Sandra James is the Founder and CEO of Private Eyes, which creates safe workplaces through high-quality background checks. She is also the bestselling author of Don’t Tell Me I Can’t, a memoir recounting her journey from growing up on a farm and battling substance abuse to becoming an entrepreneur. As an advocate for entrepreneurship, Sandra served on the board and is a member of the leadership forum for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). She also serves on the board of WBEC-West.

Growing up disadvantaged can make achieving career fulfillment and growth feel like an illusion, especially if you grew up during a time when women couldn’t obtain a business loan without a man’s co-signature. Learn how a farm girl turned entrepreneur overcame incredible odds to reach the pinnacle of her career.

Sandra James grew up working on her family’s farm and slept in a closet in a two-bedroom house with eight siblings. Rather than become complacent with her situation, Sandra altered her perspective and leveraged her childhood-acquired work ethic to become an entrepreneur. Along the way, she struggled with substance abuse and navigated a tumultuous relationship when her first husband stole her business idea. Despite these obstacles, Sandra maintains that resilience, persistence, and optimism are crucial in overcoming hardships.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston welcomes Sandra James, the Founder and CEO of Private Eyes and the author of Don’t Tell Me I Can’t, to talk about her journey from farm girl to CEO. Sandra delves into her early entrepreneurial endeavors, why she joined WBENC and Vistage, and her decision to become sober.