My guest on #thePOZCAST is Lea Turner. You might know her from her first POZ appearance, Guest 108, from late 2020. She is a LinkedIn powerhouse who skyrocketed to prominence in 2019, transforming her small transcription business with her signature blend of humor, relatability, and uplifting content. In just a few years, she’s amassed a remarkable 173,000 followers and trained countless professionals on leveraging LinkedIn effectively. As the founder of The HoLT Community, a global membership of over 580 business owners, Lea empowers entrepreneurs with expert-led masterclasses and resources to help them thrive. Lea also hosts The HoLT’s Survival Guide for Small Businesses podcast, where her engaging and relatable conversations provide practical advice for navigating the challenges of small business ownership. A solo parent and vibrant content creator, Lea inspires business owners worldwide with her authentic, actionable insights." Most importantly, she is a friend and someone I deeply admire and respect, as I've had a front-row seat to her journey over the past 5+ years. Follow Lea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-turner/ Learn more about HoLT: https://the-holt.com/ https://the-holt.com/vault https://the-holt.com/podcast Summary In this episode of the POZcast, Adam Posner welcomes Lea Turner, a LinkedIn powerhouse and founder of the Holt Community. They discuss Lea's journey from a struggling transcription business to becoming a successful LinkedIn trainer, the importance of authenticity in personal branding, and the challenges she faced along the way, including dealing with negativity and embracing her true self. Lea shares insights on how she built her business, the significance of community, and the milestones that have marked her growth as an entrepreneur and a person. In this conversation, they discuss the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, the importance of community, and the realities of running a small business. They explore the motivations behind Turner's community, House of LT, and how it serves as a safe haven for its members. The discussion also delves into the mental health aspects of entrepreneurship, the need for support, and the significance of fostering genuine connections within a community. Turner shares insights on the struggles faced by small business owners and the importance of transparency in the entrepreneurial journey. In this conversation, Lea Turner shares her insights on maximizing LinkedIn engagement, the importance of community building, and her journey towards a better quality of life. She emphasizes the need for mutual effort on social media, the significance of intentional engagement, and how her transition from coaching to focusing on her community has led to personal fulfillment. Lea also discusses her definition of success, which revolves around finding peace and purpose in her work and life. This episode of #thePOZcast is brought to you by Juicebox. AI Recruiting just got smarter with Juicebox, the company behind PeopleGPT! With AI Sourcing powered by Generative AI, you tell it who you're looking for in natural language. PeopleGPT* instantly creates the search and evaluates profiles, saving you hours of time and effort. Already trusted by over 500 companies and agencies—from boutique recruiting firms to Fortune 500 TA teams—PeopleGPT is revolutionizing talent acquisition. Ready to improve your sourcing skills? Use the code "POZ20" for an exclusive 20% discount. Visit Juicebox.ai Thanks for listening. Please follow us on Instagram @NHPTalent and X @AdamJPosner. Visit www.thePOZcast.com for all episodes Takeaways - Lea's journey reflects the power of resilience and adaptability. - Authenticity is key to building a personal brand on social media. - Embracing humor can create unexpected connections and engagement. - Overcoming negativity and haters is part of the entrepreneurial journey. - Finding a supportive community is crucial for solopreneurs. - Lea's training approach is tailored to individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all blueprint. - Celebrating personal milestones can be a powerful motivator. - The transition from transcription to LinkedIn training was a pivotal moment for Lea. - Self-acceptance and confidence are essential for success. - Leah's story inspires others to embrace their uniqueness. The drive to succeed is fueled by personal responsibility. - Building a community requires active engagement from its leader. - Creating a safe space for those who feel outcast is essential. - Community members often provide support and solutions to each other. - Mental health challenges are a common struggle for entrepreneurs. - Transparency about the realities of business is crucial. - Curating meaningful conversations can enhance the podcast experience. - The importance of understanding the audience when pitching ideas. - Building a supportive network is vital for business success. - Self-awareness in pitching is key to effective communication. - Small business owners often neglect engaging with others on LinkedIn. - Commenting on others' posts can lead to greater visibility. - Building a community requires consistent engagement and relationship building. - Transitioning from coaching to a more sustainable business model can improve quality of life. - Success is defined by personal peace and fulfillment, not just financial gain. - Intentional engagement on social media is crucial for growth. - Finding a balance between work and personal life is essential. - Investing time in relationships can lead to a supportive community. - It's important to set boundaries and say no to disrespectful clients. - Happiness comes from doing what you love and helping others.