Alba Barrett was born and raised in Limerick, Ireland to a Spanish mother and Irish father, and has spent her childhood and adult life living between Ireland and Spain. At 27 she made the brave decision to quit her “safe” corporate job to follow her dream of being an entrepreneur, and she’s never looked back since. Alba is now a successful entrepreneur, lifestyle design coach and mentor to other women wishing to follow their dreams. She spends most of her time in Dublin, Ireland with her Spanish partner, Sergio and their son, Hugo.
Having already successfully launched her first venture I Designed My life, we wanted to shift the focus on to Alba’s latest venture Soul Tribe Europa, an entirely new online coaching community, designed by European women, for European women who want to develop and improve their lives dramatically.
Launched in earlier in the Summer alongside her business partner and longtime friend Daniela Ion, the community took off with a free, no strings attached 60-day life transformation course. This course is available completely free to women from all over Europe and beyond, with daily coaching and mentorship, activities and rituals, available exclusively to members of Soul Tribe Europa. The syllabus is delivered by co-founders Alba Barrett and Daniela Ion, both qualified life and business coaches, designed to empower all members to achieve a dream life of their own creation.
Hey Alba, can you introduce yourself to us?
My name is Alba, and I am an entrepreneur, life transformation coach and co-founder of Soul Tribe Europa. I work passionately in helping women to discover and live their purpose and to become the highest version of themselves in life, business, and love. I spend my time between Dublin, Ireland and Spain, always with my beloved son Hugo and partner Sergio.
Can you take us through your journey to where you are now?
I have always had a deep interest and curiosity in the human mind and why we behave as we do but also deeper questions about our existence as a human and spiritual being but I never really did much about it. Like many of us do in our early days, I chose a more conventional path and left university with a Bachelors of Engineering and Masters in Marketing. I spent a number of years in the corporate world which ultimately resulted in me feeling depressed and unfulfilled, and as I always had big dreams for my life I just could not settle for a less than thriving existence!
So, I left my comfortable well-paid job, gave up my company car and perks and set up my first retail business in Dublin City Centre about 7 years ago, which I still own today. This experience transformed my life instantaneously. Becoming an entrepreneur is honestly one of the most exhilarating experiences and I was instantly hooked on being my own boss and being the decision maker in my own life, my finances, my freedom, and seeing my ideas come into reality. The most surprising aspect for me has been to see the impact a business can have on improving so many people’s lives when you allow it to be so.
Almost 2 years ago, I found myself craving a new venture and new challenge for myself personally and professionally so I hired my first coach and after a couple of sessions I had no doubt that this was for me. This decision took me all over the world, and I have coached and collaborated with many amazing women over the past year. In June of this year, I connected with my business soul-mate Daniela Ion and we are now just about to launch our most soul-led venture yet, Soul Tribe Europa, a unique online platform for the European market where we personally coach and mentor women to achieve success, fulfilment and joy in all areas of their personal and professional life. We have really powerful transformational courses based around our 6 ingredients for a dream life, Success in these areas lead to an amazing life: love and relationships, Health and Fitness, Wealth and Career, Positive Mindset, Spirituality, Purpose, and Contribution.
What is a day in the life of you like?
My day begins with coffee always! I get up early with my son, Hugo who is 3 and we spend some time together as a family before he goes to pre-school. I go to the gym or park to exercise, and then I go back to my home office and do a few hours of content creation work and coaching with Daniela in our community of almost 3000 women (Soul Tribe Europa on Facebook). I read a lot, about 1-2 a week and have 100’s of books at home waiting to be read. I love writing in my journal and listening to music and only one day a week I do the boring admin stuff.
I recently started to play piano as it was always a soul desire of mine and finally, I am nurturing that, it feels so good, I would recommend it to anyone! My Evening times are quiet family time. I’m an early to bed, early to rise type of person. I started developing myself spiritually in the last 6 months and now have a nightly meditation habit which I love to do every night before bed. It is a practice which has the power to positively impact every area of your life. I think if people knew how powerfully it can transform your life, more people would have it as a non-negotiable in their daily habits.
How are you helping women to transform their lives with Soul Tribe Europa?
From our research, we found that online coaching was a huge area of opportunity which has been largely overlooked by women in Europe compared to women in other markets. We knew there was a huge demand and need for life coaching and spiritual mentorship for women in Europe and because Daniela and I are both European we had a shared vision for bringing life transformation in a big way to the women of Europe.
We had limited resources when we started out but we had a vision and a strong belief that this was meant to come through us so we started with what we had at our disposal and created a free community with 3,000 women on Facebook where we offer a 60 day life transformation program and give guidance and inspiration to the women to help them to manifest their desires into existence in all areas of their lives. This free group allowed us to begin to use our gifts to impact people’s lives right now rather than waiting until we had the funds or the team. And since then the dream team of developers magically appeared we got the funds together and the Soul Tribe Europa vision is now firmly underway, soon to launch in October. When you have faith and courage to go after a big vision we believe the universe supports you and provides the resources.
We help women to transform their world by first transforming their inner world, we support our community by helping them to heal their emotional wounds, to reprogram their subconscious beliefs and build an unbreakable mindset so that they can manifest their dream life and actually enjoy the journey. Many times we have the belief that we can only be happy when we achieve something in our life, but the truth is you can manifest a dream much more easily and enjoyable when you learn how to access your most joyful, confident, powerful self in the present. That is how we help women to transform their lives, by developing themselves spiritually and mentally and giving them the confidence to take action towards their true desires and purpose.
Give 3 kick-ass tips on how we can begin to transform our life into a Dream life?
- Reconnect with your heart’s desires. Most people move through their adult life of responsibility, stress, and expectation and lose their heart and soul. The joy and vibrancy leave their life and things can soon feel empty, directionless and soul-less. When we give ourselves permission to explore our true passions and desires, even if we feel we are so far away from them now, that is the first step to transformation. You need to know where you are going if you want to ever get there.
- Create a new mindset. The old way of thinking will keep giving you the same results. Our thoughts and beliefs ultimately determine our reality so it stands to reason that to create a new life you have to create a new mind. Our mind is not fixed, we can actually reprogram it to serve us best in achieving whatever we desire.
- Develop a spiritual practice. A spiritual practice is so necessary and powerful as it can allow you to access higher states of consciousness that give your body and mind a re-charge of energy. Using spiritual techniques such as journaling, meditation, visualisation, and affirmation we can supercharge our results, but also become more joyful and fulfilled on a holistic level.
Who does the team involve behind you at Soul Tribe Europa?
Daniela and I are the co-founders, creative directors and transformational coach/mentors in the business, so we develop all the ideas, multimedia content, course content, meditations, video training and transformational events. We also produce a weekly podcast on I-tunes and Anchor called Soul Tribe Europa Radio. Our amazing tech partners develop all the tech stuff and digital marketing and are finalising a top of the range custom designed membership platform where our members can receive live personal coaching from us and follow our transformational courses. They will soon move into a mobile app design for us also to allow members to access our content library and mentorship at all times with ease. We also regularly work with a virtual assistant who handles administrative tasks and social media.
Where can you see yourself within the next 3-5 years?
My vision for the next 3-5 years is with Soul Tribe Europa having evolved into a multi-million Euro coaching brand. We see the membership site with 1000’s of members and also expanding into high-level masterminds and workshops. We have the vision to expand into entrepreneurship development and to create a soul tribe Europa start-up incubator for European women to achieve the strategy, mindset, support and funding to launch into a career in entrepreneurship. We will also have moved into live transformational sonic events held at beautiful locations around Europe. On a personal level, I see myself travelling and experiencing many new parts of the world and many new people and opportunities. I believe I will be living between Ireland and Spain.
What strategies do you have in place when looking at the expansion of Soul Tribe Europa?
We have plans in place to launch our unique online membership platform this month and expand through online marketing and social media as well as traditional media opportunities. Our next phase will involve the development of a custom designed web app to support all our members in achieving their transformation. We also have a huge vision for really powerful, never before experienced transformational sonic events in beautiful locations in Europe. Women will come together to these retreats and experience a huge awakening in their soul connection and clarity in their direction, purpose, and desires for themselves and their lives.
Can you tell us what areas you have struggled in professionally?
I don’t like to use the word struggle! But I would say one area I notice is that like many true entrepreneurs I enjoy the conceptual and launch and growth phase more than the mature established phase of business. I really vibe from creation and ideas and vision and communicating a new message so I definitely like to evolve into new projects and businesses. The only struggle we ever experience is when we resist our true nature, so the more we allow ourselves to follow our bliss the more productive and fulfilled we actually can be.
Have you ever had any other mentor? If so how has this benefitted you to grow?
Yes, I do strongly believe in the power of a mentor and collaborators and partners in business. No man (or woman) is an island, as they say, and true magic in business comes when you vibe with the right people. My first and most influential mentor, who sadly passed away suddenly just recently, helped me to get my first start in business and I honestly could not have felt the necessary confidence and self-belief without that support and guidance early on. He was a true lover of life and always conducted business in a way that supported his desires for his lifestyle and I saw from him that business and generation of wealth are fun and should be enjoyed. RIP to him, he left a great legacy.
What outlets do use to market Soul Tribe Europa?
We currently market STE exclusively to the European market, but we, of course, welcome members from further afield if they happen upon us. We have visions down the line to expand into Soul Tribe International, but for now, our focus and community are very much Europe-centric.
Which methods are you using to build your own support network?
This is the beauty of going into business with a soul mate business partner! Daniela and I have often commented on how easy and fun business are when you have a strong partnership/ friendship at its core. We support each other when either of us is feeling low or uninspired and we build each other up and inspire each other all the time. There really is more power in the combined strength of two people with a shared vision. We don’t compete or micromanage we just complement each other and support each other and enjoy the process.
What do you believe are the common misconceptions about being an entrepreneur?
The number one most common misconception is that you have to be “born” with it or have some special gift. We believe entrepreneurship is a set of skills and style of the mindset that anyone who has a strong desire can be taught. It is definitely a learned and practiced skill like most things. Some people may be more naturally tuned in to an entrepreneurial mindset, that is true, but if you want to be an entrepreneur and you are open to learning and following your own path you can become a successful entrepreneur for sure.
I also think people overstate the involvement of “luck” in a successful entrepreneur. What people don’t see is the behind the scenes almost obsessive commitment to a vision over months and years, that overcomes multiple setbacks and failures. Most people only notice the successes and think it is a factor of being in the right place at the right time.
What would you like to see changed for millennials in business?
I would love to see more millennials taking the leap and following their vision into entrepreneurship. If you have a passion and purpose in your heart you are actually doing a disservice to yourself and humanity by staying small and hidden. As millennials, we are an idealistic bunch, and with these high ideals and dreams, if we learn the ropes of the business and leave conventional “status quo” type expectations at the door, we can really influence and change the world in small or huge ways. Too many people are held back by fear, and the world more than ever needs people operating at their full aliveness and potential.
Fulfilled happy people influence their community to a greater good and raise the vibes of everyone they come into contact with, we need more people walking around as the creators of a new reality! Be the change you want to see, as they say.
What is the best piece of business advice you have received to date?
“Win-win or no-deal” – Stephen Covey. This is an awesome piece of advice. Go for your highest choice for you but that also co-empowers those involved. Generally, when you operate from this place in business interactions, you foster a very loyal and longlasting relationship. The universe always pays you back when you give in this way. What you give always comes back tenfold without the need for any expectation.
What is the number 1 critical lesson you have learned in your career so far?
Stay true to who you are. Don’t ever believe that you need to become someone else in order to be good enough. That’s not to say that you don’t need to evolve past fears and false limitations, you do! But what I mean is, don’t think that just because everyone else dresses or looks or speaks in a certain way, that your exact brand of entrepreneurship is somehow wrong. Visionaries create the rules rather than follow them. Build up your self-belief and know that your secret sauce is in being exactly you, the best and most whole version of yourself.
How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?
By making it a non-negotiable! I have always had a passion for Lifestyle Design, which basically aims to create the business around the lifestyle, rather than the other way around. Many women I see in business don’t give themselves permission to have it all, they feel they need to seem busy and be constantly working in order to be good enough. Allow yourself to have it just as you like it as an entrepreneur or what is the point?
The highlight of your career so far?
I firmly believe this moment in time is my highest point so far. The coming together of Soul Tribe Europa has been exhilarating, unexpected and passion filled. Onwards and upwards!
What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?
What gives me greatest satisfaction is my own personal growth, seeing how I have transformed and continue to become stronger, braver, more visible, more creative, less fearful or doubtful. I also thrive on paying it forward and giving people the hand up to start in business too. I love seeing other people take the leap because of my encouragement and grow into these amazing strong, happy fulfilled women who are the decision makers of their own destiny.
What challenges have you seen to have been presented during the growth of Soul Tribe Europa?
Our challenges have all been mindset related! Which is usually the case for most people. We limit ourselves as human beings more than any external factor ever could, where there is a will there is always a way as they say. We had no idea of the “how” when this vision came together, and it seemed way too huge to ever realistically come together. But we just stuck without next available step and had faith, and miracles have continuously supported us on the way.
Which other leading entrepreneurs and pioneering game changers do you also admire and why?
For his visionary and reality-hacking mindset, I would say Steve Jobs for sure. I also have always hugely admired Oprah Winfrey, she has always followed her vision for what she believed would genuinely transform the consciousness of her audience (basically the world) and ultimately make the world a better place.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I read so many books! I could recommend so many. For me the three that really I would recommend to everyone are ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz, ‘The Power Of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle and ‘Becoming Supernatural’ by Dr. Joe Dispenza
What does your Podcast playlist look like?
Well, of course, our own Soul Tribe Europa Radio podcast! But my other favourite is Ru-Paul and Michell Visage ‘What’s the Tee’ Podcast. I also listen to Oprah’s ‘Super Soul Conversations’ and The Life Coach School.
How do you measure your own terms of success?
My success is based strongly inside of me. Success to me is an inner game. When you feel successful you are successful. Follow your excitement your bliss and co-empower all involved that is the name of the game.
What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you?
#BEYOUROWN to me means following your own path, the beat of your own drum, knowing that you and your own unique expression is not only enough but ideal. Imitation is usually born out of doubt, and lack of self-belief. You are an expert at being you, and no one else can be exactly as you so leverage that unique essence and play to your zone of genius and delegate the rest.
Lastly, what is next for Soul Tribe Europa?
Next is our big launch! And transforming the women of Europe! Watch this space.
Instagram: @soultribeeuropa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soultribeeuropa/
Website: www.soultribeeuropa.eu
