Today we’d like to introduce you to Thea Sommer.
Hi Thea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was lucky enough to begin participating in the world of “transformation” in my late teens. I went on staff with the organization that produced those seminars soon after participating. I worked for that company for 17 years. During that time, I learned about running a business, creating a powerful culture which included open communication, empowerment of others, and working in an environment of accountability. I facilitated programs for 10’s of thousands of people – and developed others to facilitate as well.
When I left that organization, not knowing what I wanted to do, an opportunity to coach a group of managers in a large company came to me. In those days, coaching was not mainstream at all. When I started Beyond Ten, people often asked me if I coached soccer… a wonderful part of the journey has been watching what has grown in the arena of human development over these many years. I’ve had my coaching/consulting company, Beyond Ten for 21 years and it continues to be an amazing ride. Every day I know how remarkable it is to have my profession be an expression of my passion to make a difference.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. Being a business owner and an entrepreneur is not an easy gig. There’s the dynamic of being self-generative, of continuing to go and push into new worlds when the circumstances don’t seem to be on your side. When I began my business, most people really had no idea what personal coaching was. So one of the challenges was continuing to believe when there was no evidence that others could see, that this road was one that could and would be successful and make a difference.
We’ve been impressed with Beyond Ten, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Beyond Ten provides personal coaching, corporate consulting, as well as retreat/workshop design and facilitation. Because we are boutique in size and scope, we are able to design programs and our coaching work based on the needs of the individual client or organization. The scope of the work is created to make a difference in the areas where you believe that something is possible for you personally or your organization. However, even with that knowledge, you aren’t able to move forward in an effective and powerful way. The work we do is based on the premise that we can all be more effective and satisfied. As human beings (and this relates to organizations as well), there are aspects of the way we operate that keep us from being who we want to be and having the results we say we want. The work of Beyond Ten is about diving into that on every level. Sometimes we have to figure out what we’re doing or not doing that needs to shift, and other times, it’s our feelings, thoughts or mindset that needs a shift. Our work together is discovering what those things are – and then setting up powerful structures to support the changes. I am most proud that the success of my company has happened through referrals. It’s all been word of mouth. I am so grateful to my clients – and know that new clients find their way to Beyond Ten because of what they’ve heard and their own commitment to make powerful changes in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Email: thea@beyondten.com
- Website: www.beyondten.com
- Instagram: @beyondtencoaching
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondtencoaching
