Patrice Ford Lyn has B.A. in sociology from Yale University, a master’s degree in non-profit management from Harvard’s Kennedy School, and advanced certification as a professional coach from the International Coaching Federation.
Her leadership in business spans more than 20 years and her guidance as a coach for personal transformation and wellness spans more than a decade. In addition to guiding the start-up of three national-level organizations, as a management consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, she has worked with corporate, government, and nonprofit leaders to build their organizations while supporting them through their personal growth.
What inspired you to develop your idea?
It is important to me that my work is meaningful. I started my career in the non-profit space supporting equity and access to education. I then transitioned into the government arena where I developed an additional passion for organizational effectiveness. I began to notice that the work I found most fulfilling and impactful was guiding individuals and groups through reflection that allowed them to transform new possibilities for their lives, their families, and their communities. Once that spark was lit, I realized that facilitating transformational conversations was the most powerful work I could do – so I stepped fully into it.
What is unique about your business?
Me. As a bisexual, black, immigrant woman, I bring a deep appreciation of the ongoing pressures faced by marginalized groups and the ways these truths can manifest in their lives. That allows me to create a safe space for folks to speak truths that are hard to say and step into possibilities they have yet to imagine.
How did you decide where to establish your company?
I was living in Washington DC when I became deeply excited about the power of coaching so I started my business there. Being in there allowed me to plug into existing communities and networks as I was honing my craft and delivering services.
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting?
When I was starting my fear of failure drove me to strive for perfection. But it’s impossible to get everything right – especially in a startup. So, I would have been much more compassionate with myself and my learning curve for starting a business.
What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?
I am thankful to be surrounded by really smart people. However, sometimes what is right for one person isn’t right for you. It was challenging to get advice that came from well-meaning individuals but wasn’t the right approach for me. However, one way to mitigate this is to try something on a smaller scale and if it doesn’t work well then pivot. For example, when I first started my business I wasn’t on many social media channels. One of the pieces of advice that I received was that I needed to be on all of them! That was both draining and a time suck. I eventually decided not to pursue Twitter or Tiktok so that I could focus my efforts on LinkedIn and Instagram. Since then, I have made LinkedIn my primary social media vehicle which has allowed me to be more targeted with my outreach and engagement.
What advice would you give to someone who is trying to become an entrepreneur?
Managing your nervous system is key to giving yourself the space to try new things and take risks that are inevitable with starting a business. So practice centering yourself. I am a fan of meditation, yin yoga, naps, and walks. When we feel emotionally overwhelmed it’s hard to be expansive and creative. Being able to manage your nervous system will allow you to operate from a place of possibility instead of a place of fear.
