Alexis Goggans and Christian Hartley, both Professional Certified Life Coaches (PCC), co-founded the Institute for Coaching Excellence ( IFCE ) with a shared vision of empowering aspiring and established coaches to reach their full potential and make a positive impact in the world. The partnership began in 2018 when they met in a coach training program and became peer coaching partners. Through their partnership, their coaching techniques and business ideas began to develop, leading to the launch of their coaching business in 2020 with a formalized business partnership soon after.
Alexis Goggans' Background and Experience
Alexis Goggans is a co-founder of the Institute for Coaching Excellence and founder of Be Bold Services , a consulting firm that provides leadership coaching to social impact professionals and equity consulting to organizations advancing climate and sustainability initiatives. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Environmental History and a Master of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Sustainability Studies. Alexis also holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Foundation and has additional certificates in Neuro-linguistic Programming, meditation, and spiritual counseling, which she integrates into her coaching and consulting practice.
Alexis has a passion for decolonization studies, systems thinking, and personal and organizational development. Her diverse experience includes designing organizational equity assessments for regional networks of over 10,000 members, managing Washington D.C.'s greenhouse gas inventory, and providing over 1,000 hours of coaching to entrepreneurs, executives, and social impact leaders. She believes in leading with curiosity and authenticity and is committed to creating a better world through bold new ways of living, working, and leading.
Background and Education of Christian Hartley
With over 25 years of experience in business management and operations, Christian Hartley is a Professional Certified Life Coach (PCC) who helps individuals and businesses achieve their full potential. She co-founded the Institute for Coaching Excellence (IFCE) and is the founder of TWIDWID (The Way I Do What I Do) , a coaching and consulting practice that equips clients with practical tools and resources to improve their daily activities and tasks.
Christian's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, a Master's degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O P), and credentials from the International Coach Federation. Her approach to coaching is rooted in the belief that every person has the potential to achieve their goals and live a fulfilling life. Christian's coaching style is collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based, drawing on techniques from positive psychology and I/O P to help clients overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. Through her practice, Christian is dedicated to building her clients' confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose in both their personal and professional lives.
Creating a Strong Partnership
Despite facing conflicts along the way, Alexis and Christian worked hard to create a strong partnership emphasizing the importance of connection, hard work, and dedication to their shared vision. Now, they are preparing for their third training cohort in April and are reflecting positively on their journey so far, hoping to inspire others to follow their passions and make a positive impact in the world.
Empowering Coaches through Certification
The Institute for Coaching Excellence (IFCE) is a leading training institute that offers multiple coaching certificates, including life, leadership, and executive coaching. The program meets the coach training requirements of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), allowing students to become associate certified coaches or professional certified coaches upon completion. The IFCE also provides mentorship and support, including an economic empowerment program for students who may face challenges in building their clientele. Additionally, the institute offers coaching services to organizations and individuals looking to achieve their goals. Looking towards the future, the IFCE hopes to expand its program offerings, including continuing education credits and targeted training sessions for specific organizations.
Importance of Certification in Coaching
The ICF's global coaching study has unveiled a growing trend among clients seeking coaching services - a preference for certified or credentialed coaches. Certification serves as a benchmark for adherence to established coaching standards. Coaches who obtain certification learn essential core competencies, including embodying a coaching mindset, being present with clients, and equipping them with tools to overcome challenges and live out their strategies beyond coaching sessions. By obtaining certification, coaches can provide effective support to their clients and lead to positive outcomes and growth.
Prioritizing Personal Growth and Equity
Alexis and Christian align their coaching practice with the ICF's approach of prioritizing clients' personal growth. However, their program also emphasizes equity and inclusion, ensuring everyone has access to coaching, regardless of their background. To achieve this, they keep their class sizes small and prioritize a coaching mindset and hands-on learning.
Business Development and Mentorship
The IFCE's program also places significant emphasis on business development and mentorship, recognizing that many coaches struggle with the business aspects of running a coaching practice. They offer a business empowerment program that equips students with the tools and resources to build their coaching practices, including templates and mentorship from both Alexis and Christian. Additionally, they offer tools and resources for financial planning, budgeting, and tax preparation, which can be useful for coaches starting their businesses.
Transformational Experience in Coaching
Coaching is a transformational experience that can have a profound impact on one's life, according to Alexis. By connecting with one's true self, free from societal norms, peer pressure, and biases, coaching empowers individuals to navigate challenges and approach life with self-awareness and confidence. Coaching provides people with the tools and confidence to stand in their truth and effectively handle difficult situations. For Alexis, coaching creates a safe and nurturing space for individuals to connect with their authentic selves, explore their values, and navigate life's difficulties with a sense of liberation.
Essential Qualities of a Coach and Business Owner
According to Alexis, several essential qualities are necessary to become a coach. Firstly, one must have the willingness to learn, grow, and be vulnerable. Coaching requires a level of openness and a desire to work on oneself to support others effectively. Additionally, it is crucial to have a passion for helping others and a genuine interest in their well-being.
Becoming a business owner is a process that requires patience and time, according to Christian. Although it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of starting a business, she emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries between personal and professional life. Doing so makes it possible to avoid getting lost in the process and focus on personal needs while pursuing business goals .
Encouragement for Aspiring Business Owners
Both Alexis and Christian encourage aspiring business owners to trust the process and remain consistent in their efforts. For them, becoming a business owner is a journey of growth and development, where one's personal and professional lives intertwine. By staying focused, setting boundaries, and following one's passion, they believe that women can succeed in the business world and create positive change.
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