I don’ believe success is something we discover once.

I don't believe success is the destination.

I believe it's a means to becoming the person we're called to be and to creating the impact we are here to leave.

The challenge I learned as I faced life’s trial and tribulations, is if someone else is writing my definition of success, they are also shaping my purpose.

That's why authorship matters.

It's something we continually author as we evolve. And without fluidity in authorship, well, success gets complicated. I reflect on my evolution from my 20’s, 30’s, and now fabulous 40’s as evidence that as we evolve, so does our definition of success.

For most of my career, I measured success the way many of us do, through achievement, promotions, pay and title, and external validation.

Then at my most humble moment, life asked me a different question.

Am I proud of the person I’m becoming?

That question changed everything for me.

My Story:

Four years ago, I was traveling to close the largest deal in my company's history when a near-death experience changed the trajectory of my life. Moments before, I was on my phone buried in emails and scheduling meetings, and my mindset was solely focused on this deal to secure my next position at the company.

In a matter of seconds, everything I thought mattered disappeared. As medics were working on me, and the ambulance showed up, I remember vividly my husband calling and seeing his happy face on my phone screen. I could not answer that call, I was slipping out of this world, and that realization was a reckoning to my soul.

I was lucky to be saved, but I didn’t feel lucky as I processed what happened. I felt broken. When you face your death, you face the inevitable questions of, am I proud of the person I’m becoming, and am I proud of the impact I am leaving behind?

The answer forced me to confront something difficult. I was not proud, I was empty. In my last moments I wasn’t thinking of the promotion, or the next title. I was realizing the parts that truly mattered were an accessory in my life versus the essence of my life.

Somewhere along the way, I had outsourced my definition of success. I had outsourced my purpose.

That realization became the beginning of Success Gets Complicated.

Hi, I’m Chelsea.

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The Executive Behind the Philosophy:

For nearly two decades, I helped organizations navigate growth, transformation, and customer success at scale.

I've led global teams, built high-performing organizations, advised executives and emerging leaders, and helped companies navigate the complexity that comes with rapid growth.

Highlights of past definitions of success over my career:

  • 19+ years leading customer success, operations, or sales functions across companies of varying stages and sizes.

  • Precision metrics through intentional leadership approach: < 2% churn rate, NRR 124%, GRR 98%.

  • Led departments of up to $250M ARR with P&L responsibility.

  • Facilitated department level workshops to transform strategy into actionable plans as a cohesive team.

  • Built and transformed high-performing global customer success organizations.

  • Executive leader brought in to support and scale hyper-growth, mergers & acquisitions, and organizational transformation.

  • Trusted advisor to founders, executives, and emerging leaders. Always a mentor in the organization, with a passion to help others author their definition of success.

My Life:

  • My husband and I live in Bozeman, Montana, and we love a simple, quiet life,

  • I'm a BIG animal lover! We have 2 rescue dogs. I hope to have a rescue farm someday.

  • My husband is my biggest supporter and I’m so thankful for our friendship and life together.

  • I believe humor belongs in leadership and in life. I will dance, skip (literally), and I’m never too old to color in my adult coloring book.

  • Coffee and a notebook solve more problems than most meetings. I LOVE coffee.

  • I enjoy hiking, weightlifting, meditation, and soul filling friendships.

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Two black dogs with bandanas sitting on a concrete patio in a backyard. One dog is smiling with its mouth open, and the other is looking to the side. The background shows a fenced yard, a lawn, outdoor chairs, hanging flower baskets, and a barbecue grill.
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Let's Keep the Conversation Going

Whether you found me through the podcast, a keynote, a workshop, or this website...

I'm grateful you're here.

This community exists for people willing to ask better questions, challenge inherited definitions of success, and intentionally author what's next.

I'd be honored to have you join the conversation.

Let's Start the Conversation