Meet Rachel

Rachel Lavern Sep 8, 2013 · 5 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Hi there. I am delighted that you dropped by. This is the place where I get to talk incessantly about myself. It is somewhat like pulling out the old photo albums and scrapbooks, isn’t it?

I know that this is TMI. If you know me personally, you are not surprised that my story is so long. To my guests, I come from a long line of storytellers in my family. I promise to cut this section down dramatically just as soon as I can.

My journey from there to here has been a bit untraditional. I have been successful in diverse careers in a variety of industries: Project Manager, Application Developer, Business Analyst, Human Resource Specialist, Interior Decorator, College Instructor and more.

One day I found myself asking “what am I doing when I am the happiest”? You see, I had been instructed to determine what I loved doing and figure out how to make a living out of it. Like so many of us, I did not truly allow my imagination to soar. Most of use do not really believe that we could have fun while we are making a living, right?

After hours of soul searching it became very clear to me…I would just love to be a concert pianist! I began taking piano lessons when I was seven years old. I absolutely loved spending hours at the piano until a Sunday school teacher began to announce in front of the church’s congregation that I would lead the worship portion of the service. To refuse to play would have been disrespectful and I would have been punished. To get out of having to do this, I announced to my parents that I no longer had an interest in playing the piano when I was 16 years old. They permitted me to immediately discontinue the piano lessons and I no longer had to play at church. (Silly parents–as though I would forget all of the knowledge and skills that I had already acquired about the ivories).

Now, who was I kidding? That ship sailed long ago. All of the concert pianists that are at the level that I want to be on began as young children due to all of required training and preparation. So I quickly began to create my Plan B. Since there was something good about every position that I had held over the years, it made sense to attempt to identify what the tasks and responsibilities that I enjoyed were.

In my Information Systems career, I loved collaborating with clients or customers to define, create, enhance and maintain their data processing needs. I also enjoyed training the junior staff members.
I loved teaching piano to children over the years on a part-time basis.
I loved leading the PRIMS (Missionettes)
I loved being a part-time faculty member in the Information Systems Department at a junior college.
Which subjects did I love and excel in during college? Psychology, sociology, human resources, management. All easy A’s for me.
When I owned an interior decorating business, I loved to assist my clients in transforming their homes and offices and I loved holding the weekly training classes for decorators just entering the field.

What became clear is that working with people stirred my passion. I had always used a coaching approach in my interactions with clients, drawing out what was important to each individual client. Whether it was in the building of an integrated data processing system or the decorating of an interior, the end result was a true reflection of the client and what was important to them. Connecting others with their own individual dreams is what I was born to do and I am now a certified Life Success Coach.

Oh my, I am flattered that you are still reading . You must be a really committed fan.

You may be wondering where the piano fits in. The concert pianist in me is still alive and well. I have set a goal to establish a music conservatory for disadvantaged children. This will allow me to live vicariously through my students as I coach them in developing their music skills and achieving their goals. While you may never hear my work, it is a wonderful release of my creativity.

So, while my journey from there to here was a bit non-traditional, I have finally created a business out of what I have been doing all along–coaching people into being the best that they can be and helping others bridge the gaps in their life from where they currently are and where they would like to be. I have found my note and love empowering others to find theirs. All of my meandering has taken me up and down both wonderful and not-so-wonderful paths; however, it has allowed me to connect my passion for music and coaching. I have re-invented my career and myself more fully than ever before. I became happier, more loving, even more materially successful in the process. I am now doing exactly what I want to do and I have in my life all the people, all the bounty, I could ask for. Nothing interests me more than coaching others in the same transformation process. I now combine the personal development that I learned from Bob Proctor (my business partner and mentor) with internet marketing strategies. What an adventure!

When I am not working, I love to spend time with my family and friends. Aside from that, I love to travel all over the world and to engage in outdoor activities: tennis, hiking and skiing being my favorite.

You have your pick from many life coaches out there (it has become quite trendy, yes?); consequently, I appreciate you stopping by to see if I am the woman to work with. This is serious stuff and you want to make sure that the person you are trusting your life with has the goods to support you–in a legit way. The following facts may help you confidently decide if I am the type of coach you can feel good about:

I’m certified. I earned my stripes as a life coach at LifeSuccess Consulting, an accredited program. I have been personally mentored by Bob Proctor and currently partner with him to deliver personal development coaching.

I’m educated. I hold a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Business Adminstration and Computer Information Systems and am currently completing MBA degree requirements.

I’m committed. I am serious your wanting you to suceed and getting you to a place of freedom ASAP. I am a straightforward, tell-it-like-it is kinda woman. People who work best with me really want to move forward and want to hear it like it is. I do this because I am devoted to helping you step into your dream life…an unrecognizable, awe-mazing life!