We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christa Downey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

I love this question. As I’m working to build my business and helping others build their businesses, I’ve become acutely aware of the faith and confidence I have in my ability to be successful. Certainly, positive feedback and encouragement from colleagues and clients confirm that I’m on the right path at this time. Fundamentally, my parents and grandparents set me up for success with their encouragement, support, and unconditional love throughout my childhood. My years of experience working with college students has shown this is not something to take for granted.

Never once as a child did I feel discouraged by my family. I remember always having their full support, even when they didn’t understand what I was working toward or why. I vividly remember riding in the car with my mom in 8th grade and off-handedly suggesting I could see myself as an actor on screen someday. Without missing a beat, my mother asked if I would be interested in attending the local high school for performing arts. How many parents would make such an offer? She was 100% serious and willing to enroll me. I wasn’t ready or even sure that was the right move for myself, so I declined, but what a feeling, to know that your parents are there for you and support you with any direction you want to go.

I tested their support several times and and they never once suggested I was making a wrong move. When I was accepted into an expensive private university and asked my father for continued financial support to make it happen, he immediately said yes and held to that commitment. My mother took the lead in applying for all the financial aid she could find and then visited the financial aid office in person to negotiate a better deal.

I graduated with a business degree from a top university and decided to immediately pursue graduate school in higher education. Again, full support and encouragement. After completing my master’s degree, I moved to Colorado for work and my dad drove me and a U-Haul across the country. Six months later, when I decided to quit my job and move to upstate New York to move in with my boyfriend, full support.

Now, as I grow my coaching and consulting business and talk about my dreams for the future, I continue to receive support and encouragement. I aim to radiate unwavering support and encouragement of others and believe we can all learn to offer this to our children and other loved ones so each person may live their most authentic lives.

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 partner with organizations and their leaders to build healthy, high-performing teams to bring their BOLDEST visions to reality for the greatest impact and results.

I support leaders and teams in achieving high levels of performance and innovation by creating cultures of aligned values and priorities while leveraging strengths. My clients are organizations of various sizes and industries. Many are working toward a healthier, more sustainable world.

My services include executive and leadership coaching, team and leadership development, and strategic priority alignment. My approach includes individual coaching, 360 evaluation, assessment tools, and team workshops or retreats.

What sets me apart is I am both a skilled listener and full of energy and ideas. I’ve been told my style is infectious. After working with me, my clients are energized and see new possibilities.

In short, I support my clients to envision and build something bigger and bolder than they have ever dreamed.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Reputation is built by every interaction, every day. I’ve always strived to make the greatest impact in every job I’ve had. I listen to all stakeholders, assess need, look for opportunity and partnerships, and create solutions that address our greatest challenges. This led to several strong partnerships over the course of my career and I’ve strived to treat each of them with care and respect. Clients come to me because they know my work or are referred by someone who knows my work and has witnessed my high levels of integrity and excellence.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I sell journals on Amazon and find it to be a simple, smooth process for sharing my work. I have a coaching journal I use with each of my clients as well as guided journals that offer an opportunity for reflection on the year ahead. I have a guided journal for entrepreneurs in the works and look forward to sharing it with the world soon.

Additionally, I have blank journals with fun phrases on the cover, such as “This woman knows her superpower & isn’t afraid to use it”, “Others I’ve lifted as I rise”, and “I’m the CFO of my life”. You can find these and other fun journals under Bower Downey Publishing on Amazon. The fun thing about these, is that each is inspired by one of my early coaching clients and their journey of transformation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christadowneycoaching.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristaBDowneyCoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christabdowney/
• Other: https://www.principalpost.com/in-brief/christa-b-downey

Image Credits
Photos with blue suit jacket taken outside are by Holly Green Photography. All others do not need credit.