We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erika Obando. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erika below.
Erika, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
During one of my birthdays, my significant other surprised me with a weekend celebration in Orlando. One of the things on the itinerary was a sunrise hot air balloon ride over some of the most spectacular views of the magical city – No, not Disney. lol.
It so happened that they paired us with two other people we didn’t know – a mom and daughter who were trying the experience for the time as well. We got to talking and taking photos together and once the ride was done, I spent time speaking with the mom. She shared that she was going through some very painful times as a result of an unexpected and devastating life change but that she and her daughter had gone to Orlando on the hot air balloon ride as part of starting a new chapter.
My first instinct was to smile big and say CONGRATULATIONS! As you can imagine, she was completely taken aback by my reaction and immediately asked why I would congratulate her during her challenging times. I shared with her that in my transformational life coaching business, I teach my clients that whenever there is a life change, hardship or difficulties to overcome, these are incredible opportunities to become better versions of ourselves. In those moments is when we get to discover so many amazing skill sets we don’t get to discover when life is smooth sailing. These are resiliency. perseverance, strength, self-nourishment, etc. Life happens FOR us – not TO us and it’s when you embrace that concept that you begin living your life with a different mentality and execute it with purpose.
A few weeks after that wonderful weekend, she texted me and said she hadn’t stopped thinking about how she felt in that split moment when I said CONGRATULATIONS! She said it made her feel light for a moment and incredibly curious of how I approach my work and my clients. After completing our first complimentary discovery call, she became my first client that wasn’t a friend of a friend. We have been working together on implementing strategies for navigating her goals, training and maintaining her emotional fitness as well as becoming her accountability partner to check in with on her milestone progresses. It fills my heart to do what I do!
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 come from a troubled and painful childhood as well as becoming a young adult who was in a constant state of survival mode. I spent so much time in my teens and 20s just trying to keep my head above water while working jobs to pay bills that I didn’t allow myself to dream of what I wanted to become when I grew up.
In my 30s, without a plan or a purpose, I just stumbled from one responsibility to a bigger one hoping I wouldn’t fall through the cracks. However, one day, I finally stopped the rat race long enough to ask myself, “What is my purpose in life?” and that is when I started developing what has become my dream profession, and finally define what I was meant to give this world.
It was in my early 40s, after answering that question, that I realized there was more to me than just working in corporate America to build up my resume. I knew deep within that I was meant to leave a legacy by opening my own business and using everything I had learned in my life to help change the lives of people struggling to find meaning and balance. When I aligned my life, my work, and my time with my passion of helping people overcome trauma and find better versions of themselves, that is when my life’s work began.
International TEDx Speaker: I started speaking publicly and sharing my story almost a decade ago and have since spoken to thousands of individuals both on national and international stages. I focus my work on women empowerment and youth enrichment teaching my audiences how to step into their own power and take charge of their lives. I took the TEDx stage back in 2017 with my talk called “When Breaking Points Lead to Empowerment” and it catapulted me into becoming an Author. After I did my TEDx Talk, many people reached out to ask if I would help them through their hardships and if I could share the tools I used to overcome my life. That is when I decided to write my first of many books.
Author: In November 2020 I launched my book called “Without A Voice – A Woman’s Journey to Resiliency” (available for purchase on www.ErikaObando.com/book) which shares the trajectory of my journey and what I did with what happened. Amongst many challenges, I share how I went from surviving deportation, physical and verbal abuse, and living on my own since I was 14 years old, to becoming who I am today. The book is due to be released in the Spanish later this year and I am also working on my next book called, “Your Children Don’t Belong To You” which is a parenting book offering a different perspective of raising your children.
Transformational Life Coach: As a Coach, I work with individuals of all ages and walks of life who want to make that life change and transform themselves from being the Victims of their stories to becoming Victorious heroes of their own journey! I share the tools I used to rebuild my own life and help others on building the foundation of living their life on purpose. I believe what sets me apart from most coaches in my industry, is that I understand what most of my clients are going through because I’ve lived it first hand and came out on the other side successfully. The most frequent comment from clients or audiences is… “You’ve been through so much and you still made it, please help me get there too!” I feel very fortunate that I am able to help guide people take responsibility of rewriting their own stories!
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
I love this question because as an Entrepreneur in a new space, we are always challenged by the imposter syndrome and not knowing how to offer your new services confidently. What worked for me was giving away my knowledge and services on a complimentary basis at first so people and audiences could test it out before deciding if my work was a good fit or not.
The same concept applies to any business. In my case, I often do speaking engagements, interviews, or mini workshops to show my experience, my style and offer my services. I also conduct complimentary discovery calls because not everyone is a good fit for my work. This also gives the potential client a “sample” of what my work and style is allowing them to experience it before making a decision.
Clients like to feel that they are being cared for rather than sold to. My business motto is to believe that when you Give, you Get.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Leading by example and putting your team first! Loyalty is a tricky thing but when you find it, it is absolutely priceless!
In management and leadership roles, it’s important to remember that your team is what matters the most in your Business Plan! Not marketing, not generating more business… but investing in having a team of employees that feel heard, respected and valued. When you take the time to curate a healthy and happy workplace where employees or a team feel like they are part of the bigger picture, a family, all the other elements of your business flow with ease. It’s in those cases that your team become advocates that carry out your mission with their voices ultimately representing your business when you are not around.
You’ve seen it when you go to a restaurant and the host or the server gives you excellent service and make you feel that you are more than just a customer. You are part of a family that cares about your experience. That is a perfect reflection of their leadership and management. Likewise, we’ve also been to establishments where the employees themselves bad mouth the restaurant even before you place your order. It’s a direct reflection of leadership and management.
In short, managing a team takes leadership that listens first and in that collective space, you have a Team that help make your business a success.
If I can leave you with one piece of advice it is that everyone has a tug at their heart for what their calling is but most of us quiet it down so we can continue working “to pay the bills.” I would encourage you to take the time to sit in the feeling of that tug and within it is where you find your ultimate purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://erikaobando.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_obando_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErikaObandoAuthor
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-obando/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Erika_Obando_