Sandra Bonifacio
Sandra Bonifacio tells us that, “I consider myself a global nomad since I have been an expat from the moment I was born.
From an early age, I have been exposed to many changes, all of which included migrating to new countries and cities, learning new languages, leaving friends behind and making new ones…Some aspects of migrations can be hard, but there are a lot of positive ones that leave you with exceptional skills that you can employ the rest of your life. You definitely learn to be flexible, resilient, and develop social skills that will help you integrate into your new communities. This latter aspect led me to be more and more interested in communication in its broad sense. At one of my last corporate teaching jobs before getting educated in the field of Coaching, I was able to witness a lot of frustration and demotivation among employees due to poor communication in various departments. I was surprised at seeing that some employees truly suffered because they did not feel comfortable and psychologically safe at the workplace where they spent eight to nine hours a day. It was then that I decided to pursue Coaching. I felt the urge to be empowered with the right tools to help ease communication problems that are so prevalent in the workplace nowadays.”
What were your early years like? Could you share a bit about your life before you began your coaching journey?
During my early years, I was exposed to languages and music. Spanish, Italian, English and a bit of German were spoken at my house since my father was Italian, my mother was of German descent, and I was raised in Argentina, where Spanish was spoken. My parents also communicated in English at times and this is what perked my interest in becoming more proficient in this particular language as I knew it was essential to obtain good jobs at home and abroad. Again, the aspect of communication was relevant here.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
The turning point was when I was twenty-six years old and I decided to leave my home country in search of a better future. At the time, my home country was undergoing a hyperinflation period and the future was gloomy. It was then that I decided to pack my suitcases and moved to the United States. I always say that I was very fortunate because I moved with a job, I had citizenship, and I knew the language.
Everyone faces unique challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. The most valuable lessons often come from understanding how these challenges are managed. Could you share the difficulties you’ve encountered and the strategies you’ve used to cope with them?
1) Trying to do everything yourself and feeling overwhelmed. Over the years, I have learned to delegate tasks and ask for help when needed.
2) Be cognizant of up-to-date marketing strategies.
3) Even when you think your client base is big enough, continue marketing your services.
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?
My mission in life has always been to help others. I have carried this mission out first as a teacher, translator and interpreter, helping bridge communication gaps among people from different cultures. Today I thoroughly enjoy guiding people in their transformational journeys, which also includes working on conversational competencies.
In the next few years, I would love to expand my services and develop courses on Emotional Intelligence to offer them at nearby primary and secondary schools.
Would you like to share with our aspiring young women entrepreneurs the changes you would like to see in the world if given the opportunity?
1) More gender equality at the workplace.
Women are increasingly becoming a powerful presence in workplaces worldwide, breaking through glass ceilings and reaching top leadership positions. What are your thoughts on women’s leadership today?
I think women have come a long way in senior positions worldwide. However, I would like to see empowered women not lose what makes women unique: gentleness, care, empathy and acute intuition.
Your grit and determination are making a significant impact, serving as an inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs. What message would you like to share with our young women leaders and audience reading this?
Concentrate on what you like and are good at, put it at the service of your community, and do your work with passion.
Get in touch with her:
linkedin.com/in/sandrabonifaciocoaching