We were lucky to catch up with Erin Slutsky recently and have shared our conversation below.

Erin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I am known for helping women feel seen, heard, and understood. I remind them they are not alone and they belong. They know I am a trusted advisor and will be there for them. I learned from a young age how to be there in times of need or lack of support. I learned how to fill the void and step in when needed. I was responsible for making sure my younger sister was taken care of. I got her to school, ensured she had clean clothes, and even took her to get her driver’s license. I was never told to do these things. I just saw a need and stepped in to help. The irony is, I spent most of my life supporting and being there for people, and I haven’t felt taken care of or supported. I have always taken care of myself, and my own needs. Self-sufficient is my middle name.
Now I find myself working with women who are successful, sacrificial, and self-sufficient. They care for others, love to give their all, and step in where they see a need. But there is a dark side. Sometimes, like me, despite all the success in their personal and professional lives, it’s hard to put themselves first. They struggle to ask for help let alone know what they even need help with. Deep down inside, they know they could use support, but they’ve done things for themselves for so long, they have a hard time giving up control. All this creates overwhelm, over-functioning and loneliness. They have depended on themselves for so long, they send the message that they don’t need anyone. But this leaves them with a lack of support, lack of community, and lack of belonging.

This is where the Enneagram comes in. Right about the time my oldest daughter was ready to leave the nest, I discovered this self-awareness tool, I was seeing women I knew who were emptying their nests, feeling lost, and confused about their identity. They were looking at their partner and asking “who are you and do I even like you?” Many were getting divorced and I wanted to avoid that. The Enneagram helped me rediscover who I was, and what motivated me and gave me the language to describe how I saw the world. It has also created empathy for myself and others. I have learned to accept parts of me that I thought were flaws and welcomed new beliefs about what loving others looks like. Knowing the Enneagram has made me feel seen, heard, and understood. At the age of 50, after being a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) for 20 years, I started my coaching business and now I have the privilege to coach and teach other women to use this powerful tool in their own lives.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

(Some of the information requested in this question is in the previous answer)

For about 25 years, I have held many leadership roles in international organizations, colleges, churches, and non-profit organizations. I have also taken my public speaking to universities, conferences, and retreats, as well as podcasts, webinars, and women’s groups around the U.S. I am also a published author. I currently run my own Life Coaching business where I use my nursing background and expertise in the Enneagram to help women rediscover who they truly want to be. My husband Aaron, four daughters, and one granddaughter live in Wisconsin.

I work with women who are successful, sacrificial, and self-sufficient. They care for others, love to give their all, and step in where they see a need. But there is a dark side. Sometimes, like me, despite all the success in their personal and professional lives, it’s hard to put themselves first. They struggle to ask for help let alone know what they even need help with. Deep down inside, they know they could use support, but they’ve done things for themselves for so long, they have a hard time giving up control. All this creates overwhelm, over-functioning and loneliness. They have depended on themselves for so long, they send the message that they don’t need anyone. But this leaves them with a lack of support, lack of community, and lack of belonging.

I have learned that it is never too late to begin. At the age of 50, I started my own business after being a SAHM for 20 years. I have the privilege of using my years of experience and wisdom I gained and my expertise in the Enneagram (personality assessment) to lead, coach and mentor women who want to live aligned with their values and keep their priorities straight.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

This answer will cover a few of the questions posed. Relationships.
I have found that building relationships has helped me market my business in an honest and effective way. In my line of work, there needs to be a high level of trust. Women are sharing intimate personal stories with me and I hold them sacred. They have such a powerful experience, they can’t help but share it with their friends, family, and co-workers. Networking and collaborating relationships are just as important. You want to know who the people are that you will be working with and make sure that the relationship is built on trust and authenticity. Most of my clients come from word of mouth or referrals. This is what keeps my business in line with my values.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Again, this answer can cover a few of these questions. Trust.
When you work directly, 1:1 with clients, there needs to be a foundation of trust. Building trust can take some time but I have found that if there is a common language and understanding of how we see the world, it happens much quicker. The Enneagram has been the key tool that has helped me build trust with my clients in an effective way. If I know my client’s Enneagram type, I can understand their point of view and speak in a way that they connect with. They, in turn, feel seen, heard, and understood and are more willing to share. People know they can come to me with anything in their personal and professional lives and it will be held sacred.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.erinslutskycoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinslutskycoaching/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinSlutskyCoaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-slutsky-943b5035/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erinslutsky752

Image Credits
Katie Soyka- Elevate Photography