Eric Konovalov is an inspiring leadership coach, entrepreneur, Marine Corps veteran, and the founder of The Goal Guide. From serving his country to transforming small businesses, Eric’s story is one of resilience, growth, and authenticity. What sets him apart is not just his ability to teach leadership but to live it—from turning around unmotivated teams to mentoring leaders through their limiting beliefs. Humans of Fuzia is proud to share Eric’s journey with our global audience of over 5 million changemakers. His message of self-belief, authenticity, and emotional intelligence serves as a powerful inspiration for women entrepreneurs and leaders striving to lead boldly and stay true to themselves. We believe in He for She and She for She—and Eric exemplifies this spirit through his work.
What inspired your journey as a coach and entrepreneur? Was there a challenge or moment that started it all?
When I moved from Xerox to a small company, I took over a sales team where everyone was older and more experienced than me. They didn’t want anything to do with me, and I realized I had to change something. That’s when I started reading leadership books and eventually got certified with John Maxwell. I applied those principles and completely turned the team around—we went from $4 million to $12 million in three years. That’s when I knew leadership training works. I cold-called 10 business owners and started a free mastermind. At the end of the 10 weeks, four of them hired me. That was the beginning of my company.
Can you tell us more about what you do today and how it makes a difference in people’s lives?
I focus mainly on sales training and leadership coaching. Many of my clients are brilliant at their craft but don’t know how to sell themselves or grow their businesses. I teach them the sales skills I learned at Xerox and coach them through mindset and performance blocks. I also run a group called Relentless Goal Achievers, where members receive weekly training and one-on-one feedback. Whether it’s reviewing call recordings or setting goals, I help people unlock their potential and move toward six-figure success and beyond.
Thinking back to the start of your career, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was internal—limiting self-beliefs. Even after writing a book, I struggled to call myself an author. When I launched a podcast, I hesitated to say I was a podcast host. That self-doubt held me back until I hired a coach to help me shift my mindset. A big part of success is believing that you are worthy and capable of making an impact. Once I started truly believing that, things changed.
Is there a milestone or proud moment that stands out in your journey?
I try to end every day by asking myself, “What am I proud of today?” Because I believe we should find pride in our small wins, daily. But some highlights include helping a client close a $750,000 deal, growing a business from $4 to $12 million, and watching a woman I coached go from $20K/month to $100K/month in just six months. Those are moments that remind me this work matters.
What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
I’ve had the privilege to serve under both men and women in the Marine Corps. There are great leaders who are women and great leaders who are men—and there are poor leaders in both groups too. What I’ve noticed is that women sometimes feel they need to be “tougher” or act a certain way to prove themselves. But I think a woman’s authentic self—compassion, connection, empathy—is her strength. People don’t follow masks; they follow leaders who genuinely care. Authenticity builds trust and connection, which are the cornerstones of great leadership.
What advice would you give to aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Be mindful of the stories you tell yourself. Sometimes, women walk into a boardroom full of men and assume they’re being judged or underestimated—but those thoughts aren’t always true. Don’t make things harder by creating internal barriers. Show up as yourself, do your work with integrity, and believe that you belong. People respect good leadership, period. Let your authenticity lead the way.
“Every day holds a moment to be proud of—find it, own it, and let it fuel your growth.”
Connect with Eric Konovalov
You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn or visit thegoalguide.com.
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
