Amy LaCentra Of Elegran | Forbes Global Properties: Five Things You Need To Create a Highly Successful Career As a Life or Business Coach

Trust is the foundation of any relationship. For any amount of success for a coaching client to have, there has to be an established foundation of trust. But trust takes time. Offering a supportive atmosphere where sharing is encouraged, accepted, and used to work from, to enthusiastically help create change, is the first step.

The coaching industry is now tremendous. It is a 15 billion dollar industry. Many professionals have left their office jobs to become highly successful coaches. At the same time, not everyone who starts a coaching business sees success. What does someone starting a career as a life coach, wellness coach, or business coach need to know to turn it into a very successful and rewarding career?

In this interview series, called “Five Things You Need To Create a Highly Successful Career As a Life or Business Coach” we are interviewing experienced and successful life coaches, wellness coaches, fitness coaches, business and executive coaches and other forms of coaches who share the strategies you need to create a successful career as a life or business coach.

In this particular interview, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Amy LaCentra.

Amy LaCentra is a Life Coach, Sales Manager, and Licensed Real Estate Salesperson at Elegran | Forbes Global Properties. A natural-born leader with a talent to mentor new as well as experienced professionals, she has an endless amount of positive energy along with a tenacious, no-quit work ethic, and a commitment to intuitively and compassionately inspire her clients to find the very best within themselves. She also provides local coaching and training through “Mindful Mondays,” her weekly sessions on her social media.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and what brought you to this particular career path?

Since I was young, I’ve always been taught that service is the rent we pay on earth. My mom was a nurse, and my dad was a teacher and they instilled in me the values of teamwork, positivity, and resilience. Empathy, compassion, and a desire to inspire others to unlock their own potential have always been my guiding principles. Starting as a student teaching dance, I then earned a degree in Education from NYU and pursued a career in dance, performance, and choreography in NYC. Next, came multiple Health & Fitness, Personal Training, Yoga Master, and Coaching Certifications, followed by a career in Fitness, Yoga, and Life Coaching.

But it was motherhood that truly changed my perspective. When my oldest child was diagnosed with autism, I began to study behavior, sensory overload, and psychology which gave me a new approach to how we all see things and what I would eventually bring to my future coaching experiences. It also helped me become a more empathetic and intuitive parent to my second child, who, although neurotypical, still faced her own challenges.

Later, I navigated a difficult divorce while starting a career in real estate. But my resilience, work ethic, and self-care strategies learned along the way allowed me to excel as an agent and coach. It became very clear to me that understanding people from all walks of life and professionally advising them to the best of my ability was my life’s purpose. Although life would continue to bring me different challenges, they were actually my “superpowers” that continue to inspire and help others in their lives and what I share with the agents I coach today.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Empathy: I have always made an effort to see things from other people’s perspectives and understand their viewpoints. This is essential to my approach to problem-solving and growth, as I need to assess situations from all angles to offer effective solutions and opinions. By actively listening to others without judgment and validating their feelings, I help them learn to trust themselves and grow from where they are. I’ve learned that people simply want to be heard, and when I offer this to others, it often leads to them uncovering their own solutions. For example, when working with a woman dealing with body image issues, I helped her with personal training strategies, but also went deeper to address the root of the issue and helped her create new healthy patterns and solutions.

Compassion: I am highly attuned to my own emotions and those of others. This has often been a superpower for me, as I can sense and understand others’ emotions on a deeper level. A long-time client once told me I offer to others a safe space where people can be vulnerable and feel seen and heard. I’d say that’s accurate. Despite the negativity that can pervade the world, I have always known that there were other options. Treating others how I want to be treated has been a guiding principle for me.

Intuition: Trusting my gut and being attuned to verbal and nonverbal cues have been crucial to my ability to read a situation and arrive at the truth. By paying attention to subtleties, to the details, and “reading the room,” I can assess a situation and deal with the outcome effectively. This skill has been particularly useful in my career in real estate, where I have become an effective negotiator. I now teach my agents to trust their instincts and pay attention to what is not being said, which improves your ability to problem-solve in all situations.

How have habits played a role in your success? Can you share some success habits that have helped you in your journey?

Exercise and self-care have been my healthy habits throughout my life. I began dancing at a young age and have always had a natural inclination toward movement. Moving your body creates a sense of awareness and connection that extends beyond just yourself. It allows you to read nonverbal cues from others and interact from a different perspective… This skill has helped me tremendously in my various career paths.

Interestingly, the more I prioritize my own well-being, the more energy I have to show up for others consistently. Meditation is something I practice daily. It keeps me present and in touch with my emotions and thoughts, which is an invaluable gift to both myself and those around me.

I believe that in order to be a great coach, one must continuously be a student of life, always learning and growing, and taking care of oneself. This is my approach to life — to constantly fill my cup so that I can pour into others.

This will be intuitive to you but it will be helpful to spell this out directly. Can you help explain a few reasons why it is so important to create good habits? Can you share a story or give some examples?

My oldest child was diagnosed with Autism at 15 months and ADHD at 7 years old. During his diagnosis, professionals explained that there were likely hereditary traits of ADHD. As I learned more about ADHD, I realized that my son, along with several family members and many people I knew, had varying degrees of executive functioning challenges.

The strategies I learned from professionals working with my son have been implemented into my coaching. I find that most people struggle with time management and productivity from time to time, and for some, it’s every day. Offering solutions such as visual schedules, time blocking, color coordinating, exercises in accountability, and specific goal setting that is attainable, makes sense to everyone, regardless of their starting point. The better we become at streamlining things, the more productive we are and the better we feel.

Speaking in general, what is the best way to develop good habits? Conversely, how can one stop bad habits?

The practice of Self Awareness, every day. One effective way to do this is by journaling at the end of each day. Take time to reflect on the day and name three things that went well, as well as one thing that didn’t go so great. This exercise is empowering, positive, and effective, and helps you approach each new day with a mindset of improvement and growth. It’s important to keep things in perspective without self-judgment and to regularly check in on how you are doing. Seeking guidance from a coach can also be helpful in fine-tuning your self-awareness process and developing concrete strategies for improvement. By doing so, you’ll have something specific to work on and be on the path to self-improvement.

Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?

“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade” is a phrase my mother always used to say, and it has stuck with me through the years. I appreciate this mindset because it reminds me that each new day brings with it a chance to start fresh and make the most out of any situation. Even during difficult moments, there is always an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. No matter how challenging things may seem, maintaining a positive mindset, you can approach problems with a more solution-oriented perspective. I have been pleasantly surprised by the unexpected opportunities that have arisen during difficult times. So, when challenging situations come along, I welcome them because I know that they can lead to some of the best surprises and outcomes.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

On “Mindful Mondays,” I post a short video on Instagram to kickstart the week with positivity and productivity. I truly enjoy sharing this gift with others and have received great feedback from people who look forward to it. It’s rewarding to know that I can offer something helpful to others while fulfilling my life’s purpose of being a positive influence. I also love to collaborate with my agents and clients to help them unlock their creativity and grow their businesses. It’s fulfilling to witness the “light bulb” moment when they discover something about themselves, and it’s exciting to be part of their journey.

Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Many coaches are successful, but some are not very successful. From your experience or perspective, what are the main factors that distinguish successful coaches from unsuccessful ones? What are your “Five Things You Need To Create a Highly Successful Career As a Life or Business Coach”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.

1. Trust is the foundation of any relationship. For any amount of success for a coaching client to have, there has to be an established foundation of trust. But trust takes time. Offering a supportive atmosphere where sharing is encouraged, accepted, and used to work from, to enthusiastically help create change, is the first step.

2. Active listening is a critical skill for coaches to develop. It enables them to get to the root of an issue, build positive relationships, and offer suggestions and solutions. Being present and fully engaged, taking notes, and validating a client’s perspective are essential components of active listening. Open-ended questions are an effective way to help clients find their own path to a solution rather than simply providing answers. As a coach, it’s important to guide and support clients in finding the answers for themselves, rather than just telling them what to do. By doing so, clients are empowered to take ownership of their growth and development, leading to more meaningful and sustainable change.

3. Inspire Action is a coaching approach that focuses on helping clients set achievable goals. This involves establishing daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly targets with a strong accountability component. The key is to tailor these goals specifically to each client, as no two paths to success are alike. A good coach should remain open to various approaches and strategies for achieving these goals, which ultimately leads to a more effective coaching experience. By customizing goals to each client’s unique needs, interests, and abilities, coaches can help their clients achieve meaningful and lasting change.

4. Light the fire/unlock the power is about maintaining an atmosphere with clients where the pursuit of Happiness, positivity, laughter, and things that give you energy are the main focus. Problem-solving, business planning, leveraging skills, and growing a business, are inherently connected to your true superpowers, and when you’ve unlocked those superpowers from within, that’s when a career or business and a person’s life purpose come together.

5. Awareness is crucial for coaches to know their value and to understand who they can influence, reach, and help with their coaching business. This involves staying connected with their sphere of influence, who are willing to spread the word about the coach based on their own positive experiences. In addition, coaches need to establish a strong online presence to reach a broader audience and let them know what they do and how they can help others find success. By showcasing their skills and expertise and demonstrating a genuine passion for coaching, coaches can build a successful coaching business and positively impact the lives of their clients.

What are the most common mistakes you have seen coaches make when they start their business? What can be done to avoid those errors?

Looking back on my journey as a coach, I have come to realize that the key to great teaching and coaching lies in helping clients unlock their potential and giving them the time and space to figure things out for themselves. In the past, I made the mistake of not setting boundaries with clients and giving too much of my time without expecting accountability from them. I also made the mistake of not having a clear business plan or a deep connection to my life’s purpose. However, I have learned from these mistakes and have become a better coach as a result. I now focus on helping my clients set attainable goals while empowering them to find their own solutions and paths to success. And by staying connected to my own purpose and values, I am better able to help others achieve their own goals and fulfill their potential.

Based on your experience and success, what are a few of the most important things a coach should know in order to create a Wow! Customer Experience? Please share a story or an example for each.

I think when you show up for a client, are fully present, actively listening, and can validate when appropriate, you are setting the expectations for future sessions. When you can ask leading questions, help the client think differently about a situation, and then offer them practical solutions, you are demonstrating what working with you will be like. Creating a structure in each session of sharing, problem-solving, future goals to work on, accountability, and that each session will be a new experience that builds upon the last, they will feel they have a business partner who is invested in their business as well. And that’s when collaboration and trust come together to create new solutions and new outcomes.

I am reminded of a recent time in my experience with one of my coaching clients. A successful real estate agent approached me seeking advice on working smarter, creating more structure, maintaining a positive mindset, and developing a business plan to take their business to the next level. While the agent was already successful, I took an advisory and consultative approach rather than dictating what the agent should do. As I got to know the agent better, I was able to adapt my coaching style to fit their needs, using a no-nonsense approach to accountability that worked well for this particular agent, while another agent may have required a different approach.

Adaptability brings me back to something I learned many years ago when I was at NYU studying education: Find 5, 10 different ways to say the same thing so the message can be heard, and don’t give up until you’ve found the way to connect. It’s taken time, but a strong relationship based on trust has helped the agent bring their business to the next level. That’s a pretty amazing place to be when you have this connection with clients :)

Lead generation is one of the most important aspects of any business, and particularly in coaching. What are the best ways for a coach to find customers? Can you share some of the strategies you use to generate good, qualified leads?

Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool, and those who have had positive experiences with you can be your best advocates. Testimonials from satisfied clients can be used in email marketing and online social media presence to showcase your abilities. Having a clear marketing strategy that defines your brand can also help you attract more clients. People tend to do business with those they admire, like, and have things in common with. Authenticity is key, and when you live your life authentically, people will resonate with you, and more clients will come your way. Providing exceptional customer service can also lead to steady growth in your business. In coaching, connecting through social media or a compelling website, or an email marketing campaign, can help attract clients. It’s essential to find ways to connect that feel authentic to you.

Coaches are similar to startup founders who often work extremely long hours and it’s easy to end up burning the candle at both ends. What would you recommend to your fellow coaches about how to best take care of their physical and mental wellness when starting their business?

I think it’s imperative to start the day with Self Care. When you make time for yourself, you are more available to others. Also, when your day is Structured, you are better equipped to handle the unexpected things that disrupt daily life without reaction and emotion. Staying Calm in the Chaos is the key to all…

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

An intention I have is to create a Self-Care/ Self Awareness Movement. To be able to spread the word, to influence others to make self-care a priority could be life-changing to people’s personal lives but also to the healthcare and wellness industries. Imagine if we did a better job making ourselves a priority. Think of the effect that could have on our relationships and our businesses. It’s rooted in kindness and love for ourselves first. Imagine starting every day by honoring the life you’ve been given, being kind and loving to yourself, and focusing on the gifts you can share to help others. Just think about the positive change that could be created and the good that could be spread.

We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

Oprah. Enough said. I have followed her career my whole life. I admire the unique approach she’s always had, that her intentions are always from a place of love, but she leads with authenticity, honesty, and with a specific purpose to make a difference. She constantly evolves in her approach and finds new ways to connect with the world to spread her influence, but still honors herself by her commitment to living her best life. She’s paved the way for so many. Her vulnerability in sharing so much of her personal life is something I truly embody, and her humility continues even with all her successes because she’s not lost touch with her purpose. The opportunity to chat, to question, and to understand would be a life-fulfilling desire. Knowledge is power. We learn from everyone.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Mobile: 917–341–1515

Email: alacentra@elegran.com

Website: https://elegran.com/ala

Instagram: @amylacentra

LinkedIn: @Amy-LaCentra

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!

Authority Magazine