Gemma Gilfoyle is a life coach, entrepreneur, #1 International Best-selling co-author, speaker and influencer. She has 6+ years in business and is all about motivating empowering and uplifting people by getting them to step into their power. Gemma has suffered from mental health for many years. Yet she has not let that define who she is and has used her Knowledge and strength to create her own business so she can help other people do the same.
Gemma Grew up as the 2nd child in her family and always felt different. She lived most of her childhood with her head in novels knowing there was more to life than your average 9-5. Becoming a teen mum at 17 Gemma jumped straight into work and didn’t think about nothing else, she had lost herself in the rat race of work. Her work days had gotten so long that at times she was known to have worked 18hours shift.
Diving back into books and finding out she was pregnant Gemma took time out to rediscover herself. Her past work had always been supporting and helping people. Having managed to gain full control of her own mental health along with her passion for helping others meant it took no time in finding her true calling as a life coach.
Gemma is a unique individual whose passion and love for helping others make her stand out from other people. She wears her heart on her sleeve and will always go that one step further for her clients.
Hey Gemma, can you introduce yourself to us?
First off can I just say I am so honoured and humbled to be given this opportunity I am hugely grateful. I am Gemma Gilfoyle I am a proud mum of 2 boys, the older boy is 18yrs old and my other is 23months old. Huge age (16 years) between them I know it’s crazy but there is a story to that. I am a life coach, #1 international best-selling co-author and speaker. I help uplift. inspire and empower everyone to be the person they want to be through my online private coaching. I help them to feel alive and find a way to get through their days.
Can you take us through your journey to where you are now?
I have 6+ years of business in total behind me from different things I have done. I have always been the caring supportive person, you know the person who helps everyone. It just comes so naturally to me.
Becoming a single mum at 17yrs old, who was suffering from mental health was never easy, but my child came first. So within 2 years of working in a shop, I changed jobs and I was swept up in the 40, 50, a sometimes 60 hour weeks and 15 hour days, to provide for him, it was hard.
When I found out I was having a second baby, I knew I just didn’t want to go back to that way of living, and that was something I would never do again. After my second child arrived I decided to use my maternity to look at myself and find what I really wanted. I knew that no matter what I would want to do, it would always involve helping people succeed in life as its always been a part of me. Like its ingrained in my DNA.
So I really dove into qualifying as a life coach. It fits in with me and my family so much. Its also made me realise just how much I am meant for this role as it aligns with everything I stood for and believe in and now I am just running with it.
What is a day in the life of you like as a life coach?
Every day is different. If I don’t have a client I am researching or planning/creating content, I set my-self certain tasks to do and will complete them. I get so lost in creating content at times I just love it, So I do have to be little strict on myself.
How did you launch your business?
So I was offered an opportunity to be a part of an ‘international interview series’ before I launched my business, by a now true and incredible friend. So I decided to have my website go live the day my interview went live which worked out perfectly.
Can you tell us how you are helping your clients to implement things into their life so that they can get things done and become their own success story?
Each client is different, so I cater to the individual but on a whole, they all know what they want, what they have and where they want to be but just can’t find the middle ground to get there. They all want time, freedom and to enjoy their family. They want to travel and live a life of joy with their families.
With all my clients I always find a starting point where they are happy. Straight away I am wanting to uplift empower and guide my clients to becoming a stronger better version of themselves. We often firstly dig deep into their values and beliefs and make sure they live by their own not someone else’s. We will then map out any goals the client has and see how they can make them achievable. The next step is finding their why and making sure it is what they really want, and it actually aligns with them. Then we start to take action and implement things into the client’s life.
It’s never a straight forward process and from the word go the client is always in control. Quiet often things often change as life happens and a client’s situation changes and then it changes the path. So, we go to back change the plan as needed and move forward from there.
Can you tell us about your book?
This was a dream of mine as someone who just loves to read, being a part of a book was just incredible. I was offered the co-author by an incredible lady I met through a friend. I got to do this project with some incredible and inspiring women from across the globe.
My chapter lets people into my life and shows the side not many people get to see or hear about. I talk about the struggle of mental health and being a mum so young. I talk about how I dealt with mental health, how much growth I went through and just little things many people have never heard about me.
Who does the team involve behind you?
Me, myself and I. I wear all the hats so to speak right now but further down the line I will have a team nothing huge but just a little help.
As you continue to grow, what important factors did you consider when looking at the scaleability of your business model?
When I am looking at scaleability in my business I always have to consider my little boy as I have to do things around him. I then have to Also consider my global client’s and their time zones. As time goes on things will change as my son will go to school. So over the next few years, things will change and become bigger.
Where can you see yourself within the next 3-5 years?
I love this question it makes me smile so much for many reasons. I see myself travelling a lot for work and pleasure seeing the world and just loving life. Making so many incredible memories meeting so many new people and impacting so many lives. I will be helping my clients and audience gain clarity in their life and mind and really living their life to their true potential.
To be connecting with people globally and really making a difference in peoples lives with my coaching packages and courses. I also want to go to Haiti and help there, but I would love to find something with regards to mental health where I can really help make a difference.
How are you planning to expand?
I have so many ideas I want to do its crazy. I write everything down research then plan. I am looking at expanding my private coaching and my packages. I want to offer so much free and paid content for my clients that there will be something for everyone. I will be introducing courses over the next few months and then will take it from there.
My main goal is just to provide so much value, it doesn’t matter if someone buys from me or not. I am all about inspiring, empowering and motivating people. Making new connections and just letting people implementing anything they learn and improving themselves. If my audience learn one thing and it helps them in anyway then I am happy I made a difference.
Can you tell us what areas you have struggled in professionally?
Most definitely, one of the main areas was when I first started creating my site. I knew nothing about websites at all never built one, I didn’t even know were to start but little by little I literally built my own site. I am still learning now but I actually enjoy it. Nothing greater than knowing that everything around you you have literally built yourself.
Have you ever had any other mentor? If so how has this benefitted you to grow?
I have had mentor’s they teach me to be who I am and not to let other people dictate that. I think everyone should have a mentor, it helps keep you accountable. Every mentor I have had have all experienced different things and its incredible to see their growth and learn from them.
I have benefited so much from each one as I gained so much knowledge and expertise, which has allowed me to step up and become the person I am. To make myself visible but also to be 100% truth to myself
What outlets do use to market yourself?
I use social media a lot, email newsletters and word of mouth. Word of mouth is huge so I always make sure I deliver my work at the best of my ability. I use my social media to connect with people, build relationships and give value.
Which methods are you using to build your own support network?
I am always surrounding myself with like-minded people, ones who really want to make an impact and help other people. I am a big believer in listening to your audience, they are the people who you are looking at helping no matter if they buy or not.
As I said before building relationships is huge for me so showing a genuine interest in people is huge. No one should be seen as just a pound/dollar sign so when I speak to someone or take interest in something they are doing it’s because I actually want to listen and get to know someone.
What do you believe are the common misconceptions of being a life coach?
People think they can read a book have some one teach them few lines or tricks and that they can set up business as a life coach and that’s not the case. I studied hard to get where I am and I continue to study.
People often think they can just sit posting status, dropping free content and its easy let me tell you it’s not. Its hard work and can be mind and body draining but it is the most rewarding job.
What would you like to see changed for millennials in business?
Millennials need to learn to be patient and master one thing at a time. They tend to want things here and now and unfortunately that’s not how life works. They need to learn to just slow down and just be present in the moment. I am an older generation of millennial so I had train myself to slow down and be present in the here and now.
What is the best piece of advice you have received to date?
Oh wow, so when interviewed for the international interview series I gave the same advice as I think it is important and its simple. You don’t have to have to be perfect, only progress over perfection. I strongly believe that when you try to perfect everything you wont fully achieve anything cos quiet often we fall into the trap of finding every single mistake.
What is the number 1 critical lesson you have learned in your career so far?
To put myself and my family first. To look after my money and business and always be aware that there will always be someone trying to cause you some kind of upset. You have to stay true to yourself and not get drawn into negativity. As people’s actions speak louder than words.
How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?
Firstly, we have a morning routine. Me and my little one get up we have a cup of tea and I do my gratitude and mindset while he watches tv. Then rest of the day is planned around naps.
I plan out my time wisely. I have to with having a baby. My planner is my life I literally write and time block for when my little one is asleep and if he is settled and playing on his own I often listen to podcast or audio book that way I can pause if I am needed. But also, it means when he is asleep I am doing my work.
The highlight of your career so far?
I love this question, highlights for me or just having the opportunity’s offered to me to from magazines, co-author or public speaking at events. Just the fact that genuine people believe in me as much as I believe me in me huge.
My greatest highlight is the message’s I receive saying “I made someone’s day” with my morning status, the message I shared that day was what someone really needed to hear or the best one was “I love your morning post they pick me up every morning.”
What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?
Just knowing that by typing a few words onto my social media post changes someone whole day is incredible. My clients letting me know they was able to get up that morning because of the work we put in place. That they have been able to function daily and achieve going out and enjoying them self and that they now live a fuller life. All because they implemented something that worked for them. Knowing they never gave up hope and found happiness.
What barriers have you faced whilst building your business?
Negative people. There is so many negative people out there who really want to see you fail. But staying focused on my end goal and all goals in between is what keeps me going.
Which other leading entrepreneurs and pioneering game changers do you also admire and why?
Sandi Krakowski, she is an incredible, strong motivated woman. She is so real and down to earth its nice to see that. She keeps her self and her clients grounded and she not afraid to be herself. She is a big inspiration.
Gary vaynerchuck, this guy is just amazing. He has such a presence about him he doesn’t care what people think or do he is 100% real honest and not scared to tell you the truth no matter how awful it is. He does not hold back at all.
How would you say you are intending to use your voice to educate others in the world of coaching?
I intend to just be me and stay true to myself as a person and stand my values and beliefs. I want to help other coaches do the same. Get them to realise they are unique and different and there is room for everyone to shine. They need to really enjoy the journey because believe me they will a better coach by being true to themselves being open and honest rather than copying someone else.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
It’s crazy cos I read so much its hard to pin point, but if I have to say one it would be Louise Hay ‘You Can Heal Your Life’ it was recommended to me by a good friend.
What does your Podcast playlist look like?
Gary vee is definitely someone I love listening to, along with Carrie Green. I have just added Naptime empires to my list so looking forward to hearing from mums working around there kids.
How do you measure your own terms of success?
I measure my success with watching my youngest son grow up and knowing I can be there for him. Knowing I can record my programs and watch them one after another as long as my work is done. Getting to sleep and having a heathy routine instead of 15-hour work days. Most of all cook meals for my family and knowing if they need me for anything I am right there for them.
What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you?
It means so much if I am honest, just be your own person. Be your own cheerleader. Be your own power. Be your own hero. I could go on and on with this, but most definitely it is important to be your own unique inspiring self.
Lastly, what is next for you?
So over the next few month, I have some course’s I will be releasing. I will be switching up my packages as I am always studying and bringing more to the table. I am the co-author of an amazing project which will be realised in late October to early November.
Then next April I am speaking on stage at an event called ‘Ignite’. I get to share the stage with some incredible speakers and share my story and be able to offer so much value to people who attend.
Twitter: @gemma_gilfoyle
Instagram: @gemmagilfoyle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gemmalgilfoyle/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/gemmagilfoyle/
Website: www.gemmalouisegilfoyle.com
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