Meet Lisa Zahiya, a dynamic business strategist, life coach, and former dance studio owner who has had an unconventional journey from being a law school dropout to being a celebrated coach.
Based in New York, NY, Lisa has navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship and coaching to make a profound impact on the lives of women and mission-driven entrepreneurs.
With a focus on digital marketing and product scaling, Lisa has helped over 100 entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of business ownership and achieve their goals, all while fostering a culture of celebration and positivity.
Can you please introduce yourself, your business, and your specialization as a coach?
I am a business strategist and life coach based in New York, NY. My journey has been anything but conventional. When I was 26, I dropped out of Georgetown Law School to pursue my dream of opening an inclusive dance studio that provided movement opportunities for everyone.
I created Studio Zahiya in Asheville, NC as a space focused on empowering all people through dance. The studio thrived and became a cornerstone in the community, winning “Best Place to Take a Dance Class” six times in a row.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I was left with a studio space I couldn’t use, yet I still had to pay rent for it. I felt like I didn’t have control over anything that was going to happen. But after allowing myself to grieve the studio of my dreams, I decided to get creative about how I could serve my clients in a new way. I offered dance classes online and I channeled what I had learned during my entrepreneurial journey into a coaching business to help others scale their businesses. To my surprise, I doubled my profit and gained clients from all over the world.
I’m now trained as a Certified Coach (Coach U), Advanced Master Coach (CTI), Infinite Possibilities Trainer and Trailblazer (Mike Dooley), Brene Brown Coaches Training, and Tony Robbins Leadership Training. I help women cultivate lives on their own terms and assist mission-driven entrepreneurs in maximizing their impact.
With a focus on digital marketing and product scaling, I’ve helped over 100 entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of business ownership and achieve their goals.
As a coach, what are some of the biggest challenges that you have faced in your journey?
I’ve had to reevaluate a lot of self-limiting beliefs, especially concerning pricing. Like many coaches, I initially grappled with the notion that I needed to cater to everyone’s needs and keep my prices low to accommodate all potential clients.
However, I’ve come to realize that this mindset only hinders my ability to provide exceptional services and attract clients who are genuinely committed to their growth. One of the key shifts I’ve made is recognizing that my services have value, and it’s essential to align my pricing with that value.
Instead of trying to make everyone happy, I now focus on attracting clients who understand and appreciate the investment they’re making in themselves and their goals.
Can you share a success story or a significant achievement in your coaching career?
One of the most significant moments in my coaching career was receiving an invitation to deliver a TEDx talk. It was a surreal and humbling experience to be recognized for my work and invited to share my insights and experiences on such a prestigious platform. As I prepared for the talk, I reflected deeply on my journey, the lessons I’ve learned, and the impact I’ve had on others through my coaching.
Delivering the TEDx talk allowed me to reach a broader audience and share my message of empowerment and transformation with the world. It was an incredible opportunity to inspire and uplift others, and I am grateful for the platform to spread positivity and encouragement. In my TEDx talk titled “Let’s Throw a Party,” I shared insights from my coaching journey and how I’ve witnessed the transformative power of celebration in people’s lives. I delved into the importance of embracing joy, gratitude, and celebration as essential components of personal growth and fulfillment. Through personal anecdotes and practical tips, I highlighted how shifting our mindset to one of celebration can lead to profound shifts in perspective and behavior. I encouraged viewers to find joy in everyday moments, celebrate their accomplishments, and cultivate a mindset of abundance and positivity.
The talk resonated with audiences as it emphasized the significance of fostering a culture of celebration in both personal and professional spheres, ultimately inspiring individuals to live life to the fullest and embrace the power of joy.
How do you measure the impact of your coaching on your clients or teams?
I like to draw inspiration from the B Corporation Model. I measure success by the revenue generated, as it reflects the tangible outcomes of my coaching efforts. However, revenue alone doesn’t tell the full story.
I also assess how my business contributes to the health and wealth of my employees, and how it influences the success of our clients. This goes beyond financial metrics to encompass their overall sense of fulfillment and achievement of their goals. Lastly, I believe in the importance of using my business as a force for good in the community, the environment, and society at large. I measure the impact of my coaching by assessing how we make a meaningful difference in the world.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to be leaders in the coaching industry?
- Persistence is key. Be prepared to face setbacks on your journey. Embrace the process of trial and error, and don’t let failure deter you. Get knocked down, but make sure you get back up.
- Learn from the best. Seek out mentors and role models who have achieved what you aspire to. Don’t copy their content but embody their structures and processes. Success leaves clues, and by observing those who have paved the way, you can accelerate your own growth.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously. Keep a great sense of humor and be willing to laugh at yourself. This not only makes the journey more enjoyable but also fosters your resilience.
What are your future goals for your business and brand? What is your vision through coaching?
I hear time and time again from clients that they just don’t have the time to implement the strategies we talk about during our sessions. This is when it’s time to consider hiring support, yet many of my clients mention concerns about affordability.
In reality, they can’t afford not to hire, as they’re already at their bandwidth. It’s because of these concerns that I decided to launch a staffing company called Scale Up Support, where we source executive admin personnel and tech specialists.
We provide comprehensive training in our proven methodologies, which have yielded success for both me and my clients. Our goal is to equip these individuals with the skills and support they need to thrive in their roles, thereby alleviating the burden on business owners and fostering sustainable growth. I’m so excited to see where this venture goes and to continue providing support to business owners.
On the personal side of things, I’m looking forward to expanding into speaking engagements on a larger scale. I want to leverage my experiences to inspire audiences around the world and instill them with the confidence they need to achieve their dreams.
Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting impact on the coaching industry by championing authenticity and impact. I believe that by helping others succeed, we can collectively create a more positive and meaningful future for ourselves and generations to come.
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Connect with Lisa Zahiya on LinkedIn.
