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

Alright, Lara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

Many of the clients I work with are looking for big transformations in their work and life. Whether they are looking to switch industries in their career path or looking to start their own business, I love supporting and guiding people to achieve their wildest dreams.

One of my clients is a former professional ballet dancer and lawyer. His new dream was to open a specialized movement gym. During our time working together we dismantled a lot of the beliefs and thought patterns that were holding him back. We also set achievable goals and specific actions with deadlines that he could tackle while deciding whether or not to actually open a gym.

Starting a business is complicated. Maintaining and growing one even more so. Working with my client to pave the way to realize his dream was just the beginning. It is always fun and exciting to be at the beginning of a big dream with someone. I am always honored to support, guide, and motivate someone when they are working on an inspired project.

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

My passion for coaching began as far back as high school. I have held many jobs since the age of 14. Unfortunately, I have disliked most of them and this led me to become disillusioned with adulthood – it also led me to drinking the “love what you do” kool-aid. The jobs I have held in the past have run the gamut: I’ve worked as a secretary for a tax accountant, a bike mechanic, a hostel associate, a CrossFit gym manager, an artist and a now, a coach.

Through all of these changes and a commitment to finding work that I truly enjoy, I have become an expert in uncovering peoples strengths and career transitions. I love helping people design their lives to have the work-life balance they desire.

I know that finding “work you love” is really hot right now. I don’t always encourage folks to go full throttle down that path. Work has a variety of purposes in our lives and we each have a different relationship to it. Finding work you are passionate about can be really hard. It IS possible, if that is what you truly desire.

I am a professional life designer, certified through iPEC’s school of coaching and Stanford University’s design lab in the Designing Your Life content. I love helping people make meaningful changes in work that supports them in their every day lives.

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

As a self proclaimed self help nerd and always on the hunt for passion projects, I have had many career transitions. One the biggest was in 2017 when I transitioned from my career as an artist to career coaching. I had already done one coaching certification program in 2012 to see if I wanted to get a masters in Psychology. My answer turned out to be an emphatic “no.” So why then, did I go to another coaching program five years later in 2017? My then boyfriend, now husband, had gotten accepted to medical school and I knew we would be moving away from our beloved home in San Francisco. I chose to attend a second coaching certification program because I knew that when we moved I wanted to build a location independent business that was more externally focused than my art practice. I skew a bit more towards introvert and have no problem spending most of my days solo in an art studio. However, moving to Denver from SF, I knew I would have to do everything in my favor to build a new community. I have long been self help obsessed and coaching is my favorite way of interacting with others. I love listening to peoples stories, sharing resources with them, inspiring them to accomplish their goals, and working with them to level up.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

To be honest, I’m not great with technology and social media – I much prefer snail mail and avant garde marketing techniques. I do utilize a regular e-newsletter, instagram, and a few other tools. But I also lean into my passion for analogue stuff. I regularly send postcards and letters to people on my mailing list. Recently I made a zine that I shipped around the country. I also put it all over my neighborhood. I love putting up fliers, dropping them off at coffee shops, and handing out postcards with my own designs, as well as stickers! PEople love a good sticker.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://larabuelow.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larabuelow/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larabuelow/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@larabuelow
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/thatmoxie.life/

Image Credits
Kimberly Mitiska