Interview with career coach Esther Murray
Esther Murray is a coach who specializes in helping professional women who have hit a dead end in their career due to getting passed over, feeling unappreciated, or lacking opportunities to move ahead in the workplace due to systemic gender discrimination and internal office politics.
Esther is an experienced administrator with over 23 years of experience in government, of which seven years entailed management duties.
What is your career background?
For the past 24 years, I’ve worked in the government sector, gaining experience in leadership, negotiation, project management and customer service. I’ve managed and trained staff, performed special high-level projects and was one of the team leaders who assisted, for example, in the collection of $600M+ over a three-month period in 2016.
What made you want to start your own business?
I’ve always felt that I was meant for more than just sitting at a desk and talking to taxpayers. It was at the height of COVID-19 that I had an epiphany. While adjusting to remote work during my downtime, I would surf the web and one day the infamous Tony Robbins appeared on my screen.
I then attended one of his virtual events, then another, and later got certified as a Life Coach to help unfulfilled professional women who are tired of working in dead-end jobs and don’t know how to take the necessary steps to move the needle in their lives.
What’s your USP?
My USP is – Inspiring Women to Dream Again.
What’s been the hardest part of your journey so far?
The hardest part of my journey is the entire aspect of marketing. I’ve left coaching school thinking now that I am certified, clients will just land on my doorstep. It’s not that easy and I now understand why some coaches are struggling and some even leaving the coaching arena.
Marketing is another investment, and it’s a major part that is left out in coaching schools, but you learn to adapt and go after what your heart tells you to do.
How do you spread the word about what you do?
I share my knowledge over three of my social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram). I also appear as a guest on podcasts, write monthly newsletters, and nurture my tribe with weekly emails.
I also offer a FREE download of my “Awaken the Super Woman Within” proposition and invite prospects to a complimentary one-to-one conversation with me. I also co-authored a book entitled, “Transforming Your Life (Volume V) which is available at Amazon.com
What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Facing my fears of reaching out to unfamiliar people has been one of my biggest obstacles. When you are doing something for the first time, it’s very scary. But, once you understand that growth requires you entering unfamiliar territory, you begin to see how your confidence starts to soar.
What is your proudest moment so far?
I’m proud that I can keep moving forward despite all the challenges that are coming my way. I have worked very hard, coming from a tiny island, Tobago, attaining two master’s degrees, at New York University (NYU) and CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU).
I am now proudly an Amazon author, along with several other coaches, having produced an amazing professional development book.
Why is your work so important to you?
Transforming the lives of women who have been undervalued, rejected, and passed over is at the core of my business. I’ve been in this trough before, hence the reason I’m very passionate about helping these women find their footing and dream again.
Being unappreciated in a job that refuses to see my talent and abilities, I’ve used these trials to bring new light into the lives of the women that I am now shepherding.
Who inspires you?
My mother is my greatest inspiration!! She is the greatest cheerleader after God. She managed to raise my three brothers and myself after my dad deserted us when I was about eight years old. She worked several jobs to put food on the table and is every bit responsible for me being the strong, dedicated, resilient woman that I am today.
Therefore, whatever I do in this journey, is for the elevation of my family and children. I am forever grateful to have a praying mother who is the family’s matriarch, fully committed to her progeny.
What are your top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do similar?
For anyone going into the coaching arena, here are my suggestions:
- Take time to sleep on this and be sure that you are coming into coaching because it is your life’s mission, to make a difference, not just for the money. That will happen later!
- Connect with like-minded women who share the same mission that you are after. Learn from others who’ve already been where you are going and continue to self-develop and learn different methodologies.
- Find an accountability partner so that you don’t feel alone and have weekly calls to keep abreast on your goals and accomplishments.
- Remember to always find time to relax and unwind every day and feel appreciation and gratitude for where you are in life, and for your friends and loved ones.
Find out more about Esther Murray.
