We were lucky to catch up with Erica Cooper recently and have shared our conversation below.
Erica , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about helping others. I believe that desire is what inspired me to serve in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years. After I retired from the military, I didn’t feel as I did while in uniform. The service aspect of my life was missing and I felt lost and unsure about how to move forward. For three years, I worked as a government contractor and employee before deciding to take a risk and resign from a safe and lucrative position. I wanted to find my own way in life. So I decided to move across the country with the intent of improving a shaky long distance relationship, to enjoy living closer to family (after 27+ years) and to enjoy retirement. Instead, COVID hit, the world “stopped”, my shaky relationship ended and my mum and brother died (a year apart) unexpectedly. My entire life as I knew it shattered and I wasn’t sure how to move forward.
It is really difficult losing anyone in your family, but I feel the loss of a parent is on a whole different level. Losing For me, the loss of my mum was the most devastating moment of my life and I have been through a lot. As a baby, my abusive father left my stay at home mum and my 5 siblings. We were eventually supported by welfare and government housing. My childhood was both difficult and at times quite depressing and scary. In addition, we were judged and at times treated unkindly by those who assumed my mum was just living off the government because she was too lazy to take care of herself (which was far from the truth). My mum was the most hardworking person I’ve ever met. She did everything she could to shield, love, protect and provide for us. Still, as a child, I was teased and bullied and I never felt like I fit in anywhere. People used to call me “the black sheep” of the family.
When I ran away and joined the military, my world opened up in so many ways for which I’m truly grateful. From traveling to beautiful places, to having the opportunity to graduate with a Master’s degree (a first in my family!), to receiving incredible job opportunities (like working for AFROTC at Duke University, at the prestigious Air Force Academy and directly supporting the Office of the President of the United States). While serving was a blessing, it didn’t come without a fair amount of trauma. I have received injuries while deployed that significantly changed how I live my life. These injuries created a long road to recovery. Still through the trauma, a divorce, life’s challenges and COVID, nothing compared to losing my mum. She was my rock. My hero. And not being able to go home to bury her properly because of COVID was devastating. One year later, my eldest brother also died unexpectedly. This is when I hit rock bottom. I felt like I lost the ability to “breathe” and function on my own. I didn’t know how to move forward with feeling anymore. I just kept going though the motions as if I were in a daze. One day I woke up and decided I didn’t want to live my life this way anymore. That I wanted to feel. To heal. To grow and to be happy. So, I started going to therapy and I took the time needed to focus on getting to know the real me”.
During this time, I learned what truly balances me and what makes me, me! I found a huge love for photography, hiking, cycling, and simply roaming through this beautiful country in appreciation of the simplest things in life. Things like sunsets, sunrises, flowers, sitting still at the edge of a body of water. Mountains, cabins, meditation, laughing with my awesome young adults and my best friend. It was in this space that I finally gave myself permission to live in ways I couldn’t before. During this time of rebirth and reflection, I still had that desire that only serving others could fill. Still confused on how to serve, I continued on my self growth and self healing path.
During this time, I attended a self-care, self-love retreat and it was there that I realized my passion for serving others in the same way others served me! Over the course of time, I continuously tried to determine the best way to do so and one day it just hit me. I had been life coaching for years “on the side” and seeing those I’ve worked with find their passion in life excited me so much. I just didn’t connect the term “life coach” with what I was doing. After spending a few days alone in the woods, it came to me. I immediately returned to my hotel room and started researching how to become a life coach and signed up. While in the certification course, I knew I was going to start my own business and that’s how “Excel with Erica” was born!
I want to spend the rest of my life serving those who have either lost their voice or were never taught how to use it. I think one of the most beautiful things is envisioning your dreams, creating a plan and following through to completion, hence my vision statement is “Envision your dreams…let’s make them REALITY!!!” In my greatest time of need, I had no one to walk through life with. I recognize how amazing it would’ve been to have someone to guide me. I want to be that for others. I think there’s nothing more empowering, beautiful and exciting than to help others “peel back the onion” to find their true greatness!
Erica , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
After hitting my version of rock bottom, I decided to go on a self healing journey. I also decided to take the time to get to know who Erica P. Cooper is today. You see, for my entire adult life I knew Erica P. Cooper as a successful professional, mum and wife. After my divorce, retiring from the military, and guiding my children into adulthood, I struggled with understanding who I was as a civilian, divorced middle aged woman, and single empty nester. I had never met this version before.
My path to healing, growing and finding myself was long, hard and quite lonely. There were many days when I longed to walk my path with someone experienced enough to support and guide me. And though that didn’t happen, it didn’t halt my passion and willingness to do everything I could to heal, grow and succeed (in a healthy manner). Once healed, I could clearly see what I wanted to do and the best ways I could help others to become the best version of themselves by reaching their goals.
The vision statement for “Excel with Erica” is “Envision your dreams…let’s make them reality!” How do we do that? By meeting each client and truly seeing them. By taking the necessary time to understand the space they are in. And guiding them to “peel back the onion” to determine a successful path to reach their goals. Throughout this process each client will learn vital life skills, gain self confidence and will ultimately feel empowered to be the best version of themselves (however they define that). Some may get to this space faster than others. Excel with Erica’s intention is to stand firm with each client, support, guide and assist them on their individual path to success however long that may take. We offer multiple package options that will fit any client. In addition, all services are offered online which is much more convenient. Finally, Excel with Erica offers appointments after normal working hours and on the weekend to ensure clients do not have to take time off from work to focus on themselves.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Three years after I retired from the Air Force, I was hired as a government employee and worked at the military installation I retired from. I was blessed enough to own my own home (being a Cape Verdean American woman, this was a first in my family). And I was working in the Air Force Nuclear Weapon community as a subject matter expert. For a woman and a woman of color, this was an amazing place to be and quite rare. My dreams had come true in terms of stability and professional success. My personal life however was not as successful. I was in a long distance relationship and we seemed to be off more than we were on again. I have always been a planner and successfully (and meticulously) managed my life. But in this situation, my partner would tell me if I cared about our relationship, I would be where they were. I believed in us. So, I decided to show how committed I was by putting my beautiful home up for sale, resigning my government position and moving across the country to show that I was “all in”. Unfortunately, the relationship didn’t withstand and we broke up.
Devastated, I tried to pick up the pieces. Two months after arrival, COVID hit and the world “stopped”. I had no family or friends in the state nor did I know anyone else. I was completely isolated and scared. A few months after arrival, my mum died unexpectedly. In addition, my home in Louisiana didn’t sell prior to leaving (it took a full year), so, I was paying for two households without a job. There were days when I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath and had no idea how to move forward. It was the most difficult time of my life (emotionally, financially, mentally, physically, and spiritually).
I recognized I needed help to maneuver through. I reached out to the VA and requested a therapist. That’s when the hard work began and my true life started to unfold. Before I got to a solid space, I had a stroke caused by a rare aneurysm (brought on by severe stress). It felt like like I would never balance out or get better. Through therapy, I started to get to know the real me and what truly mattered. I learned to give myself permission to love me and that was such a beautiful moment. I realized my entire adult life was dedicated to my profession (serving others), my ex-husband, and children. That I never took time for myself. In this new space, I learned that photography, cycling, hiking and adventures both ground and balance me. I also found a love for meditation, learned to forgive myself (and others) and embraced my new beginnings. I don’t believe that I could have gotten to this space without hitting rock bottom. I believe in this space, if we’re willing to do the hard work, to feel the pain, process it with the trauma and grow then we will absolutely become the very best versions of ourselves.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I have always believed in living my life with solid core values both professionally and personally. For me, integrity, excellence and service have always been first and foremost. Choosing to live my life in an authentic and honest way allowed me to respect others, treat them as I’d like to be treated, to be kind, compassionate, empathic and understanding. I also believe past opportunities (negative/positive) helped me to learn how to maneuverer through in ways that helped me to succeed. When I started growing my business, I was amazed at how many past co-workers, colleagues, peers, family and friends were willing to support me and share my information with their own networks. I am truly grateful for all the support and blessings I’ve received throughout my life. I believe coming from a humble place keeps you grounded, focused, honest, humble, present and people are more willing to support your positive vision/goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ericapcooper.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excelwerica/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571309792993
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-p-c-a25b303b
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EricaCooper-n2z
