Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rose Evelyn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rose thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

I am wildly inspired by the quote from Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’.” It’s easy to understand this and embody this now in my career, but I wish I could have learned this earlier (as many of us do with hindsight). Earlier in my first career, as I “rose up” the ranks as a leader in Advertising in Chicago & New York, I did see people do the opposite however. As I hit my goal for 30, while still 25 years old, I realized I was on a “fast track,” and started looking around at colleagues much more senior than I was for inspiration, motivation, and to model what was ahead for me. I wanted to understand where being a high-achiever in a field where I lacked a passion or purpose…got me. What was in store for me if I kept going down the path I went? What I found in my mentors and managers was intense burnout, health issues, and people who didn’t have time for their partner, children, or family. And that sacrifice wasn’t for a big purpose or big impact on this planet. It was for a job and paycheck. I saw it in myself too — at a young age in my career, I had already missed family events, romantic anniversaries, and a slew of friends’ celebrations. I prided myself on how I was making a living (and really didn’t mind that paycheck), but I wasn’t so proud of missing creating and building a life. At that stage in my career, I knew that my way of working had to change. I trusted my intuition that said “the path you’re on might not be the best fit” and started exploring a much more aligned career path. All these years later, I’m so glad I did.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Rose Evelyn, Career Strategist for the job search season and founder of Rose Up Coaching & Consulting (roseupwards.com). My path to coaching began long before I ever called it that. I built my career in advertising and marketing, serving in operations and account leadership and supporting Fortune 500 brands. I was a high-achieving, go-getter and *could* keep up with the fast pace and intense industry — but what fascinated me most was the people: how they grew, led, and often got stuck at moments of change. As part of my role, I met 1:1 with cross-functional VPs and executives — supporting them through people management transitions.

Over time, former colleagues, existing teams, and even referrals started coming to me for guidance — on how to be seen as valuable in the workplace…or find somewhere else that would value them more. I realized the work I found most meaningful wasn’t about campaigns or metrics; it was about helping people see their own potential clearly and step into it. That realization became my business.

Today, I coach leaders through clarity, confidence, and change — helping them move into roles where they can lead with authenticity and balance. My approach blends strategy with empathy, grounding with momentum. I’m most proud of seeing clients not just land new roles, but reconnect with their purpose and rise on their own terms — even if that means taking bridge jobs, thinking 5 steps ahead of their career, or delaying immediate gratification (all the experiences that social media doesn’t glorify). I am dedicated to building a new landscape of leadership — one where emotional intelligence, integrity, and genuine impact matter more than traditional power structures.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Very early in my coaching business, over 8 years ago, I was immensely passionate about serving leaders. I created mastermind programs, webinars, and more all aligned with this concept of “leadership.” One problem though — the clients that were drawn to me, incredible professionals I knew I could and wanted to support — they didn’t think of themselves as leaders yet. They were so self deprecating, that despite their middle management titles, six-figure earnings, and/or major organizational impact, they thought that leadership was out of reach. I had to learn to speak my audience’s language, meet them where they were, and support on concepts that were relevant to them — from burnout, to empowerment, to holistic coaching to get them where they needed to be. Now, deeper into my business and well known as a career coach — friends refer each other to me, reminding each other who they are, and that it’s okay to seek leadership (even before you feel it).

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

“The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks (and a bit of “What Color Is Your Parachute?” – “still resonating since 1970). Both taught me one thing I love to share with my clients – which is that you are in the driver’s seat of your life, career, energy, brain space, and professional environment. If you haven’t found your “zone of genius” yet, keep experimenting. And if it feels far off, consider finding the right professional environment that serves you and helps you grow until you do!

Contact Info:

• Website: roseupwards.com
• Instagram: @rose_upwards
• Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/roseup