In a world where technology races forward at breakneck speed and entrepreneurship demands more resilience than ever before, Chelsea Stuck stands as a powerful example of what it means to lead with heart, grit, and unshakable moxie.

Founder of Craeve & Co., Chelsea’s journey from sales leadership in the manufacturing and food service industries to successful marketing entrepreneur is packed with lessons in adaptability, perseverance, and connection. In her recent conversation on the Hello Moxie podcast with host Nicole Donnelly, Chelsea shared deeply personal insights about embracing change, overcoming loneliness in leadership, and the essential role of community in growth.

“Moxie is grit,” Chelsea declares. “It’s the getting back up — it’s persevering even when life knocks you down.”

Chelsea’s story is one that many ambitious women can relate to: navigating leadership roles, balancing authenticity with professionalism, and ultimately stepping fully into her own power as a business owner.

The Shift from Sales to Entrepreneurship

Chelsea spent years climbing the corporate ladder, traveling the country in high-stakes sales management roles. But a deep entrepreneurial calling—rooted in her upbringing—eventually led her to launch Craeve & Co., a marketing agency dedicated to bridging the gap between sales and marketing, especially for B2B businesses where sales traditionally dominates.

“I realized my passion was helping executives—especially those coming from sales backgrounds—understand how to leverage marketing in ways that truly elevate their organizations,” Chelsea shared.

Launching her business a year before the COVID-19 pandemic, Chelsea credits that timing for helping traditional industries like manufacturing finally recognize the critical need for digital marketing. Six years later, Craeve & Co. is thriving.

The Power of Community in a Rapidly Changing World

With AI, quantum computing, and tech disruption at the forefront of every business conversation, how does a leader stay ahead? Chelsea believes it’s less about mastering every new tool and more about building intentional, supportive communities.

“I’ve embraced the fact that what I know today might not be true tomorrow,” she said. “The best safeguard is connecting with like-minded people who are all figuring it out together.”

Events like Mark Schaefer’s Uprising retreat and South by Southwest have been game-changers for Chelsea, allowing her to expand her network, dream bigger, and find inspiration outside her traditional circles.

“South by Southwest was overwhelming in the best possible way,” Chelsea reflected. “It gave me the space to think differently, to dream again, and to be fueled by industries and ideas far beyond my everyday experience.”

Embracing the Emotional Journey

One of the most moving parts of Chelsea’s conversation with Nicole centered around the emotional rollercoaster that entrepreneurs often ride—feeling extreme excitement and deep grief at the same time.

“When you own a business, it takes everything in you and everything from you,” Chelsea shared. “It’s painful and beautiful all at once.”

She emphasized that resilience doesn’t mean never faltering—it means accepting the moments when you need to lean on others, recharge, and then step back into the arena.

“You can’t have grit without rest. You need both,” Chelsea said. “It’s okay if you don’t have it in you every single day. Rest when you must, and then pick your torch back up.”

A Woman of Inspiration: Hillary Clinton

When asked about a woman who embodies moxie for her, Chelsea didn’t hesitate: Hillary Clinton.

“Politics aside, Hillary Clinton inspires me because she never lets anything define her,” Chelsea said. “No matter the trials, she always stands back up and keeps going after what she believes in.”

Chelsea sees Clinton’s unwavering conviction as a roadmap for women leaders facing their own setbacks and criticisms: to keep fighting for their North Star, regardless of public opinion.