Laura Berman Fortgang’s journey is a powerful reminder that life’s unexpected turns often carry our greatest purpose. From facing deep personal setbacks to becoming one of the pioneers of the global coaching movement, her story resonates deeply with women who are navigating change, rediscovering their voices, and stepping into leadership. Humans of Fuzia is honored to feature Laura for her unwavering belief in intuition, longevity in entrepreneurship, and her bold advocacy for women leading with confidence and compassion.
What inspired you to begin your journey? Was there a defining moment that changed your path?
In my twenties, I was pursuing my dream of being an actress in musical theater in New York City. While I had some success, it wasn’t the level I hoped for, and I fell into a deep depression. On the other side of that experience, I had a strong intuitive pull to call an old mentor. He had become a coach—something I had never even heard of at the time. Working with him helped me see new possibilities for my life. Within a few years, I realized I wanted to do what he was doing. That intuitive decision led me to become one of the first people trained as a coach and later one of the founders of the International Coaching Federation. Everything that followed—entrepreneurship, authorship, and speaking—came from listening to that inner voice.
What challenges did you face when it came to branding and marketing over the years?
I’ve been in business for over three decades, and the biggest challenge has been constant evolution. When I started, coaching was an unproven profession, and people didn’t understand what I did. Over time, the challenge shifted—today it’s about being a specialist rather than a generalist. For many years, I was known as a career coach, helping people figure out what to do with their lives. More recently, my focus has been on helping coaches grow their businesses, make more money, and expand their impact. My branding has probably been updated every three years to stay aligned with that evolution.
What has been your proudest milestone so far?
Honestly, lasting this long in business is something I’m very proud of. But a standout highlight was being featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Meeting someone you admire so deeply and still walking away with that admiration intact is a beautiful experience. That moment will always stay with me.
Do you work as a solopreneur, or do you have a team supporting you?
I don’t have employees, but I do have a team. Everyone I work with is freelance. I started completely on my own, then hired students for support when funds were limited. As my business grew, so did the team. Today, I work with two assistants, someone for social media, and someone for bookkeeping. Different people support different parts of the business.
What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
The world desperately needs female leadership. The dominant male model has been aggressive, and frankly, it’s put us in danger. Women bring a different kind of energy—one that nurtures growth, balance, and reason. Even though the world still tries to hold women back, we are needed now more than ever to step into big roles and lead with confidence.
What message would you like to share with future women leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Women need to stop apologizing. We apologize for our presence, our voices, our appearance, for taking up space. There’s nothing to apologize for. Don’t hurt people, but be loud, be bold, and let your voice be heard.
What does success mean to you, personally and professionally?
Personally, success means having strong, joyful relationships—especially with my children and the people in my life. Professionally, success is not forcing your life to fit into your business, but creating a business that supports the life you want, with freedom, meaningful experiences, and choice.
“Stop apologizing. There is nothing wrong with taking up space, using your voice, and building a life and business that truly serves you.”
Connect with Laura Berman Fortgang:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurabermanfortgang
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurabermanfortgang
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com
