We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marcia N. Armstrong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcia N., thanks for joining us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

For me, it’s all about service that goes beyond the transaction. One of the offers in my suite is a 60-minute financial consultation where I help clients focus on the area of their finances that needs the most attention. The goal? To help them gain clarity, take meaningful steps forward, and ultimately achieve their financial goals.

But here’s the thing: I know that one session alone can’t fix everything. What my clients truly need is a map—a journey that offers support, accountability, and guidance through the different seasons of life.

So when a client books this service, does the work, and then comes back with a question later on, I don’t turn them away or send an invoice for “extra time.” Instead, I sit with them, listen, and work through their decision—without an additional charge.

There are coaches who bill for every minute, but I’ve always believed that when you serve well, you’re rewarded in ways you can’t always measure. For me, this approach has turned clients into loyal advocates—not because I asked them to, but because they felt truly seen, heard, and supported.

That’s the kind of relationship I’m building—one where trust leads the way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Marcia N. Armstrong, the CEO and Creative Founder of A Purpose Life, a business I launched in January 2020—right at the height of the pandemic. My decision to start this journey was deeply personal. In 2018, I experienced my own financial breakthrough: I shifted how I cared for my resources, particularly my money. That transformation was life-changing. I paid off a 4-year loan in just 12 months, started my business, built my long-term emergency fund, and began investing for the future. This revelation sparked a desire in me to help others achieve the same financial clarity and confidence by teaching them how to make, manage, and multiply their income.

At A Purpose Life, I provide a suite of services tailored to meet my clients’ needs. These include:

– Courses to build financial literacy,
– One-on-One and Group Coaching for personalized and community-driven support,
– Workshop Facilitation to empower teams and organizations,
– Digital Products designed for practical learning,
– Speaking Engagements to inspire and educate audiences, and
– Done-for-You Services for clients seeking hands-on financial solutions.

What makes my approach unique is that I help my clients see money differently. I don’t just teach budgets and strategies—I go deeper. I focus on addressing the beliefs, emotions, and behaviours that shape their financial decisions. I firmly believe that financial wellness starts with the mind and heart.

What truly sets me apart is my commitment to seeing my clients as people, not transactions. I lead with transparency, sharing my own journey with honesty and humility. This openness builds a foundation of trust and allows my clients to show up as their authentic selves—without shame, embarrassment, or guilt about past money decisions. Together, we create a judgment-free space for learning, growth, and empowerment.

One of the things I’m most proud of is becoming a trusted partner for training, finance, and business development agencies in Barbados. Through these collaborations, I’ve had the opportunity to provide financial consultations to hundreds of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and micro-businesses each year. Another milestone that stands out for me is introducing the concept of financial wellness in the workplace. Being able to show organizations how financial stress affects every area of an employee’s life—and providing solutions to improve their well-being—has been groundbreaking.

At A Purpose Life, my mission is clear: to equip individuals and businesses with the tools, support, and strategies they need to achieve financial freedom and live purpose-driven lives.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I started building my audience on social media, I made a promise to myself: focus on the message, not the numbers. I believe that when you serve your audience well, the growth will follow naturally.

The first step for me was understanding who my ideal client is. I realized early on that I’m not speaking to everyone—I’m speaking to the people who will get the best results from my products and services. Once I got clear on who I’m serving, it became easier to create content that speaks directly to their needs, challenges, and aspirations.

My advice for anyone starting out? Find what type of content drives reach and engagement for you. The more people who see your content, the higher the chances of turning followers into clients. For example, I found that reels and carousel posts perform well for me because they’re both visually engaging and packed with value. It’s also important to know where your people hang out—whether that’s Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or TikTok—so you can focus your energy on the right platform.

Consistency and visibility have been non-negotiables in my strategy. I conduct a yearly outlook where I map out trends, themes, and current events so I can batch-create content in advance. But I also leave room for those spontaneous, ad-hoc posts—because life happens, and sometimes the most powerful content comes from what’s real and relatable in the moment.

Finally, building an audience is about connection, not just content. I’ve prioritized authentic engagement:

– I reach out and have meaningful conversations in the DMs.
– I take time to comment thoughtfully on others’ content.

This not only strengthens relationships but also helps optimize your profile and boost visibility.

If you’re just starting out, remember this: your voice and message matter. Show up consistently, stay true to who you are, and focus on building genuine connections. Growth will come, one person at a time.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve always believed that in life—and in business—you have to remain open to change because it’s the one constant we can count on. A pivotal moment for me in my business came when I took a close look at my key performance indicators. I realized that while my heart has always been in financial literacy, the majority of my revenue was coming from costing and pricing consultations.

Both areas were profitable, but my consulting services were driving the most significant business growth. This shift wasn’t something I initially planned for. In the earlier years of my business, I focused heavily on coaching, and most of my income came from what I produced directly. But as I started partnering with multiple agencies, the demand for my consulting services skyrocketed. It was clear that I needed to adjust my focus to meet the market where it was—because sometimes, your market introduces itself to you through customer demand rather than you chasing it.

Interestingly, this pivot didn’t stop there. Following the success of my costing and pricing consultations, I saw a surge in requests for financial wellness trainings as well. This change allowed me to expand my impact while also growing my business in ways I hadn’t initially imagined.

The lesson? As a business owner, you have to be willing to pivot to where the opportunities—and the revenue—are. By staying adaptable and listening to what your market is telling you, you can find growth in unexpected places without losing sight of your purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://apurposelife246.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.purpose.life/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-armstrong/

Image Credits

Barbados Youth Business Trust (BYBT)
CICSA Co-op Credit Union Ltd.