Dr. Theresa Watts

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself: where you’re from originally and where you live now.

It's an honor to meet you. Thank you for this space. I’m Dr. Theresa Watts. I’m originally from Chicago, Illinois, and I’m now based in Orange County, California.

I’m an award-winning human resources executive, leadership consultant, international keynote speaker, and the founder of ONE MINUTE TO™ and the One Minute to BOAST™ movement. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping people recognize their value, speak confidently about their accomplishments, and move forward after life’s unexpected challenges. I’m also a TEDx speaker, was named WWD’s Most Inspirational Leader, and have been featured in Forbes. But at the heart of everything I do is a desire to help others stop shrinking, own their stories, and understand that confidence should never sound like an apology.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One of the things I love most about living in Southern California is the beach. It’s my go-to place. The place where I feel most at home. Whether I’m watching the sun rise over the water or taking in a beautiful beach sunset, there’s something about those moments that brings me peace and helps me reset. You simply can’t beat them.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

ONE MINUTE TO™ is a leadership development and consulting company that helps individuals and organizations recognize how quickly a decision can change the direction of a life, a career, or a workplace. Through speaking, coaching, workshops, and transformative experiences, I help people strengthen their confidence, navigate change, develop as leaders, and move from simply surviving difficult moments to intentionally moving forward.

The company grew from my own experiences with loss, professional setbacks, and major life transitions. I realized that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can choose what we do next. Sometimes that choice begins in a single minute, the minute we decide to bounce back, bounce forward, and bounce up.

One Minute to BOAST™ was born from that larger vision. After repeatedly watching talented women minimize their contributions or allow others to receive credit for their work, I began creating space for them to speak their accomplishments out loud. What started as a simple workplace activity grew into a movement that helps women own their stories, name their achievements, and BOAST about them with confidence, without apology.

Ultimately, my work helps men and women recognize their value, communicate it with confidence, and take meaningful action toward whatever comes next.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Surround yourself with people who believe in you so deeply that, on the days when you doubt yourself, their belief reminds you to keep going. Building a business will test your confidence, patience, and commitment, so it matters who you allow to speak into your dream.

If that dream continues to live inside you, it is worth fighting for. Don’t abandon it simply because the journey becomes difficult or takes longer than you expected. Be willing to learn, adjust, make sacrifices, and keep moving forward. Sometimes the vision is placed in you before you fully understand how to bring it to life, but that does not make it any less real. Keep believing, keep building, and don’t stop fighting for what you know you were called to create.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

One piece of feedback I will never forget came from a woman who attended The BOAST Experience™. Soon after the event, she told me that her business had expanded and that she had secured a contract she deeply wanted. She said she walked into that opportunity with the courage to speak boldly about her accomplishments because she had just come from The BOAST Experience.

That still makes me smile because it represents exactly why I created this movement. When a woman stops minimizing what she has done and learns to confidently communicate her value, it can change not only how she sees herself, but also the opportunities she is prepared to pursue and receive.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see ONE MINUTE TO™ becoming a globally recognized leadership development company that helps individuals and organizations build confidence, navigate change, and create meaningful transformation—one decision and one minute at a time.

I also see One Minute to BOAST™ growing into an international movement, with BOAST Experiences, workshops, ambassadors, memberships, and community chapters throughout the United States and around the world. I want to partner with organizations and sponsors that understand the importance of creating spaces where women feel safe enough to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Ultimately, I envision millions of women confidently sharing their accomplishments without minimizing themselves or apologizing for their success. I want “What’s your BOAST?” to become a question women everywhere recognize and feel empowered to answer.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One of the biggest misconceptions in leadership development is that confidence, self-awareness, and the ability to communicate your value are “soft skills” rather than essential business skills. People can be exceptionally talented and hardworking, but if they cannot articulate their contributions, advocate for their ideas, or confidently step into opportunities, their work may continue to be overlooked.

There is also a misconception that speaking proudly about your accomplishments is arrogant or boastful in a negative way. I believe there is a meaningful difference between diminishing others to elevate yourself and confidently saying, “I did that, and I am proud of it.” Helping people understand that difference is at the heart of my work.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles has been continuing to believe in the vision when the results have not always moved as quickly as I hoped. When you are building something new, especially something people have never experienced in quite the same way, you may see its potential long before others fully understand it. That can feel lonely, and it can make you question whether you should keep going.

I dealt with it by returning to my “why” and paying attention to the lives being changed. Every time a woman tells me she spoke up, pursued an opportunity, or finally recognized her own value because of One Minute to BOAST™, I am reminded that the vision is bigger than any difficult season. I feel the same way when a leader tells me that our work helped them communicate more confidently, navigate a challenge, or become more intentional about how they lead others. I have also learned to surround myself with people who believe in me, ask for help when I need it, and give myself permission to adjust the strategy without abandoning the dream.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, my favorite music artist was Michael Jackson, and my favorite athlete was Michael Jordan. Michael Jackson’s talent, creativity, and ability to captivate an audience were unmatched. And as a girl from Chicago, of course Michael Jordan was everything! His discipline, confidence, and determination to be the best made him incredible to watch. Two Michaels, both legendary in their own right.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I want to give a special shoutout to my team, especially Eunice, who has been instrumental in helping me grow and share my vision and to every person who has believed in ONE MINUTE TO™ and One Minute to BOAST™.

I also want to celebrate every woman who has attended an event, shared her BOAST, encouraged another woman, or found the courage to speak her accomplishments out loud. You are the reason this movement continues to grow. Finally, a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has encouraged me through the difficult days and reminded me that this work is worth continuing. I never take your belief in me or your support for granted.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about my work and join the movement by following One Minute to BOAST™ on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and X. They can send me a direct message on any of those platforms or email me at oneminutetoboast@gmail.com to learn how to submit their own BOAST, hear about upcoming events, or explore opportunities to partner with us.