An Interview with Entrepreneur Elle Ballard
Updated: Aug 26, 2021
Elle Ballard was born in Kazakhstan and has been living in the US since 2002. When Elle came to the U.S. she had to start everything from scratch while supporting her family at the same time. Elle completed her MBA in Marketing and built a successful marketing career. She left the corporate world to pursue her true passion of impacting and helping people realize their true potential. Elle is a founder of Women of the World Network, John Maxwell Team Leadership Trainer and Speaker, Entrepreneur, and a mother. Despite of all the challenges she faced, she always wanted to maintain her authenticity and who she is. This is a core reason for creating the Women of the World Network.
As a certified Leadership Trainer, Speaker, and Founder of the Women of the World Network, Elle helps multinational women become diversity-aligned and happy leaders while staying true to their individuality and uniqueness. She has been a featured guest on the following podcasts: Expand Your Fempire, The Art of Feminine Marketing, Voice of America, and others.
Tell us about yourself and where you are from
I was born in the Soviet Union, the country Kazakhstan which back then was a part of the Soviet Union. My childhood was very simple and happy. I was busy as a child, and I went to a regular school and music school in the afternoon couple of times a week, I was also involved in various extracurricular activities and clubs. I graduated college with a degree in English but never really worked as a teacher and started my career instead as a translator/interpreter for oil and gas companies in Kazakhstan. In 2002, I moved to the US with my husband and entered an MBA program, then worked in a Marketing capacity for local software companies.
Tell us how your transition as an Entrepreneur started
I am grateful for my corporate experience and its lessons, but one day I reached a point where my corporate career no longer satisfied me. I was seeking more fulfillment. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to change my professional life. One day my company got sold out, and I lost my job. I decided to leave my corporate career for good and start a business. I joined a network marketing company, and that is how my entrepreneurial journey started.
What do you mean by Diversity-aligned and Happy Leadership?
After leading different kinds of teams, starting in the International oil and gas pipeline project, continuing in the network marketing industry, and now expanding and growing Women of the World Network (WOTWN), I learned a lot, and I love sharing those Leadership concepts. I like to show women not only how to become diversity-aligned leaders but also how to become happy leaders at the same time. Leadership plays an important role in everyone’s life, and true leadership starts with leading yourself by accepting who you are and your individuality and authenticity. That is when we are truly happy: when we embrace ourselves, discover who we are, and live our truth. We do not have to occupy big positions or have impressive titles to be outstanding leaders, and we have to first learn to lead ourselves before we lead others.
Tell us about the Women of the World Network.
I am an open-minded, conscious leader who is always striving to grow, overcome, and better myself while listening to my inner voice and trusting myself in the process. Having to start from point zero several times in my life, I know how challenging the transition can be while maintaining your authenticity and individuality - that is the reason for creating WOTWN. I love authentic women, women of substance, and I believe in developing diversity-aligned and happy women leaders! With Women of the World Network, I am building a legacy of powerful women who then positively impact future generations.
Everything we do in our community is structured around three pillars: Personal Growth, Professional Growth, and Individuality. Our programs include Community Program, Empower Program, and Influence program, as well as our various Retreats.
I want you to know that no matter where you are in your life, you are unique, powerful, and needed just as you are and that you have the support of other women on the journey. Know that we are cheering you on at Women of the World Network. We celebrate you and honor your journey.
