Testimonials
- Coaching Clients
- Art of Balance: Creating Sustainable Change in Work and Life™
- Bring Your Business to Life Clients
Coaching Clients
"Working with Sherry has helped me understand what I needed to do
to move myself and my practice to a new level. Sherry's personal experience in
the business world gave her real credibility with me. That knowledge, combined
with real perceptiveness and instinctive listening, was a good combination for
me. Shortly after starting to work with her, I found myself taking on new roles
and skills I would never have otherwise undertaken. Sherry is both practical
and inspirational, and I'm very glad I hired her."
Denise Cline,
Partner, Smith Moore, Attorneys at Law
"I have grown personally and professionally since I began working
with Sherry. I attribute a significant percentage of the growth to the support
and encouragement she gave me without bias or vested interest. She asked
questions that led to self-discovery, more thoroughness in weighing my options,
greater confidence in my decision-making, and a new way of life for me that
continues to evolve. This is one of the best investments I've ever
made."
Penelope Gardner, IBM
Having Sherry as a coach has been an enlightening experience. We
began working together at a time when I felt my career had stalled. I was
seeking an explanation for my current state while discovering what my
go-forward path should be. In very short order, Sherry and I were able to
identify the challenges that had been holding me back, and devise a forward
path for my career development. I would recommend a coaching experience to
anyone who desires to take their career to the next level, and I would
recommend Sherry Essig to anyone who is seeking a collaborative partner to
assist them in that quest."
Suzanne Miglucci, Vice President Marketing
and Strategic Alliances, SciQuest, Inc.
"Sherry's workshop "Bring your Business to Life" helped me find a
more focused view of my role in my company, which in turn led to greater
success for the company as well as me. I continued to seek Sherry's counsel
after the workshop as I found she would ask the probing questions that I
sometimes hesitate to ask myself. She has a special talent for getting right to
the core of an issue and helping you find a solution to a problem without
wasting time."
Carol ter Wee, CFO and Principal, Capital TelCom
"Sherry has helped me achieve goals in my professional life that I
would not have thought possible. Her ability to analyze the complex
relationship between a person's strengths and areas that need strengthening and
the impact those skills have on the hard realities of business is outstanding.
She encourages a thought process that removes obstacles and creates new
opportunities where none were seen before. My personal life benefits from
learning to use the same approach."
Ann Marie Amico, Ann Marie Amico
Design, Inc.
"Thanks again for all your support Monday & everyday -- you go
way beyond what I hoped you would do as a coach!"
Sandy Ferguson, Real
Estate Broker
"Sherry prefaced our initial dialogue with a request to complete
a very insightful questionnaire to assist us both in developing a constructive
framework for our future efforts. While this initial plan has been augmented
over time, it has served as the cornerstone to our discussions. This type of
planning and structure are the hallmark of Sherry's coaching skills. She
remains focused on my agenda and provides valuable insights and guidance to
achieve my goals. Her extraordinary coaching capabilities have contributed
materially to achieving my near-term professional and personal
objectives."
Jennifer Sandefur, Senior Managing Director, Countrywide
Financial Corp.
"Working with Sherry has made a big difference to me. Through a
combination of thoughtful questions, insight and trust, she truly helps me make
choices that are right for me and for my business. I know I can always count on
her to be an advocate, ask the hard questions, propel me forward and celebrate
my successes."
Mary Cantando, Author and President Cantando &
Associates
"I consider Sherry an essential part of my business team and
always look forward to our sessions."
Rebecca Worters, President,
Capability Company
"It's great to have your own personal cheerleader, someone who
praises you when you succeed, empathizes when you're having a rough go, and
isn't afraid to push you to stretch or steer you in a different direction when
you need guidance. Through Sherry's coaching, not only am I more fully
utilizing my talents, but have also learned about strengths I never knew I had.
I value and trust her insights and look forward to bouncing ideas off of her
during our sessions. Sherry's coaching has helped me focus on what's important
in my work and my life. As a result, I am more effective professionally and my
personal life is richer."
Debbie Hamrick, Director for Specialty Crops,
North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation
"I've accomplished so much since working with Sherry. The coaching
sessions have helped me stay on target for the month, develop simple ways of
measuring my progress and develop new ways of approaching difficult challenges.
Even making cold calls is easier!"
Kim Cotten, Director Business
Development, ThreeWire, Inc.
"Sherry's combination of insight, curiosity and pragmatism has
consistently supported me in making the best choices for my life. I've made
significant personal and professional changes over the last three years and
know that her coaching and support has made a real difference.
Scott
Loring, Comedian and Voiceover Talent
"I love the structure of the scheduled coaching calls to help me
stay focused and on task. Sherry has such a pleasant way of holding me
accountable & demonstrating the advantages of measurable results. I
particularly like the process she has me use to prepare for each call, making
them a very effective use of time. She has such creative ideas and ways of
looking at challenges. I never feel as if I've been graded on what I have or
have not done. The non-judgmental style motivates me to celebrate my
accomplishments and keep trying new things. She's greeeaaat!"
Mary
Esther Baker, Author and Owner, Simply Cooking for One
"Sherry became my coach and confidante when my marketing services
company hit the 5-year mark. I was at the point where I needed to make some
changes for business efficiency, growth and peace of mind. I was great at
servicing my clients and bringing in new business, but needed to also focus on
the day-to-day details of running my business and understanding my finances --
something we left-brained business owners find challenging! Sherry helped me
get a grasp on things I often ignored yet always worried about like P&L
statements, cash flow and time tracking. I'm a much more savvy business owner
who has learned and implemented new tools that help my company run smoothly. I
know where I'm going with my business and the options available for continued
growth, thanks to having Sherry as a coach."
Angela Bendorf Jamison,
President, Communicopia Marketing Services, Inc.
"I have to admit, I approached my coaching sessions with Sherry
with some skepticism. I thought I knew exactly how the conversation would
unfold. But after the first coaching call, I was so impressed with the depth
and insight I had gained, I knew I was in for a transformative experience. I
found that after each coaching session I had practical plans of action for my
life that had tangible results. I started exercising regularly, putting my
financial house in order and most exciting of all...I got a job promotion.
Program Manager, UNC Chapel Hill
"Working with Sherry has been an investment in my "best self".
This has had, and continues to have, a profound impact on me professionally and
personally. She has a gift for quickly cutting through the layers and getting
right to the heart of the matter. I am more effective and much happier as a
result of our work together."
Jennifer Jones, Cary, NC
"Sherry has a wonderfully methodical and analytical side while
also being very in touch with the "being" aspects of life and how that
impacts...well, how that impacts everything. It would be hard to find another
coach with her combination of business and coaching skills! When we created a
"joy index" as one of my business metrics, I knew that this was someone who
really understood how the integration of all the important parts of my life
would impact my business success.
Larry Korte, Co-founder, The Balance
Group
"You help me focus on the things that are most important and not
get caught up in activities that don't really get me any closer to my goals.
Even though I know what's most important, it's easy to get caught up in the
moment and go with what feels urgent. Your thoughtful and methodical approach
helps me be much clearer on the impact of my choices."
Peggy Casey,
Partner CC&R Consulting Group
"Your blend of questioning, listening, business knowledge and
just "getting me" is very unique. You are very effective at keeping me focused
on those things that are important to the success of my business and provide
personal satisfaction. That combination helps me lead a balanced lifestyle,
critical to the long term success of the company."
David Espenscheid,
President, Espenschied Business Group
Art of Balance Programs
"I loved the experience I had in the Art of Balance workshop. I came home energized and with a practical plan to make changes in my life and work. Sherry's process for identifying your challenges and providing relevant tools to increase balance in all areas of life is great. This was an amazing group of talented women to experience the workshop with - I felt so comfortable sharing my thoughts. It helps to hear we all have many of the same roadblocks and to discover there are endless ways to approach a more balanced and fulfilled life." Elizabeth Galecke, Owner, Elizabeth Galecke Photography
"The Art of Balance workshop prompted me to evaluate whether I was happy with the balance I’d struck between home and work. Sherry provided wonderful resources that allowed me to view balance in a different way and offered great suggestions for how to improve those things I felt I could do better. It was a wonderful investment and I continue to receive daily dividends!"
Leanor Hodge, Attorney, Manning Fulton
"What a valuable experience! The best part was going away with a
simple tool for measuring and creating change in your life everyday - what a
unique approach. Sherry's style and approach is both professional and personal
and the women at the workshop were of the highest quality - I truly enjoyed
meeting and learning from each of them. Truly an exceptional
workshop!"
Donna Callahan, SAS Institute, Inc.
"Sherry's practical and powerful approach to identifying my own
unique version of life integration helped me realize I can be living my life
even more fully - and now is the time to get going. The non-judgmental
environment Sherry created, combined with a group interaction that was highly
effective, helped me uncover parts of myself that I've not been fully
utilizing. Within days of the program, I took concrete steps to bring more
creativity into my business and to start taking care of myself with the same
commitment I bring to others. Although change is an ongoing process, I'm
already seeing a significant impact from my investment in the Art of Balance
workshop!"
Lorraine Stephens, President, L. Stephens & Associates,
Inc.
"The concepts I learned in this workshop have a simplicity that
makes them easy to use, but also a depth that continues to move me forward even
months after the program. I enjoyed the program so much I decided to take it
six months later to further refine how I was using the tools and to help me
stay focused on how I was integrating my life. It was worth just as much the
second time, in fact, my learning increased exponentially!"
Terri
Zwierzynski, Co-Founder and Owner, Solo-E.com
"The Art of Balance workshop was a perfect match for my needs.
Sherry created a collaborative, trusting environment, where everyone felt free
to share their experiences and ideas. She attracted an audience of highly
motivated and successful women, and I gained valuable insights from all of
them. I can't praise Sherry enough for her gifts as an instructor, facilitator,
and coach. She helps us reach deep and solve difficult problems, but she
balances it all with warmth and humor."
Linda Fineman, SAS Institute,
Inc.
Bring Your Business To Life
"Completing the Bring Your Business To Life program with Sherry
is the best investment we have made in our eleven years in business. It was
valuable in so many ways. Sherry gave us the support that enabled us to find
the courage to put the business where we wanted it to be. She encouraged us to
question our assumptions and to examine what key factors would drive our
success. The process gave us structure and focus. Sherry's insights and humor
are beyond value. Our business is now aligned with who we are and where we want
to be."
Paul and Sarah Matthews, Co-Owners, Mobius Coaching and
Development, London, U.K.
"Sherry's insight and the process she uses provided the framework
to not only focus on my business and personal life but to convert those goals
into clear action steps. At the end of the program, I had a written plan that
covered both short-term and long-term goals and gave me concrete tools to take
me forward. I loved the experience, which helped me grow as a professional and
a human being. The benefits the "Bring Your Business to Life program has
generated have well exceeded my expectations."
Donna Cohen,
Attorney-at-law
"My business has moved to a whole new level since completing the
Bring Your Business to Life program. There's no way I would have gotten here
this quickly on my own. If you are looking to accelerate your progress, I'd
recommend talking to Sherry."
Michael Dickinson, Financial Advisor,
UBS
"When I finished the program, I thought, "that was useful,
interesting and fun, but can a fourteen hour program have lasting impact? Will
having taken the time to slow down, think, talk and look closely at myself
really change my business or my outlook?" The bottom line is, yes it can and
yes it did. It's been over a year since I did Bring Your Business to Life and I
continue to discover new ways that Sherry's concepts and approach make a
difference. Her thoughts on how balance and integration impact business success
became more and more understandable. My productivity increased in areas that
made me happier. Thus more successful. Now I constantly replay our discussions
on "choices" as I move forward. Simple thoughts with powerful impacts. My
vision for my business is clearer. Always challenging, but achievable. My
business plan has energy in a direction of my choosing. For me it took 6 months
for Sherry's concepts to fully click in and be put into practice. But it did
happen. The program was great and the true impact is only just beginning."
Art Howard, President Artwork, Inc.
"Bring Your Business to Life was a terrific program for me to
have attended! I have gone to many classes and seminars during my corporate
career, and read tons of books throughout my consulting career, and have yet to
come across a set of tools like those in BYBTL. The course helped me get very
clear on why I was in business for myself, what I wanted to achieve, and how to
make sure that I was doing the things to get there. In particular, there was
tremendous value in developing measurements -- putting a number on those
activities that are most important. (After all, as Sherry says, "what gets
measured, gets managed".) I developed a measure to do a networking activity
once a week. I knew networking was vitally important, but found it difficult to
do. Well, as simple as it sounds, adding the discipline of measurement made me
get out and network! I kept at it for a year, and am astounded with the
results. More business did come in (and in often unusual ways!), but more
importantly, I met a variety of great people, many of whom I keep in close
touch with. I highly recommend BYBTL."
Greg Hopper, CEO / President,
Netanium Strategic Consulting, LLC
"After participating in this program, I was able to reframe my
activities to directly drive the success of my business. I highly recommend
this to anyone-talk about paying dividends!
Rebecca Worters, Founder,
Capability Company
I wanted to work with Sherry and her Bring Your Business to Life
program to help me gain focus and clarity around my Executive Coaching
business, and to make sure that my business continues to "fit into my life".
The program is methodical, but never feels difficult, it's focused, but never
feels narrow, and Sherry is there to help you, and "hold your hand" every step
of the way. The combination of a structured program and a hugely supportive
coach (Sherry!) have really helped me focus on those areas of my business and
my life that are key to sustaining my business. I'm clear now on where I need
to put my energy and investment, and I'm clear on where I don't need to waste
time or resources. I have a roadmap and guidelines that take me out into the
next 12 to 18 months. I strongly recommend the Bring Your Business To Life
program for anyone who can use a guiding hand to help them along the way - and
who can't use that?
Marsha Hoch, Marsha Hoch Executive Coaching
"I'm a person who has more ideas than time! I've always known that
if I approached my "ideas" a little more systematically it would have a huge
impact on my business (and my life). And I worried that it would also kill my
creativity. During the Bring Your Business to Life workshop, I started to put a
little more structure into my business activities. I actually began to feel
more creative AND I was accomplishing more of the "important" things."
Brian Tuffy, President, Possibility Enterprises, Inc.
"This workshop opened my eyes to the way I was making choices
that affected my business, my time, my life. I feel a better sense of control
now, knowing how to measure my priorities and take real steps to get the
results I want."
Lisa Parker, Art Director and Owner, Group3 Design
Services
"I'd never used anything other than financial goals in business.
Your approach of using a more holistic set of measures helps me identify issues
and take action before they show up in my income.
Lori McDaniels,
President, Group3 Communications
"This workshop helps you prioritize and measure results to
maximize your time, energy and profits. Even though I have been self employed
for 15 years, I found this information eye opening and extremely valuable."
Mark Florio, president of Tri Flo Pressure Cleaning, Inc.
"This program is one of the best investments I've ever made! My
income has more than doubled, my time is much more focused and my confidence
has increased. That would have been more than enough for me but something
entirely unexpected also happened. I've had a lifelong dream to sell my
artwork, something I've done as a hobby, and now have my work on display in a
local gallery."
Ann Marie Amico, President, Ann Marie Amico Design,
Inc.
"You give me the measurement tools I need to keep my business on
track and you make it simple. I never realized the importance of monitoring a
variety of aspects of my business or that there are so many creative ways of
doing so."
Michele Spruill, Principal and Co-founder, BluOpal
Consulting
