We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Odette Coronel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Odette below.

Odette, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Yes, there was a defining moment. Though it was more like a truth that kept getting louder until I couldn’t ignore it.
My husband and I had run a business together for years while raising our three kids. We had great systems, great teamwork, a really good life. But as the kids got older, things got quieter, and I finally had space to hear that little voice inside me saying, there’s something more you’re meant to do.
Then COVID hit. Everything paused. And in that stillness, it just clicked: If not now, when? I’d been the “go-to” person for guidance my whole life… friends, family, clients. Coaching was something I’d been doing naturally for years without calling it that.
Around the same time, I had a major surgery, which gave me even more clarity about what really mattered. I realized I didn’t want my purpose to be a side thing anymore. I wanted something that was mine.. meaningful, creative, and true.
So I went all in. I got trained, became a relationship coach, and stepped into the work I’d been preparing for my whole life without realizing it.
For me, the defining moment wasn’t a dramatic lightning bolt. It was finally listening to a quiet knowing that had been there all along and deciding to follow it.

Odette, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Odette Coronel. I’m a Life & Relationship Coach and the host of Life & Love by Design. I work with smart, ambitious individuals and couples who’ve built a beautiful life on the outside, but somewhere along the way started to feel a little disconnected, unfulfilled, or like they’re just going through the motions.
I help them slow down, get honest about what’s really going on underneath the surface, and start creating their life and relationships with intention instead of autopilot. A lot of my work is about uncovering old patterns, strengthening communication and emotional intimacy, and reconnecting people back to themselves and what actually matters to them.
I’ve been married for over 25 years, raised three kids, and built a coaching practice that really centers around relationships, personal growth, and emotional well-being. So I bring both professional training and real-life experience into every conversation. My background includes NLP, Gottman Method principles, and a blend of evidence-based tools that help clients make long-lasting, inside-out changes.
Alongside my coaching, I also supervise other coaches, helping them deepen their skills and serve clients with more clarity, integrity, and compassion.
At the end of the day, whether I’m working with a client, speaking, or hosting my podcast, my mission is the same: to help people design a life and love that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside, because none of us are meant to settle. We all have the power to rewrite our story.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Stephen Covey’s work has had a huge impact on both my entrepreneurial philosophy and the way I live my life. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and First Things First really shaped how I show up.. not just in business, but also as a wife and a mom. Covey’s idea of grounding everything in your core values, your “true north,” helped me build a business that aligns with who I am and how I want to show up for my family. “Begin with the end in mind” made me think not only about the kind of business I wanted, but the kind of home life I wanted to protect. It helped me design my work in a way that supported our family rhythm instead of competing with it.
First Things First was also transformative. Covey’s emphasis on prioritizing what’s important over what’s urgent taught me to pause and choose more intentionally. As an entrepreneur and a mom of three, there’s always something urgent. But those books reminded me that being present with my family, creating connection, and nurturing our relationships are “important” things that deserve to be first, not squeezed in after everything else. And the principle of “sharpening the saw” and taking care of yourself so you can show up better applied directly to how I balanced business and family life. It helped me understand that I can’t pour into clients or my kids if I’m running on empty. Renewal is not optional; it’s the foundation for being the partner, parent, and leader I want to be. So yes, Covey’s work didn’t just influence my entrepreneurial mindset. It shaped the way I lead, love, and build a life where business success and family connection support each other instead of competing.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, yes, I would absolutely choose the same profession. I’ve always believed that our relationships can be our greatest resource. They’re where we grow, where we’re challenged, where we’re seen. But I also know that for many people, their relationship is the source of some of their deepest struggles and heartbreak. Being able to support individuals and couples in transforming that, helping them move from disconnection to clarity, intention, and real emotional intimacy, is incredibly meaningful to me. What I love most about this work is that it’s not just about improving relationships; it’s about helping people come back to themselves, live on purpose, and design their lives with intention. When someone realizes they don’t have to stay stuck in old patterns, or that they actually can rewrite their story, it’s the most fulfilling thing. So yes, if I could go back, I’d choose this path again without hesitation. It aligns with who I am, what I value, and the impact I want to make. And it’s a privilege to walk alongside people as they create stronger relationships and more intentional, meaningful lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.odettecoronel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odettecoronelcoaching/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odette-coronel
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@odette_coronel
• Other: Spotify: Life and Love by Design

  Apple Podcast: Life and Love by Design