In this enlightening episode, I sit down with Amy Somerville, CEO of Success Enterprises, to explore the intersections of personal growth, professional development, and leadership. We discuss the role of fear, the power of leading with love, and the importance of creating meaningful impact in both work and family life. Amy’s vulnerability and insights make this conversation deeply inspiring and actionable for leaders striving to balance success with purpose.
Amy Somerville is the Chief Executive Officer of SUCCESS Enterprises, a multi-platform media company that includes the iconic SUCCESS Magazine, SUCCESS Coaching, and SUCCESS.com.
Amy is a mission-driven leader with demonstrated success in developing highly effective teams, delivering dynamic learning strategies, and building engaged communities. Prior to joining SUCCESS, she was Vice President of Professional Development and Industry Engagement at Buffini & Company and the Founder of Moment of Clarity, LLC. In her previous role as an executive with RE/MAX, LLC, she led Professional Development, Technology Engagement, Multi-Media Production, and Education.
Amy is recognized as a go-to, high-energy speaker, panelist, and facilitator having shared the stage with people like Jay Leno, Wayne Brady, Brian Buffini, and many industry leaders while delivering value to audiences exceeding 7,000.
She is a master of client engagement who responds to challenges with confidence, determination, and focus. She is also a passionate community-builder, gathering like-minded, successful entrepreneurs and businesspeople to share best practices for success.
Amy earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Technical Communications at Colorado State University, did MBA coursework at the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Business, and completed an Executive Development Program at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She has served on several curriculum and education advisory boards and is a passionate contributor to The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Amy and her college sweetheart, Lance, are proud parents of two tween daughters and regularly celebrate their “executive management leadership skills.” Amy loves spending time with family and friends and finds pure joy in cooking, hosting, and playing outdoors.
Amy lives her life intentionally and is driven daily by the acronym L.I.V.E.: LEAD, INSPIRE, VALUE, EMPATHIZE.
Fear often drives defensive actions, leading to a reactionary mindset. By confronting fear and choosing love instead, we can foster proactive, intentional leadership.
Leading with love involves gratitude, acknowledgment, and celebration. It shifts focus from self-protection to creating connection and driving growth.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s the foundation of growth. By admitting what we don’t know and embracing transparency, we create trust and authenticity.
Life and work are interconnected. Recognizing the tensions and reflecting on priorities can help us navigate seasons of growth in both realms.
True impact lies in what you instill in others—not just what you leave behind.
Amy shares how fear once limited her confidence, particularly with public speaking. By confronting those fears and choosing growth, she transformed her challenges into strengths.
Amy provides a recent example of preparing for a high-stakes board meeting. Shifting her mindset from fear-driven defensiveness to love-driven gratitude changed the tone and outcome of her presentation.
Regular self-assessment helps leaders identify areas of growth, recalibrate priorities, and align intentions with impact.
Amy reflects on how parenting has taught her valuable lessons about patience, presence, and the importance of instilling confidence in others—lessons she carries into her leadership.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions. By focusing on what we’re leaving in others rather than what we’re leaving for them, we can create a meaningful legacy. Balancing life and work isn’t about achieving perfect harmony but rather navigating the tension with intention and love.
