Today we’d like to introduce you to Barrett Clemmensen Powell.
Barrett, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up as an introverted, nerdy bookworm and straight-A honors student in Fairfield, Connecticut. We swam in a local lake, went to the nearby beach, summered on Cape Cod, had clamboils/clambakes and ate a lot of quahogs and chowder and learned to be very self-sufficient. I was a quiet rebel determined to do my own thing and do it my way, keeping a journal and observing people, writing notes about everything and everyone. My parents took me very seriously when I announced at age six that I would be a writer, preacher and psychologist (and I knew what those professions were).
I started selling greeting cards door to door at age eight to have my own money. Then I begged my parents to authorize a work permit for me at age 12 so I could get my first employer job, selling candy and confections. On the side at school, I was writing fan fiction stories and selling a new chapter a day for reading for $1 to about 30 classmates per day. It enabled me to buy certain clothes my mother would not buy for me, to pay for my own telephone and to do something I really loved – travel to visit people.
My interest in writing was evident from age six and I went to the prestigious communication school, Emerson College, in Boston to study Mass Communication. For an introverted girl from Connecticut, this was BIG. I was afraid to go to New York City but Boston was, I thought, a city I could handle, a manageable city. There, in The City on a Hill, I met a small group of lifelong friends and immediately started working as a journalist. I learned how to navigate public transportation and live in the city.
I did freelance election reporting for a local affiliate television station and for our well-respected college-owned TV station., well respected in Boston. I was enthusiastic about my career and while taking a full class load, worked full-time as a radio producer and TV host and reporter. Just before graduating I was hired as a newswriter and producer for a network affiliate radio station in Beantown. My dream had come true! I worked in journalism a few more years in both Massachusetts and Connecticut before something began nagging at my soul.
Raised in the Episcopal denomination of the Christian Church, I was always very involved and it meant a lot to me. My personal faith helped me at age 10 when my father died and through more than 20 family deaths in the next two decades. That faith also led me to be involved as a Sunday School teacher for high school students while I was in college and to help build houses for Habitat for Humanity. I felt the call of leadership shifting from a whisper too, as we say, a “brick upside the head”. Off I went to graduate school/seminary, graduating with my Master of Divinity and being ordained as a mainline Protestant minister.
Just prior to earning my theology degree, I had an experience that would change my personal and professional life. I volunteered to go to Guatemala to help build a school, a sidewalk and make repairs in a town called Chimaltenango. The satisfaction in my soul to see that I could be of service to people and be immersed in another culture and language ignited the sparks of adventure and love in my heart. I had wanted to build bridges between people and across cultures. It was (and still is) my life’s mission. Now I was doing it.
During graduate school, I had two other opportunities to do my learning and earning long distance while working, both in the Caribbean on the island of Dominica and in Israel and Egypt. It opened up my personal faith and I began growing exponentially, becoming increasingly more spiritual and less religious; that is, less concerned with Christianity and more ecumenical – concerned with our common human journey as spiritual beings. Just after graduation, I launched my entrepreneurial career.
I was accepted to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland to study for a Ph.D. but decided I had enough education at the moment and I wanted to spend time with my favorite relative, an aunt in San Diego, I had wintered in San Diego for many years, with my aunt, uncles and cousins, so I was familiar with it. I moved from the Midwest where I had been for graduate school and became a resident of America’s Finest City.
My entrepreneurial career was launched not too long after getting fired from a temp job at a San Diego hospital where I was being underpaid and underappreciated – because I was accepting that for myself. I was fired for no reason because that’s what can be done under “at-will” employment. I drove home, fired up with anger and declared I would not work for a company again and give anyone the ability to prevent me from paying for my life or controlling my income. There were 17 days until the rent was due.
I created two online-based business in less than two hours, both based on my education, skills, training and interests. Both were coaching businesses, one with a clearly (alternative) spiritual focus. I worked 18-20 hour days, sleeping by the telephone. In 17 days, I made $1768.32 and paid all the monthly dues with money to spare. The next month it was even higher and in six months I had hit 7 figures. While I was an introvert who did not like sales, I found I could “sell” what I was personally passionate about – serving and empowering others in their personal and professional lives.
My life transformed into one where I could work part-time as a SART advocate with sexual assault, rape and domestic violence survivors in San Diego, I could travel anytime I desired with friends, I could have dinner parties and enjoy seeing people enjoy themselves, sit on advisory boards, use my communication expertise to create fundraising events for charity. I could earn a degree in French after taking one class and discovering how much I liked it, so I did it because I had the time. I established a morning routine (I have written that in a book called “Your Millionaire Morning” bit.ly/ymmbcp)
As a lifestyle entrepreneur, I found there are many people who want to work for themselves and get out of the oppressive, underpaid, under-appreciated workforce. They want more for themselves on an economic, spiritual and physical level. Working for someone else oppresses them and for many, it is a desperate and soul-killing spiral from mediocrity to brokenness. Employing my creativity, counseling and spiritual abilities and business knowledge tools, I was/am able to help them transform their lives and be abundant, joyful, free people.
I started networking online on LinkedIn with people from around the world — many of whom I have now met in-person. One day, due to a former Danish boyfriend, I decided to look into getting a psychology degree in Denmark to supplement my professional work. Then, because I could, I did. I moved to Copenhagen. University education and medical care was 100% free and I learned a new language, the cozy and intimate Danish lifestyle and the warmth of Danish people. I also had Europe at my doorstep and traveled it extensively, loving my “work from anywhere, serve the world” American expatriate lifestyle… I earned a degree in Psychology and Cultural Encounters and my time in Denmark grew to over a decade.
It was during that time I was presented with the opportunity to manifest a lifelong dream I had to write children’s books. While in Copenhagen, I wrote my first children’s book, “Lori Leak Travels to Paris” and am now poised to publish 49 more as part of my legacy. I also fulfilled by childhood prophecy of becoming a writer (journalist), preacher (ordained minister) and psychologist (coach).
Working and loving abroad as an entrepreneur also expanded my personal life as I could easily walk into any cafe/pub and meet people from African countries, Asia, The Middle East, Oceania, South America and all over UK/Europe. To my great surprise and delight, it even expanded my personal life as I encountered and was wowed by so many high-powered and well-educated men from different cultures who were great conversationalists and intellectuals besides wining/dining and romancing me. Skin color and ethnicity was not an issue. The dating scene was very different and much more fulfilling for me as a biracial woman in Europe than in the USA. I would never have known it could be so if I had not had the financial ability as an entrepreneur to travel and live outside the USA.
I returned to San Diego in late 2016 with a motherlode of creative and business ideas and have been rebuilding my business and life. I am in the midst of what I call “Barrett 2.0” right now, opening my door to clients who want to transform their world and live better more free lives through spiritual alignment and business. Some of them are high-powered business people (CEOS, presidents and other executives), a large number of my clients are stressed-out women, often wives of these executives, with lots of money but deep soul dissatisfaction and pain; a great many are aspiring entrepreneurs who are finally willing to invest in themselves and pursue their dreams for economic and spiritual/economic reasons. I am all for The American Dream – which is “the right to the pursuit of Happiness” according to our fore-founders.
While money, marriage and motherhood rank equally for me. My service to the world will remain the same as an entrepreneur, but I will work with fewer 1:1 clients in 2018. I am getting inquiries now from San Diego and Los Angeles companies and organizations inviting me to keynote speak at events, create retreats, facilitate in-house training programs etc. I do online teaching and webinars for those who prefer my mid-level services. I must manage my energy!
Arriving home was and perhaps still is a culture shock. So many buildings were not here when I left. The homeless population and real estate/rental prices seem to have exploded. The beautiful blue Pacific Ocean and the ability to have a leisurely breakfast overlooking it in La Jolla Cove is still the same. Downtown San Diego is changed, but La Jolla, not so much, which feels very comforting. I adore the historic Gaslamp Quarter and the vibrant life that is there. It was comforting to find to my home church in La Jolla still there and thriving. I am loving this new phase of life!
Great, 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?
My entrepreneurial journey has at times been very challenging but, hey, that is how life is! Most significantly, my brother was diagnosed with cancer, fought it and died while my mother was experiencing catastrophic illnesses and accidents, all between 2008-2015.
The grief and loss was devastating and I had to process it all as well as understand this new layer of my identity: who I am without a family and how to find new meaning. As the only person in charge of my business, I learned as an entrepreneur you must overcome the obstacles of illness and the need to take time off by automating your business and creating passive income sources. I also got clear about the fact that we do not have as much time as we think to do everything we want to do in life, so we best get busy!
American entrepreneurship is much more flexible than in Europe. I met so many in Denmark who were afraid to be an entrepreneur because if you fail once, you are not trusted again by banks and even the community. That is why many Danes (and others) flock to the USA to launch entrepreneurial startups. They get more opportunity to fail and therefore to succeed. Saying I was an entrepreneur in Denmark cause quite a few raised eyebrows and laughs. It is too insecure for them so it is not supported. I learned to stand strong in my culture, outside of my culture, so long as it was not offensive.
Family and friend support is another issue for entrepreneurs. My family of origin that I grew up knowing is East Coast/New England and not supportive of what it cannot see as hard work. Writing, coaching or having a business that is not a brick and mortar one is not seen as hard work and is therefore suspect. “Get a REAL job”. You get, (laughs) a silent stern disapproval and they don’t go on Amazon and buy your books. On the other hand, they wish you well. I love my New England and Connecticut heritage, though, because it grounds me. My experience is not uncommon. I have learned to surround myself with acquaintances, colleagues and friends who understand and actively support the life.
A silent challenge that is ever present is around ethnicity and gender in the USA for entrepreneurs. Anglo males are still at the top in receiving support, VC money, and other types of assistance and affirmation. Women in general rank lower and women like me, with darker skin, rank on the bottom. Our efforts and ideas are questioned, ignored or not seen as equal in value. We women are also quite terrible at collaboration. Two or more Anglo males (or a group of mostly Anglo males) will get together and create something using their skills for free all the way until they reach their intended success and we hear about the millions they have made. Women are not doing that, so we are slower to succeed. I have experienced this with several ideas that have therefore not come to life, and I hope this changes soon.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Barrett Clemmensen Powell, Lifestyle Entrepreneur – what should we know?
My company is known by its eponymous name Barrett Clemmensen Powell. It is a business and lifestyle consulting firm. In short, I am a lifestyle entrepreneur who coaches people through life transitions, business success and entrepreneurship. My focus is on approaching everything from a point of being spiritually aligned so you can succeed professionally and personally.
I take people (and their companies) from CHAOS, CRISIS and CONFUSION to CLARITY, CALM and CONFIDENCE.
What people have told me they like about working with me is my passion, sense of humor, compassion, ability to listen, ability to analyze, attention to detail and the clarity of the direct communication they receive. I am a ball of fire and tell it like it is, with a little honey. I want everyone to find their GREATNESS and live their fullest lives.
I can give you three examples that I am proud of: the first is a California client I will call Cassy. She came to me with a broken marriage, bad parent-child relationships and a $40K annual job she hated. She worked with me for the last 14 years. Her marriage is healed and thriving, her relationships with her children are solid and positive and she is now a nearly $400K salary (excluding benefits) corporate executive — and she has launched an invention! It was her work with me, and my advising her about what to do and when to do it and what to ask for that helped her become a stronger person and go for her dreams of a better life.
Second, there is a client from France, who I will call Jacques, flew me to his American home (a gorgeous estate) to work with him intensively for 4 days, helping him shift his mindset, gain clarity that transformed his marriage and thereafter, his company culture. I followed up with a training for his company, Employee satisfaction is up as are profits.
Finally, there is a celebrity couple that I worked with for several years who are still together now because as a result of working with me, they are not competing with one another professionally nor neglecting one another personally. They gained clarity, calm and confidence and are now working as a team. That makes me happy in my soul.
What differentiates me is that I am a SPIRITUALLY ALIGNED LIFESTYLE ENTREPRENEUR and not simply a “life coach” – I embrace the entire lifestyle. What makes me outstanding is my passionate, compassionate and courageous approach of spiritual alignment integrated with hard work. “Luck” = hard work + opportunity. I get my clients to do the hard work so they are prepared when the opportunity comes. I do not only talk about the freedom to work anywhere, serve the world and leave a legacy. I have actually done it, leaving the comfort zone and getting out into the world. I know that anyone, even with children, can do it if they truly want to. I only work with those who demonstrate to me that they are striving for excellence.
You must believe in yourself. understand this Universe as one that is friendly and works with you (however you want to phrase it) and then lay the groundwork for your dreams to manifest. I have my clients focus on themselves and no one else. Focusing on your unique greatness and your talents and skills is more than enough to keep your business. I have a healing spiritual ability to inspire people, excite them to DREAM BIG and innovate. I walk with them on the journey, whether in person, on the phone or on the computer.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My passion, desire for excellence, spiritual pursuit of wisdom, willingness to get out of the comfort zone and clarity are key to my success.
All that is on top of the very valuable academic educations and the training I have received. While you do not need a degree to be successful in life. there is great value in what you learn in the pursuit of a degree. My research and group dynamic (collaboration) skills figure strongly in my practice.
Ability to give back! I love being an entrepreneur because of the time it gives me to be involved in the community. Last year I was an author speaker in The Children’s Pavilion at the inaugural San Diego Festival of Books at Liberty Station. This year I am helping organize the 2nd edition (August 25, 2018) and I am thrilled!!
Pricing:
- LEGACY: Work From Anywhere (full package incl. website + mktg)- $5997
- Business Consultations (half day, in-person)) – $20,000 + expenses
- Business Consultation (whole day, in person) – $35,000 + expenses
- Keynote Speaker – $50,000 + expenses
- Gold Life Strategy Package (8 90-min sessions) – $2897
- Bronze Life Strategy Package (4 90-min sessions) $1597
- Silver Life Strategy Session (1 90-min session) $400
Contact Info:
- Website: www.barrettcpowell.com
- Email: bcpconsults@gmail.com
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