Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Holley.
Hi Brenda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was lucky to have a 30+ career in staffing at the executive level. I’m not using the word “lucky” lightly. The industry gave me a front row seat with hundreds of leading business professionals across dozens of industries. I developed great sales skills, deep knowledge of budgets and P&L’s, mad hiring acumen, solid marketing exposure, and an outstanding knowledge of Human Resources. I didn’t know if it would all converge in such a wonderful way, but it has. I use every bit of those learnings every day now.
I’m a Master Coach focusing on one thing: careers. Spending my days partnering with (1) individuals in career change (2) working with entrepreneurs who’ve stood up their business successfully to grow it to the next level and (3) being a trusted adviser to professional women who’ve achieved substantial success and want an ally as they work in corporate environments is where my zone of highest impact exists.
I left corporate America four years ago and launched my business full-time. It felt like sawing off a substantial limb of financial security very high up on a tree while I was sitting on it. I kept on cutting and have never regretted it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t know a smooth road if I chanced upon it. I had twins at a very young age and the games of life began. Soon after, a tumultuous divorce followed and I was left to do what any woman in this position has to do and many women have done. “Figure it out”. Build a lucrative career from scratch… twice.
I was recently asked to reflect on my long journey of success with some of the biggest names in business and then guiding individuals to living their MOST EXCEPTIONAL professional lives and I couldn’t help but to reflect on THOSE early days…the really hard ones that lasted for years. That story isn’t pretty and it made me who I am.
And then how I completely shifted everything in my life to:
Multiple six-figure years
A BS in Human Resources with an 3.87 GPA. Yeah, it took ten years.
A loving, wonderful husband that adores me (and vise versa)
Living in my dream home
Actively serving my community and those around me in ways bigger than I ever imagined.
Well, the truth is: EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN VERSION OF AMAZING. You are amazing. And the games continue for all of us. Perseverance is not a long race. It’s many short races, one after another.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I coached for 16 years part-time before opening Brenda Holley, LLC four years ago as a full-time business. I use my expertise in business and HR to partner with companies, government entities, and individuals to grow in their unique direction for their careers. That may be finding that perfect job for a person in career change. It’s often helping an entrepreneur get to that next income level. It’s one-on-one coaching to grow skills for employees. One particular part that’s close to my heart is working with professional women in corporations. Anyone in business can benefit from a coach and nowhere is that truer than for professional women. That’s a hard road. I’ve walked it.
What sets me apart is my deep HR/Recruiting/Sales background. I have a big toolbox to help people get that new job and either grow or identify skills they need.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My husband, Paul Gardner (aka The Bald Eagle) is a huge supporter of mine. He gives honest input and lifts me up to do what I need to do while holding down so many pieces of our life. He listens. That’s invaluable. My father is a 90 years old pillar of strength and wisdom for me. He knows of the struggles I’ve had from a front-row seat and while he’s probably amazed at what I’ve been able to accomplish considering where I started, he tells me how proud he is of me consistently.
My sons are a driving force even now that they are grown. I am so proud of them and the men they’ve become. They continue to inspire me.
Contact Info:
- Email: brenda@brendaholley.com
- Website: www.brendaholley.com
- Instagram: coachbrendaholley
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachbrendaholley
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN_BwFxH8z0sS8OuekeyraQ
