Learning to delegate effectively can transform your business. It not only helps in managing workload but also empowers your team, making room for growth and innovation.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Gina Cotner, a remarkable entrepreneur and the founder of Athena Executive Services. Originally setting out to leave corporate America behind, Gina ventured into the world of business ownership with a Martini Lounge, a dream that quickly taught her the importance of selecting the right business partners and the necessity of financial advisement.

After stepping back from the lounge project, Gina navigated through the economic turmoil of the real estate bubble burst, pivoting her career towards business and life coaching, and eventually founding Athena Executive Services. This company brilliantly pairs virtual executive assistants with executives needing robust support, allowing leaders like Gina to focus on strategic growth - demonstrating her superpower of raising leaders and developing people.

Empowering Moments

00:00 Gina Cotner: Founder of Athena Executive Services.

06:02 Sports provided belonging, friendships, and love.

07:33 Teenage girl leaves elite private school, thrives.

12:31 Woman follows boyfriend to Boston, experiences change.

15:28 Seeking advice led to career-enhancing opportunity.

17:45 Balancing emotion and facts in business decisions.

21:47 Uncertainty about future with good guy.

25:43 Decided to be a business coach, struggled financially.

30:00 Financial struggle, family tension, and declining mental health.

33:04 Business declines, father's health deteriorates, employee leaves.

34:39 Managing calendar and high-stakes projects from home.

40:47 Belief and support drive entrepreneurial success.

42:58 Overcoming obstacles, belief in yourself, finding inspiration.

45:17 Challenges of leaving corporate America to pursue entrepreneurship.

48:40 Gradually delegated tasks to relieve workload stress.

52:02 Planning for future, passing on skills, mentoring.

Empowering Takeaways

Gina’s ability to pivot from an unsuccessful business venture to becoming a successful business and life coach illustrates the importance of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship.

Delegating can lead to building a strong leadership team that manages day-to-day operations effectively, allowing the entrepreneur to focus on strategic growth.

Identifying and Leveraging Your Superpower: Entrepreneurs should identify their own strengths (or superpowers) and leverage them to enhance their business and empower their teams.

Support from significant others can be crucial for entrepreneurs. Their belief and backing can be a powerful motivator and provide emotional stability through the ups and downs of business ownership.

Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.

Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.

Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success

Our clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.

Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.

This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.

Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper

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