Скачать или смотреть From Lawyer to Doughnut Mogul: Leslie Polizzotto’s Bold Reinvention at Midlife

What does it take to leave behind a high-powered legal career and build one of the most buzz-worthy doughnut shops in America? Leslie Polizzotto did just that. As co-founder of The Doughnut Project in Manhattan’s West Village, Leslie went from courtroom to kitchen—proving that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

In this inspiring episode, Leslie opens up about taking bold risks, launching a business later in life, and the grit required to grow a standout brand in a competitive industry. From managing expectations to mastering social media strategy, her story is packed with lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs at any stage.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

-Why it's never too late to pivot and pursue a path that lights you up

-The unfiltered truth: no one will care about your business like you do

-The essential traits that fuel success: motivation, discipline, drive, and resilience

-Smart ways to select and stay consistent on the best social media platform for your brand

-How to work strategically without burning out

-The value of bringing your life experience and transferable skills into a new venture

Whether you’re dreaming of launching a business or need a dose of fearless inspiration, Leslie’s story will remind you that bold moves and sweet rewards can go hand-in-hand

Episode Highlights:

[1:22] Why Leslie Walked Away from Law – What inspired her to leave a career in litigation and co-found a one-of-a-kind doughnut shop.

[5:37] Fearless Pivots – How Leslie has boldly reinvented her career multiple times without looking back.

[7:46] The Power of Late-in-Life Learning – How returning to college later gave her a richer perspective on education and growth.

[8:51] Biggest Business Challenge – The difficulty of relying on others and building trust to grow her business.

[11:53] Standing Out in a Crowded Market – How creativity, uniqueness, and quality make her doughnuts a national standout.

[15:25] Going Global – The behind-the-scenes of landing major national and international brand collaborations.

[18:28] Team Matters – The essential qualities Leslie looks for in pastry chefs and staff to keep her brand thriving.

[21:12] Leading with Heart – How she strikes a balance between customer hospitality and team management.

[22:15] Pandemic Perspective – How COVID-19 prompted her to streamline operations and find greater success.

[27:26] What It Really Takes – The personal traits that every aspiring business owner needs to cultivate.

[31:57] Mastering Instagram – How Leslie built a strong presence on social media and keeps it consistently on-brand.

[35:29] Smart Scaling – The hurdles and strategies behind expanding to new cities without burning out.

[36:54] Work-Life Balance Without Guilt – How she prioritizes self-care while running a high-demand business.

[39:04] Owning It – The freedom, fulfillment, and control that come with successful entrepreneurship.