We recently had the chance to connect with Trisha Stetzel and have shared our conversation below.
Trisha, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Yes, I would absolutely hire me. I bring the same qualities to my work that I would look for if I were making a hiring decision; integrity, accountability, and a genuine passion for helping people grow. I don’t just coach from theory, I’ve lived the challenges of leadership in the military, in corporate, and as a business owner. That means I can connect with people where they are, understand their struggles, and guide them with empathy while also driving results.
I also place a high value on hiring veterans. As a veteran myself, I’ve seen firsthand the discipline, resilience, and adaptability that service members bring to any team. Those same qualities are part of who I am and how I lead. If I were hiring, I’d want someone who could model trust, create clarity, and inspire others to take action, and that’s exactly the kind of leader and coach I strive to be every day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Trisha Stetzel, a veteran, entrepreneur, and leadership coach who has always believed that service and growth go hand in hand. My journey started in the U.S. Navy, where I learned resilience, teamwork, and the value of clear communication under pressure. From there I spent 10 years in the corporate world and later built two successful businesses, each chapter teaching me new lessons about leadership, accountability, and what it really takes to create a thriving team.
Today I bring all of those experiences together through the company I run with my husband, Dennis. What makes our work special is that clients don’t just get one of us, they get both of us. We balance each other in a way that gives our clients more perspective, more clarity, and more impact. It is truly a “two is better than one” philosophy.
At the heart of our work is helping leaders and their teams build trust, communicate effectively, and grow in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. I am especially passionate about working with veterans and women leaders because I know the challenges and the strengths that come with stepping into leadership in spaces where you sometimes feel like you don’t belong.
Right now I am most excited about our training programs that focus on trust, communication, sales, and the client journey. These are the areas that, when strengthened, completely transform not only a business but also the people inside it. My goal is always to meet people where they are, help them see what is possible, and then give them the tools and confidence to get there.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the moments that most shaped how I see the world was watching my mother work three jobs when I was young. She sacrificed so much to make sure I had opportunities, like being able to participate in gymnastics, even when money and time were tight. Her example taught me the values of hard work, resilience, and selflessness, and it showed me that leadership often begins with sacrifice and service.
I was also deeply influenced by my grandmother, who was strong-willed, determined, and had a way of always getting what she set her mind to. From her, I learned persistence, confidence, and the importance of standing firm in what you believe. She modeled for me that grit and determination are not optional, they are essential for creating the life and opportunities you want.
Those early lessons carried me into the U.S. Navy, where I experienced another defining moment: realizing that leadership is not about rank or title, it is about trust. In the military, trust can be the difference between success and failure, even between life and death. Those experiences taught me that when people know you have their back and that you are willing to do the hard work yourself, they will rise to the occasion with you.
Today, my mother’s sacrifices, my grandmother’s determination, and my military service continue to shape the way I coach and lead. They remind me to serve first, to build trust intentionally, and to never underestimate the power of resilience and determination.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: You are enough, exactly as you are, and you are stronger than you realize.
For so much of my early life and career, I pushed myself to prove I belonged in predominantly male spaces in the military, in corporate boardrooms, and even as a business owner. I thought I had to work twice as hard and carry the weight of perfection in order to earn my place. Looking back, I wish I could have told myself to trust my own abilities sooner, to know that I had everything it takes not just to belong but to lead.
Every challenge, from the sacrifices I watched my mother make, to the grit I learned from my grandmother, to the lessons I lived in the Navy and as an entrepreneur, reinforced that resilience is already inside of me. I did not need to prove my worth, I just needed to believe it.
That is the message I would give my younger self, and it is the same message I often share with the leaders I coach today: you are capable, you are worthy, and you already have what it takes to rise to the challenge.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Short answer: yes, mostly.
I try to be the same person publicly that I am privately because integrity and trust are core to everything I teach and do. That does not mean the public version is every private detail; it is a curated version shaped by context and boundaries. I show up as warm, direct, and results-driven because those are genuine parts of me, but I also keep certain family moments, vulnerabilities, and the messy behind-the-scenes work private.
Being a veteran taught me the importance of authenticity paired with discretion. People need to know they can rely on you, but you do not have to share every part of your story to be real. My goal is that what people see, my values, my commitment to service, my drive to help others grow, is the truest, most useful version of me for the work I do.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I am gone is that I lived a life of service, integrity, and love. I want to be remembered as someone who gave more than she took, who poured into people with empathy and accountability, and who believed deeply in the potential of others.
I hope people say that I created spaces where trust could grow, where voices could be heard, and where people felt safe enough to stretch themselves and take bold steps forward. I want my family to remember me as a strong woman who loved them fiercely, and I want my clients and colleagues to remember me as a coach and leader who not only believed in them but equipped them with the tools to believe in themselves.
At the heart of it, I want my story to be one of lifting others up, whether it was my family, my clients, my fellow veterans, or the women leaders I have had the privilege to walk alongside. If people say I left the world a little better, more trusting, and more connected than I found it, that would be the greatest legacy I could hope for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://trishastetzel.com
- Instagram: teamstetzel
- Linkedin: trisha-stetzel
- Facebook: tstetzel
- Youtube: @businessbalanceboundaries2395
