Hey, I’m Leslie.
I help aspiring professionals and business owners make confident transitions into their entrepreneurship and career journeys using my actionable PLAN Method framework.
As Featured In
As Featured In
The PLAN Method
The PLAN (positioning, leveraging, announcing and nurturing) Method is a proven framework designed to guide aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs through critical transitions in their careers or businesses. PLAN simplifies what’s next into four actionable steps, empowering individuals to move forward with clarity and confidence.
PLAN Method Pathways:
Employee to Entrepreneur
Aspiring business owners will uncover the timeless principles and proven strategies to transition confidently from employee to entrepreneur. They’ll gain clarity on how to position their venture with purpose, leverage resources with wisdom, announce their business with clarity, and nurture customer relationships to build a foundation for enduring success.Campus to Career
This session guides students and recent grads on a transformative journey from college to career. With thoughtful insights and practical strategies, they’ll learn to professionally position themselves, leverage their unique strengths, announce their achievements effectively, and nurture professional relationships to create a future of purposeful growth and fulfillment. Why the PLAN Method Exists
I’ve always been a planner. I like clarity. I want to know what we’re doing, when we’re doing it, and what success looks like on the other side. That instinct served me well in my corporate career, where structure and organization mattered as I supported CEOs, vice presidents, and senior leaders across corporations and nonprofits.
Entrepreneurship challenged that instinct in a new way. There isn’t always a clear path forward. Decisions don’t arrive in neat order. And the longer I sat in uncertainty, the more I felt doubt creeping in. Not because the vision was wrong, but because I didn’t always know what to do next. That doubt had a way of smothering momentum. It became an extinguisher to the fire of progress.
Through trial and error, coaching, studying, and lived experience, I began to notice something important. The steps to build a business or career may differ by industry and season, but there are a few foundational actions you cannot afford to miss. Those four actions became the PLAN Method.
The PLAN Method exists to keep the flame alive. It gives you something steady to return to when clarity feels distant and confidence starts to waver. It helps you take meaningful action without losing the fire that pushed you to begin in the first place.
I know what it feels like trying to balance a dream on a shaky surface, when all you’re longing for is stability. I want folks to feel grounded while they build. I want progress to replace paralysis. And I want doubt to lose its power every time you come back to a clear, intentional PLAN.
What PLAN participants are saying.
"Leslie’s PLAN was overall encouraging. Learning about the different brand arch types and where the services I offer to my clients might fall was enlightening. As I build my brand with my intended audience I can ultimately learn to serve them better understanding what motivates them to become or remain a client."
Adrienne S., Employee to Entrepreneur workshop
"Thank you for taking your time and energy to really show up for us and speak at the SIUE etiquette dinner. I really appreciated having such a intelligent and humble professional guiding us as it calmed my nerves and allowed me to have the best experience possible!"
Emily B., Campus to Career participant at SIUE School of Business
Book Leslie to Speak
Book Leslie to Speak
Help your audience confidently transition with the PLAN Method.
Leslie is available for workshops, keynotes, podcasts, corporate events, and webinars.
FAQ
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The PLAN Method is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and ambitious professionals who are ready to transition into their next chapter with clarity and confidence. Whether moving from employee to business owner or from college to career, the PLAN Method provides actionable steps for lasting success.
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The PLAN Method stands apart by focusing on four often overlooked yet essential steps: Positioning, Leveraging, Announcing, and Nurturing. Unlike programs that overwhelm you with generic advice, the PLAN Method offers a clear and practical framework that empowers you to make steady, intentional progress while avoiding costly missteps.
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Participants who engage with the PLAN Method can expect to gain the tools and knowledge needed to achieve sustainable success. Entrepreneurs can expect to learn key insights that help attract loyal customers and generate consistent revenue. Professionals can establish themselves as standout candidates and build strong career relationships. Each step in PLAN is thoughtfully designed to foster long-term growth and meaningful impact.
Recent & Upcoming PLAN Events
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SIUE
November 19, 2025
Leslie L. Sharp joins graduate students in SIUE’s Educational Leadership program for a dynamic conversation on how culture and brand intersect to shape our personal brands. She’ll discuss how emerging leaders can apply the Campus to Career PLAN to their professional journey.
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Lively Stone Church of God
March 26, 2025
The PLAN Method will be presented at the launch of the Entrepreneur’s Ministry designed to encourage and uplift business owners by providing resources and information.
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District 189 Career Day
February 14, 2025
Students will learn elements of the Campus to Career PLAN framework as they experience an interactive activity introducing them to a career in marketing.