We recently connected with Jessica Aguilar and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?
One of my favorite quotes is from Henry Ford, “whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you’re right.” It reminds us that your mindset and belief in your ability to achieve something can significantly impact your outcome, if you believe you can do something, you are more likely to succeed. Success, in my view, is a blend of faith, perseverance, consistency and a growth mindset. It’s about having a clear vision of who you are, staying focused on your values that align with your goals, and being open to learning and evolving along the way. The journey to success isn’t linear, and it often requires resilience to overcome obstacles, as well as the ability to pivot when things don’t go as planned.
During grad school, I faced a number of challenges that really tested my ability to balance multiple responsibilities. One story that stands out is when I was working on obtaining my two master’s degrees. At the time, I had a toddler, a full-time job, internships, and was heavily involved in my community. The schedule was already demanding, but as if that wasn’t enough, during my second master’s program, I found out I was pregnant. I gave birth to my baby girl in the last month of my program.
Balancing the physical demands of pregnancy, preparing for a newborn, managing the intense workload of grad school, and fulfilling my other responsibilities required me to dig deep into my time management and resilience. There were times when I had to be extremely strategic with my energy and prioritize tasks effectively. I learned to be flexible, adapt to unexpected changes, and manage stress without letting it overwhelm me.
It wasn’t easy, and there were moments when I wasn’t sure how I would manage it all. Through it all, I found a sense of determination I didn’t know I had. By leaning on my support system, staying organized, and maintaining a clear focus on my long-term goals, I was able to finish both degrees successfully.
That experience taught me the importance of perseverance, the ability to adapt under pressure, and the value of balancing professional and personal responsibilities. It also reinforced my belief that long term success often requires juggling many roles and being able to adjust when life throws curveballs while prioritizing self care. It requires the willingness to adjust your approach when needed, staying committed even when the going gets tough, and continuing to push forward with a positive attitude and an open mind.
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?
My name is Jessica M.Ed, LSC, former therapist and counselor now certified mindset coach and speaker. I’m passionate about helping individuals step into their full potential—both personally and professionally. As a mom, wife, and life coach, I understand the delicate balancing act of juggling family, career, and personal growth. I’ve walked the path of breaking generational cycles and shifting my mindset, and now I’m here to guide others who want to level up in their lives while embracing the beauty of their roles.Through my speaking, trainings and mentorship services, I empower individuals to cultivate unshakeable confidence, develop a resilient mindset, and take bold steps toward their goals. I specialize in helping individuals and businesses find harmony between their personal and professional lives while breaking free from limiting beliefs that hold them back.
My brand is built on empowerment, connection, and growth—showing others that no matter the obstacles, they have the strength to create the life they desire. So, when people engage with my work, I want them to feel seen, supported, and inspired to take action toward their own goals. I hope they will always feel worthy and more than enough as they are while making room for the greatest version of themselves. I want them to know that I’ve walked the hard path, continue to evolve and I’m here to help them walk their own with confidence and clarity.
As for what I want potential clients, followers, or fans to know about me and my brand—what I really aim to offer is an authentic, supportive space for personal and professional development. I believe that true growth comes from embracing both the challenges and triumphs of life, and that’s the philosophy I weave into my coaching and the content I share. I’m all about helping people tap into their full potential, whether that’s through mindset shifts, practical strategies, or fostering emotional intelligence. Most importantly, I want them to live a thriving life where they believe abundance, peace and Gods plan is unfolding perfectly.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes, my side hustle eventually evolved into my full-time business, and it’s been an incredibly fulfilling journey. It all started when I was working full-time as a behavior consultant, but I felt a deep desire to help others through coaching and personal development. I began coaching on the side, just taking on a few clients here and there, while juggling my main job and other responsibilities. At first, it was just something I just wanted others to learn about and advocate for, but clients were getting results and I realized there was a genuine need for the kind of support and empowerment I was offering. I knew in my heart it would become a full-time endeavor, eventually. Although I didn’t know when because it felt so scary to leave my secure job and what I have always known I made it my goal to make it happen and I did 4 years later.
The turning point for me came when I truly saw the impact my coaching business was having, not just in my life but in the lives of my clients. I had always been passionate about helping others, but it wasn’t until I started seeing the transformations in my clients that I realized just how many more lives could be impacted by this work. The personal growth they experienced, the breakthroughs they had, and the positive changes in their lives were incredibly fulfilling to witness. What made it even more impactful was the constant flow of referrals I was receiving. Clients were coming back, sharing their success stories, and recommending my services to others. I decided to get my husband on board and take a leap of faith into coaching and speaking. I scaled my services by building an online presence, and focusing more on creating valuable content for my audience and my coaching services.
Some key milestones along the way included:
Launching my first signature program: That was a big step because it allowed me to offer 1:1 services
Building a solid online community: I have continued to build a loyal following that grew organically.
Becoming financially sustainable: I am able to provide an income for my myself and my family without working 40+ hours
Expanding my services: I began offering 1:1 coaching which further broadened my reach and allowed me to scale my impact now offering group coaching, workshops, and small business/corporate training
Hometown Living on WSBT: I am featured weekly on South Bend’s only live and local show
Youtube Series: Iliana from Big Sister Hour and I host a monthly Sister Talk Mental Health Series
Podcast Host of Changing Healing Achieving and Thriving with the Aggies: A podcast with my husband sharing marriage, CEO life, faith, parenting and everything in between
The journey from side hustle to full time entrepreneur was definitely not without challenges. It has required a lot of time, effort, and learning, and still does, but it has been incredibly rewarding. Now, I’m able to focus fully on my passion and help even more people achieve their goals. I’m proud of the transition and the milestones along the way because they’ve been markers of growth, both for me and for my clients.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Yes! I love personal development and all things mindset and mental health hence the reason I got into this career! Some of the most impactful books I have read are Jesus Listens, Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima, the Mountain is you, Atomic Habits, Atlas of the Heart, the Body Keeps the Score, the Psychology of Money, We Should All be Millionaires, Let them, Do Hard Things, Eat that Frog, She Thinks like a Boss, Everything is Figureoutable and Be Seen. I listen to podcasts almost daily some of my favorites are Mel Robbins, the Ed Mylett show, Kristen Boss, Motivation with Brendon Burchard, Powerhouse Women, Marie Forleo podcast, CEO School, Candace Cameron Bure podcast, Elevation with Steven Furtick and School of Greatness are some of my top favorites. I have learned a lot from my own coaches, the mentorship program “Mujeron Movement” I am currently in and other entrepreneurial programs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://athrivingmind.org
- Instagram: A_thriving_Mind_
- Facebook: A Thriving Mind by Jessica
- Youtube: C.H.A.T with the Aggies
