LEADERSHIP by LuzElena Rivers, DBA From the border to the boardroom One of my favorite topics to speak about on stage is female entrepreneurship not just because of the business impact, but because of the transformation that happens within a woman when she decides to lead, build, and create something of her own. Every time I stand in front of an audience of women whether they are students, executives, or emerging founders, I see the same spark. It is the moment they realize they do not need permission to lead. They only need vision, courage, and the willingness to take the first step. My own journey into entrepreneurship began long before the boardroom. It began at the border. As a young immigrant child crossing into the United States with my mother, I could not have imagined the path ahead. I did not know that one day I would build a multimillion-dollar company, serve on advisory boards, or speak globally on leadership and innovation. I only knew that survival required resilience. That resilience would later become the foundation of my leadership. That journey from uncertainty to opportunity, from limitation to leadership is the heart of my upcoming book, From the Border to the Boardroom. The book is both a memoir and a guide for entrepreneurs, combining personal experiences with practical business strategies learned through building and scaling a company from the ground up. It reflects what I believe deeply… entrepreneurship is not simply about business growth it is about personal transformation. Today, female entrepreneurship represents that transformation on a global scale. Women are not just starting businesses. They are redefining leadership, building organizations with purpose, and creating impact that extends far beyond profit. Every successful entrepreneur begins with vision…not a perfect plan. Vision is the ability to see solutions where others see problems. It is the courage to challenge systems and create something better. When I founded Amera, a nurse-led medical transportation company supporting patients through outpatient procedures, the goal was not simply to provide transportation. I saw a gap in care. Patients facing medical procedures often felt vulnerable and unsupported, and I wanted to create a service that delivered safety and compassionate care. That vision became the foundation of a growing company. But more importantly, it reinforced something I often share when speaking. Women frequently build businesses rooted in purpose. We solve problems we understand. We create value that improves lives. However, vision must be supported by clarity. Entrepreneurs must clearly define who they are, what they offer, and the impact they seek to create. Clarity builds trust, aligns teams, and positions organizations for sustainable growth. If vision starts the journey, resilience sustains it. Entrepreneurship tests your mindset, discipline, and emotional strength. There will be seasons of uncertainty, financial pressure, and difficult decisions. I have experienced those seasons personally. Building a company requires navigating challenges that cannot be taught in textbooks. Some of the most valuable lessons I share in From the Border to the Boardroom come from moments of failure, discomfort, and reinvention. Those experiences taught me how to build stronger systems, make wiser decisions, and develop emotional discipline as a leader. Resilience is not simply about enduring hardship. It is about learning, adapting, and becoming stronger through every challenge. It requires protecting your mindset, investing in personal growth, and maintaining the courage to continue when the outcome is unclear. This is a message I consistently share with women entrepreneurs…sustainable leadership begins with personal strength. Another principle I emphasize both in my work and on stage is that no one succeeds alone. Women entrepreneurs have a unique strength in building community. We collaborate, mentor, and support one another in ways that accelerate collective growth. My work with organizations like Enterprising Women has shown me how powerful these connections can be. When women share knowledge and create opportunities for each other, we elevate entire industries. Mentorship is essential. As leaders, we have a responsibility to guide the next generation and help them navigate challenges with confidence. When women invest in women, we create a ripple effect of empowerment. We are living in a time of unprecedented opportunity driven by technology. Artificial intelligence, automation, and digital platforms are 86 enterprising Women
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