Purpose, Persistence, and Full Tilt: A Journey of Intentional Entrepreneurship

Kismet — a hypothetical force or personified power that determines the course of the future events; fate or destiny. Or in Lisa Tilt’s case, how she describes her entrepreneurial journey.

Tilt spent the first 25 years of her career in media and marketing communications, but she always had the entrepreneurial bug, telling her mother in high school she wanted to run her own business one day.

While expecting her first child, Tilt founded Full Tilt Consulting, an award-winning marketing and communications firm that will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026. The company started as a traditional marketing communications agency but over the years has grown to add employer brand development, executive coaching, and company learning and training programs. 

Read our interview to learn more about how she grew her business into the award-winning powerhouse it is today and pick up some top-notch tips for your business journey along the way!

What led you to begin your entrepreneurial journey and start Full Tilt Consulting?

I've always had an entrepreneurial bent—I naturally gravitate toward taking ownership of projects, running with ideas, and building something from the ground up. I actually started my company in 2006 while pregnant with my first child, which wasn't necessarily planned but absolutely felt right at the time.

I was at a career crossroads, unsure about my next move, when a friend working at an executive search firm suggested I meet with their executive director. That conversation changed everything—we connected immediately, and I realized I could see working for myself as a legitimate option. Then I built from there, one measured step at a time doing meaningful work for clients with whom I enjoyed partnering. It’s been rewarding from day one.

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of being an entrepreneur?

The most rewarding aspect is being able to create something I genuinely believe in every single day. Throughout my career, I've had incredible mentors and bosses, and I've also had some challenging ones—but I learned valuable lessons from all of those experiences. That gave me a clear vision: I wanted to create a company culture we could truly be proud of.

What's been particularly fulfilling is how intentionally we've grown. Full Tilt's expansion has mirrored my own life journey—I never rushed it because I didn't want to overextend myself or the business. Every step has been measured and aligned with our values and goals. I believe this approach has been key to our longevity. When companies grow too fast, they often struggle to recover from the inevitable growing pains.

Could we be much larger today? Absolutely. But that was never the plan. Our strategy has always been to find the right client partners, deliver exceptional work for them, and grow organically from there. We've stayed true to that vision, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've built. Being an entrepreneur has given me the freedom to prioritize quality and culture over rapid scaling—and that's made all the difference.

What do you dislike about being an entrepreneur? 

I wouldn't say I dislike much about entrepreneurship, but there are definitely ongoing challenges. The biggest shift is that the work you were originally trained for—the craft you're passionate about—becomes just a small fraction of what you actually do each day.

As an entrepreneur, you're constantly managing a dashboard of responsibilities that have nothing to do with your core expertise. One day you're reviewing finances, the next you're focused on an HR matter, then you're troubleshooting technology problems or dealing with vendor contracts–all while focusing on driving the core business and taking care of clients.

The challenge is staying afloat while juggling all these competing priorities. Some days flow smoothly, others feel like a lot—but I've learned to approach it with levity and perspective. My experience as a business owner helps immensely as time passes because I know things will work out as they have so far over the last 20 years.

Have there been any challenges you’ve faced on your journey? How did you overcome them?

One of my biggest ongoing challenges has been mastering the people side of the business. This encompasses everything from making smart hiring decisions and maintaining competitive salaries and benefits, to keeping employees engaged, properly trained, and doing work that fulfills them. These human elements are absolutely critical to business success, but they're complex to navigate.

What I've learned is that you have to be strategic about the people you surround yourself with. As an entrepreneur, you simply can't do everything yourself, and as you scale, you need trusted people in your circle who understand the unique pressures you're facing.

The most valuable relationships I've built are with other business owners. Those honest conversations with peers who've walked similar paths have been invaluable for working through difficult decisions and maintaining perspective.

How do you relax and recharge to avoid burnout?

My family is everything to me. My husband and I have two amazing daughters who are smart, funny, and inspiring to be around. Any time I can spend with them completely recharges my batteries. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Some of my favorite moments are simply curling up with a book while my kids are on either side of me and our two goldendoodles are sprawled at our feet. Those quiet, connected moments with the people I love most are what truly restore me. As long as I'm with them, I'm happy.

Speaking of your family, what tips do you have for balancing being a mother and fulfilling personal responsibilities while also being a successful entrepreneur?

I've learned to stop thinking about "balance" because there will always be something pulling your attention in different directions. Instead, I view it like a seesaw—something's up, something's down, and that can shift a few times in a single day.

Part of why I chose entrepreneurship and started my company while pregnant was because I knew I didn't want any regrets about missing out on family moments. Almost 19 years later, I can honestly say I don't have those regrets. I work incredibly hard and have built a successful company, but I'm equally energized by being at every volleyball game and theater performance.

I have to acknowledge that my husband is an amazing partner in this—I couldn't have done it without him. My approach is to think of each day as 24 hours where you bring your whole life with you. It's about constantly assessing what needs your attention right now and then planning strategically to ensure you're getting to both the things you want to do and the things you need to do.

If you could go back in time to the start of your journey, is there anything that you would have done differently or any advice you would have given yourself?

Interestingly, I wouldn't change a thing. The advice I'd give myself would be: stay the course and trust your gut. In 18 years of business, the couple times I didn't follow my instincts, things didn't work out well. Intuition isn't something to take for granted—it's a critical factor when you're building a business. That inner voice is there for a reason, and learning to trust it has been one of my most valuable assets as an entrepreneur.

Is there an accomplishment or part of your journey you’re most proud of?

I'm most proud of the incredible people who've chosen to walk through the doors of Full Tilt. It still amazes me when talented professionals say yes to joining a company I started. We've built relationships with remarkable people, many of whom we still connect with long after they've moved on to their next career adventure.

What's particularly meaningful is that we've created a true learning environment. Time and again, we hear people say as they leave, "I've learned more here than anywhere else." That tells me we're not just doing good work—we're developing people and investing in their growth.

I'm also proud that as a woman-owned business, we've successfully acquired two other companies, both also woman-owned. In our industry and given the conservative approach I've taken to growth, that's a significant accomplishment. The success we've achieved, even compared to our peers, validates the thoughtful way we've built this business.

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to female entrepreneurs beginning their journey?

First, trust your instincts—they'll be one of your most valuable tools. Be prepared to learn things you never expected to learn and make decisions you never thought you'd be making. That's just part of the entrepreneurial journey, and it will come at you fast.

Stay flexible in your approach. Trust the process, but be ready to pivot quickly when something doesn't feel right. At the same time, stick to your core values and be crystal clear about who you are and what you want to accomplish.

Most importantly, stay true to yourself. Your company is literally an extension of your soul—it's nearly impossible to run it authentically if you're trying to be someone you're not.

Wrapping up on a fun note, I saw you have a podcast: The Wins & Grind. Tell me a bit about it. How did it come to be?

Doing a podcast has been such a fun and interesting outlet, and a great learning opportunity. My co-host, Esco, and I have known each other for almost 10 years–first as one of my husband’s friends and colleagues, then as a client. We'd have these amazing, wide-ranging conversations where we talked about work, family, raising kids, and what the future holds. One day he said, "We should just hit record on one of these," and we did.

The Wins & Grind is all about the joys and challenges of life—how we bring our whole selves to work, the obstacles we face, and being honest about what it's really like to navigate both our personal and professional lives. Along the way, we share advice, lessons we've learned, and practical tips that have helped us.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your entrepreneurial journey as we close?

It's been a wonderfully rewarding journey. Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, and that's perfectly okay. Whether you try it briefly, commit to it for several years, or decide to pivot to something else entirely—all of those paths are valid choices.

What I can say with confidence is that the experience of being a leader and entrepreneur will enhance every aspect of your life, both professionally and personally. The skills, resilience, and perspective you gain are invaluable, regardless of where your journey ultimately takes you.