We recently connected with Natalie Jobity and have shared our conversation below.
Natalie, we’re thrilled for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve gained over time. Let’s start by discussing self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Growing up, I always struggled with self-doubt and a lack of confidence. I didn’t receive much validation from my family, and as the eldest child, I longed to feel affirmed and accepted for who I was. This desire became even stronger after going through some traumatic experiences as a young child.
During my teenage years, I constantly tried to fit in and blend in with others. In my book It’s Your Time to Shine Girl, I opened up about these challenges that shaped me. To make matters more challenging, at age 11, I suddenly sprouted upward and grew over 6 feet tall seemingly overnight. These experiences had a significant impact on my confidence; they made me feel weird like I didn’t belong anywhere because of how different I was.
Unfortunately, seeking validation became tied to people-pleasing behavior for me—I felt like performing well or trying hard would bring acceptance rather than recognizing my inherent worthiness. Honestly speaking though? At that point in life, even understanding who Natalie truly was, wasn’t something clear-cut for me yet! And these feelings of inadequacy followed me into adulthood affecting both personal relationships and professional pursuits.
However—after the passing of my dad when I turned twenty-six followed closely by an end-of-marriage experience just one year later—I realized it was time to face all the pain and grief head-on; so therapy entered into the picture (and boy oh boy am I glad!). It turned out to be one of the best decisions ever although healing took quite a while.
Throughout this period, I devoured books on personal development seeking insights about myself while experimenting with various practices aiming to reconnect with my true sense of worthiness, untethered from achievements. It wasn’t an easy journey, but looking back now, I can see how each step shaped the person I am today.
Stepping outside of my comfort zone played a crucial role in building my confidence—even though I’m naturally risk-averse. Leaving behind my family and home in Trinidad & Tobago to attend university alone in New Jersey was one such leap that shook things up. The first year was tough, but I persevered, and it got better. Graduating with high honors opened doors for me, including a full scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree at Cambridge University—a massive leap of faith yet again!
I arrived there knowing no one, in a whole new country and environment—let me tell you: imposter syndrome hit big time surrounded by brilliant minds from all over the world.
But this experience helped me recognize something important—I realized that I am smart and capable enough to graduate from one of the most esteemed universities globally. Fast-forwarding through life—the challenges continued as I entered Corporate America working as the only black researcher (and immigrant!) navigating unfamiliar territory on my own; suffice it to say daily doses of self-assurance were needed here. However, because these experiences pushed me beyond what was comfortable or familiar—I slowly but surely built resilience, self-assuredness, and an unwavering sense of self along the way.
Whether it meant speaking up in meetings or taking on leadership roles, every challenging experience pushed me further toward embracing discomfort as an opportunity for growth. That being said—they weren’t always smooth sailing. I invested heavily in personal growth through therapy, boundless reading sessions, and self-affirming practices; these endeavors provided invaluable insights about myself while equipping me with practical strategies to overcome obstacles.
Having someone guide me during moments of doubt offered much-needed reassurance and allowed trust—not just in myself—but also in the entire process itself—to grow deeper. Believing I could build a business from scratch and succeed became possible only after going through the healing process that spanned 15 years; the young woman I was at twenty-six was a different person from who I am today.
Reflecting on where it all began, it’s truly incredible to witness the transformation I’ve undergone. Building confidence and self-esteem isn’t something that happens overnight; rather, it requires consistent effort and investment. But trust me—it’s worth every ounce of energy you put into it!
Today, I stand tall in my brilliance unafraid to take up space and embrace new opportunities. My journey toward building confidence continues as a lifelong commitment, but I face each challenge with a newfound belief in my ability to achieve greatness.
I wrote It’s Your Time to Shine Girl as a testament to my journey going from an insecure young woman to one whose mission is now to empower women to bring their best brilliance to the table. I share all the strategies, tools, guides, and resources I’ve curated over the years and as a Leadership Coach for women. It became evident to me working with women, that so many of us struggle with insecurities and self-doubt. And that we can be the greatest obstacles to our impact!
So if you find yourself struggling with self-doubt or lacking confidence, know that you have the power within you to build yourself up. Seek support from a coach like me or a therapist if you have unresolved trauma in your life. Learn to own your strengths and fully embrace them. Build a Success Squad so you are surrounded by positive people who can empower, encourage, challenge, and support you.
Be mindful of your mindset as our inner critic is always trying to bring us back down because of fear. And remember, this journey towards confidence and self-esteem is unique for everyone – embrace it wholeheartedly and watch yourself grow into the brilliant person you were always meant to be!
Great! So let’s spend a few minutes covering your story. What should people know about you and what you do?
I am a powerhouse in the world of leadership coaching, women empowerment, personal branding, career coaching, and image management. My unwavering commitment lies in helping seasoned executive women and founders level up their leadership presence by unveiling their brilliance so that their leadership posture is more fully aligned with who they truly are and their expertise and talents. I help them remove all the mindset narratives they have been conditioned to believe that have limited their impact so their passion and purpose are re-ignited so they can pursue their boldest goals with confidence.
My journey towards becoming a Leadership Coach and Founder of The Unveiled Way is a testament to my passion and dedication. After enjoying a successful 15-year career as a Vice President of Research in the Financial Services sector, I made the bold decision to follow my heart and delve into the world of image consulting. In just a few years, I built a nationally recognized business and brand where I worked individually with countless women to help them present themselves visually with confidence through my transformative Presence with A Purpose framework.
What sets me apart is my diverse background spanning market research, entrepreneurship, teaching, and leadership coaching. This unique blend of skills and experiences has positioned me as a sought-after expert in my field. As someone who has experienced being an executive firsthand, I deeply understand the challenges faced by women in leadership roles—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. It is this understanding that allows me to guide, empower, and support these remarkable women on their journey.
Throughout my career, I have achieved many milestones such as successfully transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship; building a brand from scratch, impacting hundreds of lives through coaching and mentoring countless women; being featured across various media outlets, writing an Amazon best-selling book, while also having had speaking engagements at prestigious conferences/events.
For media professionals or podcasters seeking talking points when interviewing me – there’s plenty! From discussing my bold career shift to sharing insights on personal branding along with expertise in image management; they will find both inspiration & relatability within my journey.
Currently, my entire focus is dedicated to making an impact in my arena. Through my Unveil Your Brilliance program, I aim to help seasoned executive women and founders overcome self-doubt, embrace their brilliance, and lead unapologetically. By providing coaching, guidance, and accountability, along with brand strategy and personal & professional development, I empower women to stand confidently and bravely in their unique competencies and capabilities.
As the author of two books, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It, an Amazon bestseller, and my latest book, It’s Your Time to Shine Girl, I hope to spread my message of empowerment in myriad ways. Currently, I’ve recently released my first Affirmation and Empowerment card deck, “She Shines,” which is designed to give women a tool they can use to shift their perspectives and embrace their brilliance. The feedback has been wonderful and soon folks will be able to order it online.
I have also been hosting events for women locally in Howard County Maryland, through my Women’s Catalyst Circle community that I’m building with the Maryland Innovation Center. These events have been so powerful in building community, connection, and collaboration among professional women desiring to level up in community. The events are a combination of leadership development and personal growth, my two sweet spots, and I envision these Circle experiences expanding down the road.
Outside of transforming lives professionally as a coach, I enjoy indulging in various hobbies that bring me joy. From listening to music and attending live concerts, taking long walks outdoors and taking photos for inspiration, to spending time at the beach or engaging in deep enriching conversations—these simple joys fuel my creativity and passion. Thrift shopping for clothes and creating colorful decor pieces further enhance this creative spirit within me.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey, the values of Authenticity, Making a Difference, and Curiosity have had a profound impact. They have guided me in staying true to myself, making meaningful contributions, and continuously seeking growth. Authenticity has been essential in building genuine connections with others. By embracing who I am and being transparent about my thoughts and feelings, I have been able to foster trust and create authentic relationships. My clients can truly grow and “unveil” because I foster trust and create spaces where they can show up transparently. This value has also allowed me to build a strong network of like-minded individuals who support each other’s growth.
Making a Difference is at the core of why I do what I do. Impact is my middle name. Knowing that my work can positively impact the lives of others gives me purpose and fuels my motivation. It pushes me to go above and beyond in service to my mission to empower women and helps me make decisions that align with creating positive change in their lives.
Curiosity has been instrumental in my personal development. By remaining curious about new ideas, perspectives, and approaches, I constantly challenge myself to learn more deeply about all the things that I’ve found valuable in my own journey. I am always seeking knowledge and learning. Embracing curiosity allows me to adapt and grow along with the ever-evolving needs of those I serve.
For individuals early on their journey looking to develop or improve these values:
- Authenticity:Take time for self-reflection to understand your true values, beliefs, strengths, and weaknesses – embrace them fully without trying to conform or please others. Surround yourself with people who accept you for who you are genuinely.
– Reflect on your values and beliefs to understand what being authentic means to you.
– Be transparent and honest in your interactions, even when it’s difficult.
– Embrace vulnerability as it often fosters authenticity.
– Surround yourself with people who appreciate your authenticity. Cause that is what gives you the space to shine!
- Making a Difference:Identify your passion areas where you feel most called upon to make an impact—align your goals accordingly by focusing on activities that contribute positively towards those causes. I highly suggest reading the first section of my book It’s Your Time to Shine Girl, specifically the first chapter on getting “Clarity for Your Calling.”
– Clearly define the impact you want to make and set specific goals.
– Prioritize your efforts and focus on areas where you can have the most influence.
– Collaborate with others who share similar goals.
- Curiosity: Cultivate an open mindset by actively seeking out new experiences outside your comfort zone; ask questions regularly while embracing different viewpoints; be willing to learn from failures rather than seeing them as setbacks.
– Cultivate a growth mindset that embraces challenges and learning from failure. Again, I talk a lot about mindset in my book It’s Your Time To Shine Girl because it is foundational to adopting a posture that allows you to thrive and not get derailed by limiting beliefs.
– Ask questions and seek to understand different perspectives.
– Read widely, explore new subjects, and experiment with new experiences.
– Surround yourself with people who encourage and share your curiosity.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is a very specific woman who is on the cusp of doing great things and elevating her brand or business. Because she is impact-driven she’s got a lot on her plate. She also tends to think she can figure it out on her own. But she will reach a point where the urgency of her purpose starts to make her feel restless, frustrated, or unfulfilled in her current position and she’ll start looking for support.
Because in her heart and spirit, she knows she’s meant for more. She may have achieved a lot already but those achievements ring hollow now.
These women are seasoned in their careers and have 15+ years of expertise. They may want to rise up the corporate ladder even higher or may want to pivot to their own endeavor to bring their dreams to fruition. They know they have curated a lot of thought leadership and they need to cultivate and communicate a personal brand that speaks to the heart of their brilliance.
I help women like this get clarity on their purpose, fully embrace the full expansiveness of the brilliance they bring with them, and remove the blocks that have held them back or kept them playing smaller or being invisible, so that they can begin to map out a strategy with me to bring their vision and dream to life. I help them leverage their skills, strengths, and superpowers to build a leadership brand that is powerful and authentic.
My coaching program is very customized to the client—her persona, where she is on her journey, what she envisions for herself, and the blocks we need to get out of her way for her to truly shine. My work is so impactful that the clients who truly care about their impact continue to invest because they see the fruit of their investment in my coaching.
For my clients, having a champion and advocate like me in their squad makes a tangible difference in how they show up, what they do, how they do it, and how big they play.
Demographics:
- Gender: Female
- Age Range: 35-59
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Experience Level: 10+ years in leadership positions
- Annual Income: $120,000 +
STRUGGLES
- Constantly comparing themselves to other successful women
- Feeling overwhelmed and struggling to focus on their career
- Stuck in a role that doesn’t energize them but staying for the financial security
- Fearful of stepping into a position of greater visibility and playing small as a result
- Not thriving as much as their peers despite having the necessary skills and competencies
- Feeling a strong desire for change and knowing that something needs to shift in their work life
- Battling imposter syndrome despite their undeniable successes
- Struggling to assert their authority and lead unapologetically
- Difficulty setting boundaries and prioritizing their own needs
- Feeling insecure and held back by their fears and insecurities
NEEDS
- Boosting self-confidence and overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
- Developing strategies to fearlessly embrace challenges and take risks.
- Gaining clarity on career goals and finding a fulfilling purpose-driven path.
- Building resilience and a growth mindset to navigate setbacks.
- Creating a healthy work-life integration and managing overwhelm.
- Developing leadership skills to level up.
- Navigating workplace dynamics and addressing biases.
- Building a strong personal brand and leadership presence.
- Overcoming the fear of visibility and stepping into their leadership role confidently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theunveiledway.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunveiledway/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliejobity-leadershipdevelopmentcoach/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheUnveiledWay
- Other: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/nataliejobity
Image Credits
Dale Morrisey Roland Bland Chris Taylor
