Meet Innovative Woman Susan Tolles, Certified Life Purpose Coach, Professional Speaker, and Founder of The Flourishing Life.
1. How/why did you begin your business?
I can still remember the day it hit me: Who was I and what was I going to do with the rest of my life? I had been a stay-at-home mom for 24 years, and my youngest was in college. I had just resigned from a position on the Lake Travis School Board, where I had served for nine years, four as Board President, and my mother, who had been living close by in failing health, had passed away. I was no longer needed as a mother, caregiver or school board trustee. I knew I had many “good years” left, and I wanted to do something that made a difference in the world while being productive and fulfilled. But I was paralyzed with fear as I sat at my computer, searching for a new identity and feeling like I had nothing to offer to the world.
As I contemplated my next steps, I searched for online resources for women over 50. The world hadn’t yet embraced the value of Baby Boomer Women, and I couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I created my own! On February 1, 2010, I launched FlourishOver50.com as a lifestyle resource for women over 50, and I began connecting with women all over the world who were searching for information and inspiration for life after 50.
At the end of the first year, I had been so focused on generating traffic and building my Google® ranking that I lost track of what I was doing and why. Even though the site had over 50,000 visits a month, I wasn’t sure I was on the right track. I took a break, did some soul-searching and praying, and heard from God that I was limiting myself by staying behind my computer. The website was to be only one tool in how I reached women who were wanting something better in midlife and beyond. In the spring of 2011, I became a Certified Dream Coach®, participated in my first collaborative book as an author, and wrote my own coaching program, now called The Reinvention Road Trip. My life was re-energized, and I began living with a renewed focus and a grander vision than I ever would have imagined before I began my journey.
Earlier this year, I once again received a “God download” and stepped into a new broader plan with The Flourishing Life. I became a Certified Christian Life Purpose Coach®, and now offer coaching, programs and resources for an abundant life, faith and career for women of all ages. As I live out my own life purpose “to inspire and equip women to flourish from the inside out,” I continue to grow personally and professionally, and look to the future with excitement about where my journey will take me next!
2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
I have been a lifelong perfectionist, which has been both a blessing and a curse in becoming an entrepreneur. My brand is impeccable and I have programs and products that are unique and well-designed, but I have learned the hard way to let go of perfect and strive for good enough. I now embrace my authentic self, and know that I have extreme value just as I am. Being authentic and vulnerable has been liberating! Plus, it has helped me relate to my community and my clients better, as most women have this same challenge.
3. How do you define SUCCESS?
When I first began with Flourish Over 50, I measured my success by my Google® ranking. Being on the first page was the ultimate goal so I could eventually have sponsors and advertisers. As I connected at a deeper level with women, I realized that it’s not about the numbers, but instead it’s really all about changing the lives of women, from the inside out. Now, my success is found in being part of a client’s “aha moment” when she connects with her life’s purpose, or when she finds freedom from the heavy baggage that is keeping her from reaching her full potential. When I speak, if my message makes a difference in the life of even one person, then I am a success.
In the end, my true success is in fulfilling God’s purpose for my life, never losing faith and always letting my brilliance shine as a reflection of His grace.
4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
I cannot achieve success with do-it-yourself programs! I was afraid to invest in myself early on, so I would purchase the self-study version of a system thinking I would be able to implement it and grow my business. What I have learned is that, for a solid foundation and sustained growth, having a coach or mentor is absolutely essential. It is when I have had the ongoing support and accountability of a coach that I have made the greatest strides. It took way too long for me to acknowledge that. Life is a team sport! We must ask for help, knowing that the investment will be returned many-fold.
5. What makes you an innovative woman?
I love the Latin root of innovate, ”innovare,” which means to renew or make new. I can’t think of a better word to describe my reinvention journey over the past four years. When faced with paralyzing fear, I took a giant leap out of my comfort zone and did something totally new as I launched FlourishOver50.com. Continuing to “renew” my vision, I became a life purpose coach, professional speaker and author. At each new stage, I have allowed myself to dream big, step out in faith and become a better version of myself.
Another important aspect of my “innovative” persona is my role in guiding other women to become renewed and refocused in midlife. So often, someone will come to me saying she feels stuck, depressed, flat, frustrated or invisible (and sometimes all of the above!). I am blessed and honored to come alongside as her coach and cheerleader, leading her to a process to become vibrant and confident about her future. I think “flourish” and “innovative” go hand in hand!
To find out more about Susan visit her website TheFlourishingLife.today or connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.