Julia Falci shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Julia, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Lately, I’ve been called to explore new directions in my business. In the past, I’d only share something publicly once it was fully formed and successful. But now, I’m embracing the process and letting people in on the journey, not just the polished result.
Part of that includes a new tech project I am working on. It was accepted into Concordia University’s incubator in Montreal, and while the idea has evolved drastically since the beginning, I’ve chosen to share the behind-the-scenes of this pivot in real time. It’s been a vulnerable but empowering experience — showing up with curiosity instead of certainty, and letting go of perfection in favor of possibility.
I honestly don’t know how this project will end, or even if it will fully come to life — but the process itself has already been an incredible experience and a big win for me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I started my business coaching practice based on my 12+ years of marketing experience in the corporate world. — including roles with a PROFIT500 recipient, an award-winning tech company serving Fortune 500 brands, and as Director of Marketing at one of Western Canada’s largest digital agencies.
After a successful career, I started Business Coaching, supporting mostly women-led businesses in the creative, wellness, and professional services space. It’s been over six years coaching, and I’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs grow sustainable, aligned businesses with a human-first approach.
Today, in addition to 1:1 Coaching and consulting, my work has expanded in three exciting directions:
Vision to Venture — a group-based training program for early-stage entrepreneurs that covers everything from idea to launch. I’m proud to be offering this in partnership with an AI consulting firm, with additional support from non-profits and corporate sponsors to make it accessible or free to underserved communities.
Personal Brand + Content Strategy — I’m also spending more time on personal branding consulting, combining marketing strategy with content creation. In the age of AI, businesses are starting to sound all the same. My goal is to help brands stand out by creating authentic, meaningful content while still using AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement for their unique voice.
Fractional CMO Services — For established businesses with small marketing teams, I offer strategic leadership to help them scale without the cost of hiring a senior marketer full time. I drive the strategy so their junior team can focus on execution and results.
What makes my work unique is the blend of deep strategy, creativity, and humanity. I bring not only corporate-level experience but also a grounded, holistic lens to growth — and I’m always exploring what’s next.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world happened when I moved to Canada at 21. About six months in, I was feeling deeply lonely and stuck. One day, I passed a newspaper stand with a headline that said, “Don’t burn yourself out.” That simple message sparked something in me — I realized I was the only one who could shift my situation.
It taught me that even in hard times, I have the power to take ownership of my life. That mindset has stayed with me ever since — it changed how I approach challenges, growth, and even asking for help.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In 2023, I launched a beautiful product-based business with a friend who’s an aromatherapist. We created a high-quality line of essential oil blends designed to support grounding, focus, and energy in the workplace. We poured our hearts (and money) into it — custom packaging, top-grade oils, compostable materials, and a launch event that went incredibly well. The product was selling and the response was amazing.
But then life happened. I went through a major breakup and moved across the country, which brought personal upheaval and logistical challenges — new labeling laws, shipping costs, local marketing — all at once (on top of navigating my personal life changes). We had to make the hard choice to close that business.
The biggest lesson? Knowing when to persist, pivot, or let go isn’t failure — it’s part of evolving. I’m incredibly proud of what we built, and though we closed that chapter, we broke even, learned a ton, and had fun along the way. Entrepreneurship is never a linear journey. I always say that nothing is permanent — not the lows, but also not the highs. That perspective helps navigate the inevitable ups and downs.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I’m really into AI these days, and one huge pet peeve is seeing how most businesses are getting it wrong when it comes to content creation.
The first mistake: Outsourcing their voice. People are using AI to generate content without doing the foundational work of defining their message, tone, or point of view. The result is generic, lifeless content that sounds like everyone else. AI can’t lead your brand — it can only follow your clarity.
The second problem: A lack of depth. Most AI-generated content is shallow, repetitive, or regurgitated from what’s already been said a thousand times online. There’s a rush for quantity instead of quality, but in a world flooded with content, surface-level won’t cut through. What actually builds trust and authority is nuance, originality, and lived experience — things AI can support, but not invent.
And finally, there’s trend-chasing without perspective. Everyone’s jumping on the latest AI trends — from doll-in-a-box images to Ghibli-style portraits — but few are stopping to ask: What’s my take on this? How does this fit my brand? The businesses that win will be the ones that bring a fresh lens to the trends — not just follow them blindly.
At the end of the day, AI is powerful — but only if you know who you are and how to lead with intention. Otherwise, it’s just noise.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to make difficult decisions and shift paths completely a few times. From moving to a new country on my own, to changing careers, quitting a successful job to start a business with no guarantees, going through two long-term breakups, and moving across the country again — I’ve had my fair share of turning points.
What I’ve learned is that the more tough decisions I make, the easier it becomes to make the next one. In the end, my inner dialogue is always: I need to know what will happen if I try. And if it doesn’t work out, what’s the worst that could happen? Most of the time, it’s actually possible to go back to the initial position.
As they say, you’ll only regret the shots you didn’t take — and that’s something I try to remind myself whenever fear shows up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.juliafalci.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliafalci/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasousa/?originalSubdomain=ca
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