Paige Wiese: From Setback to CEO & Building a Transferable Digital Business - 074

In this “Lunch with Leaders” episode, Paige Wiese — founder/CEO of Tree Ring Digital —discusses her journey from architect to award-winning digital agency owner after a life-changing epilepsy diagnosis. With host Adaeze Iloeje-Udogalanya, they explore resilient leadership, digital asset security, business transitions, and building businesses ready for growth, exit, or succession.

Key themes include asset management pitfalls, adapting to tech change, letting go as a founder, and creating legacies aligned with personal vision. Who Is This For?

This episode is for: Women in STEM, innovators, founders, and early-stage business owners Leaders navigating rapid business/tech growth or transitions Anyone responsible for protecting digital assets or building a transferable business Entrepreneurs interested in building scalable, resilient companies (not just quick wins) Startups, small businesses, and those dealing with employee/vendor turnover Paige’s Life-Changing Diagnosis & Pivot to Tech : Paige Weiss shares her struggle with epilepsy, losing independence, and forcing a career pivot—from architecture to self-taught web design and entrepreneurship. Key Moments & Timestamps On the Realities of Starting From Scratch 00:06:00 - 00:06:52: Paige Wiese reflects on “rock bottom,” hustling for clients, and embracing “nothing to lose.” Building a Team Around Strengths 00:08:00 - 00:11:19: “I want you in a place you’re going to thrive”—Paige Wiese describes leadership through supporting team members in their strengths.

Letting Go of Control 00:15:42 - 00:18:16: Critical insight for leaders: when and how to delegate, stop micromanaging, and trust processes/QA over personal style. The Cost and Chaos of Digital Assets 00:20:15 - 00:23:21: Why digital asset management is no longer an afterthought; the risks of poor handovers, lost access, and vendor lock-in.

Consequences of Not Owning Your Digital Footprint 00:32:03 - 00:34:57: Real-world stakes when assets and access fail during deals, transitions, or rapid growth. Legacy, Vision & Staying True to Your Goals 00:42:51 - 00:44:48: Paige Wiese on the importance of knowing your passion and definition of success, and tuning out distractions.

FAQs Q: Why is digital asset management important for founders? A: Paige Wiese explains that lost access, unclear ownership, and vendor lock-in can halt business operations for months during transitions, leading to lost revenue and failed deals 00:20:15.

Q: How do you know when to delegate or hire? A: Identify tasks that drain your energy or cause procrastination; as soon as possible, hire or outsource those areas to focus on your strengths 00:08:00.

Q: What are the risks of using AI tools or outsourced talent without oversight? A: If you don’t verify account ownership and asset transferability, you risk losing everything after a contract ends or employee leaves 00:27:03.

Q: How do I start protecting my digital assets? A: Use platforms like Assetto, track all logins/ownership, and download asset checklists ( ) 00:45:19.

Action Steps For Individuals/Founders and Teams/Leaders: Audit your digital assets: Who owns each one? Where are the logins?

Download and use Paige Wiese’s digital asset checklist from 00:45:19. Begin documenting processes for each platform/tool.

If you delegate, allow team members to learn and get feedback from clients—not just you 00:18:16. Align your business growth with your personal definition of success 00:44:48.

Foster a culture where team members can grow and move toward tasks they enjoy 00:08:41. Follow Paige Wiese Online Website: LinkedIn: Facebook: Instagram: Tree Ring Digital LinkedIn: YouTube: