Frank Ceballos Jr of Phoenix on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Frank Ceballos Jr. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Frank , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
The most impactful learning for me has been with John Maxwell and the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team. I became a member in 2021 because I wanted to continuously grow as a leader. Over the past four years, this journey has allowed me to apply those principles, strengthen my own skills, and guide others in reaching their professional and personal goals.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Frank Ceballos Jr., founder of Lead with Excellence LLC. I specialize in executive coaching, leadership development, and team building to help professionals and entrepreneurs break through barriers and achieve their full potential. My background is diverse. I’ve worked in retail, served as an Arizona State Trooper, and led business operations at the state level before launching my own practice.

At Lead with Excellence, I combine practical, real-world leadership lessons with tools like the Maxwell Leadership Impact Report to provide measurable growth for my clients. What makes my work distinctive is my ability to bridge the gap between leadership and sales, helping people not just to sell, but to influence and lead with confidence. Right now, I’m focused on expanding my Sales Bootcamp and executive coaching programs to empower more leaders to thrive in their industries.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I once believed that I would never amount to much. That belief came from a teacher in New York who told me, because of my struggles with reading and writing, that I wouldn’t go far in life. At the time, I internalized that message, and it shaped how I saw myself.

What I believe now is entirely different. I know that I am a child of God, created with purpose, and equipped with the gifts and talents I need to fulfill my calling. My learning differences did not limit me, they developed qualities like resilience, determination, and empathy that now define who I am as a leader and coach.

That experience taught me something invaluable: no one else’s opinion has the authority to determine my future. Today, I carry that lesson into my work, helping others recognize that their challenges do not define them but can instead become the very tools that equip them for success.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: You have your own race to run, and it’s not a competition with anyone else. Stop looking to the left and the right to see what others are doing, because their path is not your path. You were created with a unique purpose, and comparing yourself to others will only rob you of the joy of discovering who you were truly meant to be.

I’d also remind myself that people aren’t thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are. As kids, and even as adults, we often waste so much energy worrying about how others see us, fearing judgment, or trying to fit into expectations that were never meant for us. The truth is, most people are too focused on their own lives to notice the little things you stress over. Stop carrying that weight—it only slows you down.

Instead, focus on becoming the best version of you. Be kind to yourself. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. And trust that you already have everything you need inside of you to grow, to lead, and to live a life that matters.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what really matters to me, they’d probably say two things right away: my faith in the Lord and my family. My faith is the foundation of everything I do, it’s what guides my decisions, gives me strength in difficult seasons, and keeps me grounded no matter what’s happening around me. It’s not just something I practice on Sundays, it’s truly the center of my life.

And right alongside that is my family. They are my “why” the reason I work hard, the reason I push through challenges, and the reason I celebrate the little victories. I believe that success isn’t just about professional accomplishments, it’s about the relationships we nurture and the legacy we leave behind. My friends know that at the end of the day, I measure my life not by titles or achievements, but by how I show up for the people I love and the God I serve.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I can honestly say that I’m doing what God wants me to do. On August 1st, I stepped away from working for the State of Arizona to pursue my business full-time a company I started two years ago with the vision of helping people grow both personally and professionally. It was a leap of faith, but one I knew I needed to take.

God has given me the tools, gifts, and experiences I need to serve others in a meaningful way. From my time in law enforcement to my years in leadership and operations, everything I’ve gone through has prepared me for this season. Now, through Lead with Excellence LLC, I get to coach, train, and walk alongside leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals as they break free from limitations and discover their potential.

This isn’t just a career shift, it’s a calling. I believe I was created for this work: to influence, to lead, and to inspire others to do the same in their own lives and businesses. Every day I wake up with a sense of purpose, knowing I’m not just building a business, but fulfilling the plan God has placed on my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leadwithexcellencellc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankceballosjr/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankrceballos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadwithExcellenellc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadwithexcellencellc

Image Credits
Luz Ibarra Ceballos