The CEO Mindset: Letting Go and Leading with Confidence

An Interview with Onikah Asamoa-Caesar, Founder of Fulton Street Books & Coffee

Transitioning from a founder to a CEO is one of the hardest shifts entrepreneurs face. It requires letting go, trusting others, and redefining what leadership looks like. Many founders struggle with delegation, feeling like they have to do it all to maintain quality and control. But the truth is, when you hold on too tightly, you can limit your business’s potential.

In this session, we sat down with Onikah Asamoa-Caesar, founder of Fulton Street Books & Coffee, to talk about how leadership evolves as a business grows, why letting go is so challenging, and what founders can do to step into their CEO role with confidence.

The Shift from Founder to CEO

In the early days of a business, it’s natural for founders to handle everything themselves. But as the business grows, the role of a founder has to evolve. Many struggle with knowing when to step back from the day-to-day operations and fully embrace their leadership role.

One of the hardest parts of this shift is overcoming the fear that no one else will care as much as you do. It’s easy to feel like if you’re not involved in every decision, things will fall apart. But in reality, holding onto everything can slow you down and keep your business from reaching its full potential. Delegation isn’t about losing control—it’s about building a team and structure that allow you to focus on the bigger picture.

Letting Go and Avoiding Burnout

Letting go starts with small, intentional steps. You don’t have to bring on a full team overnight, but outsourcing even a few tasks—whether it's bookkeeping, scheduling, or social media—can create space for more strategic decisions. The key is learning to trust the process, set clear expectations, and recognize that leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself, but about ensuring the right things get done.

Beyond delegation, setting boundaries is essential to avoid burnout. It’s easy to get caught up in the constant demands of running a business, but without time to think, plan, and rest, it’s impossible to lead effectively. Blocking off time for deep work, separating personal life from business, and learning to say no to non-essential tasks can all help create a sustainable rhythm.

Tools and Mindset Shifts to Lead with Confidence

A strong CEO mindset also requires having the right tools and systems in place. Here are a few that were discussed during the session:

Process Documentation – Delegating is tough when everything lives in your head. Writing down key processes—whether through simple checklists, video walkthroughs, or step-by-step guides—makes it easier to hand off tasks without sacrificing quality.
Time Management & Prioritization – It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the bigger picture. Setting aside time for deep work and using tools like Calendly to protect your schedule can help you stay focused on what actually moves the business forward.
Community as a Resource – One of the most valuable tools for entrepreneurs isn’t a platform or software—it’s having a strong support network. Building a network of founders, mentors, and advisors offers valuable guidance, perspective, and support. Remember - Nobody builds companies alone.

Most importantly, the biggest mindset shift a founder can make is moving from “How can I do this?” to “Who can do this?”—because leadership isn’t about doing more, it’s about building a business that thrives beyond you.

About Our Speaker:

Onikah Asamoa-Caesar is the founder of Fulton Street Books & Coffee, a space dedicated to centering the stories and experiences of marginalized communities. A former Teach for America Corps member, she has worked in education, policy, and community development, including launching the Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa. She's also the founder of Buy Black Tulsa, a platform connecting and uplifting Black-owned businesses in Tulsa.

Follow Fulton Street on Instagram: @fultonstreet918