From Croatia to Alaska, Sanja Tully is personal coach and today is she is sharing her story with us.
Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your career journey?
My career path started in Sales and Marketing, right after graduating from the Faculty of Economics and Business in Zagreb. During my 15 years of work experience in managerial and leadership positions, I learned the value of the relationship-building approach in every segment of my work. That became my secret in conquering the heavily male-dominated product-based industry and making a name for myself. I realized that feminine traits like a desire for beauty, kindness, empathy, intuition, nurturing, and honestly caring about other people were my biggest strengths, and not weaknesses how my male counterparts wanted me to believe. Even when I was working in a very competitive environment, my key account clients worked with me actually BECAUSE I am a Woman.
That realization made me want to share my experiences and knowledge with other women, empowering them to live their, beautifully feminine, authentic lives, and this is how The Life of Divina was born.
Sanja, why did you make the decision to become a personal coach?
In some ways, that path came really natural to me. I was always somebody to whom people came for advice and help, and I was always happy to give it. Because I “walked the walk”, and not just “talked the talk”, and recreated myself from somebody who was severely depressed, abandoned, and lost in her life, I could help women from a place of honest understanding and deep belief that you can become whoever you choose to be – if you’re ready to do the necessary work. I feel that in today’s culture of “quick fixes” a lot of people think that there is some “magic strategy” that will make all of their problems go away – just like that. It doesn’t work that way. To really change the way you see yourself and live your life you need to dig really deep and solve the issues that led you to where you are right now. And, that is where my, let’s say, gift lies – I always pick up on the REAL triggers of somebody’s behavior, to which my clients are mostly totally oblivious, and starting from there – transform women’s lives.
How would you describe your job?
The real purpose and passion behind why I do what I do is to change the world by empowering women to become better moms to their (current or future) children so they could make this world a better place when they grow up.
The majority of personal issues and limiting beliefs people have are ingrained in them because of how they were treated in their childhood, at their most vulnerable stage. Those emotional scars are hardest to heal. That’s why I believe empowering women is so important – so with their strength, light, warmth, and kindness they could raise emotionally healthy and supported children.
What were some of the challenges you faced when you first started?
I think my challenges were the same as in any business – how to get more clients. When I was living in Croatia, I worked mostly with people who knew me through my work or as an acquaintance. But after I started living in the USA my social circles were relatively small, so I had to start searching for clients online. Having an online business gives you a lot of freedom and is very gratifying, but I still miss that contact “in person”. It’s so much easier to read people’s moods and energy levels, to serve them better.
You have a niche working with women. How would you describe this?
Working with women is important to me because, through my life, I saw just how much opposition there is for women to thrive. Society makes us dream and live “small”, always having in mind how old we are, how we look, are we married (we need a man to take care of us), when will we have children, when we do – if we pursue a career we’re bad moms, if we don’t we’re not living up to our potential; we’re subjected to a lot of discrimination and sexism; and don’t even get me started on sexual harassment.
The time has come for women to rediscover their strength and claim their power back. But to get there they have to reprogram their deeply rooted beliefs about what a woman “should” be. They learned that from their mom. And their mom learned it from her mom. They didn’t know better. But now it’s time to break the circle so our daughters could start their lives without that burden weighing them down.
How do you set your rates?
I currently offer 3 programs for working with me. Rates are based on the outcome my client can expect from each one. I take a lot of pride in what I do and I believe that changing the trajectory of someone’s life should come with an appropriate price tag. I pour my heart and soul into working with my clients and thus require a respectable compensation.
Where do you find your clients?
Nowadays I find them mostly through social media and women who subscribe to my newsletters after reading my blog posts. I’m active in a few women empowerment Facebook groups and get a lot of interest from women to work with me through that.
One advantage of 1 on 1 coaching with an average program priced around $ 2,000 is that you don’t need huge social media following or email lists. I currently work with 5 clients and I can only take a few more.
What have you done to market yourself both online and offline?
Like I mentioned above, being active in groups where your ideal clients are coming to look for solutions and advice is a huge benefit. I personally don’t do direct messaging on Facebook or Instagram. I like to provide some value and “hint” that there is more where that came from. So, my prospective clients end up contacting me for additional information and that’s where I usually end up signing them.
In the “real world” I’m not shy of mentioning what I do any time when there is some opportunity and start discussion on women empowerment subjects. Recently I had a really long talk with my veterinarian. Who knows, maybe she’ll soon become one of my clients too! The important thing is to talk about what you do anywhere you can. You never know who knows who and can make a referral.
What is your favorite part about being a coach?
That beautiful reaction when you see that something, I say CLICKS with my client. You can almost hear that AHA moment. I love it! From that moment onward, the journey to transformation definitely is a downhill ride.
I think the most impactful moment so far was when I helped a woman whose husband committed a suicide. She was trying all kinds of therapies and solutions for years, and my approach finally brought her peace.
What advice would you share with someone who wants to become a life coach?
I’d tell them not to be discouraged by the seeming “inflation” of life coaches. Everybody has a unique cocktail of skill and energy, and approach to solving client’s problems. Coaching people is a very personal job. Your clients are looking for someone they like and feel they can trust, who they resonate with in some way. Just try your best to express your authenticity so you attract your ideal client.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers, any advice?
The scary thing about limiting beliefs is that they turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Not because they are really true. But because your actions or inactions follow the belief, making it true.
In other words, your life is mirroring your beliefs. You are getting what you believe is true. This is why it’s crucial to identify and change the beliefs that aren’t serving you. This should be, in my opinion, your first step towards the transformation you’re longing for.
Website: https://www.lifeofdivina.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanjatully_lifeofdivina/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeofdivina
Leave a Reply