Owning Your Power:
Overcoming Hurdles and Triumphs as a Female Entrepreneur with CarolAnn Tutera
CarolAnn Tutera shares her journey of resilience, leadership, and self-empowerment, revealing how she stepped into her power, honored her late husband’s legacy, and transformed SottoPelle® Therapy into a beacon of hope for hormonal health and female entrepreneurship.
“Owning your power means trusting yourself, making decisions with confidence, and standing firm in your worth. You don’t need permission to lead—step into your authority and embrace the fact that you belong in any room you choose to be in.”
– CarolAnn Tutera
Stepping into your power is never an easy journey, especially when faced with adversity. For CarolAnn Tutera, that journey meant taking the reins of SottoPelle® Therapy after the passing of her husband, Dr. Gino Tutera, a pioneer in hormone replacement therapy. While grief could have been a roadblock, she chose instead to carry forward his mission, ensuring that his life-changing work in bioidentical hormone therapy continued to transform lives. As a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated medical industry, CarolAnn has faced challenges, skepticism, and the weight of expectations. But rather than allowing doubt to dictate her path, she built upon her late husband’s foundation, carving out her own leadership role in the company and in the industry.
Beyond hormone therapy, CarolAnn is passionate about empowering women to take control of their health, their choices, and their futures. She advocates for setting boundaries, trusting your instincts, and embracing the fine art of saying no—lessons she learned firsthand as she stepped into entrepreneurship and leadership. In this interview, she shares her experiences, insights, and the lessons that have helped her navigate the highs and lows of running a company while remaining true to herself. Whether you’re looking for inspiration in business, personal growth, or self-care, CarolAnn’s journey is a testament to resilience, confidence, and the power of believing in yourself.
Thank you so much for joining us, CarolAnn! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Thanks for having me again, Stacey! My late husband, Dr. Gino Tutera, and I started SottoPelle® Therapy, a training and education company for medical providers specializing in pellet therapy for hormonal balance. Pellet therapy was an unknown treatment when my husband first discovered it, but he was determined to bring science and precision to the field. After he passed, I took on the responsibility of carrying forward his legacy, ensuring that women and men continue to receive the life-changing treatment he pioneered. It was an overwhelming transition at first, stepping into a role that had always been his, but I knew I couldn’t let his work fade away. His impact on people’s lives was too significant, and I felt it was my duty to continue the mission we had built together.
What exactly is pellet therapy, and why is it so effective?
Pellet therapy is a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that has been around since 1939. It involves inserting small pellets under the skin, which release hormones based on your body’s needs. Unlike traditional pills or creams, which can have fluctuating effects, pellets work continuously with your body’s natural rhythm, making them incredibly effective for hormonal balance. Because they are bioidentical, meaning they mimic the hormones naturally produced in your body, they provide a much more seamless and natural transition compared to synthetic alternatives. This therapy restores hormonal balance, improves energy, and enhances overall well-being, and the beauty of it is that once the pellet is placed, it works around the clock, allowing patients to feel like themselves again without having to remember a daily pill or worry about inconsistent dosages.
What inspired you to take over the business after your husband’s passing?
It was about keeping his legacy alive. He was the OG of pellet therapy—he brought science to it, created individualized dosing, and trained hundreds of physicians. I knew that if I didn’t continue his work, many patients wouldn’t receive the quality care they needed. I felt a responsibility to honor his contributions and ensure his work lived on. It was more than just running a business—it was about carrying forward something that had transformed lives. Every time I hear a story from a patient whose life has been changed by SottoPelle®, it reminds me why I do this. There were days of doubt, of course, but the more I immersed myself in the work, the more I realized I wasn’t just keeping his legacy alive—I was building my own.
How did you navigate the challenges of stepping into a leadership role in a male-dominated field?
It was, and still is, a challenge. I’m a woman in a medical industry largely dominated by men, and I’m not a physician. But I was deeply involved in the business from the beginning, handling marketing, operations, and research. I had to step up, own my expertise, and command respect. It took time to find my voice, but I’ve learned that knowledge and confidence go a long way. When you walk into a room where most people expect you to be a bystander, you have to prove—without hesitation—that you belong there. I had to learn how to hold my ground, trust my instincts, and not let others’ doubts define my ability. Over time, I earned the respect of my peers not because of a medical degree, but because I knew the business, the science, and the impact inside and out.
What was the biggest obstacle you faced while taking over the company?
The biggest hurdle was overcoming self-doubt and dealing with resistance from those who questioned my ability to lead. I wasn’t the face of the business before—my husband was. But once I started speaking at conferences, training doctors, and making key decisions, I proved that I was capable. The biggest lesson I learned was that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about showing up and making things happen. The shift from working behind the scenes to standing at the forefront was uncomfortable at first, but I realized that the only way to succeed was to fully own my role. There were skeptics, but rather than trying to convince them with words, I let my actions speak. With every milestone, every successful training, and every patient whose life was changed, I silenced the doubt—not just from others, but from within myself.
You talk about “owning your power.” What does that mean to you?
Owning your power means trusting yourself, making decisions confidently, and standing by them. It’s about setting boundaries, recognizing your worth, and leading with strength. Too often, women hesitate to take up space or assert themselves—I had to unlearn that and step into my authority. It means no longer seeking permission to lead, to speak up, or to make moves that align with your purpose. Women are often conditioned to be accommodating, to soften their opinions, to make others comfortable. But true power comes when you stop apologizing for your presence and start embracing the fact that you belong in any room you choose to be in.
How do you balance running multiple businesses and still take care of yourself?
I don’t! Balance is a myth. Instead, I prioritize. Some days, work takes over; other days, I focus on self-care. I trust my instincts and pivot when necessary. Learning to delegate and set boundaries has been game-changing. If you try to do everything at once, you’ll burn out quickly. I have learned to say no to things that don’t serve me and to focus on what truly matters, whether that’s my health, my business, or my personal growth.
What advice would you give to women hesitant to take the leap into entrepreneurship?
Just start. Don’t wait until you feel ready—because you never will. And don’t let perfectionism hold you back. Take small steps, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to pivot. Trust yourself, and don’t let fear be louder than your dreams. The road will be uncertain, and there will be challenges, but the biggest mistake is never starting at all. Every successful entrepreneur began with uncertainty, but the difference between them and everyone else is they took the leap.
What daily habits help you stay focused and grounded?
I journal every morning to set my intentions. I also use meditation apps to calm my mind before bed. Positive self-talk is huge—I remind myself daily that I am capable and strong. And I listen to my body. If I need rest, I take it. I believe that success starts from within, and if you aren’t in the right mindset, you won’t be able to achieve your goals.
What’s next for you and SottoPelle® Therapy?
We’re expanding our reach, training more physicians, and continuing to educate the public about the benefits of hormone therapy. I’m also focused on empowering women through my podcast and advocacy work. I want to take everything I’ve learned—about business, resilience, and self-empowerment—and use it to uplift others. Growth is about more than just business expansion; it’s about making a lasting impact.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find us at SottoPelleTherapy.com. We’re also on Instagram and Facebook. And for those who want to follow my personal journey, I’m on Instagram at CatitudeWithCat. I’d love to connect with your readers and continue these important conversations.