Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Castle.
Suzanne, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My road, like that of most artists, has been neither straight nor narrow. Early years packed to the brim with dance and acting classes, coaching sessions, film and theater roles, teaching, and music set an unsustainable pace that was stopped abruptly short by family tragedy. My plans were knocked from the spotlight into the shadows, and a quieter season of seminary, several ivory tower degrees, and subtle reinvention followed. In this less-spotlit space, I found my love for fostering the creative spirit in others, and my commitment to seeing and amplifying that spirit began to set the stage for the work I do today in possibility thinking through executive coaching and consulting.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve learned a thing or two about how to navigate a setback. Budget cuts have rendered me suddenly jobless, old emotional traumas have demanded my energy for their healing, and my own sparkle factor has had to sustain the complexities of loss, disappointment, reinvention, and time. Recapturing the glimmer in my soul has taken years of patient practicing, sometimes failing, sometimes stubbornly repeating the simplest truth – staying stuck is never the solution. Stuck is never the furthest we can go.
As you know, we’re big fans of Suzanne Castle Consulting. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The short of my work is that I help brilliant leaders and teams spark creative solutions. I create customized strategies for leaders and companies who are looking to create brilliant teams and creative solutions for showing up in the world. This could be for churches looking for creative options for gatherings to women entrepreneurs who need support to become more abundant and joyful leaders. I am unleashing a sense of can’t-stop-me-mojo-making-magic from life to biz for leaders who are tired of the overwhelm and stuck in unhelpful narratives.
I return again and again to the spark in a room full of extraordinary dreamers and mojo makers. The possibility, the presence, and crackle of that magical rewriting of what could be, is the zing that keeps my creative spirit alive. It is my joy to foster this space for others, through one-on-one coaching, through grape stomping and song, through group retreats and events, speaking engagements, well-crafted stories, art projects, and stargazing. I hope to connect the constellations of my own winding story to draw my clients closer to the creative spirit shining within them, to help them outline its purpose and direction, to provide them rest and inspiration as they trace out the stories they’re hoping to tell and live from life to business.
My signature SPARKLE FACTOR program includes elite retreats for the C-suite leader to VERVE, the annual conference for women who work hard and need to realign from the hustle culture to recharge, reset and renew life and business.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
In the span of 15 days as the ‘rona creeped across the globe, my entire year of speaking engagements cancelled. To say this was a gut-check wouldn’t even describe the fabulous pity party I gave myself. After some tears, I pulled myself up and starting offering trainings and talks for free to those clients who were also stuck in the ‘what next?’ of it all.
I led meetings, did free workshops, did free multiple-day engagements for little to no money to keep speaking and serving. We were all in this mess together! Instead of cancelling, I quickly imagined new pathways for booked events to occur as they could and each and every client was delighted.
While most speakers were putting their hands in the sand and writing off the year, I was able to practice what I teach companies and leaders often: stuck isn’t the destination so it’s time to creatively imagine what COULD happen. Yes, it was incredibly difficult and yes, I’m so very glad I showed up flawsome and imperfectly at times.
Contact Info:
- Email: suzanne@suzannecastle.com
- Website: suzannecastle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannesparkle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzannecastleconsulting
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuzanneCastle
Image Credits
Adam Hazlett
Lacey Jones
