Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Ranson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a fourth-generation Texan, born and raised in Dallas. I’ve seen a ton of changes in my lifetime of living here, most of them very positive. But I do miss the wide-open spaces that still existed around Lake Highlands, now all developed or even re-developed for a second time. In high school, we spent MANY hours driving around White Rock Lake. This was before there were barriers limiting cars. In fact, I met my high school sweetheart on just such a weekend! He was from BA, a rival school, but that seemed to make our relationship a bit more exciting. In the mid 70’s, I began what became a career in the radio industry. At the time, I only knew that the job as secretary to the General Manager was way more exciting than being an accounts payable clerk. Little did I know that I would go on to have a very successful career, advancing to sales, management, and marketing director. I have a lot of stories from those days – what was then called the era of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. After living a few years in the DC area, my fabulous son and I returned to Dallas where I decided to become an entrepreneur and go out on my own. I had no idea what I was doing as a business owner, so experienced the typical ups and downs, with an emphasis on the downs in the early going. But I’m persistent and resilient, so 18 years later, I’m still offering services to help make a difference in the world. As a coach, consultant, and Transformation Game facilitator, I help clients – people and organizations – reconnect with their inner soul, providing practical tips for how to live a more joyous and purposeful life.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every business has ups and downs; mine is no different. Thankfully I can say that over time, as I have learned and grown, my obstacles are shorter-lived and less frequent. I’m so grateful to still be on the journey of self-awareness, using what I learn as I continue moving ahead.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to make a difference. When I went out on my own in 2005, it was my first opportunity to do it my way, without a boss or quotas! After leaving the radio industry, I took training to become a professional coach, using those skills to help individuals. As I progressed, I created a process to help nonprofits build their strategic plan. I was thrilled to learn that STRATEGIC is one of my top 5 strengths, according to CliftonStrengths. My other top 5 are Empathy, Connectedness, Maximizer, and Relator. I use my Strengths personally, and I offer Strengths coaching for my individual and nonprofit clients. My favorite way to use them is with teams. When a connected group comes together to understand their own strengths and those of their colleagues, eyes, hearts, and minds are opened. I can literally see the light bulbs go off as participants learn about the Strengths underlying the behavior of others around them. My latest passion is the Transformation Game. I became an Accredited Advanced Game Facilitator in 2016, one of only a handful offering this amazing tool in the US. It is a board game, but it’s also a tool for self-discovery, showing you, through your game moves and the intention you set prior to playing, what you believe. Players are truly amazed at the insights they gain – real actionable steps they can take to improve some area of their life.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Empathy, Connectedness, Strategic, Maximizer and Relator
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AnnRanson.com
- Instagram: @annranson https://www.instagram.com/annranson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnRanson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annranson/
- Twitter: @AnnRanson: https://twitter.com/annranson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxktivCEhqMZtf4rWiPpaVQ
- Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/annranson
