Anouka Kobaladze
Anouka Kobaladze, Life Coach ACC, currently resides in Milan, Italy.
She tells us that, “I’m originally from Tbilisi, Georgia. Although I have a biology bachelor’s degree and have worked as a senior member researcher, I have come to the realization that this is not my passion. After completing my second degree in public relations and marketing, I worked as a project manager at one of the online course platforms for over two years. I had a strong feeling that I didn’t belong there even though I had a fantastic career path, especially at the age of 21. I needed to pursue my true calling. And that’s how I achieved my Associate Certified Coach (ACC) designation as a life coach. One of the wisest choices I’ve ever made is this one.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your professional journey/venture/initiative and what inspired you to choose this career.
I often say that I had a really typical childhood, but thinking back on my youth, I realize that I actually had a privileged childhood. While in some homes young girls were only valued as potential wives, education and work were priorities in my home. I always intended to be a psychiatrist, but I changed my mind at the very last moment and decided to study biology instead. I adored being in nature and working in laboratories. Love apparently wasn’t enough for me because I felt that I was missing something, so I decided to try my hand at public relations and marketing. Even though I also experienced success there, I couldn’t help but feel that it wasn’t really mine. And then I found out about coaching one day, and that’s when my life began to change. In Canada’s Vancouver, I attended Erickson Coaching International. I quickly advanced to the position of CEO advisor and head of the coaching department in an American company after graduation.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
I like communicating face-to-face with individuals and helping them to find their true passion and calling. I made the decision to temporarily distance myself from large corporations in order to devote myself to my clientele. My personal self-coaching journal, which I released shortly after, drastically changed the lives of a great number of individuals.
Tell us about your goals, interests, and role models.
My biggest goal is to have my own coaching company all around the world, and prove to the world that women are as powerful in coaching as men. Also I want to publish my self coaching journal in as many languages as possible. My role models are my mom and myself. I don’t know other people’s journeys and the steps they took so I cannot see them as my role models or as someone I wanna be alike. But I do love and respect other women who have tremendous achievements.
Everyone has their own set of challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. Still, the most essential part for others to learn is how you deal with those. Would you like to share with us your challenges and your coping mechanisms?
My first challenge was to realize that things take time, and that I should be focused on the step in front of me, not the whole staircase. My coping mechanisms, basically in life, is to feel everything and let it go.
What impact do you feel you have been able to create with your work so far and how would you want to grow in the next few years?
When I read & hear success stories of my clients I feel empowered and proud that I have not stopped looking for my true purpose. My goal for next couple of years is to get PHD in cognitive neuroscience and
While the global pandemic of COVID-19 is associated primarily with adversities, it has also brought about a true boom in startups, with successful entrepreneurship in many countries. The pandemic has impacted all of us in one way or another. Would you like to share your experience on a personal and professional level?
Every cloud has a silver lining, during covid-19 coaching came in my life and changed my life upside down.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
Biggest achievement is firstly finding my true calling and helping people with my coaching sessions and journal.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
more women executive positions, without any questions how they manage it and where the kids are.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
Stop comparing and start embracing the quote that has changed both my personal and professional journey.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women’s leadership today?
If we want to see and feel the change, more women should be in leadership positions.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Do it for your young self. Make your 5 years old self proud of you, prove to her that everything is possible and achievable.