What People Are Saying About

Consulting & Coaching With Anne

“Since I started working with Anne over 2 years ago, my business has more than doubled and continues to grow. Anne has been an awesome and steady advisor the whole way as we tackled many issues including hiring a number of new employees, firing two toxic employees, new product development, many marketing promotions, and so much more. I can’t imagine running my business without Anne’s help!”    

--- Alisha Navarro, Owner, Designer Dog Collars by 2 Hounds Design/Wiggles,Wags & Whiskers, North Carolina

     “After being overwhelmed with all the recommendations provided by a national professional consulting company, a CPA referred me to Anne for business coaching. I was desperate to figure out how and where to steer a "ship" that had begun to dramatically outgrow my abilities in management and leadership -- I had lost my direction and focus.
     “My main concern before I went ahead and hired Anne was wondering how long will it take to accomplish something and will it be something useful, considering the financial investment? I had previously spent a lot of money on an industry specialist consultant I hired before which gave me a lot of good info, but didn't help me implement it the way Anne has.
     “Anne provides help that is customized to fit my needs, she works around my schedule, allows flexibility, provides thoughtful insight into many management and marketing issues, serves as a sounding board and a jumping off point when I would typically get stuck in the mud, keeps me grounded when I am tempted to make poor excuses for myself or others.
     “I now have a better understanding of my business as a business, apart from me. I am learning not to be afraid of growth and to realize that I don't have to do it all myself!
     “Working with Anne, I have made more progress in less than a year than in the past 4 years since I started my business.”
--- Heidi Winot, DVM, Owner, West River Valley Veterinary Service, Newfane, VT
 

"Anne has a 'global' approach to problem-solving, seeking to factor in all aspects of a situation--including my personal needs--when recommending possible solutions. She brought valuable information resources to the work, and was always open to integrating novel information and resources I might know about, too, researching to learn more whenever appropriate. Anne is caring, supportive and practical. Her involvement brought a sharper direction to my efforts, and helped me feel much less 'alone at the top' at a crucial and demanding time."

--- Niika Quistgard, Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, Director/Founder, Rasa Ayurveda Traditional Healing Centre for Women, Kerala, India, http://www.MayaShakti.com

"Anne has been a champion for me during one of the most challenging times in my personal and business life. Just the fact that I am enthusiastically in the game is a tribute to the contributions Anne has made to my life these past nine months. She is there for me consistently, challenges me, yet supports me as much as I need. Accountability, understanding and solutions are her hallmarks - she has an iron fist in a velvet glove. Anne is a terrific, well rounded life and business coach and I have already recommended her to many friends and colleagues."

--- Michael Daly, Owner, True North Realty, New York

 “Anne is SUCH a terrific asset to me. She has been absolutely invaluable to the growth of my business, and to me having a more sane personal life.”

 --- Deborah Hall, Owner, Hall’s Walls, Colorado Springs, CO

"I have to admit, I was very skeptical about the idea of coaching before, but working with Anne has been one of the best business moves ever. Go for it!"

--- Dr. Andrea Schroepel, Owner, Center for NAET and Kinesiology,

    Munich, Germany

“Before I worked with Anne, I was working towards solving some of my business' problems but was overwhelmed. My business was growing strongly, but I was so busy with I had to do, there was little room to make changes within the system. With Anne’s help I have been able to create a much clearer plan for the future and have made great strides and good changes. Benefits from working with Anne will stay with me and, as I continue growing my business, I return to her good work and teachings again and again. She's not kidding about the impact what she offers can have on your business.  I write this to encourage other small business people to take that step to help yourself... the rest will follow.  Thanks, Anne!”

--- Becky Elder, Owner, Blue Planet Earthscapes Inc., Manitou Springs, CO

 “I was attracting few clients, but after four months in the Healers Circle runby Anne, I am currently busy. I am giving far more private Breathwork sessions, and my last 3 workshops have had 16 people in them, and two of these workshops were in the same month. Last month was financially one of my best months ever. I appreciate Anne’s insight, her genuine concern, and her acceptance. My business has completely turned around. My marketing skills have increased quantumly. My ability to communicate the value of my work combined with increased confidence has made a big difference. For anyone considering working with Anne, I would tell them to follow her instructions and trust her and they will get the results they are looking for (which is what I told myself at the beginning).”
--- Kris Cassidy, Owner, Breakthrough Breathwork, Colorado Springs, CO

"There are so many details involved in running a green business that it can be challenging to stay focused on the big picture and to stay true to all three bottom lines. Anne is great at helping me prioritize everything, and she keeps me connected to the joy and sense of accomplishment that made me want to launch a business in the first place. The skills and wisdom I've picked up from her have become a part of my operating system. I highly recommend her to anyone, whether you're struggling with your green business or ready to take it to the next level of success.”

--- John Beske, Owner, John Beske Communications, Chicago , IL

"I first called Anne when my business had grown so huge that I could no longer keep up.  Details were being lost, I was always running late, and I was so rushed that my own enthusiasm was diminishing. Anne taught me so much in our first consultation that I was astonished.  I had no idea how much I was missing, in running my business!  After six weeks of working with her, my business now has a new direction and organization.  I have far more clarity about what to do, how and when.  The best news of all is that my enthusiasm is returning, because I can finally see a way out of overwhelm!  Anne is not just a genuine business expert, she is also an outstanding coach." 

--- Bonnie Willow, Owner, WillowStar Wellness and Transformative Healing, Colorado

“When I started my business, I had never owned a business before. I had been a traditional employee. I didn’t know what I was doing. I struggled for two years until I started working with Anne. I could always count on Anne for unbiased, objective input, which was important because I had many friends and family members who cared but didn’t always have the best advice or perspective. Anne was always supportive and nonjudgmental – I could talk to her about anything whether business or personal. She was always patient with me. Most important she was always truthful with me.
     “Over the two years that Anne coached me, she helped me work through numerous business challenges and my confidence increased tremendously. I am now valuing my time much more highly and on track to earn what I am worth. I recommend Anne’s services to anyone who is tired of struggling and being a lone ranger, and is ready to take that next step in their business.”

--- Marc Rucker, Owner, Legal Copy, Inc.

“Calls with Anne give me a chance to step away from the busyness of my day to focus on my most important client: Me!  I especially appreciated her positive affirmation given during my job change two years ago – going from 25 years at a large accounting firm to starting my own business.  I knew I was doing the right thing… but it was a scary experience, something new for this tired old CPA!  Anne provides valuable business insights, thoughtful questions, and perceptive comments on a regular basis.  She’s an unofficial member of my board of directors, someone to turn to if I need to think outside the box, or through a sticky situation."

--- Carl Shaw, CPA & Owner, Shaw Associates, Hendersonville, NC

“I started working with Anne at a time when I was sensing frustration and increased tensions in my business. Then my main client was acquired and my contract was terminated. This was a potentially devastating blow. But Anne had helped me prepare for it both financially and emotionally and was with me every step of the way as I began to transition out of that situation into a place where I'm exploring a wide variety of new business opportunities. I feel much less anxious as a result of her advice and support and am looking forward to an exciting future in my work.”

---Bill Roseen, President, Big Rock Consulting, Atlanta, GA
                                               

“Anne helped me get my business off the ground when I was just starting and was overwhelmed. She helped me get a handle on how to spend my time and how to prioritize. Her coaching is both very practical and deep. Coaching with Anne took a lot of pressure off my marriage, as my husband was “coaching” me but has a demanding profession of his own. When I met Anne, I immediately felt a warm connection. She is enthusiastic and positive, and she has coached me to make some make huge shifts in perspective that have helped my business in significant ways. With her help, I’ve gone from 3 clients to 18 in five months. My life is richer, I feel more connected to my community, and my personal and professional lives are well on their way to a healthy balance. I recommend Anne’s services to anyone. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started since I had not experienced coaching before, but I’ve gotten so much more than I imagined. Coaching with Anne has been one of the most worthwhile investments I’ve made.”
--- R. Moore, Owner, Conscious Choices, Hendersonville, NC

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“I decided to work with Anne to help me to focus and think about the options I had before me. She was always there for me (through e-mails and phone conversations not just during our sessions). She was warm and welcoming, but not too cozy. She was very professional and I appreciated that. I had some hard choices to make in order to get on with my work life and she never shied away from any letting me make those choices and encouraging me to follow my instincts. She guided me through decisions and yet I was the one who made the decisions. She backed me up and when later I might falter she would remind of where I had been in order to get to where I now was. There was a moment in coaching with Anne where, in order to truly go on with my work in the way I wanted/needed to, I would literally have to change my life and I did.  I recommend Anne’s coaching, but be forewarned. Coaching is not mumbo jumbo. It is rational and makes sense and wastes no time. Anne's style of coaching is positive, nurturing and dead-on. So be prepared. If you wish to get on with your life in a positive way you will get your wish.”
--- F. Oates, Performing Artist, Asheville, NC

“I started working with Anne as I was launching the second year of the Be Local coupon book and a new business network. She grasped my bigger vision as well as tracked on the details so I felt supported on both. Anne does not have a rigid approach; she flexes with my needs and the rhythms of an emergent project. Anne has helped me realize my goals, through changing my work habits, making sure to attend to self-care and transforming from support staff to a leader. I now have a much better understanding of what I have bit off and am redefining myself and growing into my position. I recommend Anne to all leaders; she’ll be on your side even when you aren't there yet for yourself.” 

--- Gailmarie Kimmel, Director, Local Living Economy Project, Rocky Mountain Sustainable

    Living Association, Fort Collins CO

“I would highly recommend Anne to others. Her knowledge and experience provide a well-rounded understanding of people and work-related situations and challenges, her caring and genuine interest in my success contributed to my wanting to work hard on my improvement, and I learned a lot in a short period of time. I have made major steps forward not only as a manager, but also as a leader.”
--- J. Colburn, Health Sciences Library Director, MAHEC, Asheville NC

“I worked with Anne to jumpstart my job search. I really appreciated how she took the time to understand my history and how the various threads are all woven together. Anne also introduced me to some great new tools, as well as local resources. Working with her made tackling an extremely large project a lot easier. I learned the value of having an objective, non-judgmental person like a coach helping me with a big task. I couldn’t have made this progress with a friend or family member or just sitting down with a piece of paper. I recommend Anne’s services to any professional or business person ready to get off the fence and make major forward progress.”
--- Adam Bowen, Business Development, Fort Collins CO

"I hired Anne when I was at a point in my professional life where I felt stuck. I appreciated how Anne was able to combine unconditional support with an ability to hold me true to my goals and work. She was always relaxed and focused on my work plan and keeping involved with what I was doing. Through coaching with Anne, I am able to better define long and short term goals, as well as evaluate my personal sense of accomplishment, and now I’m able to maintain my commitment to goals from conception to completion. I would recommend Anne as a coach to others and tell them that Anne is able to help people get organized with their plans and learn to work toward success. She brings an excitement and personal involvement to her work as a coach that gives an extra layer of value to the relationship." 
--- Kermit Springstead, Regional Corporate Trainer, TLC Corp., Florida

“"I worked with Anne and found it very helpful to have not just a sounding board, but someone with tools for working through my business/personal direction at a time of transition." 

--- Ellen Fish, Executive Director, www.tilonia.com

“Practice administrators are in the hot seat – we have the physicians and the staff looking to us, and we’re constantly squeezed by the marketplace. Before working with Anne, I had nobody to turn to, which can lead into a dangerous situation, where you’re so busy you have no time to think clearly on a longer term, strategic level. With Anne as my coach, I have the objectivity and confidentiality I need in a thinking partner.
    “In working with Anne since 2004, I have reached a higher level of professional development. Anne allows me to tell it like it is. I can be completely honest with her and she is honest with me, even in critical situations. She listens intently and remembers the details.
    “Through my work with Anne, I have transformed from a manager handling daily operations into a strong, confident leader who inspires and empowers my staff and leads the entire business forward. I continue to grow my practice with staff and customer services levels that consistently exceed industry standards by a wide margin. My career and the practice I work for has benefited immensely from my work with Anne. I recommend her to anyone ready to take their business to the next level and thrive in today’s very tough climate.”
--- Melody Johnson, Practice Administrator, Internal Medicine, Rome GA

     "Every time I have a coaching session with Anne, I'm buoyed and refreshed by her energy, experience, and empathy. She creates a safe space for me to share my challenges, and supports me fully in celebrating my successes. Her ability to ask thought-provoking questions allows me to discover my own best answers, rather than handing me a business rulebook to follow. I would wholeheartedly recommend Anne's coaching to small business owners."

--- Wendy Cholbi, web designer, California

"I really appreciate Anne’s unconditional support, great listening skills, insightful business advice, and help with looking at the whole picture of my life. She believes in me and is genuinely vested in my success. With Anne’s coaching, I made the decision to pursue a tax credit development and also get my real estate business off the ground. I have a better sense of how to accomplish goals task by task. I appreciate that I can use her as a sounding board-almost anytime. I recommend her to anyone – try her for a month or two and see what happens!"

--- Jon Sarver, Housing Development Specialist, Greensboro, NC

“Anne and helped me stay focused and keep going as well as giving me new input on what to do for my business. Although I am very goal oriented, everyday things can keep me off track and I can lose sight of main goals. Anne’s coaching put me back on track. I am focused again and am now getting more high-end clients, which was my primary goal. My investment in coaching has come back several-fold!” 

--- Dr. Norbert Preetz, Hypnotherapist, Germany

“I’ve always been rather headstrong – the type of person who could work through things on my own. But I was at a stage in my life where I had difficulty coping primarily because I could not focus on one thing at a time and I was on the verge of going through some major life changes. From the beginning, Anne helped me focus by assessing where I was in my life and what motivated me most. The things out of balance gave us an immediate plan of action. She helped me to plan and execute a move from my home of nine years, to give finality to a relationship that was going nowhere. She helped me find my “own two feet” when it came to dealing with problematic friendships or situations. She coached me through some difficult career moves and now helps me to deal with the interference that bombards me on the way to finding peace of mind…That’s a lot to accomplish in a little over a year. As I write this I realize that the amount I pay her is an incredible bargain. The best money I’ve ever spent I continue to recommend Anne to anyone who will listen. She’s the best.”
--- Janis Haley, Financial Consultant, Macon, GA

"I started coaching with Anne because I wanted to find a better balance between my work life and my private life. I was working over 55 hours a week, including many weekends. I love my job, but I wasn't approaching it in a healthy way. While I was working with Anne, I was challenged at my job to reduce the number of resources my team commits to a highly visible project. With Anne's help, I realized that I will do just about anything and everything to get the job done beyond the call of duty. Coaching helped me to realize that this type of attitude can mean that I can over-dedicate resources on projects. As a result, I have learned to build efficiencies into my work, and my team's work, and I know that our executive staff appreciates that. Anne has a great balance of toughness and tenderness. Just what I needed to improve my self-esteem and take action steps to improve my work/life balance. I am happier and healthier, and my team is better focused. I absolutely recommend Anne to others. She can give you an authentic alternative to how you approach your work, one that will make your work/life balance much better."
- B. Foster, Corporate Communications Manager, Boise, ID

"Sandi & I thought we were cool and clever and on top of things, but already in 24 hours Anne has heaped on great, easily implemented ideas that can pay off big time for us."
--- J. Parker, Publisher, WNC Woman Magazine

“I hired Anne when I had a dire need for support on my job in getting through a very challenging period. A friend and former colleague, who had been coached by Anne, recommended her. Anne has many gifts as a coach ~ listening deeply, a keen memory of the people and complexities in my life, genuine compassion and understanding, and an ability to provide gentle, clear direction that’s doable! She helped me break down my enormous challenges and needed actions into simplified, doable steps. Her support and guidance through my job hunt was practical and priceless. I now have a new job that fits my gifts and passions! Also, I am more intentional now about achieving my goals. I can’t imagine working with a more skilled and gifted coach than Anne.”
--- M. Tierney, Project Coordinator, Asheville NC

“After 14 years of working in finances, I started to feel the first signs of burn-out. After some soul searching as to whether I wanted to stay in this line of work, and I thought I did, I gave Anne a call. I appreciated Anne’s very open, honest, and direct method of communicating while advising me. Anne asked me questions, helping bring options to the forefront, but left ultimate decision making up to me. The pivotal moment in our working together came when I realized that I did want to continue in my career field and upon coming to this realization, my work and personal life started to show a profile that I was comfortable with and one in which I could function again. My life is different now as I have gotten a promotion at work and my personal life is improving every day. It has been a long road, but with Anne’s professional assistance, her knowledge, patience and guidance, I feel I am a better person today. I would recommend Anne to every business professional for coaching.”
--- Terry Marshall, Regional Branch Manager, South Carolina

“I had been struggling with my own ADD, which always gets much worse during times of stress. The stress in my life had increased to an extent that it was creating dysfunction in many areas for me. Anne let me work out my own solutions, encouraged me in a realistic way and helped me find strengths in my weaknesses. She also provided me with concrete information when I asked about it. I really liked her focus on solution-driven tools and practical fieldwork. It seemed like the longer we worked together, the more everything started to fall into place for me. For anyone wanting to bump their life up to the next level of efficiency, clarify their goals and attain them, or work on issues that are barriers to leading the kind of life they want, then coaching is an excellent choice.  I recommend Anne because she is excellent at what she does. She is authentic and genuine, prepared and resourceful, strength-based and encouraging.  Most of all, she drew out the best in me.”  
--- C. Smith, Trainer/Consultant, Morganton, NC

“You've heard the phrase "can't see the forest for the trees." No words can more accurately describe me when I was faced with a challenge in my business. However, one conversation with Anne, and I really mean one, was all it took to find clarity and the answer that I needed to my problem. Anne guided me with her pointed questions and her ability to balance creativity with practicality. When I hung up the phone, not only did I have a concrete step to take, but I also had tapped into my reservoir of confidence. Anne masterfully directed my attention to the small, effective steps I could take to make things happen. All this in one conversation. Hard to image what will continue to happen as our partnership grows!”
--- C. Britton, Professional Speaker, Asheville NC

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