How to lead with clarity and grow with courage: Lessons from Pippa Hallas at MASTERMIND. With Sherrie.

When you think of building a brand, growing a business and leading with boldness, there’s no better example than Pippa Hallas. 

As CEO of Ella Baché, Pippa has transformed a legacy beauty brand into a dynamic, digitally savvy and values-led business that empowers customers to "love the skin they’re in". 

At this year’s second MASTERMIND. With Sherrie session, Pippa took us behind the scenes of what it really takes to lead a brand in today’s fast-changing world.  

She shared insights on scaling sustainably, leading with purpose and navigating growth with grace. 

Here are the biggest lessons I took away. 

1. Start with purpose—and make it personal  

One of the most powerful parts of Pippa’s talk was hearing her describe the values that still drive Ella Baché today: honesty, bravery, creativity, family, results and energy. 

But it was their brand purpose that truly stood out.  

“Our purpose is really around changing people's lives to give them the confidence to love the skin they're in,” Pippa said. 

This wasn’t just a mission statement stuck on a wall. It became the compass for navigating the chaos of COVID-19, making fast decisions, and focusing on what mattered most. 

Key message: When your business is grounded in values and purpose, you have clarity in a crisis and consistency in your brand. 

2. Lead with simplicity (and delegate like a pro)  

Pippa made it clear that good leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself.  

It’s about knowing what not to do. 

“I wasn't delegating what I should be and I was doing everyone else's job for them,” Pippa revealed. 

She also shared the importance of simplifying complex messages, delegating effectively, and empowering others to take ownership. 

“It's being able to take complex information and, I look at it like a funnel, just simplifying those messages.” 

Key message: Simplify your focus. Let go of the small stuff. Empower your team to step up so you can level up. 

3. Focus on 90 days, not forever  

So many business owners have brilliant strategies… that sit in drawers. 

Pippa shared how she learned to break down big goals into manageable chunks, adding agility and accountability to the business. 

“What's really helpful for me to get traction on the strategy is breaking that one-year plan or that three-year plan down to 90-day sprints.” 

It’s a rhythm that works—short enough to stay nimble, long enough to make meaningful progress.  

You can measure, reflect and reset without losing momentum.  

It also gives your team a clear runway and keeps the energy high. 

Key message: Don’t overcomplicate execution. Shrink the goal, set the pace, and commit to consistent action. 

4. Use data to drive growth  

If there was one theme that popped up again and again in Pippa’s presentation, it was this: know your numbers. 

From net promoter scores to new customer acquisition, she tracks the key metrics that actually move the needle. 

“Ask yourself the question: ‘What are the three things that are going to change your business and grow your business tomorrow?’” Pippa urged Mastermind attendees. 

Pippa was also big on tracking those key metrics visually so you can check-in, evaluate and refocus, if necessary, regularly. 

Key message: If you want to scale, stop guessing. Choose your top 3 metrics and track them like your business depends on it (because it does). 

5. Embrace tech, amplify your story  

Whether it’s AI or Instagram, Pippa reminded us that technology isn’t something to fear - it’s something to use. 

She encouraged every business owner to find ways to automate the low-value work and double down on visibility. 

“AI or die… When you went for a job interview 10 years ago, if someone asked you how are you with emails and how are you with the internet and you said, ‘Oh, I can't use the internet, I don't get emails’, you would never, ever, ever have gotten that job,” Pippa said. 

“This is how we need to think about AI because that same example is going to be AI in three years’ time.”  

She also spoke about the power of partnerships and storytelling: “Think about businesses who are near you who have similar demographics... and really create those partnerships.” 

Why? Because partnerships allow you to reach new audiences, build trust faster, and stretch your marketing further without burning through your budget.  

When your audiences overlap, collaboration becomes a win-win—you both get more visibility and more credibility, for less effort. 

Key message: Use technology to scale your time. Use content and partnerships to scale your impact. 

6. Build habits that anchor you  

Lastly, Pippa got personal. She spoke about the simple routines that keep her grounded amid the chaos of leadership. 

“Every week on a Sunday I sit down for probably 10 minutes, just go through my diary that week… if I'm not spending enough time with my children or my business or exercise… that gives me the opportunity before the week starts to try and rebalance things.” 

Key message: Your energy is your greatest asset. Protect it with boundaries, habits and self-awareness. 

Lead with purpose. Scale with simplicity. Pippa’s presentation was full of real-world strategies and hard-won wisdom - a masterclass in leading with clarity and growing with courage.