Rising Star Coach: Jowanna Daley

Here at Transformation Academy we are excited to announce our second Transformation Academy Rising Star – Jowanna Daley!

Our goal with this initiative is to recognize and celebrate group membership who demonstrate the heart and service of a coach. Each monthly recipient of this recognition will be selected for a unique reason. Some will be seasoned coaches who serve as valuable mentors within the group. Others may be just starting their coach-training journey and exude a contagious attitude or passion. Others may be actively supporting other group members, whether by providing resources, answering common questions, or providing moral support. Regardless of each of our wonderful group members’ background or experience, we all benefit from the mutual support and varied perspectives offered within this diverse group!

The Rising Star initiative is a way to give a special THANK YOU to those who go above and beyond to share of themselves within this community.

This month we would like to recognize Jowanna Daley for being a powerful role model coach!

Jowanna has been an active and supportive group member for almost 4 years! She can commonly be found sharing super-useful tools and tips in the group as well as providing heart-felt, truly helpful responses to questions and celebrations posted in the group. Her responses are always constructive and even instructive! She’s a shining example of how to embody everything it means to be a COACH, which is why she is our celebrated STAR!

About Jowanna:

Jowanna Daley is a people empowerer, data lover, strategizer, avid-sharer, life-long learner, and chaos coordinator. She uses her coaching, IT, entrepreneurial, and consulting skills to help the people who help people—life coaches and therapists. Jowanna understands that most first-time entrepreneurs need guidance launching their business. She helps people start their businesses incrementally and iteratively.

As a business coach-consultant, she uses her education, experience, and love for a better world to help her clients succeed. Jowanna is a life-long learner and holds over ten certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP)®, Scrum Master, digital marketing, master coach, master mindset coach, entrepreneurship/business life coach, and other certifications. She holds a BBA in information technology and an MBA in entrepreneurship.

Jowanna lives in McDonough, GA, with her husband, niece, sister, and doggie children. She has four adult children and enjoys writing, tennis, and helping others. You can contact Jowanna at jowanna@daleyconsulting.com.

Below is an interview we conducted with Jowanna.

What is your niche (coaching focus) and how did you choose it?

My niche is helping life coaches and therapists who are in the startup phase of their business. Right now, I’m focusing on a broader outreach program for life coaches and working on the first ideal client. This choice was over some time and will continue to grow from there. I noticed that the world needed healing in every form, and it happens when leaders have received the healing and continued support they need. The notion of superhuman beings is a fallacy and so lonely for those trying to help the world. Coaching is a profession that shares struggles and proves triumphs. It I don’t know what it means for the future, but I know that I help people who help people, and right now, that’s life coaches and therapists. They help the world move forward, and I like that idea.

Who is your ideal client?

My ideal client is disciplined, confident, and passionate about what they do. They love solutions. So if they are frustrated about how something is not working, they are elated that there IS a solution. They are not afraid of hard work. My ideal client LOVES that I can coordinate the chaos and help them to focus on the task at hand. As I’ve transitioned to micro and solopreneurs, I can say for sure that knowing my ideal client is one thing, but making sure I’m the ideal coach for that client is the next level of success. I just thought I might mention that. I hate when people dump on clients and have no insight into why they attract the less than ideal client. A less than ideal client is not “lesser than,”; I’m not suitable for them. That kind of thinking makes networking great. People are perfectly made, and having a solution (which includes referrals) for them (instead of dumping on them) is part of my role as a life coach.

What inspired you to become a life coach?

My inner goddess always knew that it was a role that I played since my mother died.

Back in the late 90’s I ordered a pamphlet about life coaching and thought, “When I retire from my career, I want to always guide and help. I want to empower people.” Though I have many reasons for it, I would say that the most significant driver is that I believed in my fellow humans. We need each other. Watching people fall in love with themselves is beautiful. When they fall in love with themselves, it’s easier for them to share their gift. That’s what makes the world better. So that’s why I’m a life coach. It’s not my skills. I’m technology, people, and business savvy. So, strategic planning and chaos coordination are a couple of my superpowers. But as a consultant, the most brilliant and skillful plan didn’t free the people I helped. Coaching was the missing piece. I’m a coach because I love and believe in people.

How long have you been coaching?

Professionally, about four years.

How did you get your first client?

OMG, I’m trying to remember. The official and my life work meshes. I think it was my best friend. She transitioned from my consultancy to my coaching. She’s special, lol. She taught me what I want (and don’t want in a client). She and some of my other clients also confirmed that I need a coach-consultancy model. I’ve been in business so long and helping people so long that I’d have to look back at notes. Every person I interact with is a gift, so my practice is just one part of my life. Not sure if that’s good, but it’s the truth.

How has your coaching journey changed your life?

This journey has changed my life so much! First, about seven years ago, I started trauma therapy, and it was so fascinating to me how life works. How much our life is built on our formative years.

My trauma therapy did some healing, but my coaching work taught me the nuances behind the recovery.

Coaching has made me a person that even my kids value. Coaching has made me comfortable in my skin. Because of that, people can see that I do value them and that I believe in them. Coaching has filled in the gaps that therapy couldn’t fill. Not that it’s not good; it’s just that it’s more formulaic and clinical. I’m empowered by knowledge with coaching, and I can connect more with people in general. Coaching has made my life complete. When I’m in my feelings, I can flow with them instead of feeling bad about them. That’s huge.

What is the most challenging part of being a life coach?

For me, the continual reminder that I no longer have corporate dollars and a huge team. I am constantly balancing my expectations as a small business with a limited budget. However, my project management skills help me. I’m good at deadlines and trimming the “features.” For example, being honored with the Rising Star recognition helped tidy up some marketing things. I embrace it all, though. I know I’m a perfectionist, but I know that I also settle for excellence, and nothing is better than that. My need for concrete results override my perfectionism every day. My drug of choice is the daily need for meaningful progress.

What is the most fulfilling part of being a life coach?

Seeing people reach their goals. So theoretically, yeah, that’s it. But really, it’s something way more spiritual. Watching people transform and connect with themselves. I don’t have the words for it. Maybe empowerment? It’s powerful and something only my soul can describe.

What has been your most inspirational coaching moment, with a client?

I had a client that was right in the middle of a meltdown. I recognized it because I’ve been there enough time to know that it was an opportunity to grow. They wanted to postpone an assignment because it was not perfect. They had delayed turning in the homework before. I asked them if they trusted me. They said yes, and via Messenger, I talked them through the block. For this person to be so vulnerable and walk through their fear right in front of me was indescribable.

What is your favorite coaching activity or exercise to do with clients?

I tend not to listen to pick one rule (not on purpose, by the way). But, here you go. From a business standpoint, the brain dump is my favorite. Clients are often overwhelmed with their ideas. The visual organization turns the overwhelming feeling into excitement. As far as the standard coaching tools, I have two. Putting your thoughts on trial and the pleasure-pain activity. So I guess I still couldn’t narrow it down to one. My brain is so logical and business-oriented. My answer most accurate answer is probably, “It depends.” Sorry, lol

What has been the most effective strategy for finding clients and/or growing your business?

The most effective strategy is iterating through your business launch in increments (one ideal client and one service at a time). Concentrate more on the client’s journey instead of your digital assets. Have metrics and a feedback loop instead of worrying about paid advertising. I do believe that it is crucial to have a plan. A simple plan packed with the patience to follow that plan. I make mistakes, and sometimes I misjudge, but I do believe in corrective actions. This is a journey and not a contest.