Core’ S. Cotton is an attorney by trade, musician by passion, and life coach by purpose. She tells us that, “I am the founder and owner of A Woman Evolves, LLC, where we help women identify and leverage their unique strengths to accelerate their trajectories, without sacrificing their true selves.”
Before you became the business titan you are today, enlighten us about the thrilling adventures of your pre-business life.
Having a passion for music and a dream of practicing law, I frequently vacillated between two careers, buying into societal norms that suggested that I must choose between music and law. As an artist, I traveled the world helping to change the lives of women and men on global stages and with some of the best-known artists in the music business. Ultimately, I garnered high industry acclaim as a three-time Grammy-winner.
As a corporate attorney, I leveraged my technical skills and, more importantly, my “soft skills,” which were essential to my becoming a trusted advisor and to my ability to lead and develop large legal teams that consistently added value to the business by using strength-based strategic plans.
Reflecting on my journey, I realized that, though I had been successful in each individual career, I was actually unfulfilled.
Then came my “aha.” There is but one me, not just the successful attorney me or the successful artist me. Rather, there was the whole me with a varied toolkit that I could access as appropriate in whatever my endeavor.
This realization exposed me to a whole new way of thinking. I did not have to choose between dream and passion-law or music. To do so meant that I would be living inauthentically and in a fragmented existence.
“Leaders” who suggested that I must choose in order to prove my commitment to one or the other career were ( perhaps, inadvertently) projecting onto me their limited vision of themselves.
So when I came to myself, I recognized that the strengths that I had developed in my music career were directly connected to my service as a corporate lawyer because both careers shared my personal “why.”
Could you elaborate on the nature of your initiative/ business/current role, highlighting its purpose and the ways it benefits people?
Today, as a career and mindset coach, I show corporate professionals the tools that I have acquired through my personal successes, failures, lessons learned, and teachings to clients to help them own and accelerate their trajectories on their own terms.
At A Woman Evolves, our proprietary programs like The Emerging Leader Career Accelerator Program, the Elite Career Accelerator, and the Empowered Woman’s Masterclass have made life-changing impacts on the empowerment of professional leaders globally.
What has been the response of the users/consumers towards your venture?
Here is some of the feedback that customers and partners have shared regarding our services and programs:
“Coré is one of those unique souls who uses the bright light that clings to her spirit to help light the way for others… She truly believes knowledge does not become wisdom until it is shared.”
-Dale J., Independent Financial Consultant
“I was nowhere in my career when I met Core’. After a serious health issue that changed my priorities, I quit my old law firm to get away from the 65-80 hour weeks and an area of law I didn’t particularly like. So, I started doing project work.
Core’ helped me move from a temporary consultant position to a permanent employee.”
-Jeanne K, Corporate Attorney
“Core’ has been a tremendous asset to the College of Lake County students and the Waukegan Community. Her innate ability to tap into the hearts and souls of each student to find their unique strengths and gifts is life-changing.”
-Eleanor M., Former College of Lake County Administrator
“Core’ is amazing, insightful, compassionate, and wise. Through her coaching I have obtained clarity of purpose and a strong sense of empowerment.”
-Rose S., Corporate Professional
“Coré Cotton brings a depth of humanity and skill to working with people that is rarely seen. Coré is a powerful listener, listening to not only your words, but listens to ensure she understands your intention. Her ability to focus and to provide a contextual strategic view broadens the listener’s frame of reference that ultimately inspires collaboration and teamwork.”
-Glen H., HR Professional
Having a strong support system is essential for your well-being. We would love to know who your biggest supporter is. Share with us and let’s celebrate the amazing people in our lives who make a positive impact.
My biggest supporter is my mom, Dr. M. Jeanne Dolphus Cotton, who showed me by example to dream, to believe in my Higher Power, and to be the best me that I can be.
As a woman entrepreneur, what changes do you hope to see in the world and what opportunities are you seeking?
I hope that, as we continue to evolve in this world, our unique value is something that is celebrated rather than tolerated. At A Woman Evolves, we seek to help women discover and step into their unique value proposition to own our personal and professional trajectories while adding value to our target audiences.
Women now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in the workplace, breaking through glass ceilings to reach the top. What are your thoughts on women’s leadership today?
Women bring a unique perspective based on their experiences in their environments. Moreover, women have an increasing presence as customers of products and services. The essential goal of any workplace is to appeal and connect to its customer base. Representation is, therefore, key in business in order to demonstrate the positive value businesses place on women leadership across all levels of the organization. Moreover, women as a strong customer base want to see a reflection of themselves in the businesses they support with their buying power.
Get in touch with her.
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