Refusing to settle for average and instead building lasting legacies takes time, effort, and strategy. These are the inspiring individuals who have mastered this; these entrepreneurs come from different industries, cities, and walks of life, but they all have a powerful vision. Each of them has taken courageous steps to create businesses that provide service, innovation, and integrity.
These entrepreneurs have faced multiple failures and learned from them. They are also inspiring others to take risks and leave behind examples worth following. And most of all, they are leaving behind long-lasting legacies.
1. Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins is a former lawyer turned bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host. She is known for her down-to-earth wisdom and contagious energy. She teaches individuals how to take control of their lives. Mel’s journey began at 41 when she was unemployed, broke, and struggling to get out of bed. She discovered the power of action through what she calls The 5 Second Rule. Her book The 5 Second Rule became viral, followed by The High 5 Habit and her latest hit, The Let Them Theory. This became 2025’s top-selling non-fiction book with over seven million copies sold.
Mel also hosts The Mel Robbins Podcast, which is one of the most-streamed shows in the world. It offers honesty and advice. She’s been honored as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Digital Voices and is a Forbes “50 Over 50” honoree. Her production company, 143 Studios, creates award-winning content for brands like Starbucks, LinkedIn, and Audible. This spreads her message of confidence and growth even further. Mel reminds us that success can start with a single decision, which is to try. As one of 2026’s leaders to watch, she’s building a legacy of courage and action.
2. Elon Musk
World’s richest man, Elon Musk, was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and left home with more dreams than money. His empire stretches from Earth to Mars. He co-founded Zip2 and X.com, which later became PayPal, before focusing on space. With SpaceX, Musk focused on making reusable rockets a reality. As CEO and Chief Engineer, he has made commercial space travel and Mars colonization mainstream. At Tesla, he focuses on the auto industry, proving that electric cars could be fast, sleek, and successful. He later founded Neuralink, The Boring Company, and xAI. Each of these focuses on a different aspect of technology and human potential. Musk also rebranded Twitter as X in 2023.
Musk’s net worth hovers around $500 billion, and his influence crosses industries, borders, and planets. Musk is the century’s most fascinating figure in modern business. He’s been called a genius, a disruptor, and sometimes a troublemaker, but his impact on the way the world thinks about technology and the future can’t be denied. In 2026, Elon Musk is poised to expand his legacy of universal impact.
3. Dr. Sarah Sun Liew
Dr. Sarah Sun Liew is a distinguished Korean-American entrepreneur, educator, and pastor whose visionary career spans more than three decades at the intersection of commerce, education, and compassion. A three-time Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress (2020) and the U.S. Senate (2022, 2024, and 2028), she is the CEO of MPS Merchant Services Group (Liberty Bankcard), where she has partnered with major institutions such as Worldpay, Bank of America, and Chase to empower small business owners across America. As the Founder and Chancellor of Liberty University and Meridian Institute of Technology, Dr. Liew has built institutions that are transforming the future of education—providing accessible, high-quality programs designed to train the next generation of global leaders in technology, business, and social impact. Through her leadership of the Meridian Wish Foundation and Liberty Press, she continues to advance ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and global philanthropy.
An international best-selling author and community leader, Dr. Liew co-authored Succeed in Business in Any Market with Brian Tracy and has written more than 19 additional books focused on business, leadership, and faith. Her inspiring story and professional achievements have been featured in over 600 global media outlets, including Yahoo Finance, NBC, Fox News, and Politico. She also serves as the Senior Pastor of the Global Jesus Mission Church, blending faith and leadership to inspire change makers worldwide. Dr. Liew holds five doctoral degrees and is an alumna of world-renowned institutions including Harvard University, MIT, and the Wharton School. Her credentials include a J.S.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science) and D.B.A. (Doctor of Business Administration), among others. A lifelong learner and trailblazer, Dr. Sarah Sun Liew’s legacy continues to illuminate the path for global entrepreneurs, educators, and future leaders.
4. Bryanna Isabella Bass
Bryanna Isabella Bass is a designer, entrepreneur, and two-time WBFF Ms. Fitness International titleholder. She is the founder and CEO of Body Alchemy, a luxury activewear and wellness brand. She is a leader who promotes evolution, elegance, and empowerment. Bryanna portrays strength shaped by faith, family, and determination. She is a devoted wife and mother of five. She shows how to balance ambition and family through her platform, inspiring women to follow their dreams fearlessly.
Bryanna was raised by deaf parents and grew up with American Sign Language as her first language. She learned early that communication is about connection. Before entering fashion, she worked for over 17 years as a nationally certified ASL interpreter across court, medical, and educational settings. Those years taught her empathy, discipline, and how to listen. Her interest in design started during her studies at Fashion Careers International. Today, through Body Alchemy, Bryanna shares strength and spirituality through wearable art. Her brand represents her role as an interpreter and icon and serves as a reminder that authentic transformation leaves a lasting legacy.
5. Pia Isabel Rössle
Pia Isabel Rössle is a visionary entrepreneur and consciousness guide who’s redefining what leadership looks like. She is the founder of Reality Upgrade, which creates life-changing psychedelic retreats and leadership programs across the Netherlands, Latin America, and Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Her mission is to help people remember who they are. She is a former model who turned toward mindfulness and meaning. Pia studied business psychology before opening Chez Zen, a retreat center in the South of France. She wants to combine psychology, spirituality, and science in a way that leads people home to themselves.
Pia also leads the annual Iconic Leadership Summit on Necker Island alongside physician and author Dr. Stefan Frädrich. Through Reality Upgrade’s programs and trainings, she helps individuals and leaders heal trauma, expand awareness, and receive creative freedom. Her methods combine plant medicine, bodywork, meditation, and longevity science. She offers what she calls “quantum-speed healing.” Pia has also appeared on acclaimed podcasts like Ceremonia, The Inner Work of Leadership, and New Eleusis. Pia Isabel Rössle is building a strong legacy, one that guides others to rise from within.
6. Kristin Kaufman
Kristin Kaufman is the founder of Alignment, Inc.®, a leadership coaching consultancy she built in 2007 to help people and organizations bring their values, goals, and purpose into alignment. She has over twenty-five years of corporate experience at companies like Hewlett-Packard, Vignette Corporation, and United Health Group. At HP, she was responsible for a global business which built a $3 billion revenue stream through a global network of channel partners, and at Vignette, she and her team built the global infrastructure for multi-channel software distribution. When she joined the New York City Leadership Academy, a project sponsored by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel Klein, she trained and coached over a thousand public school principals. That experience started Alignment, Inc.®. It became a space where leadership is taught to be done with authenticity and purpose.
Through her signature Alignment at Work™ programs, Kristin has guided executives from companies like Amazon Web Services, Frito-Lay, and Baylor Scott & White Healthcare. She helps people find meaning in what they do and do it with integrity. Kristin is also a bestselling author of the Is This Seat Taken? Trilogy, a series of books endorsed by leadership icons like Stephen Covey and John Maxwell. She has shaped thousands of careers, and her impact can be seen in boardrooms, classrooms, and communities. As one of The Leaders to Watch in 2026, Kristin Kaufman’s legacy is already shining bright.
7. Elsa Morgan
Elsa Morgan is the founder and CEO of The Queenie Effect Pty Ltd, a global coaching company that shows resilience and reinvention. Elsa was bankrupt in her thirties, unsure of what came next. Instead of breaking down, she decided to rebuild her life and business from scratch. Today, she’s a seven-figure entrepreneur with a business that empowers women to create wealth, build legacies, and change their stories. Through EmpowerYou Academy, she has mentored over 400 women to scale six- and seven-figure businesses using her signature frameworks in branding, sales mastery, and leadership. Her clients call her “The Consistency Queen,” a title she wears proudly as the host of The Consistency Queen Podcast. There, she shares strategies and inspires conversations for women’s success.
Since launching her company in 2021, Elsa has generated nearly $3 million in revenue, hosted international empowerment events, and been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, and major media platforms. She wants to impact one million women worldwide by helping them break cycles of limitation and build financial freedom. Through The Queenie Effect Publishing, she also gives women the platform to share their stories and become bestselling authors. Elsa Morgan, one of The Leaders to Watch in 2026, is creating a legacy to inspire millions.
8. TJ Avazona
TJ Avazona is the founder and CEO of Avazona Ltd, a global PR and digital marketing agency that boosts ambitious talent through visibility. Since his teenage years, TJ has been chasing big dreams. Today, he leads one of the most trusted names in brand growth. TJ has helped over 1,000 brands and individuals earn visibility on the world stage, securing 3,000+ media placements in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Vogue, IBTimes, and VCPost. His work proves that smart storytelling can bring about lasting impact. Every campaign he creates builds strong legacies.
TJ believes that failure is the best teacher and reinvention is the real win. This is why he is one of the Leaders to Watch in 2026. Before Avazona Ltd, he experimented with blogs, YouTube channels, e-commerce, and freelance design. They taught him lessons that have made him the strategist he is today. He has scaled tech startups, global celebrities like Tyga, and countless brands. His campaigns even revive brands, scale revenue, and transform quiet entrepreneurs into notable personalities. He proves that you don’t need luck but courage to keep going.
9. Adriana Catano
Adriana Cataño is a Colombian-American actress, television host, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She has more than two decades in the entertainment industry, which has made her reputable across the U.S. and Latin America. She has starred in major telenovelas like Grachi, Secreto de Amor, and Belinda, and hosted top-rated shows for Univision and Telemundo. Her charisma, professionalism, and bilingual charm made her the face of Rooms To Go for over 21 years, the longest-running campaign in U.S. Hispanic media history. In 2018, she founded Catano Beauty Inc., a vegan and cruelty-free skincare line. Each product, from her award-winning Bakuchiol You Glo Serum to her Velvet Rose Ceramide Capsules, shows how she believes that beauty should be simple, safe, and kind.
In 2024, New You Media named Catano Beauty Best Newbie Beauty Brand, and BELLA Media & Co. honored Adriana as BELLA Boss of the Year for her influence in skincare. She’s also the owner of Somos La Revista Magazine and beauty editor of Eventos Magazine, where her column “Orgullo Latino” celebrates Latina entrepreneurs being successful. Through Team Humanity Miami, she’s organized charity events and toy drives for children in foster care and cancer foundations. Adriana’s legacy begins and builds on true beauty, i.e., purpose.
10. Emily Freeman
Emily Freeman is a dating and attraction coach for men who believes love is about awareness, not luck. Emily was once a successful professional with a polished life on the outside but a quiet ache on the inside. She knows the sting of heartbreak and the confusion of dating firsthand. After facing years of failed long-term relationships, she started studying love. Immersing herself in psychology, attachment theory, and the science of attraction, she discovered how subconscious patterns shape relationships. Today, she helps men stop self-sabotaging and finally attract their dream woman.
Through her coaching programs at Emily Freeman Coaching, Inc., Emily has guided CEOs, founders, and high-achieving professionals to find fulfilling relationships. Her courses teach men to break free from dating blind spots, connect with their masculine energy, and build confidence. She has been recognized as a top dating coach and featured in Maxim Magazine, LA Weekly, and Yahoo! Finance. Emily often reminds her clients, “The morning you wake up next to your dream woman, it will all make sense.” For Emily, helping men find extraordinary love requires going from confusion to connection. Emily Freeman’s legacy deals with the most powerful emotion of all: love.
11. Mila Shum
Mila Shum is a marketing strategist with sixteen years of experience who makes client attraction simple, ethical, and effective. For years, she created campaigns for multimillion-dollar brands. Finally, she walked away from corporate success to help coaches, therapists, and consultants grow their businesses. At her company, Mila Strategy, she teaches professionals how to get consistent client inquiries. Her KindLoop Method™ has helped service providers bring in clients within days, even with small audiences. Mila’s workshops provide practical strategies that help experts turn expertise into income.
Mila believes that marketing should feel as natural as conversation. She helps entrepreneurs uncover their “Golden Nugget Positioning,”the uncopyable value that makes them the obvious choice in their field. Her programs guide professionals to build client systems that free them from endless posting and algorithm anxiety. Mila is a breath of fresh air for those tired of “hustle culture.” She’s also a traveler, a hiker, and the proud owner of one of the world’s largest ladybug collections. Mila Shum is changing how experts think about visibility and helping them construct legacies of balance and success.
12. AJ Prenzix
AJ is the founder of Prenzix, a reputable PR and digital branding agency, which turns ambitious entrepreneurs into notable names. AJ believes visibility brings about influence, and he helps others accomplish this through strategic PR articles, high-impact media placements, book publishing, and even Times Square features. AJ and his team have helped multiple entrepreneurs transform from hidden talents into global thought leaders. “We elevate thought leaders to global icons,” promises Prenzix. This is why it is a go-to name for anyone serious about credibility and digital authority.
AJ has an extraordinary talent for shaping long-lasting legacies because he creates stories that stick. Prenzix has delivered millions of views across Forbes, Yahoo, and other major publications. This shows that strategic storytelling can change the game. From authors to CEOs, AJ helps people turn their ideas into influence and their influence into impact. AJ is inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs to think bigger, shine brighter, and build lasting brands and legacies.
13. Alan Santana
Alan Santana is the President of Bay Cities Paving Inc., a family-owned company that has been paving the streets of Los Angeles and Orange County for many years. He has over 40 years of experience in the asphalt and concrete industry. Since 1989, his company has handled driveways, large commercial and government projects, and many other types of projects. Bay Cities Paving has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and was recognized as One of America’s Top Contractors. He is also a two-time award-winning author and a two-time Hall of Famer, inducted into the National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019 and the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2025.
Alan is currently mentoring children through his “Read 60 With Alan Santana” program and is a National Ambassador for the Read 60 Program. His book teaches elementary school children about bullying, education, and saying no to drugs. He is currently serving as the North American Coordinator and Supervisor for the World Boxing Foundation. His documentary short “Unprotected The Final,” based on his life story, recently won at the prestigious film festival Indie Fest in LA Jolla, CA., and is currently in several major film festivals around the world. As one of The Leaders to Watch in 2026, he represents a powerful legacy… one built on staying genuine in your work and focusing on meaning.
14. Nic Williams
Nic Williams is known across Alaska as The Alaskan Realtor. This title he has more than earned. He is a proud veteran and graduate of the Virginia Military Institute. Within just a few years, Nic became Fairbanks’ top real estate agent, earning the title from 2021 through 2024 and ranking as Apple’s No. 1 Western USA Agent in 2024. At Summit Realty Group, Nic has helped hundreds of families find their dream homes, closing over 600 successful transactions. He wants to help people make confident moves while making the process effortless. To Nic, real estate is about helping families build stability and create memories.
Nic’s story shows how he helps others find their place in the world (literally). His understanding of the Fairbanks market and care for clients has made him one of Alaska’s most trusted names in real estate. He has also started “The AK Host Co.,” focusing on luxury home STR Management. Nic Williams reminds us that legacies are built by working hard and leading with dignity.
15. Ken Crabb
Ken Crabb is the Founder of the Restricted Property Trust (RPT), an employer-sponsored plan that helps business owners mitigate income taxes and build long-term financial security. Ken has more than twenty-five years in the financial services industry. His expertise and services have earned him national recognition. His career began as Vice President of a securities corporation, where he focused on creative insurance-based solutions for complex business transactions and estate planning. In 2000, he recognized the need for a conservative and ethical approach to tax planning. Ken partnered with a Cleveland-based tax law firm to create the RPT: a plan that would stand up to scrutiny and provide sustainable value to business owners.
The RPT LLC guides entrepreneurs and executives through compliant and effective strategies for tax efficiency and asset appreciation. His plan is famous for being transparent and effective, and it endured the IRS challenges in 2007. Ken also provides insights, case studies, and strategies to help professionals grow their wealth responsibly. He has become a respected authority on corporate tax planning. Ken’s legacy is that of discipline and focus, values that he is carrying forward in 2026.
Conclusion
The entrepreneurs featured in this list prove that leadership and legacy are not dependent on just ambition. They demand values, which in turn lead to legacy. Each of these individuals has built an authentic legacy and also inspires others to grow. Their work is changing industries, inspiring teams, and improving everyday lives.
These are the leaders to watch in 2026, and their impact will continue long after that. Because influence built on purpose always goes on.
