Today we’d like to introduce you to Deirdre Palm Adams.
Hi Deirdre Palm, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey has been anything but ordinary, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I’ve spent more than 40 years in the fashion industry, building a career that began with my love of fashion and evolved into a passion for leadership, personal growth, and empowering others.
After studying at the London College of Fashion and Philadelphia College of Textile Science, I began my career at Strawbridge & Clothier, a Philadelphia-based department store. From those early beginnings, I had the incredible opportunity to grow into executive leadership positions with some of the world’s most recognized fashion brands, including Jones New York, Ralph Lauren, and Michael Kors.
Throughout my career as an executive in the fashion industry, I’ve learned that while business results matter, the real magic happens when you inspire people, build trust, and create an environment where others can thrive.
That philosophy ultimately inspired me to expand beyond the fashion industry and pursue my passion for wellness, personal development, and coaching.
I founded Love How Good You Feel, a wellness and lifestyle brand built around helping people create healthier, happier, more balanced lives. I also became a certified business coach and trained in Jack Canfield’s Success Principles, combining decades of leadership experience with strategies that help others unlock their potential.
And then came an unexpected chapter in my life. I became a children’s author!
Inspired by my beloved poodle, Rocky, I created The Adventures of Rocky, a book series that helps children navigate fear, anxiety, and bullying while learning to believe in themselves. What began as a heartfelt project has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s face light up when they connect with Rocky’s stories.
I also had the privilege of co-authoring Living All Out, sharing inspiring stories of entrepreneurs who have transformed their lives by pursuing greater purpose and fulfillment.
Today, I’m bringing my decades of leadership experience into another exciting chapter as I work on my upcoming leadership book, which explores the impact of toxic leadership and how we can create a new generation of leaders who lead with empathy, intention, and heart.
Through my writing, speaking, coaching, wellness business, and continued work in fashion, there’s one common thread that connects everything I do: helping people recognize their potential and believe in what’s possible.
I believe in living a life filled with joy and gratitude. I’m a high-energy mentor who thrives on transforming mindsets, inspiring others to see beyond their limitations, and helping people create well-balanced, limitless lives filled with purpose, possibility, and abundance. I truly believe that when we change the way we think, we can change the way we live.
I’m a Jersey Shore girl at heart, and when I’m not working on my next project, you’ll find me enjoying life by the ocean with my husband, family, and our newest four-legged family member, Trixie.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that life isn’t about choosing just one path. It’s about continuing to grow, embracing new opportunities, and having the courage to reinvent yourself at every stage.
And I have a feeling my next chapter might just be my most exciting one yet!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not! But looking back, I wouldn’t trade the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
I’ve never been afraid of hard work, and I’ve always loved a challenge. Throughout my career, I was climbing the corporate ladder, advancing quickly, and building what appeared from the outside to be a very successful life. I was driven, ambitious, and determined to be the best at everything I did.
But somewhere along the way, I fell into the trap that so many successful women experience. I was trying to do it all, have it all, and make it all look effortless.
I was pouring so much of myself into my career, constantly striving for the next achievement, the next goal, and the next level of success. And while I was accomplishing incredible things professionally, I eventually had to face a difficult truth. You can look incredibly successful on the outside while feeling completely out of balance on the inside.
For years, I believed that if I worked hard enough, planned carefully enough, and stayed in control of everything, I could create the perfect life. Well, here’s what I’ve learned. There is no such thing as a perfect life!
One of my biggest challenges was learning to let go of that need for perfection and embrace a different definition of success. One that wasn’t measured solely by professional accomplishments, titles, or financial results, but by how I felt, the relationships I nurtured, and the joy I experienced every day.
I had to learn that slowing down doesn’t mean losing your ambition, that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, and that you can be incredibly driven while still living a life filled with ease, gratitude, and balance.
My decades in corporate leadership also taught me some difficult lessons about people, workplace culture, and the impact leadership can have on someone’s confidence and well-being. I’ve experienced firsthand how challenging environments can affect even the strongest individuals. Those experiences shaped my belief that leadership should never be about fear or intimidation. It should be about inspiring people to become the very best versions of themselves.
Those lessons ultimately became the foundation for my passion for heart-centered leadership, wellness, and personal development.
Today, I approach life very differently. I still have enormous energy, ambition, and a long list of things I want to accomplish, but I’m no longer chasing someone else’s definition of success.
I’ve learned that success isn’t just about what you accomplish. It’s about how you feel while you’re living your life.
That’s really where Love How Good You Feel was born. It wasn’t simply a business idea. It was a philosophy that grew out of my own journey.
I believe that beautiful things happen when you love how good you feel. And sometimes, the greatest challenges in life are exactly what lead us to discover what truly matters.
I’m still learning, still growing, and certainly still dreaming big. The difference is that today, I’m enjoying the journey just as much as the destination.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve always believed that you don’t have to limit yourself to just one passion or one definition of success. My professional life is a reflection of that belief, combining my love of fashion, leadership, entrepreneurship, wellness, and writing.
For more than 40 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most recognized brands in the fashion industry, including Ralph Lauren, Jones New York, and Michael Kors. I’ve led billion-dollar businesses, developed high-performing teams, and mentored hundreds of professionals throughout my career. While I’m incredibly proud of those accomplishments, what brings me the greatest satisfaction is watching people I’ve mentored grow into confident, successful leaders.
I believe my greatest strength is my ability to connect with people, recognize their potential, and inspire them to see possibilities they may not yet see in themselves. I’m known for my positive energy, enthusiasm, and ability to bring people together around a shared vision. I’ve always believed that great leadership is about more than driving results. It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to succeed.
That philosophy extends into my entrepreneurial journey as the founder of Love How Good You Feel, a wellness and lifestyle brand focused on helping people make healthier choices, create greater balance, and embrace a life filled with joy and abundance. I’m also a certified business coach, passionate about helping entrepreneurs and professionals transform their mindsets, build confidence, and achieve their goals.
One of the most unexpected and rewarding chapters of my professional life has been becoming an author.
I never imagined that a little poodle named Rocky would inspire me to write children’s books! Today, The Adventures of Rocky is a book series featuring Don’t Be Afraid, Rocky, Don’t Worry, Rocky, and Don’t Be Bullied, Rocky. Each story delivers meaningful lessons about courage, kindness, confidence, and believing in yourself.
What makes this journey especially meaningful is the opportunity to connect directly with children and families through school visits, book festivals, library presentations, and community events. Seeing children embrace Rocky’s messages and recognize their own strength is something that fills my heart with joy. I’m also incredibly proud that my mom often joins me at these events, making this adventure even more special.
I was also honored to co-author Living All Out, a collection of inspiring stories about entrepreneurs embracing personal transformation, purpose, and possibility.
Now, I’m working on another project that is especially close to my heart: a leadership book inspired by my four decades in the corporate fashion world. Drawing from real-life experiences, it explores the impact of toxic leadership and offers a fresh perspective on leading with empathy, intention, positive energy, and heart. My hope is to inspire a new generation of leaders to recognize that kindness and accountability aren’t opposites. In fact, I believe they’re essential partners in creating extraordinary results.
What sets me apart? I think it’s my ability to bring together the business acumen of a seasoned executive with the heart of a mentor, the creativity of an author, and the enthusiasm of an entrepreneur.
I’m not afraid to reinvent myself, try something new, or step outside my comfort zone. And I genuinely love helping others discover that they can do the same.
Of all the titles I’ve held throughout my career, the one I’m most proud of isn’t executive leader, entrepreneur, coach, or author. It’s being someone who has made a positive difference in another person’s life.
At the end of the day, that’s what I want my work and my legacy to represent. Success is wonderful, but helping someone else succeed is extraordinary.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise people is that despite spending more than 40 years in the fast-paced world of fashion, leading multimillion-dollar businesses and mentoring hundreds of professionals, I never dreamed I’d become a children’s author!
Writing children’s books was never part of my career plan. But sometimes the most unexpected opportunities turn out to be the most meaningful.
My beloved poodle, Rocky, who was afraid of just about everything, inspired me to create stories that help children navigate fear, anxiety, and bullying. What started as a creative idea became a beautiful new chapter in my life, one that has brought me more joy than I ever imagined.
And here’s another little surprise. After decades of leading large teams and thriving in the corporate world, one of my favorite things to do today is set up a table at a local book festival, speak at schools and libraries, meet families, and watch children’s faces light up when they discover Rocky.
It’s a wonderful reminder that life has a way of surprising us when we stay open to new possibilities.
I always say that I’m still figuring out what I want to be when I grow up! And at this stage of my life, I think that’s a pretty exciting place to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deirdrepalmadams.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deirdre_palm_adams/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deirdre.p.adams
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deirdre-palm-adams-4243b81/
- Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/deirdre_palm_adams_author/
- Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/deirdrepalmadamsauthor/
