November – Success
Trena Bolden Fields,owner of Trena Bolden Fields Coaching and publisher of Paid Actor, is a VirtualOffiCenters client at Park. She began coaching in 2002, starting with 2 clients and quickly building up her clientele. After taking a break in 2008, Trena decided it was time to rebuild her business in 2012. She is not only an actor, writer and life/career coach, but also has a radio show and recently added publisher to her impressive title! To learn more about Trena’s story, read her questionnaire below.
Every business has a story, tell us yours.
My story…well, it all began in 2004 when I started a business called Bolden Management, LLC to help artists of all genres move forward in their careers through talent development, resources and coaching. I began working with two and then three clients while I worked full-time as a program director at an area college. In 2008, I decided to go for it and I started my coaching practice. My clients increased to nine coaching clients and 11 artists that I represented. Then life happened, I had a second child and my husband took a job that took us out of the country. I did not know what to do with my business or my client load…I released them all while I tried to figure out what next. Needless to say, I was sad during this time and really struggled to regain my footing. It took me a few years to figure it out, yet I started to rebuild my business in 2012 to really focus on what I could offer the world and market my skills and abilities. Today, my business includes life and career coaching for artists and creative individuals as well as a published magazine entitled Paid Actor and I run a radio show (You can learn more about the magazine and radio program at www.paidactor.com). I have increased my business revenue and I am working with clients who are signing up for long-term coaching as they see and understand the value I provide!
You were chosen as this month’s Success Client. Tell us about your most recent Success.
My most recent successes (who can just stick with one?) includes making half of what I made last year in one week, rebranding my business and producing the second issue of my magazine! Life (and career) is starting to look up!
No one likes to brag about their business, but if you HAD TO . . .
If I had to (which we all do) I help my clients achieve real results in their lives and careers through coaching and additional resources. To date I have helped a film maker make it into the second round of the Sundance Film Institute Training program, I helped a client land their coveted job as the top administrator of their institution, and one of my clients wanted to cultivate their relationships and she went from seeing no one to being married within a matter of months…I have to add that this person is happily married and emails me every few months to thank me for my role in her marriage taking place. I have also had over 34,000 people listen to my online radio program and recently nearly doubled (adding hundreds of people to my network) my LinkedIn contacts within a week!!!
We learn from our mistakes, especially in business. Give us some words of wisdom.
In business, it is extremely important to take stock of where you are and where your business is heading. I am continually making mistakes and learning from them, but my biggest lesson is to be able to let go of what is not serving my business and focus my energy and efforts on what is. I have had to make some hard decisions lately and put in the muscle and energy to grow my business. It is still growing and I am still working hard, yet I know that I am more focused and that I can achieve what I set out to achieve with my new focused energy.
Share the best advice you ever received.
I have received so much great advice. I think the best advice I ever received is to make sure the four pillars of your business are in place (sales, marketing, finances and operations).
Describe your perfect day off.
My perfect day off is sleeping in a bit and then having a nice hot breakfast and then heading off to the beach with family for the day (so you know I have to be somewhere sunny and warm for that day to be absolutely perfect!)
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I was the 1996-1997 City of Crystal Princess and the 1999 Homecoming Queen at Augsburg College (yes I did pageants growing up)!
Together we are stronger. Tell us something you like about being our client.
I like being able to connect with other clients and using the virtual space. It has been awesome for me and I am thankful that I have been able to build my business here!
If you could work anywhere under the sun, where would you choose?
In a sunny warm place…yes near the beach! I really like San Diego and Palo Alto, California.
How can people CONNECT with you?
People can connect with me via email trena@trenaboldenfields.com, or phone 612-913-7426. I have openings for a few more coaching clients so please send referrals my way!
