Pearla Phillips: Winner – Women Leader in Strategic Business Systems & Automation | International Women Awards 2026
- Great Companies
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The 8th International Women Awards 2026 by Great Companies recognizes outstanding women entrepreneurs and leaders who are transforming industries through innovation, leadership, and community impact.
Among this year’s distinguished winners is Pearla Phillips, Founder of A Step Ahead Strategies, honored as Winner – Women Leader in Strategic Business Systems & Automation. Through her work in business strategy, CRM implementation, and marketing automation, Pearla helps entrepreneurs and organizations simplify operations, strengthen their brand presence, and build sustainable growth.
Based in South Portland, Maine, USA, Pearla’s mission is centered around empowering business owners with the right systems, strategies, and support to run smarter, more efficient businesses.
Company Overview
Founder: Pearla Phillips
Business: A Step Ahead Strategies
Location: South Portland, Maine, USA
Founded: 2023
Industry: Business Strategy & Automation Consulting
Website: https://astepaheadstrategies.com
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astepaheadstrategies/
Empowering Businesses with Strategy and Systems
Pearla Phillips founded A Step Ahead Strategies to help small businesses, trades professionals, and nonprofit organizations gain clarity, efficiency, and long-term success through better systems and strategic planning.
Her firm provides a range of services that combine business strategy with practical implementation, including:
CRM setup and automation systems
Marketing automation and brand presence development
Business strategy and growth planning
Website design and digital presence management
Operational systems and workflow optimization
At the heart of the company is the ASAP Platform, an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation system designed specifically for trades and service-based businesses. The platform helps business owners manage leads, estimates, invoices, follow-ups, marketing, and client communication in a single streamlined system.
Pearla believes that when business owners have the right tools and structure in place, they gain the freedom to focus on what they do best while their operations run smoothly behind the scenes.
What Makes A Step Ahead Strategies Unique
What sets A Step Ahead Strategies apart is Pearla’s focus on personalized partnership rather than generic software solutions.
Instead of simply providing tools, Pearla works closely with each client to understand their goals, operations, and growth challenges. She then designs systems tailored to their specific workflow and business model.
Her approach includes:
Strategic discovery to identify growth opportunities
Customized CRM and automation systems
Hands-on onboarding and implementation
Ongoing strategy sessions and accountability
Long-term operational and branding alignment
Clients appreciate that they are not left alone to figure things out. Instead, they gain a trusted strategic partner who guides them through every step of their business development journey.
Achievements and Community Impact
• Founder of A Step Ahead Strategies, a business strategy and automation consulting firm
• Active member and leader within her local Chamber of Commerce, serving in multiple roles including Chair of the Board
• Vice President of BNI Seacoast Success, mentoring and supporting fellow business owners
• Member of the Free Trade Networking Group, contributing to business collaboration and development
• Volunteer and supporter of community organizations including Exeter Hospital fundraising campaigns and Annie’s Angels
Pearla’s leadership extends beyond business consulting. She is deeply involved in her local community, supporting initiatives that strengthen both businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Leadership Through Reinvention
Pearla Phillips’ entrepreneurial journey is rooted in resilience and reinvention.
Before launching A Step Ahead Strategies, she spent more than 20 years running a successful fitness business. The decision to sell that business and begin a new professional chapter required courage, self-reflection, and a willingness to rebuild.
During this transition, Pearla invested in expanding her expertise by becoming a certified Business Coach and certified DiSC Facilitator, gaining deeper insights into leadership, communication styles, and organizational development.
Starting again meant redefining her ideal client, refining her brand message, and steadily building a new professional network. These experiences shaped the strategic and empathetic leadership style she brings to her clients today.
Supporting Nonprofits and Small Businesses
In addition to supporting private businesses, A Step Ahead Strategies is committed to helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their operations and outreach.
Through special programs for 501(c)(3) organizations, Pearla offers website development, marketing automation tools, and strategic support that help nonprofits expand their impact and reach more supporters.
By combining strategic systems with purpose-driven leadership, Pearla ensures that both businesses and nonprofits can operate with greater clarity and effectiveness.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs
Pearla Phillips believes that resilience and perspective are essential for long-term success.
“Impossible says ‘I’m possible.’ Hard days will come, but those moments often become your greatest lessons. Protect your energy, stay curious, and keep searching for solutions. You are more capable than you think.”
Her advice encourages women entrepreneurs to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to maintain confidence in their ability to create meaningful impact.
Looking Ahead
Pearla continues to expand A Step Ahead Strategies with a focus on helping businesses automate operations, improve visibility, and build sustainable systems that support long-term growth.
Her vision is to create a future where entrepreneurs spend less time overwhelmed by administrative tasks and more time focusing on leadership, innovation, and service to their communities.
Official Recognition
Pearla Phillips has been officially recognized as the Winner – Women Leader in Strategic Business Systems & Automation at the 8th International Women Awards 2026 by Great Companies, honoring her dedication to empowering businesses through strategy, automation, and community-focused leadership.
About the Awards
The International Women Awards by Great Companies celebrates exceptional women entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators who are making significant contributions across industries worldwide.