Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Hartman.
Julia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Like many others, my story is filled with twists and turns that can make for a good book, haha! But I will do my best to give you the cliff notes version. When I started my college career, I always knew I wanted to help people, specifically women, which is why I chose to major in social work. I wanted to help young women because I struggled in high school, schoolwork never came easy to me and I would get in trouble often (sorry mom and dad). I was actually told by my high school vice principal I wouldn’t be able to get into college, and I needed to figure out something else to do. After I graduated high school, I began working full-time and attended night school at La Salle University. After working hard and maintaining good grades, I was able to show how serious I was about school, and I was accepted into the full-time day program. Fast forward four years, and I’m graduating with my bachelor’s in social work and was accepted to grad school in their advance standing program which I completed in one year.
It was a far cry from the young girl who was once told she would never make it past high school. I graduated from grad school with honors, and I still consider it one of the happiest days of my life. As a new Master Level Social Worker, I knew I wanted to work with women in private practice, so I began working under a Clinical Social Worker in her practice part-time. I was told by my supervisor early on that the work I was doing was similar to life coaching. Intrigued, I looked into this further and knew it was exactly what I wanted to do. From that point forward, I said, “I’m going to be a life coach and run my own practice.” I continued making that statement for years without any follow-through. I was working for a corporate healthcare company, and I loved my colleagues, but I continued to have a desire for much more. So, I decided to quit my job and move across the country! I always wanted to live in Los Angeles, so I picked up within one month and moved to a big new city. I told myself “In LA I’ll start my coaching practice.” And then, I started working as a publicist, helped entrepreneurs build their businesses, and other little jobs here and there. All because I was terrified to launch my own business. I continued working in private practice along the way, but I never marketed myself or told people I was a life coach.
While in LA, I met my ex-fiancé… now stay with me because this is where the plot twist happens. When I met him, I was working, but I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing, which made it very easy to get distracted. I fell head over heels for this amazing man, who came along and swept me off my feet. I continued to dream about starting my own business, but new love consumed my focus and I took another leap of faith. My ex was an entertainer, and I chose to follow him to wherever his career took us. I packed up, left the city I loved for the man I loved, and moved away. Sadly, the relationship turned toxic, and I found myself in a situation where I believed I couldn’t escape. For starters, I wanted so badly for us to work, and I put myself in a challenging situation because I chose his career over mine. I decided I needed to launch my business so I could provide for myself financially and hopefully, that would help me feel unstuck. The problem was, I was building a business from a place of scarcity and fear. I felt like I needed the business to take off so I could provide for myself financially, and either that would “fix” us or be my escape. I truly felt stuck. I couldn’t make decisions, I lacked clarity and struggled to find internal happiness.
When I decided to end my relationship, it was life-changing. I was calling off an engagement, I was choosing to leave the man I loved, and I faced challenges that I wouldn’t want anyone to have to endure. Most of my friends and family had no idea what was going on behind closed doors, and some still don’t know the details. But here’s what I want readers to know, I built my business on the back of my most painful and challenging year. Regardless of what was going on in my personal life, I chose to show up for my clients, to be there for everyone who I knew needed to hear what I had to share. I chose resilience because I knew it was my only option so I wouldn’t crumble and lose myself in the midst of the storm. I took the time I needed to cry, be alone, and process my feelings, but I put a time limit on it. I decided that I would turn my pain into passion, and vowed to help women feel empowered, confident and strong. I want every woman that is struggling with feeling lost, confused, scared, anxious or not worthy to know that you are not stuck, you are enough, and you can create your happiness and dream life.
From my most challenging experiences in life, my business grew, I experienced tremendous personal growth and I’m beyond grateful for where I am today, and where I am going.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and like most entrepreneurs, I don’t think it’s ever smooth, but it is rewarding. When I started creating my digital platform everything that could go wrong did, from botched hair dye right before a photoshoot, to the site not formatting properly on phones on the day I launched haha! Then, when I began marketing with Facebook and Instagram ads, that was a whole new struggle. My first few course launches, no one signed up. In my first few ads, no one downloaded my lead magnet. But here’s what I learned, each time it didn’t work, I learned how to make it work. I never failed, because I kept going. Anytime I launch a product, come up with a new marketing plan or just post content on social media and I don’t receive the results I hoped for, I reflect on what I could do differently. Rather than think “I’m a failure, this isn’t ever going to work,” I think “how can I make this work, what can I do to improve this?” That changes everything! And you know what, the next time I ran ads I had a 70% conversion rate on leads.
My advice would be to ask yourself questions that help you grow. Your brain is constantly looking to analyze information, so feed it questions that it can respond to in a way that will lead to growth rather than defeat. What you focus on becomes your reality, and if you’re thinking “this won’t work,” then your brain will focus on all the ways it won’t work. Be grateful for every moment along the journey! If one person signs up for your email list, celebrate that win. If you created your website and pressed publish, celebrate the launch. Always believe in yourself, stay consistent, be grateful you were given unique gifts you can share with the world and know that you are more than capable to make your dream a reality.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m a life coach, licensed social worker and motivational speaker. I help women create a life and business they love by using coaching techniques and business strategies. As a social worker, I’ve had the opportunity to learn a variety of therapeutic techniques, and one of my favorites has always been cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I like this technique because it focuses on reframing negative thought patterns that lead to negative feelings and behaviors. I use CBT as a foundation and call it “mindset management” in my program. I coach women on how to shift their mindset by reframing negative thoughts, reducing anxiety and empower them to feel confident and inspired. I help women create their business from the very beginning stages and work with them as they grow their brand. My process is solution-focused and we work together to achieve your goals.
I think what I am most proud of is seeing the growth in my clients. The way their face lights up when they talk about what makes them come alive. Seeing their confidence grow, their mindset shift and their dreams become reality. It brings me so much joy, and I’m so grateful for every moment I get to do this work.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Finding a mentor is like dating or interviewing a candidate for a job position, it needs to be the right fit. Talk with different people, feel out their vibe and see what fits you and your future goals best. Networking is key! I teach as an adjunct professor, and I tell my students the same thing. Always network, always have your 15-second pitch ready and always be ready for an opportunity to come your way.
Honestly, what has worked for me is kindness and authenticity. What I mean is, when I meet people and I truly want to hear their story, I want to be friendly and share a laugh or a kind word. I’ve found that in networking what works is being your authentic self and showing kindness to everyone you meet. I always remember this quote from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.juliahartmancoaching.com
- Email: julia@juliahartmancoaching.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jhartmancoaching
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jhartmancoaching
Image Credit:
Lindsey Grace Whiddon (photographer)
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