“Well, you know what? I'm going to put a little twist to it because whether he said yes or not, I was going to do it because it was in my gut and it was in my heart to do it.”
In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, Ingrid Zapata-Read sits down with Jasmine Moseley Beal — award-winning global learning and talent development leader, founder and CEO of Virtue Key Consulting Group — to talk about betting on your vision, building with intention, and leading with courage.
From drafting her business plan in Pepto-Bismol pink on Canva during maternity leave to stepping fully into entrepreneurship after a corporate reduction in force, Jasmine shares the real story behind building a consultancy that helps organizations transform chaos into clarity through performance, talent, and leadership strategy.
The idea for Virtue Key Consulting Group took shape during maternity leave, when Jasmine began outlining a business built around leadership development, talent strategy, and organizational transformation. Months later, a corporate restructuring gave her the opportunity to pursue that vision full-time.
In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, Jasmine shares what she has learned about leading through uncertainty, building confidence as a founder, navigating major career transitions, and helping organizations prepare for the future of work.
You can listen to the full episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Here Are A Few Moments From The Podcast
Jasmine explains why she decided to launch her business, even before she knew exactly what the path would look like:
"I was pregnant and on maternity leave, thinking about where I wanted my life to go professionally. I thought about everything I loved about what I did, especially the transformational piece when it comes to people. As I'm sitting there watching Dancing with the Stars with my newborn baby, I said, 'You know what? I can do something like this.' So I started drafting everything on Canva and putting the vision together."
When asked about seeking validation before launching, Jasmine's answer was refreshingly direct:
"Whether he said yes or not, I was going to do it because it was in my gut and it was in my heart to do it. The next thing I did was file the LLC and let my network know what was going on. It's that burning feeling where you go to sleep at night knowing you're meant for more. You can't live without seeing what's on the other side of that."
She shares why she initially kept her business idea close rather than collecting opinions from everyone around her:
"I did not want anybody steering my direction in terms of what I was going to do for the business. When you are doing something that's bigger than yourself, especially when you're becoming a change agent, you don't necessarily want a lot of outside noise coming in. So I developed it first and then started telling people about it. The refinement came later through conversations with potential clients."
Discussing leadership, Jasmine highlights a trait she believes many leaders underestimate in themselves:
"A lot of times people get stuck worrying, 'Am I doing the right thing?' You have the playbook. You know what's going on. It's okay to take a breath. You don't have to give an answer right away because you think that's what makes you competent. Sometimes taking that seat unlocks so much."
One of the most powerful moments in the conversation comes when Jasmine reflects on confidence and finding her voice:
"There were times in my career when I was so scared to speak up. I had instances where I was put down, ridiculed, and went through the gamut. But you have one life to live and you can't do it again. That gift that you have, that business you're building, could be a game changer for somebody else."
Her advice for founders waiting for the 'right time' to start is simple:
"It doesn't matter when you start your business. Start it.
Whatever time you think about it, go for it.
What you're going to regret is if you didn't go for it.
You're going to miss out on what you would have learned and who you would have met along the way."
You May Also Like
- Amber Venz Box, LTK: Reclaiming Vision and Scaling a $2B Creator Empire
- How Julia Haart Reinvented Her Life at 42 from Restrictive Upbringing to Fashion Leader
- Using Guerrilla Marketing to Create Unforgettable Social Media Moments
Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? Sign up here for a free info session.
Connect with Jasmine:
- @jasmoseley on Instagram
- Jasmine M.Beal on LinkedIn
- Virtue Key Consulting Group
Connect with Carlyn:
- @carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
- Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn
- Carlyn Bushman Consulting
Connect with Ingrid:
- @itsingridsworld on Instagram
- Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
- Grow With Community
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Updated on: June 26, 2026
Guests
Jasmine Moseley Beal
Hosts
Ingrid Zapata Read
Grow With Community
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
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