchising her schools and expanding Festa Della Donna to reach more people through transformational retreats and programs. She wants to help humanity go farther, dream bigger, and realize their power to create the life they want.

Her message is simple but profound: We are created for more.

Connect with Dr. Esther Graham

Dr. Esther Graham’s story is proof that transformation is possible—for anyone. If you’re ready to step into your purpose, elevate your mindset, and create a life you love, her work offers the tools and support to make it happen.

Follow her journey, attend a retreat, or dive into one of her powerful coaching programs. Because the life you want? It’s waiting for you to claim it.

Website: https://www.fddwomen.com/home
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU2Ig4iTOjXTvgsvJeKenvA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/festadelladonna_esthergraham/

Your transformation starts now.