5 Interviews with Women Entrepreneurs Every Business Leader Must Watch

Successful businesses are built on more than great ideas. They're built by leaders who are willing to take risks, learn from setbacks, challenge conventional thinking, and inspire others along the way. Many of today's most accomplished women entrepreneurs have shared those lessons through interviews, keynote speeches, and candid conversations that continue to motivate business owners, leaders, and aspiring founders alike.

As a proud WBENC-certified women-owned business, we know firsthand that entrepreneurship is filled with moments of uncertainty, resilience, and growth. That's why we've gathered some of our favorite video clips from influential women in business.

Whether you're looking for inspiration for your next leadership meeting, women's networking event, entrepreneurship workshop, or simply your own professional journey, these conversations offer practical insights that extend far beyond business strategy. They remind us that confidence can be learned, failure can become fuel, and great leadership starts with a mindset of continuous growth.

Redefining Failure

Tone: Encouraging, reflective, and growth-oriented

Sara Blakely is the founder of Spanx, the shapewear company she launched with $5,000 in savings before growing it into a global brand. Known for her emphasis on resilience, creativity, and embracing failure, Blakely has become one of the world's most influential entrepreneurs and a leading advocate for women in business.

In this memorable interview, Sara Blakely shares one of the most influential lessons from her childhood: every week, her father asked what she had failed at. If she hadn't failed at something, he was disappointed—not because he wanted her to fail, but because it meant she hadn't challenged herself. Over time, she learned that failure wasn't something to fear. The real failure was letting fear keep her from trying.

For entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders, this mindset is transformative. Growth rarely follows a straight line, and the willingness to take risks often creates opportunities that success alone never could. As Blakely points out, even unsuccessful attempts can lead to valuable relationships, unexpected experiences, and lessons that shape future achievements.

This clip is especially effective for leadership meetings, entrepreneurial events, and innovation workshops where the goal is to encourage calculated risk-taking, resilience, and continuous learning. It's a powerful reminder that every meaningful accomplishment begins with the courage to try and that the path to success is often built on the lessons learned from failure.

Confidence Without Apology

Tone: Confident, candid, and empowering

Barbara Corcoran is a real estate entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and longtime investor on Shark Tank. After building The Corcoran Group from a $1,000 loan into one of New York City's premier real estate firms, she has become one of the most recognizable voices on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business growth.

Barbara Corcoran shares an unapologetic perspective on competing in business: she never viewed herself as "a woman in business" with inherent disadvantages, but simply as a competitor focused on capability, results, and continuous improvement. She also reflects on the importance of bringing positive energy into every room, making decisive choices, and staying focused on solutions rather than setbacks.

Whether or not you agree with every aspect of her leadership philosophy, the clip sparks valuable conversation about confidence, resilience, and how successful leaders shape their own mindset. For entrepreneurs, business leaders, and aspiring founders, it's a reminder that self-imposed limitations can be just as powerful as external obstacles—and that approaching challenges with conviction and a solutions-first mentality can become a competitive advantage.

This clip works especially well for leadership meetings, women's networking events, and entrepreneur workshops where the goal is to encourage confidence, ownership, and resilient decision-making while inviting thoughtful discussion about different leadership styles.

Turn Setbacks Into Fuel

Tone: Motivational, resilient, and empowering

Kendra Scott is the founder and executive chairwoman of Kendra Scott LLC, a billion-dollar lifestyle brand known for its jewelry, accessories, and philanthropy. She is widely recognized for her people-first leadership philosophy and commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs through mentorship and investment.

Kendra Scott reflects on the experiences that shaped her as an entrepreneur, from bootstrapping her business with credit card debt to overcoming self-doubt, bullying, and early business failures. Throughout the conversation, one message stands out: challenges don't have to define your future unless you let them. Every setback is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and come back stronger.

Scott encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to reclaim control over their mindset by refusing to let criticism, failure, or fear dictate their next move. Instead, she advocates using those moments as motivation to innovate, improve, and keep moving forward. Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn't about avoiding obstacles—it's about choosing how to respond to them.

This clip is especially impactful for entrepreneurship events, leadership workshops, and women's networking groups focused on perseverance, confidence, and growth. It's an energizing reminder that successful businesses aren't built without setbacks—they're built by leaders who refuse to let those setbacks become stopping points.

Teach Courage, Not Perfection

Tone: Empowering, thought-provoking, and inspiring

Reshma Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code, an organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology by inspiring and equipping girls to pursue careers in computer science. Through her books, speeches, and advocacy, she has become a leading voice on courage, risk-taking, and women's leadership.

Reshma Saujani challenges a common pattern in how many girls are raised: they're often encouraged to pursue what they're already good at instead of taking risks that might lead to failure. She argues that courage isn't something we're born with; it's something we develop by trying difficult things, embracing setbacks, and learning to persist when success doesn't come immediately.

For entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone pursuing ambitious goals, this message is especially powerful. Innovation, growth, and meaningful achievements rarely happen without uncertainty or rejection. By reframing failure as an essential part of learning rather than something to avoid, Saujani offers a mindset that empowers people to pursue bigger opportunities with confidence.

This clip is especially impactful for leadership conferences, women's networking events, educational workshops, and entrepreneurship programs where the goal is to inspire resilience, confidence, and a willingness to embrace challenges. It's a compelling reminder that success isn't built on perfection—it's built on the courage to keep trying.

Raise the Standard, Support the Person

Tone: Thoughtful, reflective, and insightful

Indra Nooyi served as CEO and chairwoman of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018, becoming one of the most influential business leaders in the world. Known for her strategic vision and people-centered leadership, she continues to share insights on leadership, innovation, and building high-performing organizations.

Indra Nooyi reflects on the demanding standards set by her grandfather, who constantly challenged her to do better while also investing the time to teach, coach, and encourage her growth. She credits those expectations with shaping her work ethic, but also shares how her own parenting evolved as she recognized that effective leadership must adapt to changing people, cultures, and circumstances.

The conversation offers an important reminder that great leaders don't simply expect excellence—they create environments where people are supported in achieving it. Accountability, encouragement, and empathy aren't competing ideas; they're complementary qualities that help individuals reach their full potential.

This clip is especially meaningful for leadership development programs, management workshops, and mentoring events where the focus is on coaching others to succeed. It's a thoughtful reminder that the best leaders challenge people to grow while providing the guidance and support they need to get there.

The journeys of these remarkable women entrepreneurs are all different, but their advice shares common themes: embrace challenges, stay curious, invest in people, and never let fear define your potential. Whether they're discussing resilience, leadership, purpose, or innovation, each reminds us that meaningful success is rarely achieved without persistence and the courage to keep moving forward.

At GiftCard Partners, we're proud to be a WBENC-certified women-owned business. We've spent more than two decades helping organizations use rewards and incentives to recognize employees, engage customers, and drive meaningful outcomes. Just as these entrepreneurs demonstrate, lasting business success starts with investing in people. We hope these videos leave you inspired to tackle your next challenge, encourage your team, and continue building a culture where everyone has the confidence to grow.