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

Fernanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The Risk I Took: Selling My Business to Pursue My Purpose

In 2021, I was running a successful staging business generating $1.6 million annually. On the surface, it seemed like I had everything I wanted. But behind the scenes, I was burnt out, disconnected from my family, and out of alignment with my true purpose.

The business I had worked so hard to build no longer felt fulfilling. Instead of bringing joy, it consumed my energy, leaving me no time to focus on what mattered most. I felt stuck in a version of success that didn’t align with who I wanted to be.

In 2022, I made the bold decision to sell my share of the business and walk away. It was terrifying—leaving stability behind to chase an uncertain future. But deep down, I knew I needed to make this change to reclaim my life and realign with my purpose.

After stepping away, I focused on healing and rediscovering what truly mattered. That journey led to the creation of Creating Change, my coaching brand with my husband that empowers others to build businesses and lives that align with their values.

Taking this risk taught me the power of trusting my instincts and redefining success on my own terms. It wasn’t easy, but it was the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

About Me: Fernanda Bertrand I’m Fernanda Bertrand, a business coach and entrepreneur passionate about helping others uncover their true purpose and align their lives with their inner calling. My work blends spiritual insight with practical strategies to help clients turn their businesses into paths for personal growth—without the overwhelm.

How I Got Here
My journey began in interior design, transitioned into building a successful staging business that generated $1.6 million annually, and eventually led me to take a leap of faith to pursue my true calling. After realizing that the success I had built didn’t align with my values, I made the bold decision to sell my business and focus on helping others build lives and businesses that truly light them up.

What I Offer

Business Coaching: I help entrepreneurs align their vision and values with actionable strategies to build businesses that fuel their souls—not just their bank accounts. My clients learn how to grow sustainably while avoiding burnout and finding joy in their work.
Workshops and Events: I create transformative spaces for reflection and growth, where participants can reconnect with themselves, set goals, and create actionable plans to live in alignment with their purpose.
What Sets Me Apart
I believe that a business should be a vehicle for personal growth and fulfillment. My coaching combines practical, step-by-step strategies with spiritual alignment, ensuring my clients build businesses that feel as good as they look. I focus on creating holistic success that’s rooted in authenticity and alignment.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of trusting my instincts to leave behind what no longer served me and pursue a path that aligns with my true calling. Watching my clients build businesses that light them up and allow them to live their dream lives is incredibly rewarding.

What I Want You to Know
My coaching is designed to help you uncover your purpose, align with your calling, and build a life and business that lights you up. Together, we’ll turn your business into a soulful path for personal growth and authentic success you can’t buy. If you’re ready to embrace your inner wisdom and create a life of alignment and purpose, I’d be honored to guide you.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A Time I Had to Pivot in Business In 2022, I made one of the biggest pivots of my career. At the time, I was co-running a successful staging business that had grown to $1.6 million in annual revenue. From the outside, it looked like everything was going perfectly. But on the inside, I felt completely out of alignment.

The business had become all-consuming, leaving little time for my family, my health, and my personal growth. I realized I was chasing a version of success that wasn’t mine—it was what I thought I should want, but it didn’t reflect my deeper values or the impact I truly wanted to make in the world.

After months of reflection, I decided to sell my share of the business. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but I knew staying would have cost me more in the long run—my joy, my relationships, and my sense of purpose.

This pivot wasn’t just about leaving a business; it was about stepping into alignment with who I am. It allowed me to focus on my passion for helping others uncover their purpose, align with their inner calling, and build lives and businesses that light them up.

The transition wasn’t easy—walking away from stability and starting over brought its own challenges. But it also brought freedom, clarity, and fulfillment I hadn’t felt in years. Today, I get to guide other entrepreneurs through their own transformations, helping them create businesses that align with their souls and allow them to thrive in every area of their lives.

Looking back, this pivot taught me the power of trusting your instincts and being willing to let go of what no longer serves you—even when it feels risky. It was a leap of faith that allowed me to create a life and business that feel deeply aligned with my purpose.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A Story of Resilience My story of resilience began long before my entrepreneurial journey. It started in 2002, when I made the life-altering decision to pack everything I owned into one suitcase and move 6,000 miles away from home. At just 16 years old, I left behind my life in Rio de Janeiro—a bustling city where I grew up in a 500-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment—and landed in Los Angeles, a place completely foreign to me where I didn’t even speak a word of English.

That move was a leap of faith into the unknown. It was a chance to create a new future, away from everything familiar. I had to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture, and rebuild my life from the ground up. Every step was a challenge, but it also opened doors I couldn’t have imagined as a young girl growing up in the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities.

That experience taught me resilience in its truest form—the ability to face uncertainty, embrace change, and keep moving forward, even when the odds feel stacked against you. It’s a lesson I’ve carried into every chapter of my life, especially in my entrepreneurial journey. That pivotal moment changed the trajectory of my life and gave me the courage to chase opportunities that once felt out of reach.

Looking back, I realize that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about daring to start over, trusting yourself to figure things out, and believing in the possibility of a better future, even when the path isn’t clear. That move wasn’t just a physical relocation; it was the foundation of the life I’ve built today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fernandabertrand.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fernanda.bertrand/

Image Credits
Photography: Rachael Ann with Focused Media Collective