My life as an entrepreneur started when I was five years old. I had a little business selling handmade pictures to my neighbors.

My dad, who was a natural leader and true entrepreneur, ran the family moving business, Steinway Moving & Storage. When I was eight years old, I’d accompany him on moving jobs. My job was to deliver buttered rolls to all the moving men.

Years later, in high school, when I participated in a project about careers, I knew I would follow in my dad’s footsteps. I told my teacher, “I’m going to be an entrepreneur.”

As a senior at Bethany College, with my major in psychology and my minor in business, I decided to check out the possibilities offered at the career center office. Northeastern University in Boston had a Master’s Degree program in Career/Human Resource Counseling. This would equip me to work with corporations and their employees. I’d found the perfect way to integrate my leadership skills and my love for making a positive difference in people’s lives! I remember calling my parents to tell them, “I’ve figured it out. I now know what I want to do!”

After twenty-five years as an outreach career counselor in the Boston public school system and fifteen years providing career consulting to The Gillette Company, I decided it was time to tap into my entrepreneurial spirit and background and go out on my own. My coaching business, Benatti Leadership Development, was a natural evolution from my experience at Gillette and my advanced coaching training. I used my maiden name, Benatti, as a way to honor my dad—he was definitely the inspiration to start my own business.

I enjoy owning my business and devoting my work hours to my clients. I’m also very involved with my family, my community, and the activities of my two daughters. To recharge and tend to body, mind, and soul, I make time for yoga, friends, travel and exercise.

I am thankful for the past 25 years of my business and cannot imagine doing anything else for my career. I hope to have an opportunity to work with you or your organization to Spark Success!