Nailah Blades is on the Move

“This is your life. Jump in, Feet First!”–Nailah Blades

Name: Nailah Blades

Age: 26

Occupation: Life Purpose & Career Coach

Did you go to college? Where? Yes, the University of Southern California (Fight On!)

What did you study? Communications & Sociology

Where do you work?
I recently started my own life coaching practice, Polka Dot Coaching, that focuses on helping young women get unstuck so that they can do awesome work. I’m still transitioning out of my “day job” which is in Sales & Marketing.

Where are you from?
I was born in Montreal, Canada but moved to Los Angeles, CA when I was 13. I’ve been in California ever since except for a nin month stint in Arizona after college.

Why did you pick this career?
I’ve always had a passion for helping people, particularly around helping people get from point A to point B. I’ve also always had an entrepreneurial spirit so I knew that I would own my own business.

What are your future plans for your career?
I really want to be able to reach as many young women as I can so right now my focus is on expanding the services of Polka Dot Coaching. If women need my resources, I’d like to be able to provide it to them. I am working on several unique coaching products and recently launched an online workshop called the Authentic Happiness Guide. I’m also focusing on speaking to more groups and am working on a sorority speaking tour so that I can reach college-aged women.

How did you get involved in this career?
When I was 24 I started feeling dissatisfied with the industry I was working in. I did a lot of research and soul-searching to find a career that would merge more of my passions together. After learning more about the coaching profession, I knew that it was perfect for me. I researched certification courses and signed up to become certified.

How did you prepare yourself for this career?
I felt it was really important for me to become certified and so I did extensive research on the various certification courses. I also spoke with other coaches to learn different perspectives of the industry. I did a lot of reading and attended several meetings. Lastly, I booked sessions with a career coach so that I could get a better feel for what the career entailed.

And if you just happened to land in this career what made you stay?
I love working with young women. I love being able to help them uncover their true passions and create a life or career that is absolutely perfect for them. I learn so much from the women I work with. It’s terribly inspiring. Plus, nothing beats being your own boss.

What are the downsides to this profession?
The hardest part about coaching is that it can feel like you’re on your own sometimes. I’m building my own business and so I wear a million different hats. It can be stressful because I have no one else to depend on – or blame – if things go wrong. I really have to trust my gut and go out on a limb sometimes, which can be scary. It’s hard work but it is definitely worth it when you know that you’ve made a difference in someone else’s life.

What is a typical workday for you?
I’m an early riser; I’m usually awake and ready to get going by 6am. I check and respond to email first thing in the morning and then I’ll check out my schedule to see what’s on the docket for the day. Since I’m a morning person, I schedule all of my writing and planning and creating as early as I can while my brain is still fresh. I usually meet with clients in the afternoons and the evenings. Once that’s all done I might hop on Twitter or Facebook for a bit. Evenings are also for networking events or workshops.

How might this job be a stepping stone to other professions?
Being a coach gives you tremendous experience with motivating and leading people. It also gives you the opportunity to fine-tune your skills and your passions. One avenue for coaching is to go into consulting which is more defined and allows you to voice your opinion a bit more. I’ve seen many coaches build empires from their work, which can range from anything from writing books to hosting TV shows to creating products. The options are limitless.

What is the single-most important piece of advice you can offer a person pursuing this career? Make sure it is something you are passionate about. It can be difficult and frustrating to build a business. You have to wear many hats and you also have to be sure to market yourself so people will actually want to purchase your service. If you are not truly passionate about it, you’ll love interest fast.

What steps do you recommend to someone who is planning to pursue this career? Do your research. Speak with other coaches and attend workshops or seminars led by coaches. I also recommend setting up some time to actually work with a coach. It can be really great in providing clarity to your decision and deciding if it is the right profession for you. If you’re certain that you’d like to become a coach, I highly recommend becoming certified through an accredited certification program. You can find certification courses through the International Coaching Federation.

What professional or community volunteer organizations are you currently a member of? I’m a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and support several volunteer projects through them. I also volunteer with Habitat for the Humanity and Kaboom on a regular basis. Lastly I’m a member of the International Coaching Federation.