For Angela Caufield-Thompson, it was always about being her own boss. She didn’t envision herself in a specific industry or with a particular fancy title, instead being her own boss was all she dreamt of becoming. And so she did!
Today, as her own boss, Angela helps entrepreneurs and executives improve their efficiency and generate more income. A thought leader, business consultant, corporate trainer, speaker, and a mother, Angela is an example of excellence for women leaders.
In this exclusive interview with Exeleon Magazine, Angela Caufield-Thompson talks about her journey, ideas about leadership, and her vision going forward.
What according to you makes one a transformational leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?
Transformational leaders are not just aware of the need for massive change. They understand that dismantling and disrupting the current structures and system our society was founded on is critical, imminent, and necessary. These leaders are the button-pushers, the push-backers, and the people that stand between ‘what has always been’ and what will be. Transformational leaders do not sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to make the first move. They do not go with the grain, and they do not sit down and stay silent when things get hard.
True leadership goes beyond sharing strategy, practices, and procedures. True leadership is standing in your power and expressing your truth, even when your voice shakes.
Talk to us about your growing up years. What is your earliest memory as a leader/entrepreneur that you can remember?
We start asking kids what they want to be when they grow up very early in the United States. Preschool and Kindergarten is typically when we start asking about future career decisions. The imaginations of children are incredible, and they truly believe they can do and be anything. Can you imagine what it would be like to carry that belief into adulthood? Most kids can remember telling their friends and family what they wanted to be, even if it isn’t what they end up doing in the future.
I never had a specific industry or title I wanted to hold. I just knew I wanted to be my own boss one day.
That’s it. I want to be my own boss! It was a pretty vague concept and even now I’m giggling over how it must have sounded to a teacher or my parents.
I never dreamed I would end up where I am, but that really is the beauty of life, isn’t it?
What prompted your interest and subsequently your foray into the coaching and consulting space?
Since I knew I always wanted to be my own boss and I knew that I am passionate about teaching and developing others, coaching seemed like an easy transition. I followed my instincts while I was at my corporate job and became a certified Holistic Health + Nutrition Coach. From there, my practice grew and morphed, and I knew I was meant to share my expertise on a larger scale.
I began brainstorming and birthing ideas for marrying my love of development with the experience I’d gained through my education and corporate career. At that point, I began doing many more speaking engagements, writing, and working with business owners on how to evolve their own organizations and expand their concept of leadership.
It’s a combination of what I love and what I’m skilled at. Passion meets purpose!
What is the approach/process followed by you in order to ensure optimal client satisfaction?
Optimizing the client experience is something very important to me. As an entrepreneur, adding a signature touch to interactions and transactions can be what sets you apart from others in your industry (notice I did not say competition).
Being open and receptive to feedback is critical. Gather client/customer surveys. ASK your clients what it is specifically about working with you that keeps them coming back.
The resources for these questions are at your fingertips. Get creative and remember, optimizing the client experience does not have to be expensive or time consuming.
A handwritten thank you card goes a long way.
As a women entrepreneur, what would be your advice for young and aspiring women leaders?
The current systems in this country were not created with our success, equity or safety in mind… Especially women of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized groups of women.
We are thought leaders. We know that moving wealth into our hands means creating the power to enact massive change.
Do not sell yourself short. Do not underestimate your impact.
What does a day in your life look like? How do you ensure work-life balance?
A day in my life is crazy if I’m being completely transparent! I have children, dogs, a home and a large extended network of family and friends. I am a woman, human, mother, partner, friend among many other things.
Work-life balance is something I do not strive to achieve. The concept I strive for is ‘work-life integration’. How can I shape and create the life I dream of living? What is my version of success? The answers to these questions help me build my business into my life, rather than build my life around my business.
Some days various things will need more attention and others will fall by the wayside. There is no judgment. It just, is.
Do not take too much on. Delegate whenever possible and do not live your life being a martyr. It’s ok (and necessary) to ask for help!
Looking back at your journey, what would you have done differently when starting out?
I appreciate and fully believe in seeking help, community, and advice throughout the process of starting and running a business. However, my biggest piece of advice is do not let the voices of others drown out your own or keep you from listening to your intuition.
You will be told what to do, how to do it, how not to do it, where and when to do it or not do it (it being specific to your business). This can drive a wedge or disconnect you from your ideas, thoughts, and mission.
You started this business for a reason. As my wonderful mentor Dr. Melissa Bird PhD says, “with purpose, on purpose.” Don’t let anyone take that from you.
Finally, what does the future look like for you, both personally and professionally?
The future is hopeful. It’s prosperous and I see myself sharing my knowledge, skills, and wisdom with an audience I never could have imagined. The future holds publishing a book and speaking on stages in front of massive audiences. The future looks like passionately developing the leaders I hope to see in the world.
My family and I love to travel. I see us all over the world. If there is anything the last few years has taught us, it is that time is our most precious resource. The little moments are the big moments. I look forward to sharing many more of these with the people I love.
Visit Angela Caufield-Thompson Website
