We were lucky to catch up with Sandra Coates recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sandra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
The risk was taking a chance to believe that the mindset I had been given to empower women and girls of all sizes, backgrounds and cultures was going to really do something significant. In my background, I struggled so much and for so long with body image, self esteem and confidence in who I was. Being 5’11” mean’t I always stood out and was looked at. battled with food addiction and bouts of disordered eating. (I was a very successful athlete in high school and into the beginning of college. )
It limited me to be proud of achievements, or experience security in my body or relationships. I was always needing more, trying harder to be prettier, skinnier or achieve more. I turned to unhealthy relationships and people pleasing to try and fill that void. I believed the lies that society labeled me of not fitting into what a ‘pretty, successful and desirable woman’ should be. The irony all along was that people were encouraging me and I actually was that woman I was wanting to be, but I could not experience it myself. One thing I always loved was fashion. One dream I had was to be a fashion model because to me, that would mean I was beautiful and desired for my size.
I had a faith transformation experience where I began to ask God to show me what He sees in me and help me to walk confidently in who I was. The results were life changing and my mindset was completely different. Through it all, I was given the opportunity to be part of a modeling agency and be in several runway shows as a fashion model.
I knew I wanted to give back and help other women and girls who were struggling with the same insecurities as I had. I mentioned to a few friends about helping me do a charity fashion show in with all shapes, cultures and ages and they all said YES! In 2020 we launched our first big Fashion Show and had 300 people in attendance. It was incredible to see the movement begin. We worked to become a 501-c3 nonprofit called UNITED + TRU. Our tagline is “until she knows there is no one like her.”
Currently, we are about to do our 5th annual fashion show coming in 2 weeks. (Feb 21-22nd) We also do community workouts, workshops, speaking engagements etc.. We partner with anti human trafficking groups and give a portion of our event proceeds to their work as well.
I learned that you never know what your assignment will be to help others see their potential and the great purpose God has for them. I am so humbled and passionate about this work to help this generation of women and girls.
For more details you can read my book “None Like Her”- awakening the beauty within you or my workbook “Rise Up Beautiful”.
Sandra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Sandra Coates is an author, speaker, fashion model, and leader committed to raising up God’s unique beauty and purpose within every woman, despite the competitive standards and pressures they face. She has faithfully served both in and out of the church in various positions, leading and mentoring countless women and girls to believe what God says about them and live with the freedom and confidence He offers.
As the founder of a movement, UNITED + TRU, her team uses large fashion shows to bring women and girls together of all cultures, sizes and backgrounds to walk out their God story and inspire others on the runway as role models.
From food addiction to body shame, anxiety, and broken relationships, Sandra’s passion is seeing every woman’s beauty released as she shares her compelling testimony of how God invited her to leave her past and stop chasing after what she already had within her.
For more information go to https://www.unitedandtru.org/
Her books, None Like Her – awaken the beauty within you and workbook, Rise Up Beautiful have sold over 1000 copies and been used in school clubs, FCA groups, Young Life and teen mom groups, churches and counseling offices.
Sandra also does 1-1 coaching with young women and girls. For more info please go to https://sandracoates.com/
Sandra enjoys surfing, adventures with friends and fashion. She is married to Brett, an executive pastor, and together they have three sons.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
It starts with getting a few people who will encourage you, pray for you and buy into your brand or your business. There is always a message behind what you do and it is about who you are. People want to be a apart of what you are doing when you are authentic, willing to share your obstacles and desire to see their growth and healing. I have a ‘warm’ market within my community out of the person I was both in public and 1-1 or private.
How did you build your audience on social media?
To build an audience you want to be consistent and keep looking at how to engage viewers. There are so many kinds of posts or reels or videos you can make for FREE but you want to see what gets the most traction and stay in that direction. Find out what hashtags are important as well so you get the maximum visibility for your platform. You can also try to boost your audience by paying for a time period and that can be helpful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unitedandtru.org/ https://sandracoates.com/coach/
- Instagram: unitedandtru sandracoates_
- Facebook: unitedandtru sandra coates
- Youtube: UNITED and TRU Sandra Coates
