From Pressure to Purpose: How Young Women Are Transforming Entrepreneurship

When life throws you a curveball, what do you do with it?

For Alli Villines, the founder of She Means Business, the answer was clear: transform the setback into purpose.

From the volleyball court to the boardroom, Alli’s journey isn’t just about success—it’s about resilience, mentorship, and redefining what it means to lead as a young woman. In a world where ambition often comes with pressure to "do it all," Alli is carving a new path—one grounded in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a fierce belief in the power of community.

In a recent episode of The Wild Sage Society podcast, host Marcie Walker sat down with Alli to explore how young women can embrace entrepreneurship not just as a career, but as a calling. Here's what we learned.

From Athlete to Advocate: The Power of a Pivot

Alli’s story begins with a dream familiar to many young women—one driven by discipline, competition, and the pursuit of excellence. A serious athlete with plans of a professional volleyball career, her identity was deeply rooted in performance. But a career-altering injury forced her to step away from the sport that defined her.

Instead of falling into despair, Alli leaned into a powerful question: “What now?”

That question led her to entrepreneurship.

With a fire to create something meaningful, Alli founded She Means Business, a nonprofit aimed at helping young women access the mentorship, confidence, and tools they need to thrive in business. Her pivot from athlete to advocate didn’t just change her life—it became a launching pad for others to rise with her.

“I always lead with—this is my story,” she shared with Marcie. “If I can do it, anybody can do it.”

Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Empowerment

For Alli, entrepreneurship isn’t just about launching a brand—it’s a gateway to personal freedom and leadership.

“Young women need to see that they don’t have to wait,” Alli explains. “You don’t have to have the ‘perfect’ experience or the ‘right’ background. What you need is vision, support, and a safe space to grow.”

That’s exactly what She Means Business offers: mentorship, community, and real-world guidance that help young women bridge the gap between potential and purpose.

This nonprofit is more than a business—it’s a belief system. One where young women are taught to claim their power, embrace their story, and turn ideas into income. And Alli is walking proof that starting small—with a mission and a little courage—can make a big impact.

Mentorship: The Missing Link in Many Women's Journey

One of the most powerful themes of the episode was mentorship.

For Alli, mentorship wasn’t just helpful—it was transformative. Throughout her journey, she’s leaned on the wisdom of women who saw her potential before she fully did.

Now, she’s paying it forward.

“Every young woman deserves someone in her corner,” Alli shared. “Someone who reminds her that she’s capable—even when she doubts herself.”

Mentorship, she explains, is more than advice. It’s presence. It’s belief. It’s community. And it’s essential for women trying to navigate careers, relationships, and identity all at once.

Whether through one-on-one coaching or peer support in her nonprofit, Alli is committed to creating spaces where women don’t have to walk alone.

Boundaries, Burnout & Being Real

Of course, being a high-achieving woman comes with challenges.

Alli was refreshingly honest about the emotional complexity of ambition. She described the loneliness that sometimes comes with success, especially when others can’t always relate. There’s pressure to always perform, always smile, always say yes.

But Alli is learning the power of no.

“I make myself a client,” she laughed. “I have to audit my own energy constantly.”

She talks about time management not just in terms of productivity, but in terms of alignment. Are you working from your worth or your wounds? Are you saying yes from a place of pressure or purpose?

These are the questions Alli believes every woman in business should be asking.

Her personal practices—like reading, listening to music, spending time outdoors, and hosting small gatherings—are all part of her energy management strategy. They keep her grounded, connected, and able to show up with intention.

Owning Your Story

One of the most powerful takeaways from the conversation was the importance of sharing your story.

In a culture obsessed with perfection, Alli models what it looks like to lead with authenticity. She doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. She doesn’t hide her struggles behind polished branding. She lets people in—and that’s what makes her relatable, magnetic, and deeply trustworthy.

“Your story is enough. Right now. Not when you’re more successful, more polished, or more experienced,” she says.

This kind of storytelling isn’t just personal—it’s strategic. Because when women own their voices, they unlock opportunities to connect, influence, and lead from a place of truth.

Ambition Without Apology

Too often, women feel pressured to choose: career or relationships. Success or softness. Ambition or alignment.

Alli refuses to choose.

She talks openly about the emotional tension that arises in romantic relationships when a woman is succeeding. It can feel threatening to partners who haven’t yet done their own growth work. And for many women, that can lead to dimming their light to protect someone else’s ego.

Alli’s message? Don’t shrink to fit someone else's comfort zone.

“You don’t have to lessen yourself for a partner,” she reminds listeners. “The right people won’t be intimidated by your success—they’ll be inspired by it.”

Action Steps to Step Into Your Power

Feeling inspired? Here are a few powerful steps you can take today to integrate Alli’s wisdom into your own journey:

1. Share Your Story
Whether it’s through social media, journaling, or conversations with friends—start owning your story. Speak your truth, even if your voice shakes. Someone out there needs to hear it.

2. Audit Your Time & Energy
Where are you spending your energy? Are you working from alignment or obligation? Start each week by identifying your priorities—not just for your work, but for your wellbeing.

3. Seek (or Become) a Mentor
Reach out to someone who inspires you, or offer guidance to someone a few steps behind. Mentorship is a two-way street that benefits everyone involved.

4. Set Clear Boundaries
Burnout doesn’t serve your mission. Learn to say no with love and clarity. Your energy is sacred.

5. Prioritize Simple Joys
Whether it’s reading, walking in nature, or dancing in your kitchen—make time for things that nourish your soul. It’s not indulgence—it’s sustainability.

Final Thoughts: This Is Just the Beginning

Alli Villines is just getting started. But her message is already leaving a lasting mark on the next generation of female leaders.

Through She Means Business, she’s proving that you don’t need a perfect resume to make a difference—you need heart, hustle, and a community that believes in your vision.

In a world that often asks women to be everything for everyone, Alli is showing us how to be something powerful for ourselves: honest, grounded, and unapologetically ambitious.

So here’s your reminder: Your story is enough. You are enough. And your dreams are absolutely worth building.