A few weeks ago, I made a bold (and admittedly scary!) decision—I stopped searching for a traditional 9-5 job and decided to pour all my time and energy into building my business, Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC.
Work Overload
In 2018, I was trapped in a job that demanded 90-hour workweeks while offering only 40-hour pay. I was overwhelmed by the relentless deadlines, project management, writing tasks, and a grueling commute, all while trying to be a good mom. My daily commute was about two hours each way, involving dropping my child off at school and heading to the office.
Instead of just rocking out to the latest hits during those drives, I turned to podcasts, hoping to feel productive while stuck in Houston traffic (hello, over-achievers club!). I started with “Stuff You Should Know,” an awesome podcast I highly recommend. But one morning, feeling particularly drained, I stumbled upon an episode of “The Life Coach School” podcast titled “How to Feel Better.” I hoped it would be the magic fix for my situation.
Why Not Coach?
While it didn’t immediately solve my problems, that episode sparked an idea—why not coach others? During my 13-year tenure at a large technology company, I had built a career coaching program that helped employees sharpen their career development skills and explore new opportunities both within and outside the company. The program was so successful that it’s still active today.
So, why not coach others? That thought led to my first bold move—I posted on Facebook, offering to coach anyone who needed help. I wasn’t sure exactly what I’d coach them on, but I knew I wanted to be there for others who were struggling. Soon, a few people reached out, and I started coaching them pro bono (because, let’s face it, it’s hard to ask for money when you feel like an imposter!). I balanced weekly coaching sessions on top of my 90-hour workweek. However, I realized I needed to deepen my understanding of coaching. How was coaching different from counseling or mentoring? This realization prompted me to embark on a journey to learn more.
Getting My Certification
In 2020, during the global pandemic, I felt a strong desire to become a more effective coach. I decided to invest in myself by pursuing a coaching certification through the Universal Coaching Institute, an organization dedicated to training individuals to become transformational and expert coaches. The comprehensive program spanned three months of intense courses, practice sessions, and a final exam—but it was also fun! Upon completion, I earned four certifications (!!): Life Coach, Positive-Psychology Coach, Solutions-Focused Coach, and Transformation Coach.
Becoming An Actual Coach!
Now that I was certified, I should have been ready to start charging for my services, right? Wrong! I was still grappling with imposter syndrome and continued to take on pro bono clients, all while working a “9-5” job and being a mom.
One lesson from my coach training was the importance of choosing a niche, which is easier said than done. What area should I specialize in to coach people most effectively? It was a challenging decision—career coaching? Transformation? Life after divorce? After much contemplation, I realized that health coaching resonated most with me. I had struggled with my weight and had successfully lost 50 pounds over two years, an experience that had transformed my life.
Losing 50 pounds wasn’t easy. It required a lot of gym time, mindful eating, and a significant shift in how I viewed myself. One key lesson I learned from The Life Coach School podcast was the importance of neutral thinking. Instead of jumping from negative to positive self-talk, you first need to reach a neutral mindset. So, instead of looking in the mirror and saying, “I am fat, I am disgusting, no one wants me,” you can say, “This is my body right now, and that’s okay,” or as Brooke Castillo puts it, “I have a body.” But even that wasn’t enough.
Building a Coaching Program
When people think about losing weight or improving their body image, they often focus on fitness and nutrition. While these are essential, I discovered two universal elements often overlooked—our environments (where we live, work, and spend the most time) and our minds (how we think and talk to ourselves). My coaching program now focuses on these four elements: mind, environments, fitness, and nutrition.
Once I began setting goals to improve all these areas, I noticed significant changes. Not only did the weight start coming off, but I also made positive changes in my work life and social settings, which enhanced my overall wellness. The journey wasn’t easy, but it was the best path toward self-improvement.
Adding Consulting to My Business
When I formed my LLC in 2023, I needed a name. I had been informally using Samantha Elizabeth Coaching, but I didn’t want to forget my 20+ years of corporate expertise in employee experience. My background includes Learning & Development, project management, strategy and planning, employee recognition, internal communications, engagement surveys, career development, DEI initiatives, and more.
Integrating employee experience consulting into my business felt like a natural extension. Thus, Samantha Elizabeth Coaching & Consulting LLC was born, combining coaching and consulting expertise.
The Ups and Downs of Corporate Life
In 2022, I landed a dream job at a 7-year-old startup backed by a well-known corporation. My role was to build a team and create an unmatched employee experience for 10,000 U.S. employees, while also co-leading the global experience for 20,000 employees. After a year of hard work and laying the foundation for a great employee experience, the company faced a downturn, and my team and I were laid off. It was a shock, especially since we were just beginning to make an impact.
After ensuring my team members were taken care of, I dove into the job search. After six long months of applying and interviewing, I finally secured another employee experience role with a healthcare insurance provider. However, I quickly realized that the company’s culture made it challenging to do my job and manage my team effectively. After eight months of struggling and facing another round of layoffs and reorganization, I knew it was time to pursue other opportunities.
Changing My Mindset to Solopreneur
Two months into my job search—after countless applications, interviews, and ghosting—I woke up one morning, peeled myself out of bed, and paused to ask myself, “What am I doing??” I realized I didn’t want to continue this exhausting process. The job search, while exciting at times, had become arduous and disappointing. That’s when a light bulb went off—why not focus all my time and energy on building my business instead of pursuing another 9-5 job?
Embracing Solopreneurship
This decision to focus solely on my business wasn’t made lightly. It took many treadmill sessions, revisiting my business plan, conversations with others who had taken similar paths, and even some tears. But with over six years of coaching, 22 years of consulting, and an entrepreneurial spirit, I decided that I could indeed do this. Just like when I decided to focus on my wellness, I resolved that I was going to make it happen.
Are you ready to make a major change in your life too? Let’s talk.
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