Ann Babiarz, BS, CPC, PCC - Expert

I started my first business when I was 12, and boy did I have big dreams! I was going to move out of my house, live on my own terms, and never change out of my pj’s.

And isn’t that the dream every entrepreneur starts with?

What I have found throughout my years as a solopreneur is that there is so much more to having a business than being your own boss. You have multiple bosses and they are called clients. Sometimes changing out of your pj’s is not a choice.  And then as your business is moving forward, sometimes life intervenes when you are busy making other plans. For me, life interrupted my entrepreneurial journey in an unexpected and tumultuous way . . .

Burning the midnight oil, prepping for a Nightingale Conant Insider’s Club interview of Joe Vitale, I suddenly found myself unable to speak or read.

A stroke manifested itself by what the doctors referred to as expressive aphasia. Every third word from my lips was gibberish. I couldn’t say my full name, nor the names of most of my family members. The second stroke, barely one week later, affected my eyesight.

I was as baffled as the doctors over my condition, as I had always practiced good nutrition, stress management techniques, and exercised regularly. Fortunately, in between the second stroke and an episode of blood clots in my lungs and legs, the doctors pinpointed the source of these maladies. Unfortunately, it was a cancerous tumor that required immediate, risky surgery.

Fast-forward months later, after successful cancer surgery and chemotherapy, I am completely recovered from the nasty “C” word and its unwelcome friends. Now I had to turn my attention to rebuilding my eight year coaching practice.

While the road ahead was tough, I also looked at this as an opportunity to redesign my business around my life, for real this time. I needed to learn to work smarter, not harder. I needed to become the ruthlessly efficient entrepreneur, to use my time more wisely. I needed to look forward to many years not only of serving clients, but enjoying my family, my friends, and my life.

With over 20 years in the coaching, financial service, and fitness fields; both as an employee and an entrepreneur. I made mistakes, started over, and learned the creative processes and strategies that work. I understand the critical elements needed to create a successful business and a fulfilling life. I’ve spent over 4,000 hours coaching people like you: people wanting to improve their businesses and their lives.  I’ve learned a great deal along the way.

Over the years, I’ve learned that being a successful entrepreneur doesn’t require you to sacrifice your life and:

• Live in a constant state of overwhelm.
• Wear all of your company hats — frankly not every hat looks good on you.
• Take every client that comes your way, even if they are not a good fit.
• Give up your own self-care.
• Never see your friends or family again.
• Work your Butt off 24/7

Trust me, I’ve made these mistakes and more.  It cost me a great deal personally and professionally. Now I have a business and life that I love.  I am living the dream!

The great news is that you can create this too. The reality is you can wake up each day and be passionate about what you do, make the money that you desire, and work with whom you want, when you want.

You know a bit about my street cred, but what about the formal stuff?  My past and current credentials include:

PCC (Professional Certified Coach)-International Coach Federation

• PCC (Professional Certified Coach)-International Coach Federation
• Brian Tracy International Success Coach
• Nightingale Conant Personal Success Coach
• Transition Magician/Blonde with the Wand-Host of Life Outside the Box (5+ year radio show) on 98.3FM from 2007-2012
• 2007-2010 Board of Directors of the Chicago Chapter of The International Coach Federation (ICF)
• CEC (Certified Empowerment Coach)-Institute of Professional Empowerment Coaching (iPEC)
• Master Practitioner-Energy Leadership Index-Institute of Professional Empowerment Coaching (iPEC)
• Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach-Institute of Professional Empowerment Coaching (iPEC)
• Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach-Genos
• Founding Ambassador-Institute of Professional Empowerment Coaching (iPEC)
• NASD Securities Licenses 7, 63, 66 (past credentials)
• American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer (past credentials)
• B.S. Metaphysics-AIHT

In addition to working with some pretty neat entrepreneurs, I’ve had the opportunity to serve medium and large organizations, such as:

• Aetna
• Barrington Area Council on Aging
• Brian Tracy International
• Chicago Coach Federation
• Institute of Professional Empowerment Coaching
• Hewitt Associates LLC
• Hilton Hotels
• Lake Barrington Shores Community Affairs Commission
• Nightingale Conant
• Spa Vargas
• The Garlands
• WRLR FM

I understand what works in the corporate world that carries over to the small entrepreneur, and what does not.

I’ve gained a great deal of experience over the years and learned many techniques. I distilled what works and how I can help my clients in the best ways possible.

Let me share my expertise with you…

How can I help you?

Intention without action = failure………

My mission as a coach is to help my clients re-design their businesses and their lives. This can be a fun process, but it takes action!

I utilize my three principles of coaching success:

Blend the metaphysical with the physical — as you can see, I hold a degree in metaphysics, but I also held securities licenses and spent many years in the financial services industry. I am well acquainted with the physical and the spiritual anatomies of life as well as the keys to finding the delicate balance of each for my clients.  In addition, I use a number of assessment tools that build our coaching firmly on a foundation of the science of personal development.

• Design success, on your terms — it’s time to design your life for real this time, both in business and at home,and in alignment with your goals.
• Create and implement your plan — designing your ideal lifestyle and solopreneur adventure may seem like an impossible dream, but it isn’t. However, it will take work (but not without some fun)! Together we will create an action plan with goals and milestones for you to celebrate along the way.

Are you ready to take your next step?

If you are ready to take back your life, I would love to connect with you! Please peruse my website and reach out to me! Let’s work together.

I look forward to meeting you!

Finally, some personal stuff: I live in Naples, Florida, with my phenomenal husband, Michael, and rescued greyhounds, Carl and Willy. I have one awesome daughter, Britanni, an adorable grand daughter, Shaylynn, and a wonderful son-in-law, Dustin.