I Lost Everything… Then Built a $100M Business | Joanna Wynes | TEDxParkland
I had the title. The job. The track. And I still ended up burned out, broke, and rebuilding.This is the story of me - Joanna Wynes — a lawyer-turned-$100M CEO who lost almost everything… and used the pain as fuel to build an empire.In this talk, you’ll learn:– Why burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means something’s got to change– How rejection = redirection (if you know how to use it)– The psychology of risk and how to make scary moves feel inevitable– Why your lowest moments might be your most profitable– How I grew my business 500% in a pandemic — while raising a child with special needs and navigating massive industry shiftsThis isn’t a story about having it easy.It’s a story about choosing power when you have every reason not to.If you’ve ever hit your limit and thought “I can’t do this anymore”…This talk is your sign.From the courtroom to the boardroom, Joanna speaks the language of lawyers who want more: more freedom, more ROI, more impact. Joanna Wynes is the CEO and President of Joanna Wynes Settlement Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping personal injury victims and their families rebuild their futures after financial recovery from life-altering tragedies. A seasoned legal expert and advocate, she has transformed the settlement industry with her deep commitment to justice, financial security, and client empowerment.
From an early age, Joanna envisioned a life of impact. Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, she was a creative child with grand aspirations, yet life’s hardships often forced her into survival mode. She channeled that resilience into a career in law, becoming a medical malpractice attorney by the age of 25. Over the years, she secured seven- and eight-figure settlements against some of the most powerful medical systems and corporations.
Determined to create lasting change, Joanna transitioned into settlement consulting, where she helps injury victims navigate financial recovery with security and stability. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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