Courtney B. Spaeth
As the founder and CEO of growth [period], a global consulting firm specializing in business development in the commercial, federal, and transaction advisory markets, Courtney B. Spaeth has successfully closed over 280 clients in 17+ years, including Fortune 500 companies, leading defense contractors, and private equity firms. She is an innovative, results-oriented, dynamic business leader with proven success in delivering organizational growth, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value. A proven senior corporate executive with over twenty years of experience in all facets of business, she specializes in global business development, strategic alliances, and due diligence in support of mergers and acquisitions, with extensive experience closing large and complex business transactions. She provides strategic business guidance for public and private companies and global financial institutions. Courtney builds and galvanizes high performance teams to achieve exceptional business results.
With three MBAs from TRIUM (London School of Economics, HEC, NYU Stern School of Business), and Post Graduate Certificates in Art Crime from Sotheby's Institute of Art and from the Association for the Research into Crimes against Art, Courtney brings a unique perspective and expertise to her work, combining analytical skills, strategic thinking, and creativity.
Courtney is also the Chairman of Potomac Recruiting, a division of growth that specializes in executive search with a strong track record of placing diversity candidates in executive positions. She was previously at Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, where she ran a $1B+ per year global homeland security/defense practice and oversaw the corporations' strategy, sales, and marketing efforts in that market worldwide.
Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn
Photo courtesy of Courtney B. Spaeth
You have an impressive resume and have held important positions in the US government in defense, counter terrorism, and criminal litigation, along with top posts at Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and growth[period], your business consultancy where you have been the CEO for over sixteen years. What/who inspired you long ago to pursue your career path?
When I was young there was a mini-series on TV called “The Winds of War,” and this is what initially captured my attention regarding working with the military. I was always fascinated by the concept of altruism, and I was raised with the philosophy of noblesse oblige: “To whom much is given much is expected.” Over time I also discovered I had an interest in business, specifically solving complex problems for companies to help them achieve growth. This led me to pivot into a career in business.
As you began this journey, did you ever doubt yourself and wonder if you’d picked the wrong path?
It was not until I was much later in my career that I questioned my judgment concerning owning and running a services business. In general, my experience has shown me that female entrepreneurs especially are not taught about valuation, and the valuation of the services business tends to be lower than that of product one. Looking back I would have preferred to understand that before I created my firm.
What were the two to three things that helped you tackle your self-doubt, and where did your confidence come from that validated you were on the right path?
There is a difference between arrogance and experience. Arrogance leads to insecurity; experience leads to questioning the wisdom of your decisions. I have not had to build up my confidence so much as I have had to learn from my mistakes. In my opinion, a person’s confidence comes from within, it is something you gain over time. It is not a gene that you were born missing, or something your parents forgot to give you. You must find it within yourself. Confidence also comes from an education. My experience is the more well educated, the more well-read, and the more well-traveled you are the more confidence you tend to possess. I had to overcome a lot of adversity in my personal life to get where I am, especially because of the fact my father went to federal prison, but I never used my adversity as an excuse for not investing in my personal growth.
Did you orchestrate your career journey in an intentional way, and if so, how important was allyship in your journey to CEO? Were others advocating on your behalf to help you get to where you are today?
When I started my career in national security there were almost no women in my field. I was always purposeful in my intent and dogged in my pursuit of a career in that space, regardless of the many barriers to entry I encountered. Over time, I was fortunate to have many mentors who helped me transcend those barriers along the way. Given my industry and the time period, I was mostly mentored by men, all to whom I am grateful. However, I am mindful of how important it is for women to mentor other women, so I always help women.
As a CEO, how do you navigate inevitable obstacles that may threaten your business’s success?
To succeed as a female CEO, or for any entrepreneur, you need an iron-clad constitution. You need to really dig in and persevere regardless of the obstacles. It takes enormous fortitude, and candidly can be very hard. Ultimately it comes down to a hybrid of believing in your judgment and having an inbox for feedback. Over the years I have also found it helpful to have a few close advisors who I can trust and run ideas past about how to navigate whatever issues I am facing.
growth[period] was named a 2023 top place to work by the Washington Business Journal. What is your secret for creating an enviable work environment to receive this recognition?
When I started my company, I was determined to create a culture that was not driven by fear. My corporate experience had left me with the strong impression that fear was becoming the driving cultural characteristic in corporate America. In contrast, I wanted to create a company whose culture understood that it was not the mistake that mattered, but the intent behind it. This has led to a very strong, positive culture that enables my employees to feel valued and helps them grow.
Success looks different for everyone. How do you define yours? In what ways has reaching your definition of success been more challenging than you initially thought, if at all?
I define success as providing for my family in a manner that allows them to have as much opportunity as possible - regardless of in which sector of their life. It is very important to me that I can help give my children an excellent education and help position them to succeed in the real world. Their growing up as healthy, happy, productive members of society with values and manners is my definition of success. Over the years, to accomplish this goal, I have had prioritize my work more often than I wished and that has been more challenging for me personally than I would ideally like. However, I do my best to allow them to be successful and that is truly what matters most to me.
What was the scariest risk you took in building your career and would you change your initial steps of your journey, knowing what you know now?
The scariest risk I took was pivoting from a career in big companies to becoming an entrepreneur and starting my business. There are many days when I look back and am astounded by the courage I had at that time to do so, especially since I was working in a predominantly male-dominated industry. The one thing I would change, knowing what I know now, is my focus on services – I would instead invest my time and energy in a products focused business instead.
When you look back to where you started to where you are, what are you most proud of?
The fact that as a company we are about to be seventeen years old, and the fact we have been listed as the top 10 best places to work in the national Capital region nine out of the last ten years. (And the one year we did not apply.)
How do you take care of yourself, given the demands of your job?
I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by working out four to five times a week, getting a good night’s sleep, and following a healthy diet. I also try and set aside time to be with my family, which always energizes me.
Do you have any advice for other business women in careers like yours as they rise in their careers?
Be open to seeking other professional women who have accomplished some version of what you think you want to achieve yourself. Listen to them and take their advice seriously. By doing so, hopefully you will be less likely to reinvent the wheel in frustrating ways that are not necessary.
