Laura Howard West, Center for Joyful Business
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Name: Laura Howard West
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Current Residence (City, State): Peachtree Corners, GA
Education: B.S. in Business from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA; Certified Professional Co-Active Coach from The Coaches Training Institute and oodles more certificates from workshops and education in lots of subjects from online success training to quantum physics!
Professional Background (brief, please): Former Vice President of Marketing for a global shopping center management company where I survived 6 buyouts and mergers in 5 years and created innovative and sometimes controversial marketing programs in retail industry.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: Travel photographer and journalist
What you are: Business and Life Coach, President and Chief Creative Muse for The Center for Joyful Business, Writer, Workshop and Teleclass leader.
Brief Summary of your Start Up: It all started in college when I took a course in creating your own small business! 20 years later…I downsized my corporate job and then later left to start my own coaching company. It grew from a business coaching company into a holistic model of support women entrepreneurs to have flourishing success in life and business.
Company Website? www.CenterforJoyfulBusiness.com
What inspired you? It always comes down to pain and passion, yes? The pain of having an internal fire that wouldn’t let me sleep and being uncomfortable in my own skin. Add to that pain of going through endless mergers and buyouts and how that can kill your passion. Mix with passion for my two sons and a new marriage and there you have it: Inspiration for realizing how life and business can be different when you dare to allow the joy to flow through, have the courage to be authentic and live a passionate and purposeful life! (whew!)
How long have you been in business? Since 2001 – y years
How did you fund it? Savings and grassroots marketing ideas
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I have lots of them! Some paid and some gracious collegeues and friends.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Yes – International Coach Federation, Georgia Coach Association, Spirit at Work Organization, and more~
Current Business Challenge? Keeping my belief and focus on the spaciousness of time (vs. feel scarcity of time)
What are you doing about it? Breathe often! Journal and reflection time help me center and get clear about what’s next. Trusting myself and the universe in every moment. (most days!)
Favorite motivational quote: “The universe is 1 big miracle process set up for my amusement and illumination. I know that secret helpers are working behind the senses to assist me in shining and being the gorgeous masterpiece I was born to be!†from Pronoia by Rob Brezsny
Family? Yes, a Life Partner Extraordinaire (LPE, for short), Marc, two sons, Nick (9) and Sam (6 and 11/12’s) and two stepsons, Alex (11) and Joe (9) who live in England with their mum and visit as much as possible.
If so, how do you balance family and business? In every moment doing my best to remember to breathe, I get to choose, and I can make it easy.
Favorite book? YES. Lots! My favorite at the moment is “Trance of Scarcity†by Victoria Castle
What do you do to relax? Sit on the deck with my sweetie and watch the hummingbirds, plant flowers, play with my boys, laugh with my boys, drive up to the café for a Chai Tea with my LPE in our new red convertible and smile at the sun
What do you want to change most about your world? That everyone allows each other to let their joy out and squeal with delight at whatever tickles their fancy. From this joyous place we are more confident, connected and clear and will reach out to others and show up more fully in our world.
What are you most proud of? My close relationships. My boys smile and laugh often, my husband when we just look at each other and know.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?
Get with other Princesses who are in the same part of their start up journey. Studies have proven that when girlfriends get together they release feel good hormones. With these hormones fueling you – you’ll feel like you can do anything! (that’s the way it is with good girlfriends, isn’t it?) And, Keep the Faith – in yourself and the universe conspiring with you.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Daily Giggle Goals. Taking an index card and writing 3 things that I would really like to do that day and which would have have me giggling with delight when I’m going to sleep. Then I write 3 giggle goals for the universe to handle. (I’m amazed at how this works and my LPE will suddenly get inspired to empty the dishwasher!) I also, love Amazon Prime!
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?
Rose Quartz – it activates the heart
Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? (I am working on a secure system to do this, any ideas?) Quite possibly
What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in?
Joyful business and joyful living topics
Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party� Hmmm, how about a virtual joyful tea party?
If you are out of Utah County, would you be willing to be a facilitator of such an event? I’m open to possibilities!
