Leading Beyond Titles: Three Women’s Journey from Education and Corporate Careers to Aligned Entrepreneurship
Episode Description
What happens when capable, service-driven women realize the systems they’ve succeeded in no longer reflect how they want to lead or live?
In this episode of Exponentially Elevate Your Leadership Impact, Dr. Stephanie Duguid joins Megan and Ellie, co-owners of Zestful Media and Design, for an honest conversation about three parallel leadership journeys — each rooted in values, alignment, and courage.
Dr. Duguid shares her own shift from a long career in education into thought leadership, authorship, and entrepreneurship grounded in integrity and impact. Megan and Ellie reflect on their transitions from corporate real estate and corporate tech into value-driven entrepreneurship, where they now support women-owned businesses through authentic branding, website design, and strategic systems.
Together, they explore what it looks like to step away from burnout, redefine leadership beyond titles, and build businesses that honor clarity, collaboration, and sustainable growth. The conversation touches on imposter syndrome, market research, mentorship, and the importance of creating work that reflects who you are — not who the system expected you to be.
This episode is for women educators and leaders who are navigating change, questioning what’s next, or feeling called to lead differently. It’s a reminder that aligned leadership doesn’t require abandoning your past — it asks you to build forward with intention.
🎧 Listen now: https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/podcast
Guest Info:
Megan Harrington and Ellie Johnson
Megan and Ellie are the co-owners of Zestful Media & Design, where they help
entrepreneurs build businesses that are both beautiful and profitable. After leaving
behind burnout, unpredictable income, and toxic 9–5 jobs, they each discovered the
power of systems, strategy, and design to create freedom and stability for their families.
In January 2025, they teamed up—Ellie bringing the backend strategy and automations,
and Megan bringing the brand identity, web design, and funnel expertise. Together,
they’ve built a six-figure business as brand, web design, and funnel experts doing done-
for-you services for female entrepreneurs—and now they’re starting to teach other
service providers how to build a successful business of their own using the exact
strategies they used to scale to multi-6-figures.
Guests: Megan Harrington and Ellie Johnson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zestfulmediadesign/
TikTok (JUST started it): https://www.tiktok.com/@zestfulmediadesign
30 Free Social Media Canva Templates: https://www.zestfulmediadesign.com/30-canva-temps
Marketing Megamind: https://www.zestfulmediadesign.com/megamind
Host: Dr. Stephanie Duguid, Owner, Do Good Leadership
Website: www.drstephanieduguid.com
Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.rectorduguid
Facebook (Group): https://www.facebook.com/DoGoodLeadership
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-duguid/
Free Leadership Mindset Quiz: https://www.drstephanieduguid.com/leadershipmindset-quiz