business

Age: 49

Home: Eden Prairie

Job: Self-employed executive coach and professional speaker; founder of Winning LifeStyles Inc.

Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology; professionally certified coach and master's certified candidate, International Coach Federation.

What do you do? I work with clients one-on-one to determine what they want out of life or work, then strategize, motivate and help them implement their plans. I also speak for audiences on the topics of leadership development, self-mastery, balancing work/life, health and wellness, developing coaching skills for managers and inspirational programs for women's programs.

Previous experience: Addictions counselor, sales, marketing researcher, group fitness instructor, certified personal trainer.

How'd you get into this job? While acting as a group fitness manager at a club, I decided I wanted to take the message "to the world," and began a speaking-and-training business in 1989. I started with a series on stress management. My speaking business developed from there.

What is the pay like? I can comfortably say that I make six figures.

Character traits necessary for this job: Persistence, patience, creativity, internal motivation, ability to ask for help, networking and interviewing skills, public speaking confidence.

Are there any misconceptions about wellness coaches or motivational speakers that you'd like to clear up? Both take far more skill and finesse than people realize. In workshops, when people do skills-development activities, such as role-playing, most people are surprised that it's harder than they thought.

Why would someone need a wellness or lifestyle coach? Much of my work is around developing emotional intelligence. Technical skills get people just so far in the workplace. People skills are [critical] for continuing to be successful in life at work and at home. From a wellness point of view ... individuals need someone to help them process what they know, what they want, how they can pursue goals and objectives in a way that is conducive to success for them.

AIMEE BLANCHETTE