From the outside, My life looked successful

In 2007, I was running a successful web design business. I had multiple clients across the country who loved working with me. 

I was working crazy hours, sometimes at 4am in the morning!

I had chronic pain in my elbows and neck from all the hours in front of the computer.

I felt very alone (no time to see friends) and didn't have colleagues I could talk to and work with.

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In 2008, I started having panic attacks. I knew those were a wake call for me to make changes in my business and life.

2008 was a rough year for so many, with the recession and financial crisis. For me it was a year of transformation. I shifted into becoming a project manager and let go of implementing and building websites, despite still running my web design business.

I found a mentor to help show me the ropes on best practices as a project manager and sought teaching about how to manage people. I learned how to be more ergonomic with my desk set up and how to take breaks.

I stopped beating myself up and being my own worst enemy.

I joined a co-working space and met a community of other freelancers. I made new friends. My husband and I moved into a new neighborhood where I found a loving community of neighbors and friends.

This huge transition taught me that I need support when running a business, community with others is necessary and life-changing, and to listen to my body and don’t ignore warning signals.

Since that time, I managed a successful website business for 15 years with a small team of consultants and freelancers. In 2020, I ended my web design business and launched my marketing coaching business. 

Now, I offer business strategy consulting and coaching for introverted business owners.

As a business strategist and coach, I help introverted, empathy-driven solopreneurs build businesses that reflects their values and themselves.

  • I have spent over 20 years as a business owner. I come from a generation of business owners (my dad and many of my grandparents owned businesses).

  • I have launched and managed four businesses including a custom dog apparel business, a web design business, a marketing consulting business, and managing an Airbnb rental.

  • I've been nominated twice in the Top 15 coaches of Portland.

  • I received a Professional Life Coach Certificate in 2001

  • I have organized and have run a number of networking meetups, cohorts, and mastermind groups (online and in-person). Currently I run Quiet Networking, a conversation-driven, in-person networking group for women business owners who lean introverted.

  • I've taught business and marketing at a number of universities, non-profits, and colleges over the past 9 years: APANO, SBDC, Portland State University, Lewis and Clark College, and NUNM.

  • And I’ve also taken many continuing education training focused on finance, sales, leadership, operations, marketing, trauma informed teaching, career readiness, and more.

I give you permission…

As your guide, I give you permission to work “your” way.

  • You don’t have to use social media for your business

  • You don’t have to be on video

  • You can network differently

  • Your quietness is your power

  • Client work can feel easy, even if you don’t have a system’s brain

  • You don’t have to do this by yourself

  • You can weave your values into your work

  • You can be vulnerable and talk about hard things

  • Repel people you don’t want & attract the people who are right for you 

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