In 2018, Jeannette Linfoot made a bold decision to step down as CEO of Saga and venture into building her own multi-million-pound business portfolio.
Here, she shares her motivations, the lessons she’s carried into her entrepreneurial endeavors, and her perspectives on the future economic landscape.
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Transition to Entrepreneurship
Discussing her decision to leave the corporate world, Jeannette explained, “I always loved my roles in the corporate sector and feel immensely proud of the global businesses I’ve led and the fantastic teams I’ve worked with. However, I reached a point where I desired more freedom, choice, and flexibility. I felt it was the right time to transition to a plural career. I’ve always believed in having multiple income streams, including passive income. Moving away from a full-time corporate CEO role allowed me to focus on a broader portfolio of investment opportunities.”
Lessons from Corporate Life
Jeannette brought valuable lessons from her 25-year corporate career into her entrepreneurial journey. “Some key lessons include having a clear vision, purpose, and strategy not only for your business but also for your personal life. Financial discipline, particularly in investment opportunities, is crucial to ensure robust decision-making. Investing your own capital versus that of a large corporate entity requires a different level of rigor and attention to detail.”
Impact Over the Last Five Years
Reflecting on her impact over the past five years, Jeannette highlighted the creation of her brand, Brave Bold Brilliant. “This brand has opened up a world of possibilities for business leaders, entrepreneurs, businesses, executive teams, and aspiring future leaders. I genuinely believe everyone has greatness inside them, and by being Brave and Bold, they can unlock their Brilliant! The biggest impact I’ve made has been advising businesses on strategy, growth, turnaround, internationalisation, and executive board performance, as well as mentoring individuals keen to scale up their careers and companies.”
Through her podcast, Brave Bold Brilliant, which ranks in the top 1.5% of all podcasts globally and is listened to in over 120 countries, Jeannette reaches a vast audience. She engages in rich, real conversations with high-performing business leaders, inspiring others to step up. On a personal note, she and her partner have crafted a lifestyle by design, living between the beach in Caswell, The Gower in South Wales, their properties in London, and spending winters overseas.
Economic Outlook for 2024
Jeannette forecasts some economic challenges in 2024, driven by factors like interest rates, cost of capital, inflation, labor shortages, environmental issues, and a global slowdown. “I don’t foresee an economic crash but expect global growth to slow to around 2.6% from 2.9% in 2023, with certain markets experiencing ‘mini recessions’. However, opportunities will always exist in any market. Notably, some unicorn businesses started during recessions, such as Microsoft in 1975, Airbnb in 2008, and Apple in 1975. Developments in tech, like AI, are creating interesting opportunities. The increased focus on ESG means businesses that excel in environment, social, and governance areas will lead in 2024 and beyond.”
Insights from the Brave Bold Brilliant Podcast
Having interviewed numerous CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders on her podcast, Jeannette identified common traits of successful leaders. “High-performing leaders strategically plan with a clear understanding of their ‘why’. They manage their time effectively and exhibit adaptability, flexibility, and a readiness to step beyond their comfort zones. The best CEOs continually seek ways to improve themselves and their organizations.”
Entrepreneurship: Innate or Learned?
Jeannette believes entrepreneurship can be learned. “In the corporate world, I used to think I wasn’t very entrepreneurial, that I was destined to be a great corporate CEO. Now, I see I excel in both roles. Surrounding yourself with the right people and environment is crucial to learning from others. Having an appetite for risk and a healthy approach to failure are also important. Embracing failure as learning and getting comfortable with discomfort can make anyone an entrepreneur.”
Mindset vs. Skillset in Business Leadership
When it comes to business leadership, Jeannette prioritizes mindset over skillset. “While skillset is important, mindset is the most critical aspect for any leader. Believing in yourself allows you to unlock greatness in others—customers, teams, shareholders, and beyond. Strong leadership involves recognizing your skills and gaps, and recruiting people who are more skilled in certain areas than you are. That demonstrates real strength.”
Jeannette Linfoot’s journey from corporate CEO to entrepreneurial powerhouse highlights the importance of adaptability, vision, and courage in embracing new challenges. Her experiences offer invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders.