Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cherie Morris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cherie, 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.
Leaving the practice of law, post-divorce, to create a coaching business was risky. I was successful as a lawyer and a mom and it was a new space for me to inhabit. I understood what was missing in the divorce space but creating a successful business to meet that need required a substantial investment of resources and time. I did the obvious first–I did coursework to increase my credentials for credibility in the space. Next, I created a website and started networking with people I knew could benefit from the services I offered their clients: other lawyers, therapists and financial professionals. I started with social media channels to deliver what was then a pretty revolutionary message about divorce: we can all de-escalate, make good decisions for ourselves and our children and thrive on the other side no matter the response of our spouse or former partner. We are in charge of what we do and can respond, rather than react, to them. Changing the cultural norm of the “fight of divorce” isn’t easy as there is lots of entitlement and victimhood in this space that allows for advantage taking by financial predators in all the categories of service. Staying the course, I found one client and then another, and then some coparenting couples who needed this very support. We built common values, theirs not mine, worked each day on communication and cooperation, even when it is hard, and slowly but surely got to the other side of divorce with more success than high conflict would bring. I now see children thrive who might otherwise been caught in the crossfire of the parents decision-making. For me, this is a measure of great success.
Cherie, 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 the founder of www.DearDivorceCoach.com as I went through a high conflict divorce myself and knew neither my spouse, me nor our children were well-served by the process. I was determined to solve the problem of how to do better for others and help my own children too. This mid-life crisis brought me to the best professional space I have ever been and has also taught me a lot about what I can control and what I must let go too.
I am most proud that I created this entrepreneurial space at a time people didn’t understand coaching very well at all, and divorce coaching in particular. I was one of the earliest adopters of the space to create content and specialized coaching for those who may need it as they contemplated, were in the midst of or had post-divorce difficulties.
I now have the privilege, in a blended family myself, of serving those families, post-divorce, who find themselves entering new and more complex family systems and need support about parenting, coparenting and step-parenting too. I have also just re-released a coparenting course, online, to serve those who need this resource and am proud of all the value it offers, including video, audio and worksheets too. It can be found right here: https://www.coparentingacademy.com
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
The heart of my work is the coach and client connection. It is the individual touch that makes the difference in the work I do. I can offer books to read, workshop exercises, meditation and exercise self care. Truly listening and making sure they feel seen and heard reinforces all of this extracurricular work and makes certain they are able to achieve the goals we set in the beginning of our relationship together. I believe, as a small business owner, this makes success possible.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
As a lawyer, I am, by nature analytical and logical. However, I could solve legal problems and still see unhappy people. There is a disconnect that required a shift. I had to unlearn the idea that solving a concrete problem was the answer to helping people thrive. In fact, mindset matters much more to predicted happiness than any other factor. This meant I had to shift from problem solving to mindset shifting with clients. I did this by giving them tools, real, practical and actionable to do just that. Often my clients spend way too much time thinking of their former partner and too little time focusing upon what’s next and best for them and their children. It’s a natural human tendency whether you leave a marriage or are left, but doesn’t serve you well.
Teaching myself, then others, to unlearn their own attachment to being right or “fixing” the problem is complex journey for all of us. There are tools to do this and, when successful, I find clients living their best lives and taking good care of themselves and their children.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.DearDivorceCoach.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deardivorcecoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DearDivorceCoach
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morrischerie/
- Twitter: https://x.com/DearDivorceTeam
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJJMAXn_j7fwszBM6-Zh8EQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dear-divorce-coach-mercer-island
