Precious Williams Owodunni - President of Mountaintop Consulting
Precious (she/her/hers) will inspire you to go out and follow your dreams and reach the mountaintop within five minutes of meeting her. You feel as if she has walked miles in your very own shoes, and she will help you with whatever challenge is ahead (that is at least how Julie felt after being connected). From her book recommendations, to sanity tips, her insights are always appreciated and linger with you. Read more about how she started her company over 10 years ago, what they has learned along the way, and how to give yourself some grace and take a breath.
I am the President of Mountaintop Consulting, which assists high-impact individuals and growing companies through strategy consulting, coaching, and leadership and business development training. Before establishing Mountaintop Consulting, I was a Vice President at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where I made private equity investments in high growth companies. I began my Goldman career as an investment banker in the Mergers & Strategic Advisory Group, advising oil and gas, oilfield services, power, consumer/retail, and industrial companies on mergers, acquisitions, and corporate finance matters. I graduated with honors from Yale University and received my J.D. from Yale Law School. I currently serve as a board member of Cadence Bancorporation (NYSE: CADE), the Houston Parks Board, and the Episcopal Health Foundation.
Favorite motto or quote that keeps you inspired?
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” - Will Rogers
Book(s) that inspire you/your company?
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now by Maya Angelou
In your personal life, what is one daily practice or habit you have to keep you centered and grounded?
Choosing gratitude and very intentionally protecting my joyfulness.
Who or what was the biggest motivator for you when you started your business?
MLK, Jr.'s "I've Been to the Mountaintop" address inspired our company's name, and the passion to help people reach new heights in their personal and professional lives was and continues to be motivation for our daily work.
How do you hope that your company can create a better world?
We’ve developed some proven systems through coaching, training, and consulting that level the playing field and allow a wide range of people to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Favorite business/leadership resources?
As a Strengths-certified coach, I’m always amazed by the insight it provides me as a leader and for our clients.
What has been the biggest highlight running your own company?
Having the chance to choose the people with whom I work and choosing my clients, which has allowed me to have this can’t-wait-to-wake-up-each- morning feeling because I love our team, and we love our clients.
What are your top three goals for your company this year? AND! How can the LWL Community support you in accomplishing them?
1. Support the dismantling of systemic racism and growth of diverse business professionals. Beyond helping many companies with their DEI planning and initiatives, we’re beginning work on a program to deliver online training on key business skills to diverse legal students (free to students and sponsored by companies). Email us at info@mtopconsulting.com if your company would be interested in supporting this program.
2. Making our services and content available and accessible to more professionals via digital platforms – and grow those. We launched our first Virtual Small Group Coaching Program this summer and have received great feedback from participants. Emerging leaders can apply or nominate someone for that program on our website at https://mtopconsulting.com/ascents/virtual-small-group-coaching/. We’re developing other programs for professionals at various stages in their careers.
3. Releasing more online courses in the next year. Our first course, Make It Rain: LinkedIn For Personal Branding & Business Growth, is available at https://mtopconsulting.com/ascents/linkedin-online-course/.
Favorite business tools that your company uses?
Intelligent Change “Productivity Planner”
The greatly under-utilized Outlook calendar – with a color-coded system
Your favorite other women led businesses we should know about?
I’m always inspired by our clients who are CEOs of large companies, including:
Leslie Hale, the President & CEO of RLJ Lodging
Trust and Tammira Phillipe, the President and CEO of Bridgeway Capital Management
What is one action you want every woman entrepreneur reading this to take this week?
Give yourself grace.