Colette Ellis, Energetic Work-Life Coach with a Holistic Focus 

Colette Ellis is an author, coach and transformational speaker on mindfulness, motivation and workplace stress. Her book Focus on Your Vision helps readers to re-think priorities and improve work-life balance. And as founder of InStep Consulting, Colette has journeyed around the world to train and teach on issues of personal growth and professional development.  Countries visited include Australia, Botswana, Bulgaria, Chile, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland and Vietnam. 

In April 2013, she organized the Lean Startup Machine competition in Sydney, Australia at which fifty would-be entrepreneurs were taught how to identify the key risks in launching and maintaining their startup venture.  Colette is also a certified instructor of the Franklin Covey-based 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, FOCUS: Achieving Your Highest Priorities, as well as the Yale University-based Coping with Work & Family Stress™ program.

I caught up with this global business phenomenon recently when she was in New York City – and it had been a while! Colette and I originally connected back in 2010/2011 when I was president of 85 Broads, the global business networking group for women, and she was on its New York City leadership team. Her focus on people and “looking for new perspectives” approach was the exact type of guidance and style needed when building networking opportunities for professional women.

Who are your heroes?
Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Anne Frank, Malala Yousafzai [now the recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize] – and people who have the courage to stand for what’s right even when others tell them it’s not feasible or popular…or profitable.

What is your current challenge?
Connecting, encouraging, and inspiring women as the new community manager for Over 40 Females New York City chapter. My goal is to facilitate real, insightful conversations that allow women to learn and flourish as they write the next chapter in their careers, businesses, and spiritual lives.

Your greatest achievement?
It’s still in the making.

What is your motto?
Work hard, play harder!

Why are you an entrepreneur?
To make a difference for my clients in their lives, their businesses, and ultimately, in the world. I want to create a world in which everyone has the opportunity to use their inner gifts and achieve great things – where everyone gets a shot.

What problem are you solving?
To help women become aligned, holistic leaders who can solve problems, innovate, build teams, and live fulfilling lives.

What problem would you like solved?
Income inequality/poverty, hunger, human trafficking – oh, wait! You asked for only one problem…

Biggest regret?
To help me “walk my talk” as a coach, I use techniques like tapping (EFT) and meditation to release my negative feelings about the past. This doesn’t mean I don’t have days when I feel regretful. It just means I have tools to help me get back on track and refocus on what I’ve learned from past mistakes or difficult choices.

Which talent would you like to have?
To sing!

Best pat on the back you’ve ever received?
The look of surprise and love on my mom’s face as she walked into a surprise anniversary party and saw her friends and family who were there. Made it worth all the effort I’d put into planning this milestone celebration.

Advice you wish you’d had (or had followed)?
Learn how to navigate internal politics within any company you work for; be proactive to seek out internal champions and mentors who will vouch for you and your capabilities when you’re not in the room.

Your pitch in 140 characters?
“Transformational Coach; Author Focus on Your Vision; Founder @InStepConsults to help #women be great leaders; Panelist @BrooklynSavvy TV.”

Your bio in 6 words?
“Transformational coach who makes you think.”

The Twitter follower you can’t live without?
My pal “down under” @KeithKeller – Twitter Marketing Specialist extraordinaire.

Your nails on a chalkboard moment?
When people cut in line, and pretend like they didn’t see you standing there.

Biggest misconception about being an entrepreneur?
That you get to do whatever you want to, anytime you want to. Sort of true, but you still must be responsive to your clients/customers and stay engaged with your team.

Inc. or Rolling Stone or…..? Which magazine cover?
Inc. or Black Enterprise.

What are you reading?
David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, by Malcolm Gladwell

What book is your must-read?
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey – I am a bit biased, since I’m also certified in this program!

If I wanted to do what you’re doing…what’s your advice?
Be authentic; get comfortable with yourself (all of you); listen more than you speak; ask great open-ended questions; make time to recharge; acknowledge your mistakes – examine them and then keep moving forward.

What conference would you like to keynote?
Actually, I’d love to give a TED talk that went viral!

Short cut, long route, road less traveled? What’s your roadmap?
My journey has been a long route, which has helped me to develop greater perseverance and tenacity.

Podium you’d like to stand on?
Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit.

One place in time you’d like to visit?
This is always an interesting question for me when I think of how women of color have been treated in past times. It would be great to travel back in time to visit New York in the 1920’s during the Harlem Renaissance.

Part of the trick to staying focused?
A: Is not to multi-task – instead, do one thing at a time. We fool ourselves into thinking that doing multiple things at once leads to greater efficiency. It actually can lead to more errors (re-work) and less productivity.