The Stoic Edge
Leadership isn't a title or something you turn on at work—it’s who you choose to be, every day. At Stoic Edge Consulting, Becky Schmooke works with individuals and teams ready to ditch performative leadership for something that holds up in the chaos and messiness of real life.
Rooted in Stoic philosophy and sharpened by real-world experience—from parenting and recovery to running multiple businesses—her approach doesn't just teach leadership; it builds it into your reflexes.
Customized Leadership Programs: SAFE & STOA
Becky created two frameworks that cut through leadership clichés and deliver something you can actually use:
SAFE (Strength, Agility, Flexibility, Endurance): It's about knowing who you are, adapting without losing integrity, staying curious in adversity, and valuing process over quick wins.
STOA (Success, Targets, Obstacles & Opportunities, Action): This is your game plan—real-time strategic planning and debriefing. It's how you move from intention to execution when life gets real.
Her programs aren't off-the-shelf—they’re shaped to your team’s unique challenges. She blends virtual and in-person sessions, direct coaching, and ongoing support to ensure real change sticks.
Onsite retreats and workshop
Becky's onsite retreats at Becky's Mindful Kitchen are anything but ordinary. Set on a working homestead just outside Iowa City, the space is intentionally designed to take people out of their usual environment and into an experience that creates lasting change.
Each retreat is uniquely crafted to meet the needs of the team or group attending. From corporate leadership teams to nonprofit staff and athletic departments, Becky builds retreats around the conversations that need to happen and the leadership skills that need sharpening.
And yes—there are goats (sometimes baby goats too) and chickens. They remind people that leadership doesn’t have to feel sterile or stiff. It can be grounded, playful, and real.
With treehouse, timber playgrounds, and a one-of-a-kind setting that invites people to be themselves, this is more than a retreat—it’s a reset.
Retreats can be booked as half-day, full-day, or multi-day events (no onsite lodging). All include pre-retreat planning and optional follow-up coaching to ensure the lessons stick.
Retreats include:
Team-building in the kitchen using cooking competitions and collaborative meal prep to develop communication, trust, and shared purpose
Fireside chats that replace formal meetings with honest, down-to-earth discussions
Outdoor games and archery that engage leadership reflexes in ways that are fun, unexpected, and revealing
A dedicated workshop room for focused presentations, facilitated discussions, and group work tied directly to Becky's SAFE and STOA frameworks
Customized team-building activities that address the specific challenges and goals of the group.
Cost varies as each workshop and retreat is customized based on what your needs are. I do my best to work within your budget as putting people first has been a founding principle of my businesses.
Executive Leadership Coaching
Becky’s coaching is for leaders who want more than validation. It’s for those willing to do the real work of growth—who are driven, curious, and unafraid to look in the mirror and ask, "What needs to change?"
Available onsite, via Zoom, or through a hybrid format, Becky offers leadership coaching for both individuals and teams. Whether supporting executive-level decision-makers, emerging leaders, or entire groups navigating change, her coaching is direct, actionable, and grounded in the SAFE and STOA frameworks.
She works best with people who are ready to be challenged—not coddled. If you're looking for someone to tell you you're doing great while everything is falling apart, she's not the right fit. But if you're ready to lead differently—to get honest, recalibrate, and actually move forward—she'll meet you there.