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In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Mitchell Levy, a global credibility expert, executive coach, and prolific entrepreneur. Mitchell shares his journey through various business ventures, highlighting how critical feedback, especially the kind that challenges your assumptions, can be the catalyst for meaningful growth. He discusses how his past ventures in credibility and clarity, though profitable, weren’t aligned with market demand. A conversation with a trusted advisor helped him realize he had been selling what people need instead of what they want, prompting him to rethink his business strategy and offerings.

Mitchell describes how he used that pivotal moment as a chance to “press pause” and realign his focus toward offerings that resonate more clearly with his target audience. This led to the development of two core areas: “executive abundance,” a coaching philosophy centered on five stakeholder groups (self, family, customers, employees, and community), and a streamlined LinkedIn success service focused on delivering high-impact results with minimal effort. These changes allowed him to align what he delivers with what business leaders truly want, while still integrating the values of credibility and clarity.

The conversation wraps with advice for leaders on recognizing when it’s time to pause. Mitchell urges entrepreneurs to seek input from referral partners and prospects, not just friends or existing clients, to avoid the echo chamber effect. He stresses the importance of vulnerability, coachability, and being willing to question whether you're truly addressing your market’s wants. Pausing, he says, isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about finding the clarity and courage to pivot toward more meaningful, effective work.

To learn more about Mitchell, visit https://mitchelllevy.com/

To learn more about Ellen, visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/

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In this heartfelt episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Ann Sheu, CEO and founder of Mpowered Journey, about two pivotal moments in Ann’s life when she chose to "press pause" and radically re-evaluate how she was spending her time. The first pause came after the unexpected passing of her father, which led to deep regret over not being more present during his final days. Ann shared how this experience awakened her to the danger of assuming there will always be more time for the things—and people—that matter most. It sparked a journey of personal development and prompted her to re-center her priorities around presence, values, and meaningful relationships.

The second major pause in Ann’s life was a career shift from practicing law to becoming a business and family coach. While she enjoyed aspects of being a lawyer, Ann realized that the work didn’t align with her natural talents or fulfill her at a deeper level. Taking time away from work—and her identity as a lawyer—allowed her to reflect and fully embrace a new path where she could lead, coach, and help others build not just successful companies, but strong, intentional families. She now helps couples treat their family as their most important team, bringing the same level of clarity, structure, and intentionality to home life as they do to work.

Ann’s advice to other leaders is to trust the quiet nudge when it arises—to listen to their intuition and take a pause before burnout or regret sets in. She encourages doing the "ME work": understanding your core values, identifying what energizes or drains you, and crafting a long-term personal vision, what she calls your “decade dream.” This thoughtful and vulnerable conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about achievement—it’s about alignment, purpose, and choosing how you spend your most valuable resource: time.

To learn more about Ann, visit https://www.mpoweredfamilies.com/

To learn more about Ellen, visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/

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In this heartfelt episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams sits down with Julie Niehoff, co-founder of Distance Learning Media and a long-time advocate for small businesses and veteran support. Julie shares how her intended pause to start a new business with her husband turned into an unexpected and emotional journey when her father was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. What began as a moment of planned professional reinvention quickly shifted into a deeply personal caregiving experience—one that reshaped her understanding of what really matters in life and business.

Julie reflects on how this unplanned pause brought her family together and created a sacred sense of presence that continues to influence how she runs her company today. During the difficult weeks of hospice care, she and her husband would end each day on the back porch, dreaming and talking about the kind of business they wanted to build—one that served veterans, supported communities, and prioritized balance over burnout. This experience led them to form both a for-profit and a nonprofit organization with clearly defined values, and with operations designed to honor the calm clarity they discovered during their pause.

Julie’s story is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful insights don’t always come during times of hustle, but in moments of stillness and connection. Her advice to other leaders: ride the wave you’re on, but know when to step back and prepare for the next, bigger wave. It’s about building the muscle of resilience while staying clear-eyed about what matters most. For Julie and her team, that means a business model built on service, intentionality, and the belief that work should be something you get to do, not something you have to do.

To learn more about Julie, visit https://distancelearningmedia.com/

To learn more about Ellen, visit https://thesalientstrategist.com/