Even with a career spanning four decades and leading a $5 billion company, Julia Stewart faced unexpected challenges as an entrepreneur. Launching Alurx, a health tech company aimed at preventive care, required navigating investors, building high-performing teams, and applying lessons learned from decades in corporate America, all while staying true to her vision and values.
Stewart joins us on the latest episode of The Female Founder to break down the power of empathy, mentorship, and strategic planning in building high-performing teams.
Despite her extensive experience, Stewart recalls the unexpected challenge of securing investors. “It was surprising to me,” she said. “Even with my career and accolades, it was difficult to find the right people.” She notes that investors are increasingly focused on health tech and making a tangible difference, but perseverance and finding the right backers remain key.
Leading with empathy
For Julia, empathy has been central to her leadership approach. From her early days in corporate America, she learned to ask questions, understand different perspectives, and observe both effective and ineffective leaders to shape her own management style. By understanding the customer experience and her team’s challenges, she has built products and organizations that people trust and value.
“Empathy makes you a great leader... a great producer of a product that consumers love."
The power of mentorship
Mentorship plays a pivotal role in Stewart’s philosophy. She believes in paying it forward, coaching emerging leaders, and giving them the confidence to pursue their visions. For those feeling stuck in their careers, she emphasizes the importance of speaking up, taking initiative, and creating personal development plans rather than waiting for guidance. “Sometimes people just need permission to dream,” she said.
When it comes to building high-performing teams, Stewart relies on three core principles. Team members must want to collaborate, demonstrate clear expertise, and align with the company’s vision and values. She warns that many claim to be team players but fail to meet the demands of accountability and constructive feedback. Stewart also draws on insights from behavioral psychology to understand habits, motivation, and the environmental factors that influence success.
Moreover, strategic planning and personal discipline are cornerstones of her approach. Stewart stresses the importance of having a clear vision, differentiating oneself in the marketplace, and surrounding oneself with like-minded advisors and experts. She also prioritizes her own wellness and productivity through a structured daily routine that includes exercise, gratitude practices, and focused work periods. These habits help her navigate the demands of entrepreneurship while modeling a balanced approach for her team.
Career adaptability and initiative
Stewart’s career path demonstrates her adaptability and initiative by consistently embracing roles and projects that others tended to avoid, viewing them as chances to gain experience and showcase her skills. For women especially, she emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges, identifying limiting environments, and seeking out opportunities that align with long-term goals.
Advice for aspiring founders
Looking ahead, Stewart sees herself remaining engaged with Alurx in some capacity for the rest of her life, whether as a leader, advisor, or board member. She is committed to the company’s mission and excited for future growth, including opportunities for the next generation of leaders to take the company further.
Her message to aspiring founders is clear: build a business rooted in conviction, surround yourself with supportive advisors, cultivate empathy, and prioritize both personal and organizational wellness. With persistence, adaptability, and a focus on meaningful impact, Stewart’s career demonstrates how vision, leadership, and values can drive both professional success and lasting change.
ASBN, from startup to success, we are your go-to resource for small business news, expert advice, information, and event coverage.
