Leading a company can feel like steering a ship through unpredictable waters. There’s exhilaration in the growth, challenge in the obstacles, and immense responsibility in holding the helm. But every founder and CEO eventually faces the same pivotal question: When is it time to step down?
At Ideas Fest this September, five entrepreneurs who know this decision better than most will take the stage for a candid conversation about leadership, legacy, and knowing when to step aside.
Between them, they’ve built global brands, navigated acquisitions, stepped back from companies they scaled, and redefined what success looks like once they leave the corner office.
Here’s a closer look at Maxine Laceby, Vivien Wong, Sam Smith, Christopher Kenna, and Alex Packham, their journeys, lessons, and what they’ll be sharing live this September.
At 50, when many might consider slowing down, Maxine Laceby, co-founder of Absolute Collagen, was just getting started. After her daughters left home, she pursued a Fine Art degree and embarked on a personal project called “Dare To Go Bare,” embracing her natural self with courage and vulnerability.
From this exploration came a spark and a kitchen experiment involving chicken bone broth that evolved into Absolute Collagen. Together with her daughter Darcy, Maxine meticulously refined a liquid collagen supplement designed to boost skin, hair, and nail health.