The Wisdom of the Owl: Brad Ward’s Journey to Coaching and Consulting

Brad Ward

Brad Ward is a Coach and Consultant, Owner of Brad Ward Coaching LLC.

If your business could have a mascot, what would it be and why?

An owl. They symbolize deep connection, intuition and wisdom. Owls are both magnificent and mysterious, and they often evoke a sense of stillness or wonder when you see one.

What strategies do you employ to maintain a healthy work-life balance while running your own business?

I have a personal phone and a business phone to keep a strong boundary between work and life. I have a practice of mindfulness that takes on lots of forms – meditation, exquisite awareness, meditation, breath work – to keep me grounded. And I express what I experience to give it space to exist outside my head.

When faced with unexpected detours on your business path, how do you pivot with grace and resilience, showing fellow women entrepreneurs the way forward?

I pause and assess my options. I focus on my strengths and articulate my concerns. I let uncertainty become a wallpaper issue, something that’s always in the background and does not need to leach my energy. I also make it a point to reach out to other small business owners to check on them, which strengthens the connection of the relationship and gives my mind a place to be of good use rather than focusing on things out of my control.

How do you measure the success of your business beyond financial metrics, such as customer satisfaction or community engagement?

I invite clients to share feedback at the end of their engagement and all along the way. I’m currently exploring ways to add community engagement as a means of measuring success.

Can you share a memorable moment where you witnessed significant growth or transformation in your business, illustrating the impact of your services/products?

I ask clients to share what they’ve noticed about themselves after working for a time. It’s a great chance to celebrate victories, recalibrate or fine tune, and park the things that no longer serve the situation. I think of their growth as a means of self-evaluation, giving me a glimpse into the impact I have. I don’t need or want attention for my efforts, but I do appreciate knowing that my work matters to my clients.

What role do you believe mentorship plays in the success of small businesses, and how have mentors influenced your own entrepreneurial journey?

I believe it’s essential for a couple of reasons. Mentorship has allowed me to focus on my vision and what’s possible, which I find challenging in day-to-day work. When I’m given the chance to put voice to my thoughts, it changes how I perceive the ideas and helps me to challenge what I believe about myself, in the process. I also love learning about how other people manage their administrative tasks because I only know what I know and want to make better use of technology in my practice.

What’s your work all about, and how does it make a difference in the world?

My work is all about revealing my client to him/her/herself. People are naturally resourceful, creative, and whole, but life has a way of obscuring our wholeness from view. When I can support a client to have an expanded view of themselves, they become boundless in that moment, giving them a glimpse into what is possible. I see this as sacred work — the ability to see, hear, and understand my clients and to hold space for them to show up for themselves — that allows my clients to manage the impact of trauma in their lives now and into the future. It’s one of the reasons I say I have the best job in the world!