Book excerpt: Overcome and Lead recounts the powerful stories and essential lessons learned from Anne Beiler's time as the founder of Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels, the world's largest pretzel franchise. As a former Amish girl with an eighth-grade education, Anne had many obstacles to overcome as she transformed into one of the first female founders of an international franchise-the greatest obstacle, however, was herself. With no capital, no formal education, and no business plan, Anne launched Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels after a series of tragic life events left her broken, traumatized, and in a deep depression. As Anne and her team grew the company, she also grew herself personally and professionally. Join Anne as she takes you on a journey from feeling overwhelmed and inadequate to being an empowered and confident leader. If you want to make a difference in your area of influence, this story is for you. It is for those of you currently leading people-whether at work, home, or in your community-and for those aspiring to lead someday. Building Auntie Anne's was a journey that required Anne to bring her whole self-both the gifts and the broken bits-to build something bigger than she ever imagined. Overcome and Lead will help you to do the same.