For nearly 15 years, John Davidsson has dedicated his work to helping people navigate one of the most personal decisions of their lives — their careers. A career coach and counselor based in Seattle, John’s journey is rooted in deep curiosity about human potential, resilience, and choice. Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature John for his thoughtful, people-first approach and his strong advocacy for inclusive leadership, which resonates deeply with our 5M+ global community committed to uplifting women and allies everywhere.
Q: What inspired you to begin your journey as a career coach and counselor?
John: I’ve always been fascinated by what people do for work and why they do it. I went to multiple high schools and colleges, and I noticed early on that many people didn’t have access to one-on-one mentoring or career guidance. I’d worked as a personal trainer before, so helping people individually was already part of my life. Over time, I saw a real gap — and a real need — for honest, human-centered career coaching. That curiosity turned into a business in 2011, and it’s been deeply rewarding ever since.
Q: What challenges did you face while building your practice, especially around marketing and branding?
John: One of the biggest challenges is that there’s no licensure process in this field, which means anyone can call themselves a career coach or resume writer. I made a conscious decision to work one-on-one with clients and focus on depth, not volume. Marketing, though, is a constant effort — referrals help, but you still need to show up consistently on platforms like LinkedIn and manage visibility. It took about five years before I could do this full time, and that ramp-up taught me patience and discipline.
Q: What has been your proudest milestone so far?
John: Being able to sustain this work full time for nearly a decade now is something I’m truly proud of. Awards are nice, but what really matters to me are client success stories. When someone takes the time to write a recommendation, that’s their transformation being shared with the world — and that keeps me going.
Q: What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
John: I’ve worked with and learned from many exceptional female leaders, and I genuinely believe women often bring empathy, balance, and clarity into leadership roles. A large portion of my clients are women, and I often find myself encouraging them to explore what’s possible — to consider pivots, growth, and leadership without limiting themselves. The more women we see in leadership, the more balanced and human our workplaces become.
Q: What message would you share with future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
John: Stay strong and take care of yourself. Self-care isn’t optional — it’s foundational. Write your goals down; make them real. Be intentional with your time and surround yourself with people who energize you. Women often juggle family, careers, and businesses simultaneously, and that takes incredible strength. Don’t underestimate your resilience or capability.
Q: How do you personally define success?
John: I often refer to the concept of Ikigai — aligning what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what pays the bills. Success looks different for everyone. For some, it’s financial growth; for others, it’s meaning, flexibility, or time with family. For me, success is alignment — doing meaningful work, helping others move forward, and living in a way that feels true to who you are.
“Write your goals down, take care of yourself, and don’t be afraid to explore what’s possible — alignment is where real success begins.”
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