Stephanie Hughes is a name synonymous with innovation, strategic thinking, and transformative leadership. As a serial entrepreneur, strategic investor, and a champion for meaningful change in the business landscape, Stephanie’s career journey is a testament to her unrelenting drive to create impactful solutions. From reshaping built environments to revolutionizing commerce, her work spans multiple industries and disciplines, each marked by a commitment to uncovering hidden potential and fostering sustainable growth.
Stephanie Hughes | Co-Founder & CEO | EdenMountain
This piece explores Stephanie’s inspiring career path, her motivations, and the wisdom she offers to aspiring women entrepreneurs. At EliteX, we are proud to have Stephanie Hughes as part of the edition: Transformational Businesswomen: Making A Difference, 2024.
Stephanie’s professional journey is a rich tapestry woven from her experiences in architecture, urban planning, real estate and public equity investment. It began with a bold vision to challenge traditional norms in architecture and urban design. She founded AKKA Architects, a firm dedicated to reimagining how people interact within built environments. This venture was not just about designing spaces but about deriving value from human interactions and creating opportunities through innovative design. Her foray into real estate and public equity investments further deepened her expertise, allowing her to identify untapped opportunities in markets, spaces, businesses and more recently intellectual property. These experiences culminated in EdenMountain, where Stephanie now serves as Co-Founder and CEO.
EdenMountain introduces a groundbreaking marketplace for Enterprise Non-Operating Rights (ENORs), enabling businesses to unlock capital from underutilized intellectual property, particularly in foreign markets. This innovative model provides startups and SMEs with an alternative path to funding without incurring debt or diluting equity. Simultaneously, ENORs offer investors a unique opportunity to secure rights in promising markets with high growth potential. Stephanie describes her work as “creating impactful opportunities for others.” Whether through architecture, investments, or EdenMountain, her focus remains on enabling businesses to achieve sustainable and purpose-driven growth. Stephanie’s career has always been driven by a passion for uncovering hidden potential and creating meaningful impact. Her early experiences in architecture and entrepreneurship exposed her to the challenges faced by startups and SMEs, including limited access to capital and difficult growth trade-offs. These insights inspired her to seek innovative solutions that address these challenges. In her journey as an investor, Stephanie recognized how many valuable assets—whether physical, intellectual, or market-based—remained underutilized. This realization, combined with her entrepreneurial mindset, led to the creation of EdenMountain. The platform bridges the gap between underutilized assets and their potential, empowering businesses and investors alike.
Reshaping business and commerce to better support innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, and investors is my ultimate motivation.” For Stephanie, maintaining a work-life balance is not about separation but integration. She approaches this challenge holistically, ensuring her time, energy, and focus are aligned with her priorities. Whether it’s leading her team or spending time with loved ones, she emphasizes being fully present in each moment. Daily habits like exercise, meditation, and continuous learning play a crucial role in her routine, helping her stay grounded and resilient. She also prioritizes personal growth and values the importance of connecting with inspiring individuals who bring new perspectives and energy to her life. “Empowering strong, purpose-driven teams, both at work and home, is key,” Stephanie explains. “By fostering collaboration and trust, I can focus on high-impact decisions while ensuring our goals are met collectively.”
Stephanie attributes much of her success to her willingness to continuously start new ventures, each building on her previous experiences. This mindset of perpetual learning and reinvention has allowed her to thrive across diverse industries, from architecture to financial markets, to fintech and beyond. One concept that has guided her journey is her interpretation of the word “understand.” For Stephanie, to understand is to “stand under”—to approach every new opportunity with humility, curiosity, and respect for existing knowledge. This perspective has shaped her ability to navigate and succeed in uncharted territories. Stephanie emphasizes that success in business is not about conforming to predefined molds but about balancing traditionally “male” and “female” traits. Qualities like resilience, assertiveness, empathy, and collaboration are equally important in effective leadership.
“True leadership is about maturity and balance,” she notes. “Women bring unique qualities and perspectives that are essential in today’s world, and embracing these is key to impactful success.”
Stephanie’s approach to staying updated is rooted in her love for learning. She dedicates time daily to reading industry reports, researching emerging technologies, and analyzing market data. She also enjoys exploring timeless works across various fields, believing that cross-pollination of ideas fuels innovation. Networking with thought leaders, attending conferences, and participating in discussions further enrich her understanding of evolving trends. Additionally, Stephanie invests in lifelong learning, taking courses and seeking mentorship to continuously enhance her skills.
Stephanie encourages aspiring women entrepreneurs to embrace their unique qualities, such as intuition, empathy, and inclusivity, which can drive people-centered success. “Resist the urge to prioritize solely male qualities,” she advises. “Confidence in your approach and perspective is a strength, not a limitation. Embrace it.” In a rapidly changing business environment, Stephanie balances agility with strategic foresight. She gathers relevant information, engages in scenario planning, and empowers her team to contribute their insights. While collaboration is central to her decision-making process, she remains comfortable taking responsibility for the final call.
“Flexibility is key,” she asserts. “By staying open to change and proactive in planning, I navigate uncertainties with confidence.” Stephanie believes that cultivating a positive and empowering work culture begins with open communication and trust. She emphasizes aligning individual strengths with organizational goals, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability. Recognition, growth opportunities, and celebrating successes are integral to her leadership style. By embodying the values, she seeks in her team—resilience, persistence, adaptability, and dedication—Stephanie creates an environment where everyone can thrive. Looking to the future, Stephanie sees immense opportunities for women in leadership roles, particularly in high-growth sectors like technology and finance. The rise of flexible work environments and the focus on sustainability and social responsibility further pave the way for women to lead and innovate.
“Women are uniquely positioned to drive change and redefine leadership,” she affirms. “They always have, and now with growing support systems and inclusive mindsets, the potential for women in business is limitless.”
Stephanie Hughes is a trailblazer whose career reflects a profound commitment to innovation and impact. Her journey—from architecture to entrepreneurship and beyond—demonstrates the power of visionary thinking, continuous learning, and purposeful leadership. As she continues to pioneer transformative solutions through EdenMountain, Stephanie inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs to unlock potential, embrace change, and create a meaningful difference in the business world.