Courtney gave me the guts to ask for more in project fees and monthly retainers. I would say I have doubled my income since we have met and I’m making more by working less.
When Maureen and I met, she was running a very successful professional organizing business but feeling stressed and overworked. Our coaching focused on expanding her options professionally so that she could earn more with less effort and create balance between her work and life.
“Courtney has helped me be open to the professional opportunities I’ve created and given me the strength to say 'no' to the wrong things so that I am ready for the right things. Our work has even given me the permission to be passionate about 'staying home' with my kids as this too is a calling and part of my career.
While I had raised my hourly fee before we started working together, Courtney gave me the guts to ask for more in project fees and monthly retainers. I would say I have doubled my income since we have met and I’m making more by working less. What’s funny is that I’ve also lessened my networking and promoting! I am in year 6 of my business and realize I don’t have to be 'out there' like I once was as I now value my time more. If it doesn’t make me money or have the potential to make me money than I am staying home and spending time with my family.
The biggest gain for me has been awareness; I am more conscious of what I am doing and if I enjoy it. I now figure out what I am passionate about and then go about creating the best job for myself. I used to spin my wheels and was always 'crazy busy' but I wasn’t moving forward. The coaching process has helped me learn how to slow down, think about my actions, and be aware that I am constantly preparing myself for the next opportunity I am creating.”
Maureen Gainer Reilly
Owner, Gainer Organizing
Chicago, IL
I’m pursuing my passion and have started working in schools as a teaching artist. I never would have guessed I would be doing this a year ago!
When I first met Lynn, she was eager to start a new chapter in her career after much success as a fundraiser, board member and great mom. Our work focused on limiting her involvement in activities that were no longer serving her so she could create time to pursue her passion for theatre education.
While coaching with Courtney, I have started working in schools as a teaching artist. I never would have guessed I would be doing this a year ago! While I’m still new to this as a career, I have earned a paycheck…which a big step in getting me off the volunteer cycle. My professional network has helped a lot in making this transition but I’ve learned to network with better results by really staying true to what I want. I’ve updated my resume/bio and am working with Courtney on ‘creating’ my own position in theatre education programs.
I feel like I’m using my time better as well. I’m much more likely to put a timer on and only work on projects for a certain amount of time. Blocking time for desk work, work outs, husband and family fun have really added to my energy! The best part is I can now take time for myself and not feel guilty about it.
I love when I hear Courtney’s voice in my head when I’m in tricky moment. She is the calm voice letting me know to trust my gut/ heart and follow the energy or let something go.”
Lynn Lockwood Murphy
Board of Trustees Member
Steppenwolf Theatre
Chicago, IL
I’ve raised my freelance fees by 191% and I’ve increased both my product line and income through my online business, craft fairs and selling at retail shops.
Andrea is a talented graphic artist with a fabulous business concept who was excited but nervous about “jumping in” full-time to her business and her passion when we met. While she already knew what she loved, her challenges were how to balance structure and creativity in her business and learning to take action from a place of desire rather than fear.
“Courtney helped me convert my passion into actionable items and identify my priorities so I feel more confident about moving forward with my business idea. Now I feel like this IS a business/career… not just something ‘I want to do’ or ‘I like to do.’
Since we began, I’ve raised my freelance fees by 191% and I’ve increased both my product line and income through my online business, craft fairs and selling at retail shops. I feel much more confident pitching my business/services and negotiating on my own behalf. I’ve also hired people to help with things that I wasn’t interested or skilled in doing that were barriers to my business moving forward and had conversations with my spouse as needed to make sure that I have his continued support.
I feel grateful for having met Courtney at a point where I felt like I was in a ‘sink or swim’ situation. I now realize that any day can FEEL like that, but it’s really about building a life that I want for myself, not about getting drawn into the daily grind.”
Andrea Daugherty
Owner, Tartella, Inc.
Evanston, IL
By the time I stopped working with Courtney, I felt like I had shed a skin and a new person had emerged. For the first time, I felt prepared and well poised to step into the next chapter of my life.
Marina came to coaching as a warm and conscientious mom in the process of a divorce. She was excited but scared about going back to work after many years out of the work force and had some insecurities about being a “good enough” parent to her two girls. Our work focused on securing a new job and redefining her sense of responsibility for herself and her children.
“Courtney really helped me to define what I wanted around my professional and personal life. I gained so much clarity and confidence during our sessions. We were able to identify specific reasons why I was scared or frustrated and then map out a plan of action for dealing with each issue.
I decided during our coaching to return to the field I’d worked in previously and I’m now the Administrative Director for a prominent medical association. Courtney also helped me through the process of my divorce and I’m happy to say I’m in a new and healthy relationship with a truly wonderful man.
Coaching with Courtney is like putting on a pair of glasses with the right prescription after a lifetime of wearing the wrong ones. By the time I stopped working with her, I felt like I had shed a skin and a new person had emerged. For the first time, I felt prepared and well poised to step into the next chapter of my life. I have no doubt that everything fell into place because I was prepared for it all, in no small part due to Courtney.”
Marina Blakeman
Administrative Director
American Pediatric Surgical Association
Evanston, IL
Courtney has helped me identify my passion and focus on my strengths and what gives me joy. I’m now translating our “discovery” into a coaching business of my own!
Gretchen formerly worked in advertising and marketing before taking time to raise her kids, volunteer and be an all-around super mom. When we began coaching, she was ready to rediscover her passions and create a new career path that would still allow her time for her family and personal life.
“Since we started working together, Courtney has helped me identify my passion and focus on my strengths and what gives me joy. I’ve explored different career possibilities through networking, attending programs and 'trying on' potential business ideas. I’m now translating our 'discovery' into a coaching business of my own!
With Courtney’s support, I’ve taken on challenging projects that I probably would not have done simply on my own including creating a press kit with another business owner and pursuing training to move into a career that I feel passionate about.
Most importantly, Courtney has helped me create a plan (and keep it!) to carve out time for myself and for self-care. This balance has made me a much happier and confident person – a good thing for everyone around me!”
Gretchen B.
Stay-at-home Mom
turned Life Coach
Wilmette, IL
At a recent conference, a complete stranger met me and said "Oh, wow, I'm going to your presentation this afternoon. This is so exciting! I'm eating lunch with Wanda M - I have to call my friends!"
When I started coaching Wanda, she was great at her job but was not happy in her work environment as she felt disconnected from her colleagues and staff. Her vision was to become a leader in her workplace and in her industry through improving her communication and networking skills, taking professional risks and having more fun with her co-workers.
Here are a couple stories Wanda shared with me of how she stepped out of her comfort zone and really made her mark…
“When we first started coaching, I talked about wanting to be a recognizable name in occupational therapy and help to shape the direction of my field. I have to tell you the coolest thing that happened to me last month. I was at the big annual conference and actually gave 2 presentations based on my dissertation. However, the best thing happened at lunch one day. I sat with a woman and after talking a little bit, I mentioned my research. She said, 'Are you Wanda M?' (I nearly fell out of my chair because I wasn't wearing my nametag). When I said yes, she said, 'Oh, wow, I'm going to your presentation this afternoon. This is so exciting! I'm eating lunch with Wanda M - I have to call my friends!'
“The last few weeks have been a testimonial to our work together. I went to Canada to meet with one of the researchers that I contacted (that I had so much fear about asking a stranger for something). It was totally awesome!! I was able to meet with a ton of people, present my research to their seminar class, and find out more about the research that they're doing. I realized though that in my rush to move on to the next stage, I had forgotten one of my fundamental lessons from you. So I splurged and bought myself a new office chair since I'm going to be spending so much time in it the next few months and to celebrate what I've accomplished so far. I'm trying to take time out to celebrate accomplishments in other ways too!”
Wanda M.
Occupational Therapist
and College Professor
Chicago, IL
