Leadership that Inspires: lessons from Caroline Vercauteren, Leading Lady of BonMush

Leadership isn’t about titles or ivory towers—it’s about resilience, authenticity, and building meaningful connections. This belief is at the core of Caroline Vercauteren’s leadership style. As the driving force behind BonMush, a sustainable mushroom-based charcuterie brand, Caroline exemplifies how staying true to your values can inspire teams and foster innovation.

The Gender Bias Hurdle

Despite strides in equality, gender bias and stereotypes persist across industries. Female leaders often find themselves working twice as hard to prove their competence. They navigate a tightrope—balancing assertiveness with empathy, leading decisively while maintaining strong relationships.

This balancing act can enhance leadership effectiveness but adds to the pressure. Women in high-level roles frequently find themselves isolated, often being the only female voice in executive meetings or industry events. The result? A sense of responsibility to represent all women in their field.

Building supportive networks is crucial to overcoming these challenges. Peer communities like the Thrive network offer a space for female leaders to connect, share experiences, and grow together.

A Different Kind of Leader

An unexpected opportunity arose when her husband, Thomas, was expected to take over his family’s charcuterie business. “Thomas didn’t want to run the business, and I saw an opportunity,” Caroline says.

Turning Passion Into Purpose

The early days were tough. Juggling the demands of a struggling business and new motherhood gave Caroline a fresh perspective. “When I became a mom in 2017 and again in 2019, I knew I wanted to make a different mark,” she shares. That’s when BonMush was born—a brand focused on sustainability and innovation.

Starting out, Caroline pitched her products to retailers armed with nothing but a cooler full of samples. “It wasn’t easy, but my persistence paid off,” she says. The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a turning point, as consumers sought locally sourced, sustainable products.

Today, BonMush is growing steadily. “We’ve stayed a small, independent team without outside investors,” Caroline explains. “This independence lets us stay true to our mission and control our decisions. It’s tough but incredibly rewarding.”

The Pillars of Leadership

Caroline’s leadership approach is built on three key pillars:

1. Resilience: “Every setback is a chance to learn and grow,” she says. “Resilience means not just bouncing back from failures, but using them as stepping stones for success.”
2. Empathy: For Caroline, listening is just as important as leading. “Empathy fosters a culture of openness and collaboration, which is crucial for innovation,” she explains. “I make it a point to encourage dialogue and ensure everyone feels valued.”
3. Authenticity: Staying true to her values drives every decision. “When you’re authentic, it builds trust with your team and customers. That connection is essential for long-term success.”

The Bigger Picture

Caroline’s journey highlights the broader need to challenge stereotypes and redefine leadership. Female leaders like her are reshaping industries, proving that leadership isn’t about fitting into a box but about breaking it open.