Meet Ronda Vaughn Marshall

We recently connected with Ronda Vaughn Marshall and have shared our conversation below.

Ronda, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Building confidence and self-esteem is an on going day to day to practice but if I had to tell how I continue to over come the challenge I would say…

I’ve built multiple successful businesses, scaled communities, and consistently positioned myself as a connector and leader that is always willing to help others. That doesn’t happen without resilience, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. Every win (and challenge) has reinforced my self-belief and sharpened my ability to trust yourself.

I thrived on building relationships and surrounding myself with high-caliber people. Being in rooms where I’m valued, respected, and contributing at a high level has strengthened my confidence.

Owning multiple businesses, being on nonprofit boards all while raising my children I knew I had to grow or get left behind. With divorce and life I had to pivot, problem-solve, and take risks. The ability to repeatedly put myself out there, adjust, and succeed has built a sense of confidence—because I am learning I can handle what comes my way.

I’ve actively invested in my growth, skills, and mindset by hiring coaches and putting myself in rooms with people more successful than me. Confidence often comes from competence, and I don’t just wing it—I learn from the best, implement strategies, and evolve. Being in these circles has given me proximity to other high-achievers, further solidifying my belief in my self.

My strong sense of purpose in not just building businesses—I built movements and communities. Whether it’s my practice, Social Oak, Boxer Haven Rescue, The Social Boardroom, or my coaching programs, my work is aligned with my values. People who operate with a sense of mission and clarity tend to exude confidence because they aren’t just “trying things out”—they know they are meant to do this.

Some of my confidence is just who I am—my personality has always been dynamic, engaging, and people naturally gravitate toward me. But charisma alone doesn’t build businesses. My work ethic, strategic mind, and ability to execute set me apart, making my confidence earned, not just inherited.

My confidence isn’t just about business—it’s also about how I manage my life. Whether it’s supporting my son in his entrepreneurial ventures, easing my college daughter’s mind while miles away in another state pursing her dreams, balance work and family, and carve out time for things like soccer games, travel and self-care. That level of intentional living builds confidence because it comes from a place of control over my time and choices.

Bottom Line: My Confidence was EARNED
My self-esteem isn’t just about “feeling good about myself.” It’s been built through years of doing the work, refining my skills, surrounding myself with winners, and aligning with my purpose. I don’t just believe in myself because it sounds nice—I believe in myself because I have the receipts.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Building Connection, Community & Confidence: My Story
Business isn’t just about transactions—it’s about relationships, collaboration, and community. That belief has driven my journey as a chiropractor, entrepreneur, and business consultant. I specialize in helping business owners build relationship capital—the kind of connections that fuel lasting success.

I founded Social Oak and Social Oak Gents, two communities that have expanded to 24 chapters in just six months. We’ve redefined networking by focusing on strategic connections rather than forced small talk. Creating a community where people that buy from me, sell for me in a casual business to consumer environment. I also launched The Social Boardroom, an exclusive space where business owners connect, strategize, and elevate their brands through high-level discussions and curated opportunities.

Beyond networking, I coach entrepreneurs on scaling their service-based businesses by understanding their clients on a deeper level—not just who they are, but how they think, spend, and engage with the world. As well as creating their own communities such as Social Oak.

What’s Next?
I’m expanding Social Oak into new markets, growing The Social Boardroom, and launching more coaching opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to level up. If you’re ready to network differently, grow smarter, and build meaningful connections, let’s connect—the right relationships can change everything.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The Three Most Impactful Skills/Qualities in My Journey
Looking back, three key things have shaped my success: building relationships, adaptability, and the willingness to do all the things.

Building Relationships:
Business isn’t about selling—it’s about connecting. I’ve built my career by intentionally creating relationships, not just for quick wins but for long-term impact. People want to do business with those they know, like, and trust. My best opportunities, biggest growth moments, and most fulfilling endeavors have come from the relationships I’ve nurtured.

Advice: If you’re early in your journey, don’t just network—build relationships. Be genuinely interested in others, provide value before asking for anything, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow. Your network will open doors you didn’t even know existed. Like they say it is not always what you know but who you know.

Adaptability:
Entrepreneurship is never a straight path. I’ve had to pivot, evolve, and reinvent the way I approach business multiple times. From doubling my chiropractic practice after 17 years in practice with new ideas and approaches to launching multiple communities, adaptability has been key.

Advice: Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Be willing to change course, learn new skills, and try things that scare you. The most successful people aren’t the ones with a perfect plan—they’re the ones who keep moving forward.

Do All the Things:
There is no magic bullet. No single strategy, connection, or moment will “make” you successful. I got here because I wasn’t afraid to jump in, take action, and do the work. I tested ideas, made mistakes, learned from them, and kept going. Success comes from showing up, making moves, and figuring it out along the way.

Advice: Don’t get stuck waiting for the “right” strategy, the perfect opportunity, or a guarantee. Start now. Do the work. Be willing to try, fail, and adjust. The people who succeed are the ones who take action instead of waiting for permission.

Final Thoughts
For anyone just starting out, my best advice is this: Invest in relationships, stay adaptable, and don’t be afraid to do all the things.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I’m a firm believer in going all in on your strengths—but not in isolation. Instead of trying to be great at everything, I believe in finding the right people to complement your skills so that together, you create something powerful.

One of my favorite books, Who Not How by Dan Sullivan, reinforced that it isn’t about doing it all yourself; it’s about surrounding yourself with the right “who.” That’s exactly how I built Social Oak, The Social Boardroom, my chiropractic practice and my coaching programs. I didn’t try to master every single skill needed to run and grow them—I leaned into what I do best and brought in others whose strengths filled in the gaps.

A perfect example is my Gang of Five—the powerhouse team that helps me run the original Social Oak. Why? Because I was strategic about who was involved how we worked together, leveraging everyone’s strengths instead of trying to force people to be good at things they weren’t naturally great at. Now, in my business, I apply the same concept. Each of us in the Gang of Five brings 20% effort in our area of expertise, and together, we achieve 100% success.

That’s why I don’t believe in spending all your time fixing weaknesses. If I forced myself to become an expert in areas that don’t come naturally to me, I’d be moving slower and making less impact. Instead, I focus on what I do best and I bring in the right people to handle the things I don’t need to be the best at.

For anyone struggling with this, ask yourself: Do you want to spend your time fixing weaknesses or maximizing strengths? The answer is simple—lean into what you’re naturally great at, then surround yourself with people who complement you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rondavaughn.coaching @social.oak @socialboardroom
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ ronda-vaughn