Learn more about Creatuitive Coaching or contact Ana by e-mail.

OWM: Describe how you entered your current position.

AO: I launched my life coaching business when I realized that I felt most alive and fulfilled when I was mentoring and coaching women. I stumbled upon a few professional coaching websites and was hooked! Then I took a big scary leap and left my full-time corporate job to pursue my dream of leading women towards more authentic and fulfilling lives.

OWM: Did you have preconceptions about marketing when you started?

AO: I found that I was really turned off by marketing, particularly in the coaching field, that sounded “gimmicky.” I knew I wanted to do things very differently.

I got started with marketing very naturally. One of the biggest steps was identifying and naming myself as a life coach to others (even before I had clients). I continue to do marketing intuitively (while seeking out resources such as Womenwise), and have found that authentic, one-on-one conversations with potential clients and having former clients sing my praises have yielded the best results for me.

Although I didn’t have specific preconceptions about sales and marketing before I started my business, I always knew that for myself, I wanted every movement to be authentic and feel intuitive. That means no hokey pitches, slogans, or giveaways, and being sure that my cheerleaders and former clients also reflect my values and vision when they are recommending me to potential clients.

OWM: What role does marketing play in your day-to-day business?

AO: Marketing plays a huge role in my day-to-day business. It infuses everything I do and keeps me conscientious about all that I put out there into the world.

Marketing to me means the ability to have an effect on people, and since that is what I do with my coaching clients, everything is linked and fluid!

OWM: Has your self-image changed since you started marketing?

AO: My self-image (and courage!) has grown exponentially since I started my own business and continue to market myself. It has helped to hone my sense of self, and I feel more authentic and creative every time I put my dream out into the world.

OWM: What marketing advice would you give to other women in business?

AO: The best advice I would share with other women business owners is to continually check in with your intuition (hourly, daily, weekly) in order to ensure that you are moving forward in a way that is most authentic and fulfilling for you. Marketing can be incredibly empowering, for women business owners and non-business owners alike, and I would encourage all women to work on their personal brand now, today!