By: Lisa Patrick
Joanne Brooks is redefining what it means to lead with purpose. A serial entrepreneur who has launched 17 businesses over two decades, including one that grew to a significant turnover within a short time frame, Brooks has experienced both the thrill of rapid growth and the sobering lessons that come with it.
With 25 years in corporate banking before her entrepreneurial journey, Brooks brings a rare balance of strategy and soul to her work. Today, she’s known as The Circle Builder—a business strategist, mentor, and founder of Navig8Biz, dedicated to helping women step out of chaos and into clarity, building thriving, sustainable businesses without losing themselves in the process.
“Scaling fast taught me two truths,” Brooks reflects. “Growth is exhilarating, but it can also be unforgiving. Rapid growth magnifies cracks in systems, people, and decision-making. What you don’t shore up early will unravel under pressure.”
Those hard-earned lessons became the foundation of her leadership philosophy. When the company she scaled so quickly ultimately faced liquidation, it became a turning point rather than an endpoint. “Liquidation was the hardest yet most pivotal moment of my career,” she admits. “It stripped me back to the raw truth of leadership—you can’t outrun the cracks. Now, when I mentor women, I don’t just teach strategy; I teach perspective.”
That perspective powers her signature frameworks—The LeadHer Lens™, Her Transformation, and The Navig8 Circle—each designed to help women transition from overdrive to alignment, from chaos to calm, and from burnout to balanced leadership.
Through these programs, Brooks guides women to see their businesses through a new lens. “It’s not about working harder,” she explains. “It’s about working aligned. When women operate from alignment, they stop being the bottleneck and start becoming the visionary leaders their businesses need.”
Her Transformation, one of her cornerstone programs, distills five decades of corporate and entrepreneurial experience into a comprehensive growth ecosystem. Beyond business strategy, participants gain mentorship in confidence, leadership presence, communication, and mindset. “True transformation doesn’t happen in isolation,” Brooks emphasizes. “It happens when women are surrounded by the right mix of strategy, structure, and support.”
Brooks also champions well-being as a non-negotiable part of success. For her, ambition and self-care are not opposing forces—they’re partners. “Boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re essential,” she says. “Scaling doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your health. With the right rhythm, you can grow your business and your energy at the same time.”
Looking toward the future, Brooks envisions a new generation of women-led enterprises—companies that reflect values as much as vision. “The next decade may see women leading not just businesses, but movements,” she predicts. “Less hustle, more impact. Less burnout, more legacy.” Through Navig8Biz, she provides the strategic tools, mentorship, and community to help bring that vision to life.
At the heart of Brooks’ philosophy lies the concept of circles—both as structure and symbol. Her 10 Circles Framework and the Navig8 Circle community embody her belief that success is not linear but cyclical. Each Circle represents a vital dimension of leadership—from systems and money to mindset and energy. “When women understand which Circle needs their focus,” she explains, “they stop spinning in chaos and start moving forward with intention.”
Joanne Brooks’ story is one of reinvention and resilience—demonstrating that failure can become the foundation for empowerment. Through her work, she’s building more than businesses; she’s building leaders. And in doing so, she’s helping to redefine what success looks like for women in business—clear, confident, and sustainably strong.
Ready to step into clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth? Explore Joanne Brooks’ programs and join a community of women leaders creating positive change in their businesses today.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and reflects the personal experiences and philosophies of Joanne Brooks. It is not intended as financial, legal, or business advice. Results may vary, and readers should consult with a professional advisor before making any business or financial decisions.
