Jennifer Lee of Artizen Coaching

CARMEN: You are such an inspiration Jenn!  I am so inspired by what you’ve got going on at Artizen Coaching. I love your creative approach. Can you tell us a little about yourself and the inspiration behind what you do? 

JENN: Aww, thanks so much, Carmen. You inspire me loads, too! 

I’m a certified coach, author, artist, and yogini who believes in living life in full color. Ever since I was little, I was always painting or drawing so it makes sense that art and creativity infuse my work now. I love partnering with professional women seeking more fulfillment, creativity, and meaning and with creative entrepreneurs launching their inspiring businesses. I help people make their visions real through my individual and group life/business coaching, expressive arts and intuitive painting facilitation, creative playshops and e-courses, and innovative products. My first book “The Right-Brain Business Plan: A Creative, Visual Map for Success” will come out in early 2011. 

I didn’t always color outside the lines. I’m also a former corporate ladder climber who spent 10 years stifling my inner muse. I knew there had to be something more, though, so I began my own personal growth journey through coaching, leadership development, yoga, and reconnecting with my creative spark. In 2003, I started my coaching practice on the side. In 2006, I finally made the leap to pursue my passions full-time and haven’t looked back since. 

Now each day I have the honor of empowering people to follow their own authentic and creative path, too. Seriously, I get to do this for a living?! ;) Hell yeah! 

CARMEN: We’re dying to know, what inspires you more than anything else in the whole world?

JENN: Beauty. The beauty of nature, emotion, the creative process, life, the human spirit... All of it moves me deeply. 

CARMEN: What is your big dream?  Yes, the BIG one!  The really, super big, pee your pants when make it happen dream.  The one you feel a wee bit nervous saying out loud.  Yep, that one!

JENN: I’m living into my big dream now. I’m doing what I love and I get to help people do what they love, too. I see myself doing more of that with more ease and abundance. The BIG dream is about dialing everything up – way UP (and of course holding all of the details very lightly!).  

So, the super big, pee in my pants dream… I’m a best-selling author who writes numerous influential and inspiring books. I’m a sought after keynote speaker who speaks about creativity, right-brain entrepreneurship, expressive arts, feminine leadership, and personal growth. I coach a handful of amazing clients who are rocking out their big dreams. I have popular lines of creative products and programs that help me inspire and educate people all over the world. I have awesome creative cohorts to support me in making my vision real and to help me run the day-to-day activities. 

I love the idea of opening up my own creative space in my community. When I did my Expressive Arts Teacher Training, I envisioned a gorgeous, bright studio called the Artizen Center where I would lead expressive arts and intuitive painting playshops, other workshops, and there would also be yoga and movement and all sorts of other spiritual and creative offerings. And I’d have a space of my own where I could paint BIG! 

I also dream of having a second home in Hawaii. I’d love to lead retreats there that involve creativity, expressive arts, yoga, and personal growth. My hubby would lead some photography workshops, as well. And of course we would go there just to chill out, too, because my big dream also involves balance and plenty of time for self-care and spaciousness. Ahhhh. 

CARMEN: Wow, I love big dreamers! Tell us how you’re going to feel when you make it happen!

JENN: Whether my big dream ends up exactly as I’ve written or shows up in some other flavor, as long as I’m living in alignment with my values, my vision and my passion I know I’ll feel fulfilled and inspired. 

CARMEN: What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail and fear didn’t exist?

JENN: Even though it can be uncomfortable and challenging, I believe in feeling the fear and doing it anyway and that tons of learning comes from failure. But when it comes to physical stuff, I’m a big chicken so I’d say… I would be an aerial acrobat. Ha! I’m really afraid of heights BUT it looks very fun and freeing. 

CARMEN: What’s next for you?

JENN: Geez, there are so many creative projects swirling in my head or are in various stages of manifestation. The next big thing, though, is finishing up the remaining details on my book gearing up for the book launch. I’m also working on licensing programs, I’ve got a couple of new e-Courses brewing, and I’d love to start brainstorming on the next book. Oh and in September I’ll be heading out to Squam Art Workshops for some creative time and connecting. Can’t wait!! 

CARMEN: What are you working on right now that you could use some support and encouragement on?

JENN: As I mentioned earlier, I’ll be heading into the marketing phase for my book. It’s new territory for me and I imagine I’ll be stretched in unexpected, exciting, and challenging ways. I’d love some expert support in how to navigate the process and also encouragement to keep me moving forward. 

CARMEN: What advice, tips, resources, and overall good-to-know information would you offer someone just starting out with regards to finding passion & inspiration and digging in? 

JENN:
Pay attention to what lights you up. Write a list of 50-100 things that you love. These are clues to your passion. What are some simple ways that you can have more of these things in your life right now? 

Explore and dabble. Allow yourself to follow your creative urges, your curiosities, your inspiration. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly where they’ll lead. You won’t know if something’s right for you unless you try it. How can you play with your passions this week or month? What are some small actions you can take right now to get more clarity or to move forward? 

Enlist support. Find like-minded, supportive souls who are also pursuing their creative dreams. Ask for help and help others. Remember you don’t have to fly solo. I’m grateful to be part of a Nurture Huddle. We’re a small group of friends/creative bloggers who connect on a conference call every other week for 90 minutes. We hold each other accountable to actions that move us toward our big dreams, we celebrate our successes, and we encourage each other when things get tough or scary. Who would you love to be part of your Nurture Huddle? How ‘bout asking them this week? 

CARMEN: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

JENN: Two things: 

One: My next session of the Right-Brain Business Plan e-Course starts on September 20^th. This 8-week interactive program is perfect for you if you don’t have a business plan but the very thought of writing one scares the bejesus out of you. Through an accessible, playful and visual approach, you’ll finally get your business plan done and you’ll have fun doing it! Yay! Sign-up now and get the early-bird special. 

Two: Thank you, Carmen for this awesome opportunity to connect with other inspiring, creative souls. You are a rock star and a true champion of creativity!  

CARMEN: You are so welcome Jenn!  It's been such a treat featuring you! Where can we find you online and what is the best way to connect with you?

JENN: Coaching website: http://www.artizencoaching.com

Right-Brain Brain Business Plan: http://www.rightbrainbusinessplan.com

My personal blog: http://www.lifeunfoldsblog.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/artizencoaching

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jenniferlee  

BIO:  Certified coach, author, and artist Jennifer Lee empowers professional and entrepreneurial women to awaken their inner muse and live life in full color. After spending 10 years in the corporate world, she took the leap to pursue her passions and now helps others do the same. Jennifer is a certified coach through the Coaches Training Institute and International Coach Federation, a certified yoga instructor, and a certified intuitive painting and expressive arts facilitator. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and an M.A. in Communication Management from USC. When she’s not coaching, writing, or leading groups, Jennifer is either painting up a storm, reading in a hammock, practicing yoga, getting crafty, indulging in a mid-day nap, or hanging with her hubby and their adorable beagle-mix. 

Thank you so much Jenn!

xo & belief in YOU,

Carmen

CARMEN: Oh my gosh, Molly, you are such an inspiration! I love what you’ve got going on over at Stratejoy. Can you tell us a little about yourself and the inspiration behind what you do? 

MOLLY: Awww, thanks Carmen!   It’s a complete honor to be featured on your site in the company of some amazing women.  Big smooches to you for being such a warm, enthusiastic cheerleader for dreamers!

I’m 29.  I’m live in Seattle (for now). I love mangos, and skinny-dipping, and vipassana meditation.  I’m an entrepreneur, life coach, joy enthusiast, adventurer, workshop facilitator, and speaker, and creator of the online-pay-what-you-can-afford-course, The Joy Equation.  I’d love to add author, piano player, burlesque performer, momma, and artist to that list someday!  Right now, I’m focusing on Stratejoy, my coaching/training company and megawebsite.  

Stratejoy stands for “Strategies for Joy and was inspired by my own “Quarterlife Crisis”. I was 25 when I first started admitting I’d made the wrong career choice, felt totally disconnected from myself, and had no idea what do to about it…  I was stuck, frustrated, and drinking way too much wine!

Long story short: I quit my job, traveled around the world for 10 months with my boyfriend, journaled my little heart out, started meditating, stopped spending unnecessary money, danced more, took myself less seriously, and talked to anyone I could about courage and freedom and joy.  It was some serious seeking, and when I made it back to Seattle, I dove into creating Stratejoy--a business that would help other women reconnect with their authenticity and define success on their own terms.  A site that would share honest stories, offer inspirational AND useful services, and offer a dose of positivity in the world.  

It felt like there was this big gap in the personal development sphere--Sassy, modern women who wanted camaraderie, guidance and some accountability- but without too much woo woo or motivational fist pumping…  I’m no guru, but I try my very best to live by my personal mission, “Celebrate life authentically and inspire others to do the same”.  And I absolutely adore working with women who aren’t settling, whether they be coaching clients or workshop participants.   

CARMEN: We’re dying to know, what inspires you more than anything else in the whole world? 

MOLLY: People.  Those who are genuine, who wear their hearts on their sleeves, those who chase dreams and never give up.  I’m inspired by people who face adversity with courage, are kind regardless of who’s noticing, those who laugh out loud.  I get jazzed when someone faces a fear, asks for help, speaks from their heart.  I’m so inspired by people who play big, those who live in the present moment, and those who aren’t afraid to love hard.

I also seek out live music, summits with ridiculous vistas, poetry, little kids, and unflinching bravery when I need a dose of inspiration!

CARMEN: What is your big dream?  Yes, the BIG one!  The really, super big, pee your pants when make it happen dream.  The one you feel a wee bit nervous saying out loud.  Yep, that one! 

MOLLY: Getting invited to speak at TED.   It’s so big, I still don’t know how it’s going to happen…  But, it’s there.  (I’m getting heart palpitations just admitting it!)  

CARMEN: I love it! Tell us how you’re going to feel when you make it happen!

MOLLY: Nervous!  Thrilled.  Honored.  Inspired. Like the effort and love and passion I share with the world are going to be taken to the next level, multiplied, carried on a bigger wave than I ever imagined.   

CARMEN: What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail and fear didn’t exist?

MOLLY: Take off on a trip around the country: speaking, sharing, teaching, coaching and writing and photographing a luscious coffee table book.  Oh wait, I’m already doing that!   See Question #6.

I might also go offline for months at a time.  That just sounds ridiculously lovely—working solely in person, writing in journals, no pressure to “have a presence” and trusting that my business would be bigger and brighter because of it.

CARMEN: What’s next for you?  

MOLLY: Well, I’m getting married to the love of my life (known on the interwebs as The Big Man!) on August 28^th. And then we’re taking off on our next adventure- a crazy, fun-filled, Stratejoy-sharing roadtrip around North America.  

We’ll be exploring, connecting with new friends, playing, and working from the road.  We may be traveling for 3 months, a year, forever…  I’m ridiculously excited to teach workshops in new cities, continue coaching clients via Skype, and connect with Tribe members all over the country.  And I will start work on the coffee table book I’ve been dreaming about!

Oh, and the food!  When people ask me about our 10-month trip around the world, half of what I talk about is what I ate!  So, I’m assuming this trip will be the same. Bring it on, culinary adventures!  

CARMEN: Congrats! How exciting!!! What are you working on right now that you could use some support and encouragement on? 

MOLLY: I haven’t officially announced the “Road Trip” over on Stratejoy yet, although plans have been slowly leaking out as I wrap things up in Seattle…  So, I could use tons support and encouragement with the planning!   I’m in need of excitement, P.R. connections, workshop hosts in various cities, coaches to surf, gutsy Quarterlife Women (in their 20’s & early 30’s) to interview, and just general love and shout outs.  And maybe sponsors?  

I’m also working on a ridiculously fun workbook, tentatively titled, “The ABC’s of Loving Yourself”.   And  when that’s ready to launch- I’ll definitely be back in touch! 

CARMEN: Awesome! Can't wait to see that unfold and I hope your trip brings you to Florida! So what advice, tips, resources, and overall good-to-know information would you offer someone just starting out with regards to finding passion & inspiration and digging in?  

MOLLY: Ah!  I have a lot of these. 

One.  There is juicy goodness to be found when you start getting really, really curious about everything:  yourself, your schedule, your preferences, your judgments.  Why do you do what you do?  If you were to let yourself spend a day “wasting time”- what would that look like?  How do you interact with others and they with you?   What kind of mark are you leaving on your world?  Curiosity is a lovely way to explore tingles and sparks and glimmers of something new.   Practice paying attention to yourself, your preferences, and the things that make you happy.  And don’t be afraid to explore something, as crazy and out-of-character as it may sound!

Two.  Surround yourself with love.  Purge toxic people, activities, habits, or environments.  This can be super scary for people and it’s one of the major stuck points that I work with a lot of my clients on…   When you’re digging into passion, you need support.   You need cheerleaders (right, Carmen?!).   You’ll get plenty of constructive criticism and doubt along the way -- so make sure you know whom you can turn to for a big dose of faith.  

Three.  Expect to “break down” every 5 days!  It’s part of the territory when you’re pushing yourself to connect with your deepest desires, grow as a person and stop accepting good enough…  I have never felt so scared, so joyful, so intensely ANYTHING, as I have on this journey!  I’m finally coming to the point where I just accept the scary leaps, the tears, the feeling off continually having to push myself.  I may not like it, but it’s worth it to me, because this life I’m carving out is amazing. This connection with true passion and inspiration?  Remarkable.

Four.  Read.  And journal. And make time for YOURSELF everyday with a little self-love ritual.  In the winter, I love baths with citrus salts, candles and inspiring books (try The Invitation, Women Who Run With Wolves, This Time I Dance, Life is a Verb, or any memoirs by strong women).  In the nicer weather, I’m a walker with my own personal soundtrack on Pandora (try mixing the “Sex on Fire”, “Josh Damigo” and  “A Fine Frenzy” stations).  

Five.  Believe that you deserve every bit of happiness you desire.  Yup. It’s true, and if you can’t wrap your mind around that, you’ll unknowingly sabotage every attempt at passion.  It all starts with belief.

CARMEN: Excellent advice Molly! Is there anything else you’d like to share? 

MOLLY: You’re not sick of me yet, Carmen?   Okay, then, climbing up on my mountaintop to shout,  “This is life, sugarpops.  This is it.  It’s never too late, nor are you too busy or broke, to dive into your own life!  YOU have got so much to offer, so much to share, so much to learn.  Don’t be afraid of disappointing others—be wary of disappointing yourself.  It’s within your power to love your life.  It’s within your power to appreciate the beauty and possibility in the present.  The choice is yours. Open your eyes and jump!”

And don’t be a stranger!  I’m easy to get in touch with and have lots to offer to help on YOUR quest.

CARMEN: Where can we find you online and what is the best way to connect with you? 

MOLLY: Website:  http://www.stratejoy.com   Make sure you sign up for the eNewsletter to get the monthly videos and the Gutsy Girls Guide to Success eBook!  Woo!

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/stratejoy

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/stratejoy   

Flickr:   http://www.flickr.com/stratejoy   I just started the 365 challenge!  One photo a day, for a year…

BIO: Molly Hoyne is the founder of Stratejoy, a training company that provides women the tools, strategies and camaraderie to live life well.  She is a life coach, an enthusiastic speaker, and editor of a website full of resources and inspiration especially for 20 and 30 somethings, including the online Joy Equation Course.  You can find her on Twitter and Facebook — connect away!