.png)
.png)
To better understand, to be of service, and to help enlighten…..these have always been my passion it seems. The place where science and spirituality meet is where I am drawn to learn and to teach. My formal training is in social & clinical psychology, journalistic writing, and holistic health. I am a psychologist and currently serve in the role of life coach.
Having been a psychotherapist for much of my career, I support clients with a deep understanding of behavioral science, while inspiring them to evolve their consciousness in alignment with their life purpose. The two key questions in life are “Who am I?” and “What am I here for?” This is what we explore in Enlightened Life Coaching. Enlightenment leads to a sense of freedom and peace. It opens both mind and heart. It releases us from our past, enlivens the present, and opens the future of possibilities.
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an only child raised by my mother in a working class family. I am a second generation American with maternal grandparents from Slovakia, and paternal grandparents from Italy. As a little girl I would often sit and read the dictionary, and I dreamed of one day having kitty cats and a garden. Today I have an online presence called ZenCat Gallery and am fundraising to create a cat café + art gallery here in Columbus, Ohio. We can learn so much from Mother Nature and the animals.
Last year I published my first book, Enlightenment Appetizers: A Taste of Enlightenment in Everyday Life. It is a unique full color, magazine style soft cover book with uplifting articles on many practical life topics. I hope it inspires and enchants my readers.
VV: Arise 7-8:30am, stretch/yoga poses, meditate, cup of tea. Every day is different, but includes some email responding and a combination of marketing, seeing clients, attending business meetings, & chats with colleagues. Exercise (walking, biking, yoga, gym/weight lifting) about 5 days/week somewhere in my day.
VV:Health habits – no smoking or drinking alcohol; eating light and fresh; drinking lots of water; exercise; stay uplifted in mind and heart.
VV: The most major change was changing professional roles from psychotherapist to life coach in November 2004. I had to learn to use a computer, and do marketing (i.e. create a website, use social media, etc.) It was a whole new world, but a much more expansive and creative one. I simply had outgrown being a psychotherapist. Since 2004, my focus and model has remained steady, yet I am constantly creating new ways to put out my message of enlightenment. Writing the book and blog articles are part of this reach.
RB: What are some of the challenges you are facing or have faced this year?
VV:Having a prominent presence in this noisy, hectic world is always challenging. My style is that of a service-oriented contemplative or teacher type. So marketing and “sales” are not especially in alignment for me. However I do my best to be true to who I am in the manner I operate my practice (business).
RB: Describe what innovation means in your business and how do you go about it.
VV: Innovation means being creative, and this comes to me quite naturally. For instance, I just launched my website redesign with completely new creative elements. It also means I am creating other businesses in alignment with my passions (i.e. the cat café/gallery and a new connection site we will soon debut in the United States).
RB: How do you balance being a “big dreamer” vs setting realistic goals for your business?
VV: All “reality” was once a “dream.” Thus I do not see these in opposition, but rather as a continuum of manifestation. Dreams + Actions = “Reality.”
RB:Who or what motivates you to keep going with your business? And Why?
VV:Enlightened Life Coaching is not what I do; it is who I am. Thus alignment with my true purpose and the gratification of helping my clients in life-changing ways gets me through any moments of discouragement.
RB: Has your definition of success changed since you have started your business? If so, how?
VV:It has not changed. My definition of “success” is being true to myself and offering service to others through my gifts and talents. When your heart is open and full you are living “success.”
RB: What would you say is the most important skill required to run a business?
VV: The most important skill to run a business is a combination of faith & commitment. It is a belief in who you are and what you are here on Earth to offer to the world, and a heart-centered commitment to this purpose.
RB: There are a lot of myths about entrepreneurs. Now that you have started and are successfully running your own business what would you say is the biggest myth? What have you learned most from it.
VV: Biggest Myth? That someday, your business will finally arrive at some goal point or finish line. A healthy business is always evolving. I have learned that it is best not to compare or judge my business or myself. For me, business, like life, is a journey, not a destination.