In Bloom with Ela Bass

We’re told we need a perfect plan — but Gayle Schueller’s story shows a different way. Over 30 years, she built a career leading sustainability at one of the world’s biggest companies, raised a family, and made pivots that looked risky in the moment but made sense over time.In this conversation, Gayle shares the choices that shaped her career and life, the values that guided her when the “right path” wasn’t obvious, and what she wishes she had known in her 20s about success, family, and balance.Her secret? You don’t need to see the whole map — you just need to focus on the next step.

Sheila Cosgrove is a transformational leadership coach in the professional development space, serving as Founder and CEO of Sheila Cosgrove Coaching and Consulting. With over 25 years of experience in hospitality and senior consulting roles at North Highland and RGP, she has built a boutique practice specializing in women's leadership development while maintaining her commitment to authentic career evolution.In this illuminating episode, Sheila shares her journey of transitioning from corporate success to entrepreneurial fulfillment. She offers valuable insights on:Recognizing when your career no longer aligns with your inner wisdomTaking calculated risks to discover what truly lights you upBuilding confidence in professional settings where women often struggle to be heardSheila's story demonstrates how women in their twenties and early career stages can build meaningful professional paths without sacrificing their authenticity or feeling trapped by their initial career choices.

You wake up and grab your phone. A million notifications.This is the tension Akshaya Ravi understands deeply. In this episode, she opens up about her evolution from relentless hustle to intentional peace.Akshaya built her identity on being the hardest worker in the room—until she realized something was missing. "I kept pushing. You got this award, it's okay. Go for the next one. I don't take a moment to appreciate it," she confesses.We explore her journey from accounting to tech sales, her morning ritual that changed everything (simple tea on her balcony), and her perspective on professional presentation as a strategic choice rather than a limitation.For those of us navigating careers while protecting our spirits, Akshaya offers honest reflection on what it means to want both achievement and tranquility in the same life. No perfect answers—just the possibility that maybe we don't have to choose.

Are you terrified that choosing family over career means giving up on your own growth and identity?Heather Morehouse is a dedicated homeschooling mother of four and family-focused woman, serving as the backbone of the Morehouse household for over two decades. With 20 years of experience in child development and home education, she has raised remarkably well-adjusted children while maintaining her own journey of personal growth and discovery.In this refreshingly honest episode, Heather shares her journey of choosing family over professional ambitions and the unexpected transformation that followed. She offers valuable insights on:How viewing life in seasons rather than trying to "have it all at once" creates freedom and reduces pressureWhy the process of parenting herself while parenting her children led to profound personal developmentHow being "gut-wrenchingly honest" with herself transformed both her relationship with her family and herselfHeather's story demonstrates how young women can find meaningful personal growth and fulfillment without following conventional career paths or societal expectations.

Can family wisdom help your career?Vahbiz Cooper is a marketing professional in the B2B SaaS industry, serving as Digital Marketing Manager at Demandbase.In this insightful episode, Vahbiz shares her journey of balancing traditional Indian upbringing with modern career ambitions. She offers valuable insights on:How the "respect goes both ways" philosophy from her family has shaped her approach to workplace boundaries and communicationWhy company culture dramatically impacts work-life balance and the importance of finding an environment that aligns with your valuesThe power of regular family gatherings and check-ins for maintaining strong relationships in both personal and professional contextsVahbiz's story demonstrates how young women can leverage their cultural heritage as a competitive advantage without sacrificing their authentic voice or professional ambitions. From Dubai's luxury-focused environment to her current role, she reveals how traditional wisdom continues to guide her success in unexpected ways.

Kathy Dunlay is a business leader in the technology sector, serving as Founder and CEO at New England Sales & Marketing. With 35 years of experience and an immigrant family background that shaped her work ethic, she has built a successful consultancy serving over 120 B2B technology companies while maintaining control over her time and honoring her family's legacy.In this thought-provoking episode, Kathy shares her journey of balancing ambition with personal fulfillment. She offers valuable insights on:How her Albanian immigrant family's 100-year vision influenced her career choicesWhy working hard can be fulfilling when aligned with your personal valuesHow surrounding yourself with the right people indicates you're on the right pathKathy's story demonstrates how ambitious professionals can achieve career success and flexibility without apologizing for their dedication to work or sacrificing their authentic definition of fulfillment.

Rasheité is a partnerships leader who serves as Sr. Manager of Partner Programs at Frontline Education. While building successful partner programs and driving business growth, she's also raising four children - including a college athlete, a high school senior, and two young kids. In this candid episode, Rasheité shares how she redefined excellence as a working mom. She offers refreshing insights on: Why you don't need to give 100% to everything to be successful How to adapt your standards as life changes Being authentic in both professional and personal spaces Through real stories - from bringing her mom on business trips to managing late-night proposals - Rasheité shows how you can achieve professional success without sacrificing family life or your sense of self.

Turns out those perfect career and life paths are a myth. Here's what I'm learning from my guests about the messy truth of success - and why not having it all figured out might be exactly where you need to be.

Juhi Saha is a global business leader in the partnerships industry, serving as CEO of her own company that helps B2B businesses grow through strategic partnerships. With extensive experience at major tech companies including Microsoft and proven success in building and scaling partnership programs, she has achieved professional excellence while prioritizing her role as a mother to two young daughters. In this transformative episode, Juhi shares her journey from checking society's boxes to defining success on her own terms. She offers valuable insights on: Breaking free from the "good girl" syndrome and redefining success beyond external validation Building a global company while maintaining work-life boundaries as a primary breadwinner Taking calculated risks and transitioning from corporate stability to entrepreneurial purpose Juhi's story demonstrates how ambitious women can build meaningful careers without sacrificing their authentic selves or family priorities. From navigating cultural expectations to leading with confidence, she shows that success comes from living your own dream, not someone else's.

Jill Rowley is a pioneering force in tech sales and social selling, having served as one of the first SaaS sales professionals at Salesforce when it was just a $5 million company. With 24 years of experience and a business degree from UVA, she has helped shape the evolution of B2B sales from outbound to inbound to nearbound, while maintaining an unwavering focus on authentic customer relationships. In this remarkably candid episode, Jill shares her journey of reaching extraordinary professional heights while confronting the hidden costs of relentless ambition. She offers valuable insights on: How being "allergic to average" shaped her unconventional path to success Why your network is your net worth - but not in the way most people think The surprising truth about networking, authenticity, and what she wishes she'd done differently Whether you're early in your career or hitting your stride, Jill's raw insights and battle-tested wisdom will change how you think about ambition, success, and what it means to truly win.