What happens when childlike curiosity meets strategic thinking?
The Confidence Curve: How Ashley and Rick Bowers Turned Challenges into Growth
In a recent episode of The Confidence Curve podcast, hosts Ashley and Rick Bowers flipped the script and interviewed each other. The result was a candid conversation about their journey from corporate life to successful entrepreneurship—and the leadership lessons they learned along the way.
From Entry-Level to Executive Leadership
Rick’s career began at TTI Success Insights (formerly TTI Performance Systems) as a part-time employee duplicating assessment diskettes while studying at Arizona State University. Over 33 years, he rose through the ranks, building TTI’s international division and sharpening his leadership skills.
Ashley started at TTI later as a receptionist. Her natural love for organization—she was building org charts at age three in her family’s beauty supply business—quickly became an asset. Together, their complementary strengths created a leadership duo: Rick with his childlike curiosity and detail-driven questions, Ashley with her strategic mindset and operational rigor.
Embracing Discomfort to Build Confidence
Both shared pivotal career moments where stepping into the unknown built their confidence. Rick’s challenge to develop an international division taught him that “confidence comes from working through an uncomfortable situation.” Ashley spoke about preparing a company for an IPO with no prior experience, embodying the mindset of “I’ll figure it out.”
Ashley also opened up about what she once saw as her biggest professional failure—spending years preparing for an IPO that never happened. Processing that experience took 18 months but ultimately deepened her resilience. Their openness about setbacks gives listeners permission to be human in their own journeys.
Building Apex GTS Advisors
Their combined experiences led to the creation of Apex GTS Advisors, a firm whose name reflects their mission: “Grow and Succeed.” Ashley focuses on strategic planning and organizational development while Rick brings expertise in leadership coaching and communication facilitation. Together, they help organizations clarify roles, align teams, and achieve results.
Lessons That Shape Their Leadership
Books have played a key role in their development. Rick cites How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge by Clay Scroggins and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni, while Ashley credits Breaking the Glass Slipper for inspiring her leap into entrepreneurship.
They also stressed the importance of authenticity. Ashley shared how advice to “tone herself down” in the past backfired, and how showing up as her full self built more trust. Rick emphasized telling your own stories instead of relying on scripted material, creating real connection.
Their Advice for Leaders
As the episode wrapped, Ashley and Rick reminded listeners that leaders don’t need all the answers—they need to support the people doing the work. By staying authentic, embracing discomfort, and leaning into complementary strengths, they’ve built a business and a partnership that continues to grow.
