“that’s crazy!”

“you shouldn’t do that.”
“that’s crazy!”
“how are you going to create a sustainable business that way?”

i’ve been advised in the last year or so (by both marketing experts and friends) that i shouldn’t spend so much time and effort offering free services. especially not my 1:1 coaching services, but not my travel size courses or even my facebook group either.

“stop giving so much away!”

i get it, i do. i’m trying to make a living just like everybody else. and as an entrepreneur, i go through lots of lean periods. it’s damn hard work to grow a business from the bottom up, especially when you just up-and-decide to move to another country and completely alter the direction you want your company to go.

i’m used to being told that the things i do are crazy. but i think relationship-building is important. important for the woman who decides to say yes to what i’m offering. and important for me as well, in order to best serve her. it’s absolutely crucial when i’m inviting that woman into my home.

this is my bio blurb on the landing page of my retreat. it describes my professional background and what i do in my work.

My name is April M. Lee. I’m certified as a holistic life coach, a wellness coach, a mindful eating coach, and a food psychology coach. I also have bachelor’s degrees in both Business and Psychology, and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. I’ve been in the counseling/coaching field for over 20 years. I’ve mentored adult women, as well as adolescent girls, with a variety of eating issues. I’ve counseled kids with chemical dependencies. I’ve helped clients navigate their way through devastating grief and loss. I’ve worked with people struggling with various types and levels of depression. More recently I’ve coached women of all ages who are serious about living out their dreams (and seeking their essence in the process).

What all of my clients have had in common is the courage and inspiration to take bigger leaps than they’d ever thought possible. And it’s been my pleasure and privilege to be present for their amazing revelations. In the fall of 2016, I pushed myself way out of my own comfort zone and relocated to an Italian villa in Tuscany. This is a dream come true for me in many ways. As well as my primary residence, the villa serves as the destination location for my in-person retreat-no-more experiences. It is a work-in-progress, in the process of being reawakened to its original beauty, character, and strength . . . an apt metaphor for how I view the potential in each of us, just one step away from our own majesty and magnificence.

but you know who else i am? i’m a woman, and a wife, and a mother. i like to dance and sing off-key (way off-key according to my family). i read voraciously, i love my cats ridiculously, and i miss my late momma every single day. i’m rather unconventional and i’m not afraid to speak up. i’m insanely proud of my sons, and i count them among my best friends. i’m extremely loyal to those who have earned my respect, and i revel in meeting new people. and though i believe in the healing power of tears, i take crying to a whole new level. i think i’m fairly smart. but i’m silly too, and i like to make people laugh. (in fact, i was voted “most likely to succeed” AND “class clown” my senior year of high school!)

i want the woman who comes to my retreat to know me, as much as she possibly can, through my blog posts and my social media posts and our private messaging chats. so i’m as honest as i can possibly be, sharing not only great times but my struggles and doubts as well.

i want the woman who comes to my retreat to experience life-expanding adventures and deep-insightful breakthroughs. but i also want her to feel loved and protected and comfortable enough to put her feet up on my sofa. so i’m as authentic as i can be, proud of my accomplishments but laughing at my mishaps as well.

i know there are several women out there who are doing the yes-no dance about coming to my retreat in italy. i know the investments you’ll be making and the risks you’ll be taking. but you know what? i firmly believe in the life-changing magic of THE ARRIVAL, so i am urging you to grasp this opportunity. i will be right alongside you, as both coach and friend. all you have to do is SAY YES.

i want to meet you and get to know you better. so push your last “should i?”s aside and make yourself a priority. i’ll be waiting to warmly welcome you to the villa, nestled in the northwestern tip of the breathtaking tuscan landscape.

*******

 
 
i have exciting news to share with you today . . . my crazy-wonderful italian tale has been featured in INTERNATIONAL LIVING magazine!

❤️?? we fell in love with our tuscan villa! ??❤️

just a little reminder that, no matter how difficult the path feels at times, no matter how many obstacles you encounter, you should never ever ever give up on your dreams!

*******

THE ARRIVAL

TUSCANY, ITALY | MAY 20-25, 2018

[Click on the image below for more information!]

[Click on the image above for more information!]

*******

 
 
click to receive my studio notes in your inbox each week.
(and receive my first travel size course, AWARENESS #1, as my complimentary gift to you!)
 
 
get my free course!
 
 

 
 
 
 

tweet