Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to  Aurelia Michael-Holmgren. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Aurelia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

If you had asked me this question pre-covid, I would have easily said later. When I started Aurelia Michael Living, a life coaching company, I had no clue what I was doing. For 7 years, I had no marketing, assistance, or “formal” training. I didn’t know how to set prices, seek clients, or operate day-to-day business. But what I did know was how to help people transform their lives. I learned so much along the way, and if I hadn’t started AML and learned it all in-process, my newest company, Voice On Demand, would have never been born. From all my trails and tribulations, I was able to start VOD with a sharper mind, more coaching and business running experience, and the marketing and administrative support that I needed. If I had started later, or not at all, I imagine that I would have needed another 2-3 years to help VOD flourish into the class, course, coaching, and, most importantly, community it is today.

Aurelia, 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?

I am a boogie down Bronx native, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. I got into life coaching when I was doing my first Musical Theatre show – Legally Blonde. I grabbed a 90 page book, found my first client, and never looked back. Through the last 12 years I have actively been a life coach, musical theatre artist, and now VoiceOver artist and coach. While many would see the tours, broadway and regional shows, national VO commercials, etc as the “things” to be most proud of, I am most proud of staying true to myself, and in turn giving other people the necessary permission to do the same – even if it takes them longer in their field to see the results. Through AML, I learned to really listen not just to what people are saying, but what they’re not saying, but their bodies are often showing. I have had the opportunity to coach people of all races, ages, genders, and experience levels in life. With an added focus now on VO coaching, I find myself having the same conversations about life, just through the context of VO. And lastly, continuing to be a MT performer and Associate Choreographer, I am really proud of the work Rickey Tripp (the choreographer I work with) and I have set on such incredible talent all over the country.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Three books that have really impacted me along my journey are The One Thing (Gary Keller), Atomic Habits (James Clear), and Who not How (Dan Sullivan).

In The One Thing, I learned about the power of giving your focus to what is most important to you, while also taking inventory to make sure that you are going after it in an efficient and effective way. One of the biggest takeaways from it was his discussion about Hyperbolic Discounting. In a nutshell, it’s the concept of a mountain looking so small and far in the distance (your true goal), and how the size and perception makes us think the temporary satisfactions that get up close along the journey can derail us from the goals.

In Atomic Habits, I learned so much about starting goal creation from your identity. How do you see yourself in the world, and particularly in the industry or industries you pursue. Then learning about the difference between outcome goals and process goals, and how specific and measurable your process goals need to be in order to stay disciplined and on task.

Lastly, in Who not How, I learned how to not try to do every damn thing on my own. There are already people out there who do what you need done, and love it. By delegating to your “who’s” you can focus on the things that light you up, and together you can get a lot further a lot faster than doing everything solo.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I find the two best sources for new clients for me is via podcasts and workshops. Once I am able to get in front of people, and they can feel my passion behind my words, they at least want to sign up for a consult and chat more! Also, with podcasts you’re able to have a candid and free conversation, and those listening get to take there time to ingest everything, and feel like they were a fly on the wall soaking up all the gems.

Contact Info:

• Website: aureliamichael.com and ourvoiceondemand.com
• Instagram: aureliamichael and ourvoiceondemand
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aurelia.michael
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aureliamichael/
• Twitter: aureliamichael
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTuUsEm6kfwLmVPdnlGtfw