Photo courtesy of Sherry Sexton

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Before Sherry discovered the world of coaching, she had built a successful career as both a business owner and sales and marketing executive who frequently found herself serving as a mentor and trainer to other professionals, particularly women. With a Master’s degree in mental health and a penchant for listening and consulting others, the Redding, PA native turned to the coaching field three years ago as her next professional endeavor. As a certified coach with clients both in the Bay area as well as nationally, she works primarily with women entrepreneurs, focusing on such areas as starting a business, staying in business and taking the guesswork out of the process. “The best thing that I can give my clients is to help them avoid the same mistakes I made when I started my business,” she says.
 

She finds the most difficult thing about her line of work has been letting go of clients when it’s clear they are not fully invested in their objectives. “I always say you need to work as hard as I work. If they’re not doing what’s asked of them to get motivated and move forward or keep rescheduling, I’ve had to let go and fire clients before, because it’s wasting their time and my time and their money,” she says. “I think of myself as a partner and make myself available to work with clients at any time they need me, but they’ve got to be willing to put in the work and time, too.”
 

In addition to working with entrepreneurs, Sherry also trains other coaches through her practice Imagine Coaching, LLC (www.imaginecoaching.net). She says that in order for them to be successful in their roles as coaches they’ve got to have a real passion to want to help others, the determination to stick with it and a genuine commitment to be themselves. And according to Sherry, a dedicated coach must be willing to stay open and let their clients teach them, as well. “My clients have helped me more than I’ve helped them, because it forces me to keep learning and growing. And most importantly, they inspire me to create new opportunities for myself,” she says.
 

Sherry’s got a new book ready to launch in the spring that spotlights the success and stories behind a diverse collection of women entrepreneurs that she feels will be particularly motivating to others. “These women did whatever it takes to focus on their passion and turn it into a business, and I think it’ll inspire any woman thinking about starting her own business, too,” she says.
 

Between writing a new book and working with both clients and future coaches, she’s quite the busy lady, but not too busy to serve as this year’s chairperson for the All Children’s Hospital 20s-themed charity ball, Razz-ma-tazz being held January 30 at the Hilton at Carillon, with all funds supporting the neonatal ICU at the new hospital. On a personal level, she's committed to supporting other women on a much broader scale through a cause she feels especially passionate about, sponsoring two young women in Darfur each month to provide education, food and support as part of the Women Through Women International program. (www.womenforwomen.org)

Sherry also shares one dream she’d personally love to turn into a reality sometime in the near future: a local business rescue reality TV show. “I love helping women uncover their passion, and once they do, they accomplish things they never thought were possible,” she says. “Once I ignite that spark, they’re off and running, and that’s what’s so rewarding. You can’t hold them back. You just watch them fly.”
 

For women business owners, Sherry has some advice to offer for the new year. “The key is to differentiate yourself. Focus on your differences from other businesses and by all means, if you need it, ask for help,” she says. “For everyone out there, stay realistic with your goals, taking baby steps and not expecting everything to happen overnight. And surround yourself with positive people because it is contagious.”