When I first sat down to write my last book, Leaving Your Legacy, the title sparked a lot of curiosity. Many people asked, “What exactly is legacy?” It’s a word we hear often, but how many of us stop to consider what it truly means in our lives and businesses? For this last book of my 3-book series on soul-aligned businesses, I wanted to go deeper into the heart of why we do what we do, how we leave our mark in the world, and what impact we want to ultimately create. After all, isn’t that what entrepreneurship is at its core—a chance to shape the world in our unique way?
The answer to "What is legacy?" is both deeply personal and widely universal. It’s not just what you leave behind, but why you leave it behind. For me, legacy is about how I live my purpose every day, creating ripples that touch lives far beyond my immediate circle. It’s my "why" for everything I do, and it’s what drives me to inspire others to do the same.
As a female entrepreneur and the founder of the Soul Professional brand, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others align their businesses with their values, passions, and purpose. But more importantly, I’ve made it my mission to ensure that the impact of their work—their legacy—continues to ripple through generations. In this article, I’m inviting you to consider your own legacy as a woman entrepreneur and what steps you can take today to ensure that your work leaves a lasting, meaningful impact.
We all know that being an entrepreneur is about more than just running a business. It’s about stepping into leadership in a way that makes a difference—not just in our lives but in the lives of those we serve. As women, many of us have been conditioned to downplay our impact or take a backseat to more traditional definitions of success. But let me tell you, legacy doesn’t care about glass ceilings, sticky floors, or societal expectations. Legacy is about how you choose to show up in the world and lead with your truth.
When I think about legacy, I think of all the people whose lives I’ve touched in some way—whether it’s a client I’ve helped scale their business, a reader who was inspired by one of my books, or someone I’ll never meet who was impacted by a conversation or a video I put out into the world. Each of us, in our own unique way, leaves a trail of influence behind us. And the more conscious we are of the why behind our work, the more intentional we can be in shaping that legacy.
For years, I worked in the non-profit world, climbing the corporate ladder and checking off all the societal boxes—degrees, titles, salary, house, marriage, and kids. But despite the outward success, something felt off. I wasn’t living in alignment with my true purpose, and that disconnect left me unfulfilled. It wasn’t until I took a leap of faith at age 50—divorcing, leaving the traditional career path, and once again starting my own business—that I began to understand what leaving a legacy really meant.
The concept of legacy doesn’t just apply to individuals—it extends to the brands and businesses we build. When you think of iconic brands like Tesla, Netflix, or Starbucks, what comes to mind? They’re not just selling products; they’re selling a vision, an ethos, a way of being that resonates with their customers on a deeper level. These brands have established legacies that continue to influence the market, long after the initial product launch.
The same can be said of your business. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or leading a growing team, your business has the power to create change—not just in your industry, but in the lives of your clients, employees, and even your community. Every decision you make, from the way you treat your team to the causes you support, contributes to the legacy you’re building.
This is something I’ve experienced firsthand through my work with soul-led entrepreneurs. At the Soul Professional Society, we help business owners design and grow companies that reflect their deepest values and unique gifts. But more than that, we help them create businesses that leave an impact—a legacy that continues to ripple out long after the workday ends.
I often tell my clients: Your legacy isn’t the money you make; it’s the lives you touch. Every entrepreneur has the potential to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond their immediate circle. And when you’re in alignment with your purpose, that ripple becomes a powerful force for good in the world.
Leadership, Vision, and Authenticity
In Leaving Your Legacy, I asked each of my co-authors to reflect on their own personal stories and share the core values that shaped their vision. Why? Because I believe leadership is not about the position you hold, but the example you set. It’s about modeling greatness in a way that others can follow, and that’s especially true for women entrepreneurs.
For years, society has pushed women to follow a narrow path to success—one that often doesn’t align with who we truly are. Many of us have spent years in careers that didn’t light us up, pursuing goals that weren’t really ours, simply because that’s what we were told we should do. But I believe we’re at a turning point, where women are reclaiming their paths and choosing to build businesses that reflect their authentic selves.
I see this shift happening in real time. In my work, I’ve had the privilege of helping women across industries step into leadership roles in their businesses—not by conforming to old models, but by embracing their unique strengths and passions. Whether it’s a lawyer who left a large firm to focus on helping organic farmers or an interior designer who now creates spaces that reflect her clients’ true selves, these women are redefining success on their own terms.
But the journey isn’t always easy. It requires a deep level of self-awareness, courage, and commitment. It means being willing to step away from what no longer serves you and embracing a new way of doing business—one that aligns with your soul and leaves a lasting legacy.
At the core of leaving your legacy is understanding that your work has the power to change lives. It’s the ripple effect—when you help one person, you’re not just impacting their life; you’re impacting everyone they come into contact with. And the beauty of it is that you may never know the full extent of your influence.
I’ve received countless messages from people whose lives I’ve touched without ever meeting them. Maybe it was something I said in a video, or a chapter from one of my books that resonated with them at the right time. And I know that you, too, are touching lives in ways you may not even realize.
Think about the people in your own life who have left an imprint on you—a mentor, a teacher, a family member. Their legacy isn’t measured by their accomplishments, but by how they made you feel, the lessons they taught you, and the inspiration they provided. And that’s true for you as well. Every interaction you have, every decision you make, is part of your legacy.
What Legacy Are You Building?
As women entrepreneurs, we have the unique opportunity to create businesses that not only provide for our families and communities but also leave a lasting imprint on the world. And that legacy doesn’t have to be grand or far-reaching—it can be as simple as changing one life for the better.
So, I ask you: What legacy are you building? What will you leave behind when your work is done? And most importantly, are you living and working in alignment with your true purpose?
It’s never too late to start creating your legacy. Whether you’re just beginning your entrepreneurial journey or you’re a seasoned business owner, every step you take brings you closer to leaving a lasting impact.
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this article, it’s that your legacy is already in the making. It’s in every decision you make, every person you help, and every moment of leadership you embrace. So, be intentional with your life and your work. Lead with your heart. And remember, the ripple effect of your legacy will continue to touch lives long after you’ve moved on to the next adventure.
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Meet the expert:
Camille L. Miller is a 3x bestselling author, founder of the Soul Professional Society, and a sought-after Business Strategist. She is dedicated to helping soul-led entrepreneurs design businesses that align with their values and purpose. Her mission is simple: to inspire and support others in bringing their gifts to the world. To learn more about her work and upcoming programs, visit SoulProfessional.com
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