When I came out as a lesbian in 2016 my life changed in significant ways. After all, I was in my early fifties, married forever, mom of four, a lifetime of work experience, a move to another state, changed careers, and falling in love in an authentic way for the first time. I have chronicled so much of this journey in my podcast Coming Out & Beyond and in my early blog pieces.
One of my most fulfilling successes in this journey was that I saw a need in the later in life LGBTQIA+ community.
Coming out after you are established in your life is excruciating. There is so much to navigate including deep and unexpected grief. Although I was grieving myself, I knew I could help. I am an ordained minister, a clinically trained hospice chaplain, and a bereavement counselor. I also knew I had the skills to create something for a community I was part of and I also loved.
I started with small mutual support groups for other women coming out later in life. Where I charged a minimal amount of money because I did not value my worth. (More on that later.) I soon realized that there was so much more than grief going on for our community including; religious deconstruction; internalized homophobia; social conditioning; shame and guilt; navigating divorce; learning to date as a lesbian; and how to come out to the world.
Soon after I was asked to do individual counseling by one of the group members and Anne-Marie Zanzal Coaching was born.
I realized that there was a great need in our community for a coach with this life experience. I was the first person who advertised themselves as a coming out coach. How to know this? When my web designer did market research to see who the competitors were, there were NONE. Now there are many, but I am proud of the fact that I saw a need and fulfilled it. I always say the best coaches are the ones who have “played the game.” Anne-Marie Zanzal Coaching, LLC has gone through many iterations over the last five years, but now it is a solid business model with over six figures in sales yearly.
A year ago I had a light bulb moment. If I could do this, why couldn’t others do it too? I helped thousands of women come out later in life not only through my Lotus Group Coaching program but also through my free FB groups and voluminous content I have created. So with deep intention and from a place of a successful entrepreneur I decided to expand my business and create Purposeful Empowerment for others like me. In the coaching world our best clients are often “ourselves” or those who have had similar experiences.
I also knew I had to invest in myself and I knew that the majority of my clients came from my podcast. I found a coach who specialized in using podcasts to market brands. So with a deep breath of faith I leaped again into the next step of my journey through this one wild and precious life. I also made a high dollar financial investment in myself and took out a business loan.
Purposeful Empowerment works with LGBTQIA+ folks and allies
Who are professional caregivers to help them create supportive programs and services for the communities they love. Most of our clients have a background in coaching, therapy and human services. We help them to gain clarity about who they want to serve, embracing visibility, personal branding, and valuing their worth. The objective of Purposeful Empowerment is to guide and support individuals professionally so they may achieve their goals and financial freedom. Ultimately our clients will empower their communities so that we may create a just, equitable, diverse and peaceful world
Purposeful Empowerment is a coaching program for the beginning or intermediate-level coach.
I focus on clarity, logo & branding, visibility and charging what we are worth. If you are a coach, I would love to have you on our podcast even if you are at the very beginning of this business journey. https://www.queerbusinesssuccess.com/application Visibility matters!
This is the reality of success in coaching: You need to know your niche; know what you offer; know your worth; be visible to the client/customer who needs your services; and create a brand that is recognizable. In other words you need a solid foundation on which to grow! There is “no one social media post and all my clients will come running to me.” Hard truth is this does not happen. There is no one size fits all model. My goal is for us to find a formula that works for you and for your business.
Have you dreamed of a business for your life? Do you know you have something to offer and are not quite sure how to market it to the world? Does the word “market” terrify you? Do you want to create a life for yourself where the only boss you have to answer to is you? Have you come through a major life transition and now have wisdom to share with others? Have you found your purpose?
What do you want to do with your one wild and precious life?
Would you like to explore this more? Make an appointment with Anne-Marie Zanzal
