I spent 20 years in the business world as an advertising executive, selling media time on behalf of 50 television stations throughout the country. I was part of the Mad Men generation, a time when men dominated the industry. I often worked long hours, and my job required me to travel to television stations across the country.
I later became an entrepreneur when I leased and remodeled a 41-room, previously rundown hotel in Times Square into a lovely bed and breakfast. I built this business from the bottom up and managed a staff of twelve, all while married and raising a child. Having stressful business commitments and living in New York City was challenging for me, especially while being a wife and a mother. I had to constantly modify my work and life priorities.
After retiring from the business world in 2008, I decided to give back, and I became an independent Rabbi, working with couples who needed an Interfaith officiant for marriages and baby namings. I worked outside the Jewish tradition and counseled young people and their parents. This often involved traveling out of state for events and meetings, again balancing work and my personal life.
As someone who has spent much of her free time helping friends and relatives, transitioning to life coaching was a natural progression for me. The COVID-19 Pandemic virtually shut down all events I could do as a Rabbi, and these important life skills could be easily applied to coaching. I believe that the most important job of a life coach is to listen with an open heart and a nonjudgmental mind. I’ve had countless experiences that have helped shape who I am and what I can offer to my clients.