As part of the Morning Lazziness series highlighting empowering women who are making a remarkable impact with their ideas, I had the pleasure of interviewing Genevieve Piturro.
Genevieve Piturro is a TEDx speaker, 7x award-winning Amazon bestselling author, and the visionary founder of the Pajama Program, a national nonprofit that has delivered over 8 million pajamas and books to children in need across the U.S. for over two decades.
After 20 years as Executive Director of Pajama Program, Genevieve transitioned from nonprofit leadership to a powerful new chapter—teaching individuals and organizations how to lead with love, live with purpose, and inspire lasting impact. Today, she speaks, writes, and coaches leaders and teams to align their values with action, blending personal storytelling with practical frameworks for transformation.
Genevieve is the creator of Purpose ACER, a training program designed to build management excellence and deepen authentic human connection within teams. She also authors the weekly newsletter, “Leading with Love – Tips from a Friend,” offering heart-centered leadership guidance.
Her work has been celebrated by Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox & Friends, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal—and she even rang the Nasdaq Opening Bell in honor of Pajama Program’s mission.
Genevieve teaches one core truth: Love, purpose, and connection are not soft skills—they are the strongest foundation for long-term success.
In this candid conversation, Genevieve shares her journey, insights, and the strategies that have helped her build a results-driven business—and empower other entrepreneurs to do the same.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and what sparked the idea for your current business venture?
I was a successful television marketing executive until a sudden inner voice challenged my direction, and I dramatically altered the path of my life. The question was, “If this is the next 30 years of your life, is this enough?” I found my true purpose when a simple question from a six-year-old girl in an emergency shelter changed everything. In 2001, I jumped off the corporate ladder and founded the national nonprofit organization, Pajama Program. This year, the Program celebrates its 24th anniversary, having delivered more than eight (8) million pajamas and books to date through its 40 chapters around the U.S.
Today, after 20 years as Executive Director of Pajama Program, I passed the ED baton and today I am a TEDx speaker, award winning Amazon bestselling author, and creator of the Purpose ACER leadership program. I teach Leading with Love: Purpose + Passion + The Human Connection = Productivity
What problem does your business solve, and how is it uniquely positioned in the market?
Leading with Love addresses the breakdown of trust, connection, and engagement in the workplace. This isn’t theoretical; it’s a battle-tested framework showing how vulnerability, empathy, and genuine care unlock extraordinary team productivity and measurable results. In a time when employee burnout is rising, leadership credibility is declining, and traditional top-down management no longer inspires teams, Leading with Love offers a powerful, proven alternative.
Leading with Love shows how vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and genuine care create environments where people feel safe, valued, and inspired to contribute their best.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting your business, and how did you overcome them?
I had no idea how to start an organization from scratch – let alone one that would become a nonprofit. Going from corporate executive to nonprofit founder wasn’t easy. I left a successful career for something I couldn’t explain on paper—but felt in my heart. There were sleepless nights, fears that gripped me, and tears that could fill the Atlantic. I thought I might lose everything.
I found my purpose in one little girl’s heartbreaking question – “What are pajamas?” With faith, determination, and moxie, I shared what I was hoping to accomplish, and I just kept going. And the moment I was brave enough to open up, the support sparked a movement rooted in love, dignity, and human connection.
That single act of compassion grew into a legacy I never could’ve planned – proof that when we lead with love and listen to our hearts, we create change that lasts far beyond us.
How do you stay motivated during tough times or uncertain periods in your business journey?
I take out my Game-Changer List
Leading can be daunting sometimes. When we need a victory and all eyes are on us, the pressure mounts, triggering self-doubt – Can I do this? It’s time to take out the list.
A brilliant mentor once shared a simple but powerful exercise with me: make a list of every success and accomplishment since the start of your career. I wrote down the times I pulled myself out of tough situations, the close calls I managed to survive, and the surprising wins I didn’t see coming. Also, included the pivotal decisions I made—ones that moved both myself and others forward.
I look at the list and ask again, “Can I do this? YES!”
What daily habits or routines contribute most to your productivity and success as a founder?
Mornings are sacred to me, and I savor this time alone. I like starting with a reminder of my worth and success. Too often, we wake up with a residue of what didn’t go perfectly the day before, or what’s less than ideal in my life currently. Thinking those negative thoughts immediately deflates me so I do what I can as fast as I can to quell those thoughts! Even when I have trouble blocking out my negative self-talk, this morning habit usually overrides it quickly.
4:30 am wake-up – no one else is awake and I watch the sun rise alone and it’s breathtaking. Then 5 minutes of self-love affirmations out loud in the mirror as I’m brushing my teeth, washing up; 10 minutes visualizing a scene in the life I see for myself and feeling how it will feel; 5 minutes journaling who and what I am grateful for in my life and 5 minutes journaling how I intend my day going.
As I brew my coffee, I listen to 10-15 minutes of positive affirmations guided by someone I trust (Neville Goddard, Esther Hicks, Joe Dispenza, Louise Hay). I drink my coffee with coconut oil, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon – with a protein bar as I stare out the window and enjoy my quiet breakfast. Then I dress for the day and head to office by 6:30am.
How do you measure success—personally and professionally—in your business?
Being able to answer YES to the question, “If this is the next 30 years of my life, is this enough?”
The YES gives me peace of mind even in the most challenging times.
What marketing or branding strategy has had the most impact on your business and been the most effective way for you to acquire new customers and grow your client base?
Sharing my story and inquiring about the personal stories that have inspired and motivated our team and partners has proven its power to move us forward together with a shared vision. I’ve learned how to the words, photos and images that connect heart-to-heart always attract support and momentum for business success.
Can you share a mistake that taught you an important lesson in entrepreneurship?
Most of my clients welcomed me as a “team member,” and I proudly trusted them—often sealing agreements with a handshake. When I secured talent for one of their high-profile projects, I was shocked to learn my invoice went unpaid because the client claimed credit for the deal. It shook me to the core. Still, I took them to court, the talent stood by me, and I ultimately won my fee.
That experience was painful and eye-opening. I realized I was never truly part of their team. Since then, every contract I sign is iron-clad, detailed, and built to protect the integrity of my work.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a first-time entrepreneur?
Listen to heart-voice. Every. Single. Time.
How do you balance innovation and risk while making business decisions?
My 3 Steps of Decision Making are:
- Take a broad view and look at how my decision will affect everyone involved.
- Decide if it’s necessary to act fast, or if I can take some time to explore options.
- Call in my trusted team for a brainstorming (and heart-storming session.)
How do you build and maintain a strong team culture or work environment?
I have always tried to see my team by letting them know we’re in this together. One way I do this is by sharing my most embarrassing stories to let them know we all make mistakes. These vulnerable – and laughable – moments really do help us connect to each other because they create a safe space for others to open up too.
What are the top 5 things you believe every entrepreneur needs to overcome self-doubt and build confidence?
- Do not compare yourself to ANYONE
- Always make the BIG ASK
- Find a Mentor and Be a Mentor
- Lead with integrity that goes beyond self-interest
- Make that Game-Changer list! List of all the successes and accomplishments you have had since your career began. Include the times you pulled yourself out of predicaments, all the close calls you’ve come through, and the surprising wins you’ve pulled in. Add in all the decisions you’ve made that propelled you and others forward.
Wow, right? Now do you see what you can do.
If you could lead or inspire a global movement to make an impact, what would it be and why?
Lead with Love and Be a Voice that Moves the World. It took me more than two decades to fully embrace what I’d always known deep down—that love is the foundation for building something truly remarkable. Sometimes the most powerful truths are hiding in plain sight. Leadership isn’t about control; it’s about connection. Success isn’t measured just by the bottom line, but by how fulfilled everyone feels about their contribution to shared success.
What’s a quote, motto, or philosophy that you live by as a business leader?
The biggest lesson I have learned and share is,
“It’s not the Power of One that changes things, it’s the Power of One-ANOTHER that moves mountains and moves people.” (GP)
