Meet Sheila Slick, MS

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sheila Slick, MS. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sheila below.

Sheila, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?

Entrepreneurship taught me early that self-discipline isn’t optional, it’s essential. My self-discipline was truly put to the test when I decided to learn coding in my mid-thirties. I had already established two businesses, but I felt this yearning for continued growth and education. I remember watching my son play with his new iPod Touch, amazed at how apps worked with just a swipe of his finger. That’s when I thought, ‘I want to create something like this.’

The problem was, I had no formal training in programming. I was a Windows user who’d never touched a Mac (which was required for Apple development). And there I was, a mother of three running a retail jewelry business, thinking I could somehow learn a completely new technical skill. I set small, achievable goals, first to understand the programming logic, then to create a simple function, and gradually to build more complex features. After months of consistent effort, I finally published my first educational app to the App Store. That first app led to creating 13 more, and eventually founding my third business, a mobile app development company.

A decade later, self-discipline became my closest ally when I returned to the US and embarked on earning my Master’s Degree while simultaneously managing a company, raising my children, and an unexpected move. Those late nights of studying after everyone was asleep, the weekends split between family time and coursework, and the constant juggling of priorities would have been impossible without the disciplined habits I’d developed. This challenging period revealed something profound to me. I learned that self-discipline isn’t just about willpower; it flourishes when integrated into a structured framework of purpose and progress.

That’s when I developed the Five Milestones Framework that I teach today. What I’ve learned is that true discipline comes from having clarity about your values, a compelling vision, and breaking down your journey into manageable steps, the very foundation of the Five Milestones approach. When you know exactly where you’re going and why it matters, discipline becomes less about forcing yourself to do things and more about aligning your daily actions with your deepest purpose.

So my discipline didn’t come from some inherent trait. It was forged through transitions, challenges, and the realization that with the right framework, anyone can develop the consistency needed to transform their life, one milestone at a time.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m the founder of Five Milestones LLC, where we help experts, solopreneurs, and service-based entrepreneurs amplify their authority online. I also host the Milestone Moments in Business & Leadership podcast, a motivational show designed to inspire action and celebrate the pivotal achievements on the path to success. Each episode explores the journeys of experts, entrepreneurs and leaders who have turned their visions into reality.

As a leadership consultant, I’m particularly excited about launching a new group program focused on the power of self-leadership. This offering helps participants navigate transitions with confidence, transform uncertainty into clarity, develop resilience through intentional reflection, and create meaningful impact across all areas of their life and business.

What truly distinguishes our approach is the Five Milestones framework that centers on self-leadership – the practice of intentionally influencing your own thinking, feelings, and actions toward your objectives. This foundation empowers you to chart your own course toward success and fulfillment, guided by internal purpose rather than external pressures or circumstances.

The most rewarding aspect of this work is watching individuals overcome self-doubt and build lasting momentum because when you master self-leadership, you create an authentic legacy that reflects your purpose.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First, adaptability has been my greatest asset. When I moved overseas at 23 to start a manufacturing business, nothing went according to plan. For three months, every product we made was flawed—what we called ‘seconds.’ We had to constantly reformulate and adjust our processes until we finally succeeded. Later, when I pivoted to technology and learned coding in my mid-thirties, that same adaptability allowed me to master a completely new field. For those early in their journey, I’d recommend deliberately putting yourself in new situations that stretch your comfort zone. Take on projects slightly beyond your current abilities, and you’ll develop this naturally.

Second, curiosity has driven every significant growth period in my career. My curiosity about how mobile applications worked led me to learn programming and eventually start a mobile app development company. When I participated in NASA’s Space Apps Challenge, despite feeling completely unqualified, curiosity pushed me to explore what was possible. It resulted in a Global Honorable Mention, something I would have never imagined. My advice is to follow your questions, not just your existing knowledge. Set aside time each week specifically for learning something new, even if it doesn’t have immediate application.

Third, persistence through disciplined action has turned challenges into opportunities. For those starting out, I recommend changing your mindset—reframing ambitious goals into milestones with clear metrics for each stage. This creates a roadmap that makes persistence possible, even when motivation fluctuates.

The beauty of these three qualities, adaptability, curiosity, and persistence, is that they are not innate talents but learnable skills. By deliberately practicing them in small ways daily, with the support of mentors, peers, or a community, you develop capabilities that serve you across any industry or circumstance. These form the foundation of self-leadership, which I’ve found to be the true prerequisite for building something meaningful in the world.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m seeking coaches, consultants, subject matter experts, authors, speakers, and thought leaders with transformative stories and meaningful insights to share on the Milestone Moments in Business & Leadership Podcast. If you believe your professional journey could inspire and educate others, we would be delighted to explore a potential collaboration. Interested parties can reach out via our website fivemilestones.com to discuss podcast participation and other collaborative opportunities.

For those ready to transform their lives with the power of self-leadership, take action and make a lasting impact, visit sheilaslick.com for expert guidance and a supportive community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sheilaslick.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaslick/
• Twitter: https://x.com/SheilaSlick
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ltC3kwlw7ptmn9yxpQPSd?si=365420c35a014c61

Image Credits

Koontz Photography https://www.koontzphotography.com