Debbi Sluys is a Personal Development & Empowerment Coach. She empowers people to live their best lives and be the best professional they can be, by discovering their vision, balancing their lives, and realizing their inner power. Debbi is founder of the Dare to Declare™ Academy, which certifies coaches and entrepreneurs to lead impactful vision board experiences for their clients.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I was raised in a loving Christian home. We moved four times in my childhood because my father was a pastor. I was athletic and had a heart to help people. I spent a month on a mission trip in Guatemala and became an early childhood educator.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I realized I was meant for something bigger when I began to speak in front of large groups in my corporate position. I wanted to provide women an opportunity to declare their truth. I had a branding photo shoot before I knew what my business would be about. The photographs the photographer gave me helped me understand how the power of seeing and thinking about your self image will change your life.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
I am a master vision board facilitator. I have created a trainer program. I have created a legacy business where my proven process is now being used in five different countries and it continues to grow.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
Last year I created a magazine to accompany the vision board training. In the fall of 2023 it was used by Canfield training group (Chicken soup for the soul) for their vision board workshop in California.
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 collaboration and positive loving communities are created.
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 leadership today?
It begins with self leadership. Dare to lead with authenticity and love. Create a vision that others may view as unrealistic. Follow that with smaller steps of goals. Surround yourself with a positive community and hire a mentor or coach for accountability.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Make decisions swiftly, change your mind slowly and trust your intuition. Act quickly on ideas even if it’s just to write them down.
