Meet Stanley Webster

We recently connected with Stanley Webster and have shared our conversation below.

Stanley, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

For most of my career, I have often found myself as the only person in the room who looks like me. Whether in business or higher education, that experience has been both isolating and defining. It taught me how to navigate spaces that were not built with me in mind, and it pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Over time, I realized that doing good work is important, but it is not enough. You have to be seen. You have to be intentional about how you show up, how you build relationships, and how you help others understand the value you bring. That meant learning to speak up, to advocate for myself, and to make sure my presence carried weight even when my identity felt invisible to others.

I have also learned how important it is to find people who support and challenge you. I have been lucky to have mentors and peers who believed in me and pushed me to keep going when I felt like I did not belong. I try to do the same for others now, especially for young people coming up in environments that are still lacking in representation. There was a time when I felt like I had to change parts of myself to be accepted. I thought I had to sound a certain way, dress a certain way, or avoid sharing certain parts of my story. I do not feel that way anymore. I have learned that my background, my identity, and my experiences are not things to hide. They are what make me a stronger, more grounded leader.

The biggest lesson I carry is that there is enough room for all of us. I do not need to shrink to fit into someone else’s version of success. When I show up fully as myself, I create space for others to do the same. And that is the kind of impact I want to leave behind.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator based in Los Angeles, but my journey started in Madison, Alabama, where I grew up facing my share of struggles. Like many, I didn’t always see a clear path forward, but I found purpose and structure through my first job at Chick-fil-A as a teenager. From that point on, I worked my way through nearly every position, eventually joining the company’s Leadership Development Program and becoming one of the youngest Owner-Operators in the system.

Today, I lead a restaurant in Los Angeles and am also pursuing my doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership at USC. My work is not just about food or business. It is about people. I’m passionate about developing young leaders, especially those who come from communities like the one I grew up in. We partner with local schools and nonprofits to provide mentorship, financial literacy, resume coaching, and job-readiness programs that give people tools to succeed in life.

What makes my work meaningful is knowing that I can use my platform to open doors for others. I believe that business should be rooted in purpose and that success should include lifting others up along the way. Everything I do, from leading my team to building community partnerships, is focused on creating a culture where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to build relationships.

Resilience helped me push through the challenges of being underestimated, overlooked, or navigating spaces where I was the only one who looked like me. It taught me how to keep showing up even when the odds felt stacked against me.

Self-awareness gave me the ability to reflect on my strengths, my areas for growth, and the kind of leader I wanted to be. It’s what helped me stay grounded and authentic, even while evolving.

Building strong relationships was key. Whether it was finding mentors, developing my team, or connecting with my community, I’ve learned that nothing meaningful happens alone. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and challenge you is everything.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this: Don’t be afraid of the hard parts. Learn from them. Take the time to understand yourself, not just where you want to go but who you want to be. And build relationships with intention. The people you meet along the way can either open doors or teach you lessons — both are valuable.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

One of the biggest challenges I’m currently facing is balancing my role as a business owner with being a doctoral student at the University of Southern California. For years, my restaurant was my sole focus. I was involved in every detail, every decision, and poured myself into the day-to-day operations. Stepping into this new season of academic growth has required me to shift how I lead and where I direct my time and energy. At first, I struggled with guilt. I worried that by not being as hands-on, I might be letting my team down.

What I’ve come to realize, though, is that this transition has actually been a gift. It has challenged me to grow as a leader and allowed my team to grow alongside me. I’ve seen team members rise to new levels of ownership, confidence, and accountability. It’s proven to me that empowering others and giving them space to lead is just as important as being present in every moment. I’ve learned to lead with trust and intentionality, focusing on clear communication, ongoing development, and celebrating progress. This season of learning has made me a more thoughtful, strategic leader, and it’s reinforcing the idea that leadership is not about doing it all yourself — it’s about building something that can thrive beyond you.

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Image Credits

Frankie Pepper @frankiepeppa

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