SG Creative Connections

Dr. Stacey Gonzales is a teacher, advisor, coach, and consultant. For two decades, Stacey served as an award-winning executive leader in some of the largest school districts in Illinois. Now, Stacey is the founder of SG Creative Connections, where she guides leaders to clarify their expertise, craft an influential brand, and connect with new opportunities.

Beyond Stacey’s professional accomplishments, she possesses a remarkable ability to uncover the blind spots and hidden talents in others to guide them on their personal and professional goals. With a visionary mindset, she combines strategic and operational processes to help individuals and groups work in deeper alignment and flow.

Stacey's expertise extends beyond coaching, as she also offers valuable insights as a consultant, assisting organizations in achieving exponential growth both individually and collectively with a focus on marketing, HR and executive leadership.

Founder

CAMBRIDGE PLACE LUXURY TOWNHOMES

Serve as the primary liaison between the HOA property manager and the board. 

Ensure operational and fiduciary oversight to advance the community vision and ensure property values continue to rise.

Board President

Medical Learning Institute, Inc.

Supporting Revenue Goals -->

Develop and implemented strategic plan to ensure all OKRs and KPIs drive revenue growth and foster a culture of accountability and achievement.

Implement streamlined project management techniques to ensure alignment and the timely submission of grant proposals, minimizing delays, and optimizing resource utilization.

Empowering Growth -->

Weekly executive coaching and advising with the co-founders to increase communication, remain focused on goals, and provide space for exploration.

Design and deliver tailored training programs and workshops, enhancing leadership growth for staff members.

Provide individualized coaching and mentoring, empowering staff to take ownership and drive scalable growth within MLI.

Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing, nurturing a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

Streamlining for Success -->

Conduct comprehensive assessments of operational processes, identifying areas for improvement and implementing efficient systems that align with the organization's long-term vision.

Provide operational expertise and oversight, optimizing resource allocation and supporting performance metrics to track progress toward revenue goals.

Establish streamlined systems and processes that improve operational efficiency, communication, and collaboration, enabling MLI to scale effectively and secure grant awards successfully.

Executive Advisor & Consultant

On Deck

I am honored to be an Execs On Deck Fellow. The On Deck Fellowship is a curated community of entrepreneurial people in the technology industry trying to figure out what they want to do next together. 

Check this out to learn more about why you should apply: https://www.pujaarajan.com/post/the-on-deck-fellowship-what-is-it-and-why-you-should-apply

On Deck Fellow

Multiple

After leaving my 20 year executive leadership role in public education, I wanted to build my competence in the for-profit world. By immersing myself into the tech start-up space, I have worked with various technology companies as both a consultant and individual contributor. These experiences gave me a solid working understanding of how remote tech companies build and scale their processes, products and people. I can see how these first-hand experiences in sales, marketing, customer success, and product have been necessary in order to help me transition confidently as a well-rounded executive advisor, coach, and consultant.

Some of these included:

Director of Partnerships - Insight Advance/Teaching Channel - Development of sales process and strategy for recently acquired edtech product. Prospect, qualify leads, and build sales pipeline. Cross-collaborate and strategize with sales teams in newly developed business via company merger. I learned how challenging sales is without a team approach.

Marketing Director - Preceptor Connector - Bootstrapped edtech early stage start-up dedicated to assisting transitioning teachers discover new career opportunities in the tech space. Oversee team of 5 marketing volunteers to produce all digital marketing assets for blog, website, social media, and podcast. I learned marketing is an evolving skill set and stories with education are the best way to attract your ideal audience.

Product Advisor - Zero - Bootstrapped edtech early stage start-up dedicated to supporting students social emotional learning. Worked closely with product and data team to ensure alignment. I learned young founders need lots of support to understand how to lead teams and scale a tech company.

Various Technology Start-Up Roles

The EdUp Experience

Develop end-to-end education podcast. From sourcing and securing guests, designing and developing digital marketing assets, and ensuring quality sound production.

Tech Stack:  Notion, Canva, Garage Band, G-Suite

Podcast Host and Producer

Consolidated High School District 230

Oversee and support individuals and educational systems during a time of educational change while ensuring fiscal responsibility. Inspiring all staff to design student-centered learning opportunities through relationships is at the center of the work I do daily. 

Oversee all of the Curriculum and Instruction and some special programs such as CTE, the libraries and summer school. Developed a digital learning program, a program review process, and a curriculum cycle, to name a few, in order to ensure consistency and fidelity in all of our programming.  By directing the work of the Division Chairs and Associate Principals, built a strategic protocol and framework in combination with a curriculum mapping software to ensure fidelity when it comes to best-practices in research, learning, and design.

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction

Indian Prairie School District 204

- Establish the vision for instructional technology within the district and conduct program evaluation of various technology initiatives.
- Participation in the development of an online consortium with several other area school districts. This is the first of its kind in Illinois.
- Direct and oversee the work of 35 librarians and 35 technology integration liaisons in every building.  
- Supervise and mentor instructional specialists at the district level on special teacher assignment.
- Build leadership capacity at the district and building level.
- Identify district instructional technology needs and develop professional development and leadership to implement district-wide opportunities for staff.
- Manage the instructional technology budget and work closely with technology services to support the work of teaching and learning in the district to ensure equity and innovative solutions.

Director Of Innovation / Chief Academic Officer

Northern Illinois University

Develop  asynchronous and synchronous online learning environment for numerous graduate level courses for the Educational Technology Research and Assessment (ETRA) department for students looking to gain their TS Type 10 Certificate and Master in Education degree.  Ability to utilize motivational theory to present various discussion board topics and to promote best-practices in online teaching pedagogy and curriculum.  Responsible for monitoring student progress and assessment data.

Adjunct Instructor / Graduate Assistant

Joliet Township High School

Responsible for the evaluation, supervision and staff development of approximately 45 high-school teachers and one administrative assistant in various disciplines while working collaboratively with both the district and building administrative teams to ensure implementation of the district’s strategic plan and school improvement plan.
	
- Lead and promote a culture of collaborative and professional learning teams
- Mediate and facilitate discussions between teachers, parents, staff members, and other stakeholders to ensure privacy and problem resolution
- Plan and direct professional development for 1:1 technology integration for all district teachers
- Assist with state standardized testing procedures, textbook registration, new student registration, progress and report card distribution, and graduation requirements
- Development of the Academy Roundtable; a collaborative leadership group of teachers and students which plan and participate in community service opportunities
- Assist in the development and implementation of an online learning environment for students in a 1:1 learning environment
- Continually make fiscally responsible decisions and maintain accurate budget records

Building Administrator - Academy Coordinator

- Organized and established a successful district instructional technology initiative through professional development training and creation of an instructional technology Professional Learning Community
- Led district-level committees and decisions involving instructional technology vision and strategy, building-level decisions, standardization of best practices, and project governance oversight
- Managed administrative, legal, and financial functions for district technology initiatives
- Developed strategies to improve instruction, online safety, and professional development
- Identified potential weaknesses and provided guidance and solutions to stakeholders 
- Substantially contributed to instructional technology integration at all levels and all disciplines
- Improved and strengthened relationships between other departments and the technology department
- Developed and implemented district online safety initiative and “technology coaches” teacher leadership program
- Launched “ENGAGE” technology conference which included over 30 presenters and over 200 attendees
- Developed a comprehensive SharePoint district training program for all district administration

Instructional Technology Coach

Co-Taught five sections of freshman English with special education teacher. Served on the English Subject Area Committee. Constructed English curriculum aligned to the ISBE state standards. 
- Multiple grant and scholarship awards for teaching and learning initiatives
- Organized all Freshman Advisory activities and chaired various school-wide events
- Model classroom and mentor for new teachers

English Teacher

Turn your expertise into profitable business | Strategic positioning for leaders who want to build authoritative personal brands | Top 30 Tech Innovator | 20 years in c-suite managing 8-figures | Spiritual Seeker 💫

It's your time.

You've spent years building a successful career.
You've got deep expertise and wisdom.
You're ready to explore what's next.
And build with heart and soul.

Imagine
- additional income
- unlocking new opportunities
- crafting a bespoke personal brand

In 2021, after great success in c-suite ops roles, 
I started SG Creative Connections.

Now, I help experienced thought leaders:

- craft influential and authoritative content
- develop their core messaging and positioning
- attract speaking, consulting, and advising requests

We do this by:
- unpacking your backstory
- creating compelling content
- attracting aligned opportunities

If you've got:
- leadership experience
- deep expertise in your industry
- a desire to build something of your own

I'd love to explore and see if we might be a fit.

Why should you work with me?

→ I’ve build my own successful personal brand as an executive leader
→ I have a proven track record of success as a leader and writer
→ I have a wide network of professionals to support your journey

I know the questions to ask.
To bring out the hidden gems you don't hear.
In order to build a content strategy that builds itself.

It's time to put your expertise to work for you.

Trust me; it's your time.

We will most of all:
- have fun
- enjoy the process
- celebrate your new wins

It’s time to make it happen.

Connect with me now, and let's create your breakthrough moment!

I married the same man twice.

Married in 1998.
Divorced in 2015.
Remarried in 2021.

I used to long for the perfect family.

A unit of four that were deeply connected and in sync.

The ideal family that never:
- fought
- disagreed
- had conflict

Then, I learned:

That is not realistic.

Conflict is an opportunity to communicate.
Grief is a shared experience to grow.
Love makes room for all of us.

We are four adults.
Each so very unique.
Different in profound ways.

Yet, we've figured out our definition of family.

And what it means to have deep respect for our differences.

So, we took the time
To get it right this time around
And it has been one of the best decisions.

Sometimes, our life doesn't come it the packages we expect.

That doesn't make them any less valuable. 

P.S. What is something about family you've learned the hard way?

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♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D.

Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D.

I was invited to speak on a podcast with 70K subscribers this week, and I wasn't scared.

I used to be embarrassed to tell my story,
Fearing that people would judge me.

Until I realized, my story, is 

↳Uniquely
↳Positively
↳Unequivocally

MINE

And it is 100% my responsibility

↳ To understand it
↳ To make meaning from it
↳ To integrate the lessons from it

If I don’t tell it,
Nobody else can.

Our stories transform our experiences into wisdom.

Wisdom that can help others:

↳ Be inspired
↳ Start a new path
↳ Take the first steps

I want to encourage you today.

It’s your story.
And your responsibility to tell it.

And when you do, let's watch those: 
↳ Connections open
↳ Opportunities emerge
↳ Dreams become a reality

This is how we turn our expertise into a business.

P.S. What story do you want to tell today?

--------------------------------
♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D.

Saying "I quit" isn't as hard as you think.

Three years ago, I packed up my office, 
and walked away from a 20 year career.

Sure, some called me a quitter.
And wondered how I could walk away 
when I’d come so far.

In order to grow, I had to leave behind

- bad habits
- toxic people
- an old dream

Because a new dream was taking shape:

➝ To build a creative company
➝ To do something that fills my soul
➝ To do meaningful, creative work daily

Little by little, I took awkward steps.

Stumbling around in the dark.

Putting myself out there.
Asking all the wrong questions.
Trusting I would eventually find my way.

And here we are.

Three years later,
Enjoying the new dream
Because it is now a reality.

If you’re wondering if it is possible for you,
I promise you it is.

Take the leap:

➝ Find a genuine reason to engage.
➝ Comment on interesting posts.
➝ Send a personalized message.
➝ Add expertise and value.

Don't put off til tomorrow
what is calling your soul today.

P.S. Where is your dream vacation?

-------------------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- create profitable business

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D.

I spent over 10K learning how to write last year.
Here is what I learned.

I hired coaches. 
Took courses. 
Trusted. 

The biggest and best investment @taylin-john-simmonds-4b2717132 Digital Identity course.

I wish I would have started sooner.

I waited too long to get serious because I was scared of being judged.

Until I learned, there are no mistakes only lessons.

So if you’re ready to take life into your own hands, here’s how you can start today without investing anything but your time. 

Step 1

Unpack your stories. 

↳ draw two columns - label them - stories and impact

↳ ↳ for each of your stories isolate the single biggest impact on your life and how it led you to this moment of clarity. 

↳↳↳ ex. that terrible gaslighting boss who didn’t support me? She taught me how to take life into my own hands. And here we are!

Step 2 

Optimize your LinkedIn profile

↳ update your banner, headline, and about me

↳ ↳ showcase who you are with pride 

↳↳↳ that person who was curious about me on LinkedIn? brought me a new B2B partnership and a 20k monthly contract. 

Step 3

Connect with new professionals 

↳ send personalized requests 

↳ ↳ add value and suggest short coffee chats with a purpose (be genuinely curious and not looking for a hand out).

↳↳↳ this is how I’ve made new friends and colleagues who have opened numerous doors for me right here on this platform. 

If you have stories... 
If you have a profile…
If you can connect…

Your dream opportunities are on the other side of your content.

Don't wait.

It is NEVER too late to start building your digital reputation. 

P.S. have we connected yet here? 

P.S.S. I love the ocean.

-------------------
I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

I invite you to follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D.

Why would someone re-marry the person they divorced?
I can tell you for sure, 
that was never in the plan.

When I married my hubby for the first time in 1998, we were young.

Met at 19
Married at 22
First child by 24

I had a dream of the perfect family.

But my plan to get there was unrealistic.

Don't get into fights.
Avoid all conflict.
Be in it for life.

Marriage gave me a reality check.

I had to learn the hard way:

Conflict is the door to meaningful conversations.

Unconditional love helps you own mistakes.

Every one deserves a second chance.

Now, we've built a life we are proud of.

A relationship others can learn from.

A legacy beyond our lifetime.

We've redefined marriage and family on our own terms.

This is your reminder today:

Life's surprises don't always come in neat packages.

P.S. What "hard lessons" have you learned when it comes to family?

---------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:

- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- create profitable business

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 

No alternative text description for this image

At 45 year's old, I was hiding behind an impressive list of titles.

✅Bachelor's
✅Master's
✅Doctorate

When deep down, I was unhappy.

4 years ago came an inner whisper:
 
'Live from spirit first.' 

Without fully understanding what it meant, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery.

I questioned myself:

• Who am I really?
• What is my true purpose?
• What genuinely brings me joy?

And, I took bold steps:

• left my 9-5
• hired a coach
• started a business

Once I finally realized that our lives are our responsibility, everything changed for me.

No title can replace the significance of embracing our authentic selves.

Now, I'm working with dream clients.

That honor my creative insights and deep expertise.

Don’t waste your time by living someone else's dream.

P.S. Do you feel your higher purpose calling you?

------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 

I saved 60K to start my business.
It wasn't enough.

I struggled for the first three years:

➾ Accumulating debt
➾ Energy vampire clients
➾ Uncertainty about my worth
➾ Lacking confidence in my value
➾ Doubting my professional decisions

I considered taking another job in education.

Even though I walked away vowing to never go back.

It seemed easier than constantly struggling.

The finances were so tight, 
I took a tech sales job.
And got fired.

Why?
↘︎ I was unsure of what I wanted. 
↘︎ I was recovering from work trauma.
 ↘︎ I was scared of failing and looking dumb.

As soon as I got clear on my:
↗︎ Vision
↗︎ Expertise 
↗︎ Fears holding me back

I struggled:

↘︎ uncertainty
↘︎ overthinking
↘︎ over-analyzing

Finally: it clicked.

↗︎ I began to create.
↗︎ And tell my stories.
↗︎ And trust the process.

Today, I am working with dream clients.

And building in a way that I'm proud of.

So, if you're unsure of where to get started: 

First, be clear about:

↗︎ Your area of expertise
↗︎ The problem you help others solve
↗︎ the type of people you want to work with

Or hire an advisor whose done it 
And start building the foundations together today.

Send me "START" and I'll send you the first 3 steps today.

FREE - no stings attached.

P.S. Were you ever tempted to go back to the old, familiar ways?


I walked away from 180K salary to make a bet on myself.

Most people today want to build a business that allows them to:

↳ Make money doing what they love
↳ Spend time with their family
↳ Find fulfillment and joy

Yet, less than 1% of people take the leap.

And, only 50% stick with it for 3 years.

Why? 

Because we're paralyzed by fear. 

We dread the "what ifs" - 

↳ What if I waste my time? 
↳ What if I lose my savings? 
↳ What if the business fails?

But trust me,

These self-created fears are often worse than the challenges you'll encounter on the entrepreneurial journey.

When I launched my business,
I knew nothing about

↳ Sales
↳ Marketing
↳ Monetizing my passion

But I made a bet and trusted the process. 

And, here we are 3 years later.

↳ Growing daily
↳ Working with clients
↳ Monetizing my passion

Your fears may feel justified, but they're holding you back from:

↳ Fulfillment
↳ Freedom 
↳ Peace

But more importantly, the impact you could create and the people you are meant to help.

The only thing to fear is the fear itself.

Once you walk though it a few times, it gets easier and easier.

And, if you're not ready to do it all by yourself, you can hire a guide to walk you through it.

What's the business idea you've been holing on to?

P.S. If you're hesitant to share it in the comments, then feel free to send me a DM.

---------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:

- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- create profitable business

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 

What are some tips for successful entrepreneurship?

My relationship with with my daughter was the worst.
Constantly at each other's throats.

As the mom, of course, I have the majority of the responsibility for our past conflict.

For years, I was too busy.

- working 14 hour days
- taking calls on the weekends
- solving other people's problems

Busy building the life I thought she needed 

Instead of simply being the mom she wanted.

Being busy came to a grinding halt three years ago when I finally took the brave step to walk away from a draining job.

Choosing me 
so I could choose her.

Now, we laugh, enjoy and appreciate our time together. 

As two really strong and determined women,
it has taken me and my daughter time to:

- soften our responses
- understand our intuition
- listen and ask curious questions

This picture is us loving together.
Our smiles genuine and real.
Because we now know,
How good it feels.

You only have this moment to enjoy your life and loved ones.

Maybe this is the reminder you need.

Don't lose sight of what is right in front of you by being too busy building your hope for tomorrow.

---------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:

- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- create profitable business

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 



What are some benefits of leaving a draining job?

Why is it important to enjoy the present moment with loved ones?

How can being too busy negatively impact relationships?

In 2023, I ended it with all negative people in my life,
Both personally and professionally. 

It was the hardest decision of my life
And it was also the best.

Why?

It was:
➝ stealing time
➝ hurting my energy
➝ making me more negative

The worst thing that you can do is be a part of the wrong circle. 

What do I mean by the wrong circle?

An environment where:

➝ Your expertise isn't valued
➝ Your wins aren't celebrated
➝ Your choices are questioned

I know it's not easy.

When, I walked away from:

➝ Close friendships
➝ Business partnerships

It didn't feel great.

Even when I was crying, 
I choose to trust my decisions.

I made hard choices,
In favor of growing a business I can be proud of.

Now, I only spend my time with people who value and trust me and my skills. 

And as a result, better opportunities knocked at my door.
 
Dream clients with integrity.

So, this is your reminder to:

Let go of all the negativity 

And give yourself the freedom to find the REAL YOU.

P.S. How to do stay away from negativity?

-------------------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D.

Once upon a time, I loved my job. 

As I climbed the ladder, things began to change.

I found myself:

- burnt out
- lacking motivation
- tired of building someone else's dream

I asked myself:
- What do I truly love? 
- Where is my true passion?
- What legacy do I want to leave? 

So, I made a choice to:

- quit my job
- learn to create 
- say yes to my dreams

Let me encourage you.

Start today.
Begin to build.
Trust your dreams.

We've only got one life. 

Let's make every moment count. 

---------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:

- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- create profitable business

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 



How can a career change impact one's life?

Why is self-discovery important for personal growth?


“I’m not comfortable posting on LinkedIn.”

One potential client told me this week.

I get it. 

It’s hard when we are just starting out.
We don’t have systems and processes yet.
Our core messaging and story is not fleshed out.

Yet, your LinkedIn content’s overall success

Is less about the content

And more about your consistency

Here are 3 things to help you be consistent

🕛 Post at the same time every day M-F

➔ Pick a time slot and stick with it.
➔➔ People start to become familiar with you.
➔➔➔ They are more likely to engage with your work.

I think of it like this.

When my kiddos were little, 
we taught them if they ever get lost they needed to:
STAY PUT
DON'T MOVE
FREEZE IN PLACE

So, Mommy and Daddy can come find you.

We didn't want both us and the kids racing all over the place in panic.

Posting at the same time every day is like that.

If you show up consistently enough, 
people know where to find you when they need you.

✍  Write your content on the weekends

➔ Write when you are open.
➔➔ And have good, creative energy.
➔➔➔ This helps you find free flow space.

I have a set-up that I love.

A comfy spot on the couch.
My favorite cup of coffee.
My pup by my side.

These consistent rituals, help me find flow.

😎 Start with topics you know well

➔ Use your journey.
➔➔ Make it about the readers.
➔➔➔ Connect to their challenges.
➔➔➔➔ Help them overcome them today.

Trust me,
Your story is worth sharing.

Why not start today?

If you don’t know where to start on LinkedIn, send me a DM with the word "CONTENT" and I’ll send you a free resource you can use to build your LinkedIn personal brand. 

No strings attached.

P.S. Do you have a favorite space where you like to create?

Why is consistency important for LinkedIn content?

How can I build my LinkedIn personal brand?

99% of people on LinkedIn have amazing ideas, but only 1% will actually:

- Find their niche
- Craft killer content
- Build from the ground up

And use this platform to market test and refine ideas to turn them into a viable business strategy.

Here is what I've learned in the past three years:

Just because someone has significant expertise and leadership experiences

Doesn't mean they know how to build from scratch.

Building someone else's business is not the same as building your own.

I've found many leaders to feel:

- Unsure how to leverage their expertise.
- Uncertain on which stories to share.
- Like they are running out of time.

If this feels familiar, here is where you can start right now.

Unpack Your Pivotal Moments

- Moments that almost broke you. 
- Insights that changed you.
- Blessings in disguise. 

Remember, Pivotal Moments are:

- full of conflict
- deeply emotional
- lead to transformation
- cost you something valuable
- open you to new, exciting insights

When you begin to unlock the power of these stories in your LinkedIn profile, you are officially "market testing" your ideas.

Allowing the feedback to point you in the right direction.

I realize, this approach is not for everyone.

It takes a lot of guts to put your ego aside and trust your journey to unfold publicly.

Think you’re ready to share your journey? 

Want to turn your expertise into a profitable business?

DM me STORY for the first three steps to unveil your narrative. 

It's FREE. No strings.

P.S. Everyone starts somewhere. They key is to simply start.

P.S.S. Happy backwards is still happy :)

-----------------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:

- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- create profitable business

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 



Why are pivotal moments important for LinkedIn profiles?

How can LinkedIn help me market test my ideas?

At 45, I had the "perfect" resume.
One many would hope for.

⇢Bachelor's
⇢ Master's
⇢ Doctorate

20 years of experience.
A seat at the c-suite table.
A 6-figure salary with benefits.

Yet, I was no longer satisfied with my career. 

You see, even though I had worked my way to the top

And was leading teams of leaders
And responsible for a lot of money

I was dying on the inside.

My creative expression was stifled.
My innovative ideas constantly challenged.
My passion for public education fading daily.

I started asking myself REAL questions:

⇢ Who am I...truly?
⇢ What's my purpose?
⇢ What am I passionate about?

Then, 

I built a vision.
Made a plan.
Saved 60K.

18 months later I:

⇢ quit my job
⇢ hired a coach
⇢ launched my biz

My biggest insight:

It's our life. 
We make the rules.
And anything is possible.

You don't need titles.
You don't need accolades.
You don't need to have it all figured out.

The power of being unapologetically YOU and figuring it out as you go...

That deserves DEEP respect.

Now, I'm living the dream. 

Working with clients who value what I bring to the table and appreciate my creative insights.

People ready to build from their passion.

Today's reminder:

Don't get caught living someone else's dream. 

P.S. What are you most passionate about?

---------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:

- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- create profitable business

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips  Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 

Tell me more about Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D.?

I saved $60K to launch my dream.  
But... it barely scratched the surface. 
The first three years?  
 
A rollercoaster of: 
- Spiraling debt  
- Doubting my worth  
- Clients that drained me  
- Wondering if I made a mistake 
- Second-guessing my every move  
 
I was tempted to go back to public education, a thing I swore I'd never do. 
 
Instead, two years ago, I took a job in edtech. 
 
Desiring to combine my people and process skills with my expertise in education. 
 
It wasn't a great move. 
 
Why?  
 
- It wasn't a team role 
- It wasn't a healthy team 
- It didn't encourage growth 
 
I was fired. 
 
For the first time. 
 
It was the best thing that happened to me. 
 
It forced me to get clarity on: 
 
- My vision  
- My expertise  
- The fears holing me back 
 
And...things began to click. 
 
I started: 
 
- Sharing my journey  
- Creating with purpose  
- Trusting myself more deeply 
 
Now, I'm here, serving dream clients and building something I'm truly proud of today. 
 
Feeling stuck or not sure where to start?  
 
Focus on: 
- Your unique expertise  
- The problems you solve  
- Who you're passionate about helping  
 
Or, team up with an advisor who's been in your shoes and can help you turn your expertise into a profitable business. 
 
Send me a DM with the word START, and I'll share the first 3 steps today. For FREE. No strings attached. 
 
P.S. What is your favorite past time? I love to read and have am reading at least 2-3 books at any given time.  
 
Currently reading Power v. Force by David Hawkins; The Copywriters Handbook by Robert Bly; The Gnostic Mysteries by Jacquelyn Small; Daily I read and contemplate The Gene Keys by Richard Rudd

What are the benefits of working with an advisor?

I didn't know where to start my business.

↘︎ How to find my tribe 
↘︎ How to write content
↘︎ How to build a business

Until, I realized the power of LinkedIn

Many people are in this same spot,

It can feel totally overwhelming at first.

Here's where I start with clients who:

➚  have deep expertise
➚  have leadership experiences
➚ are ready to attract new opportunities

But they also

↘︎  struggle to narrow it down
↘︎  aren't sure where to begin writing
↘︎  lack time to build their digital identity

We start by

⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎

Unpacking Pivotal Moments

⬆︎⬆︎⬆︎⬆︎⬆︎⬆︎⬆︎⬆︎⬆︎

➚ Examine the career and life moments that almost shattered you.

➚ Find the micro-moments you had a life-defining insight.

➚ Revisit the experiences that were a "blessing in disguise."

➚ Examine who you might be WITHOUT the experience. 

Spend time writing out these stories.

The hard-won lessons learned.
The beauty you see today.
The impact they made.

Think of your Pivotal Moments like this:

↳ deeply life changing
↳ have challenging conflict
↳ produced unexpected results
↳ got you to this great place today

Knowing this is the key to everything.

Do not underestimate the power of pivotal moments.

We have all got them.

Are you ready to beginning unpacking your stories and building your LinkedIn content?

Then, send me a DM with the word STORY

And I'll send you the first three steps.
FREE
No strings attached.

-------------------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

I walked away from 180K to start my own business, only to screw it up out the gate.

When I first started, I made big mistakes:

⤷ networking only in my industry
⤷ connecting myself to a company 
⤷ not creating a personal brand sooner
⤷ writing inconsistent and unclear content
⤷ building a fancy website no one looks at

It took me 3 years to learn how to:

⤷ Attract aligned and creative work 
⤷ Develop compelling trust marketing
⤷ Be open to flow states and inspiration
⤷  Create a system others can easily learn

I struggled out here for years after I left my reliable executive income.

But I knew we could crack the code to turn my expertise into a thriving business.

And, I am.

⤷ nice leads come in daily
⤷ amazing clients
⤷ legit business

And we do the same for you,
taking the pain out of posting
to ensure you are winning clients
and uncovering aligned opportunities.

This is how we partner for your success.

We help you with:

⤷ Custom content strategy
⤷ Influential creative concepts
⤷ Distinctive copy and branding 
⤷ Strategic networking techniques
⤷ Personalized coaching and training

My years of trial and error have been turned into straight up wisdom. 

Ready to turn your expertise into a profitable business?

DM me "start" and I'll give you the first three steps to start today. 

No cost.
No catch. 

Just the beginning of your success story.

P.S. Have you ever gone into the gas station for gum and come out with $30 in snacks?

P.S.S. It's all about fun, if we can't have a good time out here, what are we doing it for?

------------------------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others to:

- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 

In just 72 hours, guess what happened? 

I added ONE line to my offer, and BAM:
- 3 sales calls booked 
- 3 warm leads
- 2 new clients

But, let's rewind to last week. 

I hit a wall. 

I was drowning in a sea of unqualified leads.

Feeling lost, I reached out to my content strategist.

What am I doing wrong?

We dove headfirst:

- Poring over data 
- Dissecting comments 
- Identifying the real issue 

My offer needed to be refined.

So I made the change.

Updated my headline.

All this from just tweaking just a single line in my content and headline.

Here's the takeaway:

As you evolve and grow, things change.

Allowing the data to show you where to adjust can make all the difference.

Your offer isn't a "set it and forget it" type of thing. 

The most successful creators out there are always evolving, refining, and tuning in. 

Adjusting what's working.
Scrapping the rest.

If you're hitting walls with:
- Scheduling calls 
- Warming up leads 
- Engaging your ideal clients 

Or if you're ready to turn your expertise into a profitable business, let's chat.

Drop me a DM with START and I'll send you a free resource. 

---------------------

♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:

- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- create profitable business

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 

What strategies can lead to successful business growth?

What impact can a refined headline have on business results?

In 1994, I started my career as a janitor. 
Making $10.50 an hour scrubbing floors, cleaning bathrooms and the c-suite offices.

It was quiet when I started my work.
The leaders offices inspired me.
There were shelves of books.
And lots of fancy degrees.

Everything felt possible.

So I began to create a dream for myself.

Back then, I was:
- visionary
- enthusiastic
- eager to grow

I took pride in my work.
And was happy to be employed.
By helping important people do their work.

At 20, I was able to:

- pay for college
- buy a car and insurance
- save money for my wedding

And even though I didn't love all parts of my dirty job,

I was young and hopeful for my future.

Fast forward 30+ years later....

I had my own fancy c-suite office.
With books displayed proudly
Along with my degrees.

Now, I was making 180K a year.

And, I was:
- miserable
- disconnected
- unfulfilled

So, I took life into my own hands.
And made a decision to return
to my younger years. 

Now, I'm getting my hands dirty in a new way

By building my own business.
Monetizing my expertise.
Finding joy again.

So here is today’s reminder:

It’s never too late to try something new. 

If you’re looking to turn your expertise into a profitable business then send me a DM with the word “BUSINESS” to get started.

P.S. Have you ever worked in a “dirty job”?

P.S.S. I loved driving the tiny carts in the scary basement of the Chicago Public Schools office building. And, my social security number was displayed on my ID. Things have certainly changed.

----------------------------------------
♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D. 


I used to enjoy my work.

But as time passed,
And I climbed the ladder
My career began to lose its charm.

I got busy trying to chase:

➠ Advanced degrees
➠ Perks and benefits
➠ More responsibilities
➠ Bigger and better positions

Until, it hit me one day

I was on vacation,

And, I asked myself -

➠ What do I really want?
➠ How will I figure this out?
➠ Who am I to be in this world?

That’s when I realized,
I had lost my joy.

And that stops us from
Taking creative risks

So I decided to
➠ quit my job
➠ learn to write
➠ say "yes" to myself

This is your reminder,
To not let the child in you die.

And,
Take the risk you’ve been avoiding.

We got one life
Let’s live it to its fullest.

----------------------------------------
♻ Repost if you found this helpful.

I’m a former education executive turned entrepreneur.

My passion lies in guiding others:
- clarify their expertise
- craft an influential brand
- open up dream opportunities

Follow me for inspiration and practical tips Stacey Gonzales, Ed.D.


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