Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cat Coley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cat , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
When I first began sharing my story, it was purely for personal healing. I never imagined that my words would resonate so deeply with others. At the time, storytelling was a way to navigate a difficult period in my life. People often commented on my bravery and courage to share, but for me, it was about shedding the weight of past mistakes and embracing a level of vulnerability I had never experienced. Opening up to complete strangers was in more ways than one, easier than opening up to people I knew.
Initially, storytelling wasn’t part of my business strategy. My comfort lay in sales and marketing, and I didn’t foresee storytelling becoming central to my work with clients. It was a tool for personal growth, not professional development. However, as I opened up, other women felt safe to share their stories with me, often for the first time. This shared vulnerability revealed the power of storytelling that allowed me to connect and heal.
Many of my clients struggled with integrating their personal stories into their brand messaging. They felt stuck, unsure how to share authentically. Over time, I realized that storytelling was where my true magic—and theirs—came alive.
Transitioning from my zone of excellence in sales/marketing to my zone of genius in storytelling was daunting. Imposter syndrome reared its head. I was constantly asking myself could I really teach others to harness their story’s power? Could I help them discover their own magic? I would question if anyone could really benefit from me sharing what had worked for me and my own business. Imposter syndrome kept me stuck for a very long time, wondering if the topic that really set my heart on fire was a viable and sustainable business.
To overcome this, I immersed myself in the art of storytelling, studying books, speakers, and podcasts. Gradually, I became more skilled at sharing my own stories and I began guiding my clients to do the same. Despite positive feedback, doubts lingered: “Who am I to do this? Why would anyone listen?”
It was during a client coaching call that I finally decided to pivot my business. My client and I had spent a couple of months together working on her sales strategy and marketing, but something felt off. I decided to take a new approach and asked more meaningful questions that related to her story. To say the difference was night and day would be an understatement. With this new approach, she was finally able to get real clarity on her mission, vision and purpose and it translated beautifully with her messaging. She felt more confident and her authenticity came through. It was at that moment I decided to bet on myself, recognizing that my life’s experiences had uniquely prepared me for this work. With determination, I ventured way beyond my comfort zone, refined my craft and embraced storytelling fully. Some risks led to great success; others, to failure. Yet, each attempt pushed me further.
Today, I’m grateful to speak on stages as a Storytelling & Speaker Coach and as a Keynote Speaker. I’m also an international best-selling author and podcast host, helping other women entrepreneurs unpack and share their stories. I continue to work one-on-one with clients, guiding them to connect their stories with their messaging.
Imposter syndrome still appears at every new level, but I’ve learned to embrace it as part of my growth journey. My stories—and the stories of those I help—are powerful tools for transformation.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Cat Coley, a storytelling and speaker coach, keynote speaker, international best-selling author and podcast host. My passion lies in empowering women entrepreneurs to craft authentic stories that enhance their businesses. Through my signature programs, I guide women entrepreneurs in sharing their personal and business journeys effectively, transforming them into powerful brand messages.
What excites me most is witnessing the transformation in my clients as they embrace their stories. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them gain clarity and confidence, ultimately leading to greater business visibility and client engagement. My work is about more than just storytelling, it’s about creating connections, driving meaningful change and leaving our legacy.
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my upcoming program, “Speaking L.A.B. (Like a Badass),” designed to help individuals improve their public speaking skills and deliver impactful keynotes. Additionally, my “Story Sessions VIP Day” offers a one-day immersive experience for entrepreneurs to help them develop a story to incorporate into a speaking engagement, podcast interview, and/or launch of a new service or program, that engages their audiences and drive action.
I’m also extremely excited about a new Storytelling Community, called Story LAB, that I’m in the process of creating. This community is perfect for those who are just starting their storytelling journey and want access to resources and support, but aren’t yet ready for one-on-one sessions. It’s a space where members can learn, share, and grow together.
If you’re curious about how storytelling can transform your business and life, I invite you to explore this journey with me. Let’s uncover the magic in your narrative and create a brand message that truly resonates. You can reach out to me for a free 20-minute call to discover the potential of storytelling for your personal and business growth.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Resilience
Resilience has been essential in navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It’s about embracing failures as learning experiences and continuing to push forward. Resilience, like everything else, is a learned skill. Some are more equipped at first than others, but it will serve you in the long run to embrace every part of growing your business, even if at times you can’t see the forest for the trees. For those early in their journey, I recommend cultivating resilience by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating each milestone. Remember, setbacks are stepping stones to success.
The foundation of my business was built on resilience, although I didn’t realize it at the time. I have often said that my business was born out of necessity. As a single mom with a past that wasn’t easy to explain, my decision to rise from the ashes of my own destruction was a choice born out of resilience. The path to success wasn’t and isn’t easy, but learning how to be resilient has proven to be a skill that I fall back on often, as entrepreneurship is one of the most difficult journeys a person can go on.
2. Authenticity
The word “authenticity” is thrown around a lot as of late. Some confuse authenticity with transparency. Transparency is sharing the truth about something, but authenticity is being who you truly are (with or without an audience). Authenticity allows you to connect deeply with others. It’s about being true to yourself and your story. To develop authenticity, spend time understanding your values and what truly drives you. Practice sharing your story with honesty and vulnerability, and you’ll find it resonates more powerfully.
I was a couple of years into my business before I really knew the real definition of what being authentic really was. For me, it was the act of taking off the masks I put on daily to protect myself from judgment, ridicule, and even embarrassment. It was being who I said I was versus who I pretended to be when everyone was looking. It was about sharing the lowlights of life and business versus constantly showing the highlights. It was the act of allowing myself to be seen (by sharing my stories) to allow others to be seen too.
3. Active Listening
One thing that I have had to learn as I’ve grown my business is how to become a better listener. Active listening is a powerful tool in my work. It’s not just about hearing words but truly understanding the underlying messages. For coaches and consultants, mastering this skill means focusing entirely on the speaker, without planning your response. This allows you to uncover the golden nuggets in their stories, making the interaction more about them and less about you.
As a child, I was really good at comebacks, some of which I shared out loud (like in class to get a rise out of my friends) and some were comebacks I would say in my head (often laughing at my own wit or cheekiness). I mastered this ability as an adult, often coming up with one-liners after one-liners, but the problem with that was it didn’t actually allow me to listen very well to what was being shared with me. I was too focused on what I was going to say back, or how I was going to respond, that I didn’t even hear half of what the person was sharing with me. It took a staff member to give me constructive feedback for me to understand that I wasn’t very good at actively listening. I was good at responding. Two very different skills.
As a coach, and specifically as a storytelling and speaker coach, active listening is my greatest skill. This allows me to unearth my clients’ untold stories, give them clarity in their journeys, that allows them to connect their past to their future. Without actively listening to my clients, I may miss crucial clues that pave the way for their own stories to come to life.
These qualities not only shaped my own path but have also empowered me to help others discover their own greatness.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
An ideal client for me would be a woman entrepreneur who is not only passionate about her business but also eager to share her story authentically (whether that’s on a physical or virtual stage, on a podcast, documentary, workshop, or writing a book). She’s someone who has grown through experiences and is open to shedding the masks she’s put on to allow for deeper clarity and connections. She’s not just building a business, she’s leaving her legacy.
Here are some key characteristics:
Open-Mindedness: She is willing to explore new perspectives and embrace vulnerability in storytelling. This openness paves the way for genuine connections.
Commitment: She is dedicated to personal and professional growth, ready to invest time and effort into the process. Her commitment ensures steady progress.
Clarity of Purpose: Driven by a strong sense of purpose, she desires to create meaningful impact through her business. This clarity guides her decisions and actions.
Collaborative Spirit: She enjoys working together to uncover and craft compelling stories that resonate with her audience. Collaboration enhances creativity and results.
Resilience: Ready to face challenges head-on, she learns from setbacks and uses them as opportunities for growth. Her resilience fuels her journey.
These qualities not only enhance the storytelling process but also lead to transformative outcomes. If this sounds like you, I’d love to explore how we can work together to uncover the magic in your story. Feel free to reach out for a free 20-minute call!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.catcoley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealcatcoley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealcatcoley
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealcatcoley/
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bounce-back-like-a-badass-with-cat-coley/id1457123423
Image Credits
Ati Grinspun: https://www.instagram.com/ati.grinspun/)
Bernadette Marciniak: https://www.instagram.com/solhausmedia/
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