Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie D. McKenzie.
Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
According to my mother, I have been a relationship coach or a coach for 90% of my life. Which is interesting, because when the opportunity to become a coach came into my life, I didn’t want to be a coach. I was running an award-winning Urban marketing agency; coordinating celebrity events; and helping smaller companies build their brands.
Coaching was the last thing that I wanted to do.
In fact, I only became a coach because I was working with what would become a new dating site and thought that a coaching certification would allow me to add a unique touch to the site, which I called “relationship education” as a part of creating a dynamic marketing strategy.
I. DID. NOT. WANT. TO. BE. A COACH!
The project went defunct, but the people following me on social media did not. Though I fought it–valiantly–eventually I decided to become a coach, reluctantly.
Eleven years later…still a coach. We have one coaching practice with three divisions and a fourth on the way. We serve clients internationally with a team of coaches. I am a TEDx speaker, former college educator, bestselling author and multi-certified coach. I personally specialize in speaking to and coaching for high-achieving individuals to stop people-pleasing so they can achieve the goals they have for life, love, business and being.
Sometimes i am in awe at how hard I fought this, calling (yes I said calling) to become a coach. As of August 2021, I resigned from my dream job as a college professor to return to full-time entrepreneurship; full-time coaching and speaking.
Best decision ever.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. There were many times that I doubted myself; many times that I discounted and discredited my own capabilities. This happens often. I reflect back on my first round of full-time entrepreneurship (the marketing agency) to now. The lessons I have learned and endured lead me to say to anyone that is considering launching their own business that your mind is where your money. is. In fact, I believe that owning a profitable and sustainable business is about 75% mindset and 25% strategy and action.
In the beginning, I did not have self-esteem, a sense of self-worth, a sense of self or an understanding of what I truly do for others. My mind had not released decades of people-pleasing and codependency, which resulted in undercharging, but overworking. I was delivering above and beyond but I was going beneath and below for myself. And, honestly, sometimes I was merely complacent. This mindset would rear its head often, especially when I had a full-time job and a full-time paycheck In addition to whatever I was doing in my business.
Another struggle that I had was really believing in the potential of some people that would come or want to come into my organization, only to find later, that perhaps they were enamored with what we do, while simultaneously failing to have the heart to do this work.
In the end, I’m now a recovering people pleaser, leading myself, my team and those we serve with a message of empowerment. “Always be your own SUPERHERO!” Are there still challenges? Of course, however, things are definitely different–I am different, and the challenges are often just par for the course.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think I am best known for creating transformation and giving people a safe space to become who they need to be. That’s a huge part of coaching. However, I found myself wanting to support more people, just because I could.
I REPEAT: Always be your own SUPERHERO!
These days, I am most proud of the messages that I am putting out into the world. Messages that empower others, personally and professionally. The desire to be a source of empowerment is what took me into content creation. Specifically YouTube and some other platforms. I built a team and launched my YouTube Channel in February 2022 with a marketing campaign and an easy-to-type domain, www.stephonyoutube.com
What sets me apart is that I GENUINELY want people to win. I’m not threatened by anyone. I coach coaches to be better coaches and I coach people to be better at everything! I am genuinely excited when I see people succeeding and I don’t think that only those who can invest thousands of dollars deserve to be empowered or supported. So…creating content allows me to empower those individuals who can’t afford private or group coaching programs and that excites me.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Best…the diversity in the opportunities here. Least…the lack of activities that I would like to engage in as a 40+ woman.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/stephaniedm
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/stephaniedmckenzie
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/CoachStephanieDM
- Youtube: http://www.stephonyoutube.com
- Other: http://talk.stephisms.com (For speaking or coaching questions)
Image Credits
Al Torres Photography
Digital Divine, LLC
Cypress Photo Booth
