Name:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I help midlife women 50+ get unstuck and clear about what they want in their next chapter, so they are happy and fulfilled! I also host two podcasts for midlife women. When I'm not coaching midlife gals, you can find me whale watching with a camera in my hand!
What moment or experience inspired you to start your business? What was your vision at the beginning?
This may sound crazy, but I discovered how much I wanted to be an entrepreneur while in a needlepoint store, of all places! That's where I watched the passionate shop owner teaching other women who were absolutely enthralled; I left thinking, "if this woman figured out how to make a business out of needlepoint, something she loved....why wasn't I an entrepreneur by now at 50 yrs old doing something I loved?" I was so inspired that you could earn a living from a passion like this!
What does a typical day for you look like?
I love starting my day with a hot shower, a nice coffee, and doing the morning routines with my pets: 135 lb Niko, the Newfoundland, and DeeDee, the chatty Quaker Parrot. Then I dive into checking emails and preparing for my coaching calls for my group and private clients, podcast interviews, and content development, marketing, and sales activities. Breaks include taking the dog for a walk, doing something creative, and gardening. Before you know it, the day is done!
What unique routines or habits do you believe contribute to your success?
The three key routines that add tremendous value to my day are Zentangle (mindful doodling), spending time with my pets (my dog and my parrot), and bird watching out my office window. Mindful doodling is creative and helps me stay present, focused, and relaxed. The pets are entertaining, hilarious, and keep me moving. And bird watching gives me so much joy; I love seeing and hearing the birds at my feeders and bird bath, all of which I'm so grateful for!
What's your workstation setup?
The most important part of my desk space is the window overlooking a ravine with lots of birds. I'm surrounded by binoculars, plants, a podcast mic, a webcam, nail polish, an art journal, markers, and watercolor pencils. A proper mishmash of coaching, nature, and creativity!
Where do you go to look for inspiration?
My best place for inspiration is the shower.
What core values drive your business, and how have they shaped your path?
Prioritizing creativity has been central to everything I do, and it's been that way for decades. I love challenging myself because creativity leads to uniqueness, and it's the same with my clients. I challenge myself to connect to my clients more to help them connect to their goals and dreams. Creativity helps amplify everything for greater depth of understanding and breakthroughs.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
I'm most proud of my podcast, the Women in the Middle®: Loving Life after 50. It represents creativity, determination, and consistency. It's also something tech-based that I never imagined myself doing at 60 years young, lol. At over 350 episodes and about seven years of creation, the library of episodes serves as a really useful resource for both me as a coach and midlife women in my community who know they're meant for more!
What’s a challenge you’re currently working on in your business?
A challenge I'm working on is to dial in my schedule so that I leverage my time personally and professionally. The better I get at time-blocking and focusing, the better my life will be!
What music do you listen to while working?
As much as I love music, I don't love to listen to music during my work day. This surprises me!
What’s one piece of advice someone gave you that you’ll never forget?
The advice that I got has to do with creating content: "Motivation and inspiration like to find you working." This idea stopped me in my tracks because I always wanted the PERFECT conditions to be creative and write or record podcasts, which usually included a three-hour block of time. It turns out that waiting for the perfect time is not necessary, but starting is.
Any advice for ambitious professionals in your field?
Focus on what truly resonates with you and your experiences. Authenticity is key.
