We recently connected with Marline Paul and have shared our conversation below.

Marline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

For me, failure is not so much about the outcome as it is about the lessons learned throughout the journey. I don’t view setbacks as true defeat, but rather opportunities for growth. When I reflect on my life, I originally intended to launch my entrepreneurship long ago when my husband first enlisted. Our military relocation was going to be my chance to finally leave teaching and build my own business. However, that first attempt did not pan out as planned. I still had to return to the classroom at our new duty station. While some may have seen going back to teaching as a failure after telling others I would be leaving, I chose to see it as a period for strategic development. I used that time to invest in professional and personal growth and hire coaches to shift my mindset into one of abundance and determination.

Armed with this knowledge and experience, I made a second dedicated attempt at full-time entrepreneurship when my husband separated from military service. Though I still ended up teaching for a couple more years while slowly getting my business running behind the scenes, I remained resilient. I continued refining my brand and offerings in my spare time while creating a solid plan for my next chapter. With each lesson, I was progressing closer to my goal.

Now I am proudly self-employed with a steadily growing company. For me, failure is not a definitive end but rather stands for the First Attempt In Lasting Success. It often takes many first attempts before you reach your ultimate destination. Without trying, there is no opportunity to learn and evolve. Each step brings me closer to my destiny as long as I embrace the journey

Marline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As the daughter of immigrant parents who came to America for a better life for their kids, the values of faith, education, and perseverance were deeply instilled in me. I witnessed their tireless work ethic and sacrifice firsthand. This gave me the drive to dream big and challenge myself to achieve what once seemed impossible if I had stayed where they grew up. I pushed myself in my studies, became the first to graduate college in my family, and now get to inspire that same belief in others.

My journey into entrepreneurship and coaching was destined as my natural strengths met the real needs I saw all around. As a teacher for over 17 years, I mastered breaking complex ideas down into simple ways and guiding others to unlock their potential. I integrated new classroom technology so efficiently that my students excelled. Throughout my time in education, I advised many women who confided their dreams of pursuing their own businesses. Most lacked support systems, business understanding, access, or confidence in their abilities even with brilliant visions.

I realized I could translate my skills in empowering young minds to now empower women entrepreneurs. The hands-on approach that made me an effective teacher is what these women needed to turn passion into profit. After my husband separated from active duty to reserve military service, it was my time to take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship and launch a women-focused coaching firm.

My company provides personalized business strategy coaching, branding services, productivity training, and hands-on support to turn my clients’ dreams into reality. I help struggling solopreneurs create strategic business plans, polish their branding, streamline operations, and gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. What makes my approach stand out is how we do deep work but also have fun laughs together. My culture of community, encouragement, and excellence makes ladies feel understood, supported, and capable of conquering any obstacle in their way.

Enilram Creative hosts weekly coaching calls and bi-monthly lab sessions in our Business Branding Mentoring Group. We have a thriving online community called “Brand Savvy She-EO with activities, and challenges, and provide tailored support. We also provide Business and Brand Development services on a one-on-one basis. Seeing my clients level up their skills, launch online stores, make sales, quit the 9-to-5, and take charge of their lives fuels me. The biggest lesson I teach them is turning moments they think are failures into fuel to keep pursuing their passion. My goal is to ensure that every woman I work with unlocks sustainable success on her own terms.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Several powerful books have shaped my entrepreneurial philosophy and leadership approach over the years. “Jesus CEO” by Laurie Beth Jones left a profound impact in modeling servant leadership and persevering despite hardship, just as Jesus did. It reminds me to always lead with compassion while driving towards a larger purpose.

“The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” by Robin Sharma truly shifted my mindset around success. It stresses living according to your values, connecting to deeper spiritual wisdom, and finding fulfillment beyond material possessions. This was pivotal in framing my definition of prosperity and crafting an entrepreneurial journey aligned with meaning over money.

Finally, “The Wounded Healer” by Henri Nouwen helped me understand the importance of self-care when serving others. As coaches and mentors, we must attend to our own wounds first before guiding others. Using the adversity and vulnerabilities from my own experience fuels my empathy and drive.

These books fused to shape how I approach empowering female entrepreneurs now. I aim to lead with a heart like Jesus but set ego aside, focus on leaving a purpose-driven legacy over profit, and use my past challenging times as strength to hold space for women to heal and transform.

My continual commitment to personal development ensures I can elevate my thinking, evolve my leadership, and better serve my coaching community. The more healing, strategic mindset shifts, and spiritual renewal I undergo myself, the more I can invite others into that journey of transcendence. My hope is that the women I coach pay it forward to lift each other up as well. When we all join forces to pursue meaning over money, the reward cannot be measured.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think my reputation has grown by first just being 100% the real me. Taking time to define my true passions and beliefs allows me to lead with conviction and authenticity.

Secondly, I’ve built an amazing team that takes my vision and turns it into action across our platforms. Because they get me and what I’m all about, they convey my heart in how we communicate with customers.

And most importantly, I care about people first – their needs ahead of profits. By treating our community like family, we earn trust and loyalty beyond transactions. It’s not about having the most fans, but about having the right ones who resonate with our mission.

So by being my true self, assembling a team that amplifies that self, and building real relationships beyond business – that’s how I’ve become known. It’s always quality over quantity for me. This focus on doing good work and caring for those we serve guides everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.enilramcreative.com/
• Instagram: @coachmarlinepaul. @enilramcreative
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnilramCreative
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmarlinepaul/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnilramCreative
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@enilramcreative
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/coachmarlinepaul/

Image Credits
Kelsey Price devinl mickens