We recently connected with Steffani Salter and have shared our conversation below.

Steffani, appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Most people’s entrepreneurial journey begins by walking away from something they hate—a job that drains them, a boss who doesn’t see them, or a system that suffocates their potential.

Mine began by walking away from something I loved.

The moment that changed the trajectory of my career came disguised as success. For nine years, I poured my heart into the work of a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate. I was good at it—exceptional, even. I had a gift for helping survivors rebuild their lives, for standing in the storm of their pain and offering steady ground. The work was honorable, noble, and deeply human. Everyone around me—colleagues, mentors, friends—saw it as my calling. They championed me, promoted me, and celebrated me.

But somewhere in the midst of all that praise, a quiet ache began to grow.

It was during one late evening, sitting alone in my car after a particularly heavy case, that I realized the ache wasn’t from exhaustion—it was from misalignment. I was doing good work, but it wasn’t my work. I had mistaken what I was great at for what I was called to do.

Then came the moment that shattered and reshaped everything. I suffered a miscarriage and required emergency surgery. I was told I might not survive. That experience cracked me open—it became my awakening. I began to see life differently, to hear my own soul whisper through the noise of obligation and approval.

I had always dreamed of becoming a life coach, an entrepreneur, a creator of change in my own way. But I’d lacked the courage to begin. After that near-death experience, courage was no longer optional—it was oxygen.

So, I walked away. I stepped out of the world that defined me and into the one I was born to design. I launched my first business as a leadership and business consultant, rooted in the same compassion and purpose that once fueled my advocacy—but this time, it carried my signature, my truth, and my light.

The lesson? Don’t confuse competence with calling. Being good at something doesn’t mean it’s where you’re meant to stay. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is walk away from something you love to discover the life that loves you back.

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

I’m Steffani Salter— Certified Transformational Life Coach, Spiritual Teacher, and Founder of Divine Gypsy Urban Ashram (DGUA)—a coaching and wellness ecosystem designed to help people reconnect with their wholeness through the art of doing less and being more. This simply means focusing less on what you do and more on who you are becoming.
For over 17 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of healing, leadership, and transformation. My journey began in advocacy—supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. That experience shaped my ability to hold space for deep transformation and taught me a powerful truth about myself: being good at something doesn’t always mean it’s what you’re called to do.

Eventually, I realized my true calling wasn’t just to help people survive, but to help them thrive—to guide others toward alignment that brings peace, purpose, and prosperity from the inside out. That realization became the foundation of my philosophy: Do Less, Be More.

Through DGUA, I offer transformational coaching programs, self-guided courses, and immersive workshops that integrate the 8 Dimensions of Wellness—emotional, spiritual, physical, intellectual, social, environmental, financial, and occupational—into one holistic framework. My signature offerings include Do Less, Be More: A Grind Mind Alternative, Beyond Limits: Transforming Self-Imposed Barriers into Breakthroughs, and When you Will, Wont: The difference between Knowing Better, Doing Better, and Being Better, all designed to help individuals align their thoughts, emotions, and energy to create meaningful, lasting transformation.

I believe deeply in a whole-person approach. There is no separation between who you are spiritually, personally, or professionally—they are all reflections of the same whole self. My work helps people integrate those parts so they can show up in the world authentically aligned and well. Because true wellness isn’t found in balance—it’s found in integration.

To make transformation accessible in real time, I created the Divine Gypsy Urban Ashram App—a digital sanctuary where coaching meets community. Inside the app, members can access self-paced courses, guided meditations, journaling prompts, and participate in live Coaching Circles every month. These circles provide a sacred space for members to explore their growth journey, share breakthroughs, and receive real-time coaching support within a community of like-minded souls.

What sets my work apart is how it bridges practical coaching techniques with metaphysical and consciousness-based practices. I don’t just help clients reach goals; I help them become the version of themselves that naturally attracts those goals. Whether it’s an entrepreneur seeking clarity, a leader realigning with purpose, or someone rediscovering their joy, my mission is to guide them back to their innate harmony.

I’m most proud of the ripple effects of this work— the clients who experience transformation through this work often describe it as coming home to themselves. They begin to access an inner power that has always been within them—but was buried under expectation, fear, or overdoing. They rediscover their ability to trust their intuition, to move from clarity instead of chaos, and to create with intention rather than reaction. They find the courage to set boundaries, the confidence to pursue their dreams, and the grace to live life in alignment with their highest truth. Watching my clients awaken to their own inner strength—seeing them light up, soften, and step into leadership in their lives—is one of the greatest honors of my work.

At its heart, my brand—Do Less, Be More—is more than a motto. It’s a movement, a mindset, and a way of life. It’s an invitation to slow down, tune in, and live from your highest perspective. At its core lies a powerful truth: you don’t have to sacrifice wellness for success—they are your inheritance as an evolved human being. When you align your energy instead of exhausting it, you become magnetic. The opportunities, peace, and abundance you’ve been chasing begin to flow toward you, not because you’re doing more, but because you’re finally being fully yourself.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I’ve used to grow my clientele has been building authentic relationships through community and connection rather than traditional marketing.

When I first launched Divine Gypsy Urban Ashram, I made a conscious choice to grow from the inside out—to focus on creating real transformation and real conversations instead of chasing numbers or algorithms. My philosophy, Do Less, Be More, isn’t just the foundation of my coaching—it’s the foundation of my business growth.

My path to coaching was rooted in advocacy and service. Before launching my practice, I spent nearly a decade in social impact spaces supporting survivors, building programs, and leading initiatives designed to create meaningful change. I served as the Vice President of Advocacy for the United Nations Association, worked with cult survivors from La Luz Del Mundo, and partnered with the Latin American Association to assist domestic violence survivors navigating the complexities of K-1 visas. I also had the honor of serving as Co-Chair for Habitat for Humanity’s Women’s Only Build, empowering women to create stable housing and stronger communities.

Instead of leading with a sales pitch, I lead with service. I show up in my Coaching Circles, live workshops, and on social media as my authentic self—sharing stories, insights, and tools that meet people where they are. This builds trust, and trust builds transformation. When people feel seen, understood, and supported, they naturally want to go deeper. Many of my clients have come through referrals and word-of-mouth because they’ve experienced tangible shifts in their lives and can’t help but share that with others.

Another key strategy has been creating a consistent ecosystem of touchpoints through my Divine Gypsy Urban Ashram App. By offering free resources, mini courses, and live group sessions inside the app, I allow potential clients to experience the energy and results of my work before committing to larger programs. This creates an organic pathway from curiosity to commitment.

I also focus on community-based growth. The Coaching Circles and Transformational Programs within DGUA aren’t just about self-development—they’re about belonging. People stay and grow because they feel part of something larger—a movement of wholeness, authenticity, and inner peace.

Ultimately, my most effective strategy has been embodiment. I practice what I teach. I live the message of “Do Less, Be More” in every interaction, and that authenticity resonates. People don’t just want a coach—they want someone who lives the transformation they teach.

That’s been my secret: connection over conversion, transformation over transaction, and authenticity over algorithms.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, the most helpful elements for succeeding in my field have been finding your tribe, releasing attachment to outcomes, and embracing every experience as part of your success story.

Coaching, at its core, is about connection—and success in this field depends on the community you build around you. Finding your tribe means surrounding yourself with people who not only believe in your vision but can also help build it with you. I’ve learned that dreams don’t grow in isolation; they thrive in collaboration. The Divine Gypsy Urban Ashram was never meant to be a solo mission—it’s a movement co-created through shared energy, aligned partnerships, and a community that believes in growth through togetherness.

Your tribe reflects your next level. They are the ones who remind you of your purpose when things get hard, who hold you accountable to your greatness, and who celebrate the quiet victories with you. Whether it’s mentors, peers, clients, or creative collaborators, the right people keep your vision alive and evolving.
The second key to success has been not being attached to outcomes. This may sound counterintuitive in a world obsessed with results, but true transformation—both for clients and coaches—happens when you let go of control and trust the process. When I stopped forcing outcomes and started focusing on alignment over agenda, everything began to flow. The right opportunities found me, the right clients showed up, and the journey became more peaceful and purposeful.

And finally, I’ve learned that everything you experience works toward your success. Every rejection, every mistake, every detour, and every bad decision is an essential ingredient in the gumbo of greatness. You can’t rush the flavor of success—it’s developed through time, patience, and seasoning. Each lesson adds depth, wisdom, and resilience. What might taste bitter in the moment often becomes the very spice that gives your story substance and strength.
In this work—and in life—there are no wasted moments. Every experience, even the difficult ones, is shaping you into the coach, creator, and human you’re meant to be.

So my advice is this:
Find your people. Build your dream together. Let go of the need to control the outcome. And remember—every challenge is just another ingredient simmering in the pot of your success. Trust the process. Let it cook. The flavor is worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.divinegypsies.com
• Instagram: @steffanisalter
• Youtube: @SteffaniSalterCPLC
• Other: Download the App Divine Gypsy Urban Ashram available at Google Play Store and Apple