What happens when you take a leap of faith—before you feel ready?

In this episode of Closing Deals in Heels, I sit down with Stef Willis, a woman who didn’t just leave her 9-5—she built a legacy by mentoring and leading thousands of women to success in sales.

But her journey wasn’t easy. Walking away from security meant walking straight into uncertainty, self-doubt, and adversity. There were moments she questioned everything, times she felt the weight of leadership, and seasons where the pressure to succeed felt suffocating.

Yet, she refused to quit. Instead, she leaned into the discomfort, embraced the power of community, and built something bigger than herself—a sales network of thousands of women who are now stepping into their own success stories.

Stef's story is proof that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about believing in something bigger than fear. 

If you’ve ever felt the pull to do more, to be more, to create something that lasts—this episode is for you. It’s time to own your power, lead with purpose, and build your own legacy.

What happens when you take a leap of faith&mdash;before you feel ready?
In this episode of Closing Deals in Heels, I sit down with Stef Willis, a woman who didn&rsquo;t just leave her 9-5&mdash;she built a legacy by mentoring and leading thousands of women to success in sales.
But her journey wasn&rsquo;t easy. Walking away from security meant walking straight into uncertainty, self-doubt, and adversity. There were moments she questioned everything, times she felt the weight of leadership, and seasons where the pressure to succeed felt suffocating.
Yet, she refused to quit. Instead, she leaned into the discomfort, embraced the power of community, and built something bigger than herself&mdash;a sales network of thousands of women who are now stepping into their own success stories.
Stef's story is proof that&nbsp;leadership isn&rsquo;t about having all the answers&mdash;it&rsquo;s about believing in something bigger than fear.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;ve ever felt the pull to do more, to be more, to create something that lasts&mdash;this episode is for you. It&rsquo;s time to own your power, lead with purpose, and build your own legacy.

Living Boldly Podcast with Kayla Hodges is more than a podcast, it's a movement.

Hosted by international speaker and transformational sales trainer Kayla Hodges, Living Boldly is your weekly permission slip to take up space, trust your voice, and stop playing small in your business, your relationships, and your life.

Whether we’re talking sales, healing trauma, reclaiming your feminine fire, or building a life that you are aligned and proud of… this show will help you unlock the confidence, clarity, and courage to finally become her—the version of you who doesn't just survive, but thrives.

Expect deep conversations, raw stories, mindset breakthroughs, and feminine leadership strategies that’ll help you build wealth with integrity and lead with heart.

Because the boldest thing you can do… is be fully you.

Living Boldly Podcast with Kayla Hodges is more than a podcast, it's a movement.
Hosted by international speaker and transformational sales trainer Kayla Hodges, Living Boldly is your weekly permission slip to take up space, trust your voice, and stop playing small in your business, your relationships, and your life.
Whether we&rsquo;re talking sales, healing trauma, reclaiming your feminine fire, or building a life that you are aligned and proud of&hellip; this show will help you unlock the confidence, clarity, and courage to finally become her&mdash;the version of you who doesn't just survive, but thrives.
Expect deep conversations, raw stories, mindset breakthroughs, and feminine leadership strategies that&rsquo;ll help you build wealth with integrity and lead with heart.
Because the boldest thing you can do&hellip; is be fully you.

Living Boldly Podcast

Closing Deals in Heels is Kayla's passion project. It's a podcast created for women who want to learn sales from a female perspective. Kayla believes that sales is an art, and she wants to share her knowledge and experiences with other women who are interested in this field.

As the host of Closing Deals in Heels, Kayla is dedicated to empowering women in sales and helping them achieve their goals in the industry. Through insightful interviews with successful female sales professionals, she shares tips, strategies, and experiences that will inspire listeners to take their sales game to the next level.

Whether you're a seasoned sales professional or just starting out, Closing Deals in Heels is the podcast for you. So, put on your heels and get ready to close some deals!

Closing Deals in Heels is Kayla's passion project. It's a podcast created for women who want to learn sales from a female perspective. Kayla believes that sales is an art, and she wants to share her knowledge and experiences with other women who are interested in this field.
As the host of Closing Deals in Heels, Kayla is dedicated to empowering women in sales and helping them achieve their goals in the industry. Through insightful interviews with successful female sales professionals, she shares tips, strategies, and experiences that will inspire listeners to take their sales game to the next level.
Whether you're a seasoned sales professional or just starting out, Closing Deals in Heels is the podcast for you. So, put on your heels and get ready to close some deals!

Closing Deals in Heels

From 9-5 to Mentoring Thousands: How Stef Willis Built Her Legacy

Lauren Engel is the co-founder of Arturo+Lauren, a photo and video studio she runs alongside her husband and creative partner, Arturo. While Arturo leads much of the on-set execution, Lauren works closely with clients across hospitality, architecture, and design to shape projects from initial conversations through final delivery. 

With a strong grasp of how visual content supports marketing, launches, and ongoing brand needs, Lauren focuses on translating client goals into clear scopes, thoughtful pre-production, and assets that are built to be used. This client-side perspective helps ensure each project aligns creatively and strategically, not just visually.

Lauren Engel is the co-founder of Arturo+Lauren, a photo and video studio she runs alongside her husband and creative partner, Arturo. While Arturo leads much of the on-set execution, Lauren works closely with clients across hospitality, architecture, and design to shape projects from initial conversations through final delivery.&nbsp;
With a strong grasp of how visual content supports marketing, launches, and ongoing brand needs, Lauren focuses on translating client goals into clear scopes, thoughtful pre-production, and assets that are built to be used. This client-side perspective helps ensure each project aligns creatively and strategically, not just visually.

Selling the Invisible_ Taking Client Vision into Deliverability

Living Boldly Podcast is weekly big sister advice on mastering influence, embracing your femininity, and handling any challenge that life throws your way 🧡

This week, I met with our client, Esther Loeffel.

Esther Löffel — known as Esthi — is an entrepreneur in high-ticket sales with Enagic. She’s a business mentor supporting women who are done playing small and ready to build aligned wealth, health, and freedom.

Starting her entrepreneurial journey in 2023, Esthi expanded beyond 1:1 work to build a holistic business that merges health, financial empowerment, and environmental impact.

Through Enagic and the Kangen Water business model, Esthi mentors women to create sustainable income, reclaim their health at a cellular level, and step into leadership without burning out or betraying themselves.

Her work is especially devoted to health-conscious women who want more than a job, more than a side hustle… women who want legacy.

Her mission is deeply personal: retiring her mother, breaking generational cycles, supporting animal sanctuaries, and proving that success can be built without manipulation, hustle culture, or sacrificing alignment.

Esthi leads with honesty, accountability, and heart, creating spaces where women are challenged to rise and supported to grow. 💫

Living Boldly Podcast is weekly big sister advice on mastering influence, embracing your femininity, and handling any challenge that life throws your way 🧡
This week, I met with our client, Esther Loeffel.
Esther L&ouml;ffel &mdash; known as Esthi &mdash; is an entrepreneur in high-ticket sales with Enagic. She&rsquo;s a business mentor supporting women who are done playing small and ready to build aligned wealth, health, and freedom.
Starting her entrepreneurial journey in 2023, Esthi expanded beyond 1:1 work to build a holistic business that merges health, financial empowerment, and environmental impact.
Through Enagic and the Kangen Water business model, Esthi mentors women to create sustainable income, reclaim their health at a cellular level, and step into leadership without burning out or betraying themselves.
Her work is especially devoted to health-conscious women who want more than a job, more than a side hustle&hellip; women who want legacy.
Her mission is deeply personal: retiring her mother, breaking generational cycles, supporting animal sanctuaries, and proving that success can be built without manipulation, hustle culture, or sacrificing alignment.
Esthi leads with honesty, accountability, and heart, creating spaces where women are challenged to rise and supported to grow. 💫

Mastering Your Mind as a Woman in Sales with Esther Loeffel

Living Boldly Podcast is weekly big sister advice on mastering influence, embracing your femininity, and handling any challenge that life throws your way 🧡

This week, I met with our client Jenae Torrez, who turned her severe health issues into a mission-led business.

Before Jenae’s entrepreneurial journey, you could find her working as a server, model, in low-ticket sales, as a registered veterinary technician in oncology, and in over-the-phone triage. For a long time, Jenae felt lost in what she was meant to do.

In 2020, she became very sick and was diagnosed with Lupus, along with several other health challenges. During her journey, she overcame three hip surgeries, had her gallbladder removed, and underwent one femur surgery. Even more obstacles came her way, including five car accidents. Despite moments of doubt, she did not let a single thing stop her.

Jenae discovered a Japanese-based business in 2022 and went into remission just three months later. She has now been in remission for 3.5 years and helps others heal—whether that means rushing into hospitals, hosting in-person wellness events, or helping someone online wake up from what she calls “the matrix.”

Not only does she help others heal, but she also helps them create lives of freedom—spending time with who they want, when they want, and where they want—by guiding them to build their own at-home, high-ticket sales businesses.

By helping others, she’s building toward an even bigger mission. In the future, Jenae plans to create holistic elderly homes for those who can’t afford care—spaces where they can be comfortable, nourished with whole foods, and in sunlight every day.

You can find Jenae here: @jenaetorrez

Living Boldly Podcast is weekly big sister advice on mastering influence, embracing your femininity, and handling any challenge that life throws your way 🧡
This week, I met with our client Jenae Torrez, who turned her severe health issues into a mission-led business.
Before Jenae&rsquo;s entrepreneurial journey, you could find her working as a server, model, in low-ticket sales, as a registered veterinary technician in oncology, and in over-the-phone triage. For a long time, Jenae felt lost in what she was meant to do.
In 2020, she became very sick and was diagnosed with Lupus, along with several other health challenges. During her journey, she overcame three hip surgeries, had her gallbladder removed, and underwent one femur surgery. Even more obstacles came her way, including five car accidents. Despite moments of doubt, she did not let a single thing stop her.
Jenae discovered a Japanese-based business in 2022 and went into remission just three months later. She has now been in remission for 3.5 years and helps others heal&mdash;whether that means rushing into hospitals, hosting in-person wellness events, or helping someone online wake up from what she calls &ldquo;the matrix.&rdquo;
Not only does she help others heal, but she also helps them create lives of freedom&mdash;spending time with who they want, when they want, and where they want&mdash;by guiding them to build their own at-home, high-ticket sales businesses.
By helping others, she&rsquo;s building toward an even bigger mission. In the future, Jenae plans to create holistic elderly homes for those who can&rsquo;t afford care&mdash;spaces where they can be comfortable, nourished with whole foods, and in sunlight every day.
You can find Jenae here: @jenaetorrez

From 9-5 to Mentoring Thousands: How Stef Willis Built Her Legacy

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