Behind the Scenes

Hi there. 

Today is Monday, and I know Monday is not always a happy day for people.

I'd like to share my work journey with you over the past year so you can hear a story about walking through a dormant Winter season and moving into a fresh start in Spring.

A lot has happened at this desk shown above over the past 12 months. 

A year ago I was swimming along in my business, Dana Byers Coaching. 

More than 50% of my working hours were spent coaching paid clients, and I was in the process of hiring several contractors I worked with last Spring to help expand my offers - specifically serving the niche of Christian women working outside the home. 

I obeyed God’s direction, but then something surprising happened: My business came to a screeching halt.

A very quiet and lonely season began. 

I asked my fellow coaching peers for feedback: They said my coaching packages were too cheaply priced to be taken seriously, while potential clients told me they couldn’t afford to work with me.  

I met former clients, friends, and leaders I respect for coffee and asked for their input. They said my coaching helped them a lot but didn’t have clear answers. 

I was desperate to know: Why wasn’t I reaching women? Why did my business come to a screeching halt? Why were women hesitating to be coached?

I sensed God telling me to put the brakes on my business in April. 

I interpreted that direction as “continue to work, but don’t take on new clients.”

By June, I only had a few clients left but was writing emails to my list community daily. 

Surely God wasn’t telling me to close my business?

In early July, I sensed the Holy Spirit tell me the next step was to put my business in park and turn off the engine. 

Since I was down to just one client, I interpreted that spiritual direction as “stop emailing your list community every day.”

I barely sat at my desk in July. Walking into my office was painful. 

I told God I was looking for a sign to keep my business going. 

Silence. 

By September, I had my last paid client session. I knew God was telling me to step back and pause, but it wasn't easy. I was devastated, to be honest. I sat at my desk with my head in my hands and bawled my eyes out. I texted some people close to me that I felt my business was dying. 

The loneliness increased.

I love coaching. I love having my own business. It’s rewarding partnering with women to see growth in their work and personal lives. I was made for this. 

So I got to neutral, which is something I’ve helped my clients do. “Neutral” is the point where you’re fully surrendered to God’s plan, even if it’s not what you want.

After months of silence - continuing to write but not sending emails out to my list community, not posting on social media, and sitting with the the grief and confusion, I had clarity in November: It is time to podcast. 

Why is it time to podcast? I spent a lot of these first 2 years of my business on calls with women who want to grow and reach their potential but won’t invest time or money in coaching. 

And that, my friend, stirs up a feeling of anger within me. 

Let’s be clear: I’m not angry at the women I’ve spoken with these past 2 years. 

I’m angry about a culture we’ve created in which Type A, gifted, Jesus-loving, ambitious women feel they shouldn’t or can’t or don’t deserve to spend time and money on increased self-awareness and getting the support they need to thrive at work and home. 

I’VE HAD ENOUGH of hearing these cultural lies. I used to believe them myself. 

Believing those lies kept me in safe and small places. And I can’t bear to see gifted women stuck in safe and small places. 

Not only will I not contribute to those lies any longer, but I’m taking a direct stance against this “I don’t have the time or money to grow in my leadership and emotional health” lie. 

My solution? Take time and money out of the equation. 

I’m creating a free podcast you can listen to at any time. 

The purpose of my podcast is to invite myself to sit at your table. I’m going to be your coach and take up as much space in your life as you’ll allow me to. 

I’ll tell you all about my failures, wins, theories, coaching tools, and what God is teaching me. I am far from being an expert, but I have experience and solutions to share. 

The result? You will begin taking up more space at the tables you sit at and make a greater, healthier influence at work and home. 

I’m so, so happy to say my business was only dormant, and is not dead. I can feel Winter turning to Spring.

Dana Byers Coaching is very much alive, and now it’s KICKING!

I’ve been spending a lot of time back at this desk since November to create a podcast for you. 

I honestly have NO IDEA what I’m doing, and I love it. The whole dang point of my podcast is sharing my life’s varied experiences so you can grab some lessons and encouragement to run with on your journey. 

It’s going to be simple and fun. I hope you’ll join me for this little adventure.