First of three parts

In uncertain times, trust isn’t built through perfection or polish — it’s built through presence. Whether it’s a vulnerable conversation, a values-driven boundary or a commitment to showing up when it matters most, these moments of human connection form the foundation of lasting relationships.

Many of the women featured in our three-part collaboration with Equities.com — leaders within the Dreamers & Doers community — are putting people at the center of their work. Through small actions with big ripple effects, they’re proving that care, clarity and consistency still matter — and might just be the most powerful strategy of all.

Natasha Bond-Walker 

CEO and founder of People Ops Strategies, a strategic HR partner helping visionary small businesses build thriving, people-first workplaces.

I’m proud of showing up as a true partner — and not just as a consultant. As my business has grown and the world around us has continued to shift, I’ve realized that trust comes from meeting clients where they are. I focus more on empathy and understanding their real challenges, which helps build stronger, more resilient partnerships.

Rozella Haydée White 

Founder and CEO of The Waymaker Agency, a boutique consulting and coaching firm that partners with mission-driven organizations, faith-based institutions and social impact brands to undo the knots of broken systems, unclear expectations and cultural dysfunction.

 As my business has grown and the world has become more uncertain, my approach to trust-building has evolved to center radical transparency — with clients, my team and even myself. I’ve learned that being honest about capacity, boundaries and the emotional weight of leadership invites others to do the same, creating deeper connection and mutual respect. In times of economic or organizational uncertainty, this vulnerability has become a strength, allowing me to lead with integrity while fostering resilient, trust-filled partnerships.

Chandler J. Esq 

Founder and attorney of Lethal Legal, an intellectual property law firm protecting entrepreneurs worldwide.

One trust-building move I’m proud of is openly naming what I’m doing before I do it. For example, I’ve said “I’m about to sell this to you” before pitching services. This diffusing strategy eliminates the weird energy around sales because when you name a feeling or action, you take away its power to make people uncomfortable. I also lead with potential challenges and costs rather than sugar-coating the legal process so I won’t blindside anyone with unexpected hurdles. Clients consistently tell me they love my honest approach and that’s exactly why they trust (and refer) me.

CK Harmon 

Founder and CEO of Venus Walks, elegant accessories for the finest flower, creating fine jewelry smoking accessories for the modern and elegant cannabis connoisseur.

One of our impactful trust-building moves has been leveraging social media and email to offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Venus Walks. By showcasing the creative process and founder journey — from design sketches to discussions about gemstones and Mary Jane — we’re cultivating authenticity. For our growth phase, we’re taking our emails and social media to a deeper, more intimate level by interviewing our muses about their art and inspirations. Simultaneously, we’re investing in local experiences to connect beyond a screen and support our community directly.

Charmaine Green-Forde 

Founder and CEO of Chapter tOO, LLC, a data-backed, people-first coaching and consulting practice, helping organizations and people design their best chapters by optimizing performance, engagement and organizational processes.

I make it a point to understand people beyond their output — shadowing roles, observing dynamics and asking the why behind what’s being said. Too often, leaders chase answers without pausing to unpack the thinking or resistance behind them. In one engagement, that approach uncovered a disconnect between what leadership expected and what employees actually experienced. Naming that tension led to stronger alignment, reduced friction and a 20%+ increase in delivery speed. 

Nicole Leon 

Founder of L Leon Virtual Assistance LLC, a boutique, award-winning executive support agency helping stretched-thin founders reclaim their time through emotionally intelligent operations and high-touch executive support.

One of the most powerful trust-building moves I’ve made is leading with vulnerability. I don’t pretend to have it all figured out, and I let people see the real journey: the pivots, the lessons and the imperfect middle. In a constantly shifting economy, people are craving real connection and reliability. I’ve learned to slow down and listen more deeply, to show up even when things aren’t perfect and to lead with empathy over ego. That approach has built a referral-based business with long-term client partnerships, high retention and relationships that last far beyond the invoice.

Palveshey Tariq 

Founder of Alternative Coaching Methods, redefining health and wealth through plant medicine and helping high achievers transform into high performers.

People have a tendency to underestimate the importance of keeping things in confidence without signaling that you’ve done so. We gain trust not by broadcasting loyalty, but by being a vault. When, for example, I quietly held space for a teammate’s breakdown without ever referencing it again, the teammate later told me that they felt safe at work because of my discretion. I’ve learned that in a world obsessed with signaling, the deepest trust is built in silence. 

 

Courtney Peebles 

CEO of Solobo Toys, an award-winning educational children’s toy company offering toys that promote simple play and exceptional learning.

Honesty and human connection go a long way in building trust. Since the beginning, we’ve regularly shown up on social media so that people know who we are and that we’re the ones behind the business. We were also fully transparent with our community about how the tariffs would impact us. People feel connected, and our community and customers want us to succeed.

Clara Ma 

Founder and CEO of Ask a Chief of Staff, a boutique executive search and career development platform dedicated to placing and empowering the next generation of strategic operators — primarily Chiefs of Staff — into roles that accelerate leadership teams and scale startups. 

One trust-building move that resonates with executives is showcasing testimonials from CEOs and founders we’ve successfully partnered with. These serve as proof that we understand high-stakes, high-trust hiring. We also structure our recruiting engagements with success fees, which allows new clients to experience our value before committing financially. As the hiring market tightened, we became more transparent with clients about timelines, trade offs and what success looks like in today’s environment. We also doubled down on quality over quantity — fewer, sharper candidate recommendations — to show that we respect their time and budget.

Ingrid Zapata Read 

Founder of Grow With Community, a consulting agency empowering businesses and creatives to transform their audiences into communities through proven growth strategies.

One trust-building move I swear by? Voice memos. When people hear your voice, they connect with your tone, energy, and intention. It’s the best way to build trust quickly, especially as things have gotten noisier online. I’ve had people thank me for taking the time, saying it’s easier to listen, feels more personal and makes me stand out. People respond to real connection, and that’s what brings in the most aligned clients and partnerships.

Lindsay Tabas 

Founder of LearnProductMarketFit.com, the hub for practical guidance on the toughest skills needed to bring technology products to market.

In a world grappling with pressing problems and people facing fear and anxiety, the power of human connection is essential to fostering trust. My most impactful trust-building move has been openly sharing my personal experiences with burnout and grief, alongside practical tactics for focusing on what’s within our control. Operating with this vulnerability significantly boosted engagement metrics on my content and led to invitations to three industry panels and an open Q&A with a developer community.

Julie Zhu  

Chief Marketing Strategist of Julie Zhu LLC, an award-winning marketing strategist based in New York.

One trust-building move I really believe in is simply showing up. I make time to reconnect in-person with clients and colleagues every few months when I can or to connect over a thoughtful email check-in. It’s helped us get to know each other beyond just work and build trust through consistency. Over time, this has turned clients into long-term partners and friends. I even ended up with a referral system I didn’t expect.

Audrina Blackburn 

Co-Founder of Summit Chasers Network, unleashing the full potential of your business, equipping you with tailored strategies, data-driven insights, and a dedicated team to scale efficiently and profitably without sacrificing your health, family or happiness.

One trust-building move I’m proud of is leading with radical vulnerability, sharing authentic stories from my business or personal growth to create a safe space for others. At the start, I often found myself showing up as a more polished professional version of myself, scared to just be me because of my corporate experience. As I leaned into vulnerability, I had more genuine interactions, allowing others to drop their masks and share challenges openly, leading to deeper connections and faster problem-solving. 

Lauren Fleming 

Founder and CEO of Hem Support Wear, creating thoughtfully designed pelvic floor support garments that empower women at every stage of life to feel supported, confident and in control of their wellness journey.

One trust-building move we’re most proud of is our approach to customer service. You can call, text or email us and always talk to a real human who’s ready to help. From sending a priority-shipped replacement to a customer who entered the wrong address before her vacation to covering the cost of a better-fitting size for a customer in Australia, we go out of our way to make sure every woman feels seen and supported. That level of care has led to word-of-mouth referrals, glowing reviews and customers who return not just because the product works, but also because they know we genuinely care. In a world full of chatbots and one-size-fits-all solutions, being real and responsive has become our competitive edge.

Allison McMillan 

CEO of Tavlin Consulting, helping groups of people have the conversations they want and need to have in productive, engaging ways.

This is going to sound like such a small tip, but I recap next steps and action items, then keep people looped in along the way as those things get done. As someone who is an expert at getting individuals and groups of people to understand each other and to align on critical goals and a path forward, it’s still astonishing to me how often this key step is missed, causing delays and confusion. When teams have all the information laid out for them, they’re better able to weave their way through the conversations required to have and get to decisions.

What strategies have you found most critical for building trust with teams and customers?

‍All individuals featured in this article are members of Dreamers & Doers, a curated community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs and leaders by securing PR, forging authentic connections and curating high-impact resources.

Coming Thursday: Part 2 of our Dreamers & Doers collaboration