Rising Tide Leadership Development Helps Nebraska Leaders Shine

Omaha, NE – For Elijah Landell, founder of Rising Tide Leadership Development, the spark to become an entrepreneur arrived during one of the most uncertain moments of his life. In 2020, after more than 15 years in coaching and personal training, he suddenly found himself out of work during the shutdowns. While exercising one morning, he heard a message that changed everything: in times of recession, you’re starting from the bottom—so every step forward is growth.

“It clicked with me,” Landell says. “I knew it was time to take the leap.”

Armed with a leadership coaching certification from Maxwell Leadership and a lifelong passion for helping people excel, Landell launched Rising Tide Leadership Development. The business began with one client and a simple mission—to elevate individuals and teams through personalized leadership coaching.

Landell’s background prepared him well. He had coached softball at multiple levels, worked across the country as a personal trainer specializing in corrective exercise and hormonal balance, and built a reputation for developing others. What began as one-on-one coaching soon expanded into workshops, team trainings, and conference presentations as demand grew.

A major turning point came when his wife, Sarah—who brings nearly two decades of experience in early childhood education and leadership—joined the company. Together, they expanded Rising Tide’s offerings with assessments from The Table Group, ScreenStrong programming, and Sarah’s signature “Amplify” program, designed specifically for childcare professionals and women in leadership.

“Seeing the impact we make in our clients and their organizations keeps us motivated,” Landell says. “But the biggest motivation is our family and the flexibility the business gives us.”

The couple’s deep Nebraska roots have played a central role in their growth. Landell built early momentum through the Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings, and Aurora Chambers of Commerce, as well as networking groups such as 1 Million Cups – Grand Island, which he helped launch. Community relationships soon became the backbone of the business.

Rising Tide has also relied on support from Nebraska’s small business resource network, including the Center for Rural Affairs, GROW Nebraska, GROW Grand Island, and the Nebraska Chamber. Landell says the guidance he received through NBDC’s APEX Accelerator and SourceLink Nebraska opened doors he hadn’t imagined.

“SourceLink—specifically Scott Asmus—has provided incredible connections and support,” Landell says. “His help didn’t just point us to resources; it created opportunities with UNL and UNK that truly changed the trajectory of our business.”

Scott Asmus is the Program Director of SourceLink Nebraska. He says Rising Tide’s success illustrates the power of strong entrepreneurial ecosystems.

“Rising Tide Leadership Development reflects the heart of Nebraska entrepreneurship: courage, collaboration, and a commitment to helping others grow. Proud to see how Elijah and Sarah are creating impact across our state. Elijah’s success reinforces what we see every day at SourceLink Nebraska. Entrepreneurial ecosystems are not built exclusively on what resources exist, but on who can help guide founders at the right moment. When entrepreneurs have trusted navigators and strong relationships, it can truly change the trajectory of their business and their impact. A focus on resource navigation is what the strongest ecosystems in the country are prioritizing, and SourceLink Nebraska is committed to building that approach here in Nebraska to support entrepreneurs like Elijah,” Asmus said.

Today, Rising Tide Leadership Development is helping clients across the state build healthier teams, stronger communication, and more adaptable organizations. Projects span from one-on-one leadership coaching to breakout sessions, conference keynotes, and specialized programs for childcare professionals.

Looking ahead, the Landells plan to publish their own leadership materials, expand their keynote speaking opportunities, and take their ScreenStrong and Amplify programs beyond Nebraska’s borders.

Landell describes the entrepreneurial path in one word: courageous. As Rising Tide continues to grow, its mission remains rooted in the belief that when leaders shine, they enable others to shine, too.

“As we continue to grow and our capabilities as coaches and our resources that we have to offer, then we can pour those things into the leaders that we work with. The idea is that those leaders are the rising tide. As they continue to rise, they take the entire organization with them. That’s our approach. That’s what we stand on,” Landell said.