We had the good fortune of connecting with Veronica E. Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Veronica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to use my extensive experience as a master certified life coach, keynote speaker, and certified facilitator to provide clients with expertise in the areas of relationships, empowerment, and parenting. I have been involved in life coaching for many years and my experience has influenced women and strengthened couples throughout the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. I am also a licensed minister and I have been a part of community leadership and relationship building the greater part of my life, so it was natural to find a way to utilize my gifts, talents, and knowledge to encourage individuals where ever they are in their journey. Additionally, I coach military wives as the spouse of a veteran, helping women maneuver through the challenges that come with a military lifestyle. I have also attended National Marriage Conferences such as “I Still Do” and participated in the Family Life Council seminar, “The Art of Marriage,” so sharing this valuable information with others was my way of paying it forward.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Alliance Seminars Coaching is a veteran-owned, faith based organization that provides clients with coaching services, motivational speaking, and certified workshops. Our mission is to support clients by sharing strategies and skills that strengthen personal and professional relationships. We also collaborate with individuals and organizations to improve leadership skills, which increase individual quality of life and business culture. The call upon my life shifted when I found myself providing advice to married women on a weekly, if not a daily basis. This was ultimately solidified when I was asked by my Pastor to facilitate the very first married couples bible study with my husband. Facilitating the bible study took me out of my comfort zone. Based on the numerous books that we read and studied, I knew I would have to become transparent about my marriage at certain times. I started out as the one that would not discuss my marital situations. My parents always told me to keep people out of my marriage and take any concern to God in prayer. However, I found out that some of my experiences could be a blessing to help other couples learn how to deal with one another during challenging times in their relationships. This has led to one of the biggest services that comes out of Alliance Seminars Coaching.
My life has not been easy, but it has been fulfilling. I have learned that “your misery produces your ministry.” Throughout my ministry of service, I have discovered that God would have me work in ministry to equip today’s women for tomorrow’s challenges. I have presented at many church workshops for youth leaders, youth retreats, and women conferences and round tables that empowered women. What allowed me to connect with other women is the journey that I traveled. Like most women, I survived running my race and becoming victorious. I have also had my share of sorrow and loss. The spiritual gifts that I operate in the most are being an encourager and teacher as I mentor women of all ages. My ministry motto is, “I am not whole, unless my sister is whole.” With each negative experience in my life, I have had to strengthen my spiritual relationship.
One challenging situation that I remember is when I experienced financial difficulty paying back my student loans. Once I began to commit to stewardship financially, God helped me to pay off my student loans in a shorter time frame than expected. I knew that it was nothing but the mighty hand of God making a way out of no way in my situation. Because of the circumstances surrounding my finances, I learned to stand on Ephesians 4:20, “Now unto him, that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” My commitment to being a good steward with my finances, paved the way for me to live an appreciative life and not return to the same financial situation that God brought me out of. Since then, I have been instrumental in helping young adults and seniors plan a monthly budget, set goals, develop a timeline to get out of their debt, and prepare for retirement financially, so that they will not have to return to work. My journey has not been easy and I don’t believe in luck, I believe in blessings of opportunities.
My journey to entrepreneurship has been full of frustration and favor. I have always enjoyed helping people and to be able to do it through keynote speaking, coaching, and workshops allows me to operate in my passion. I subscribe to the quote that success happens when preparation meets opportunities. My preparation has involved studying numerous relationship books such as Love and Respect; His Needs, Her Needs; Sacred Marriage; Sheet Music; the Good Fight, and the Four Seasons of Marriage. These books have allowed me to dialogue freely with couples and create a safe atmosphere for constructive conversations. I also believe that “our destiny is determined by the choices that we make” and each experience carries with it an expectation of sharing the good and the bad, to ensure others do not make the same mistakes that we made.
Growing up in Compton, California and being in the position that I am in today, has more to do with surrounding myself with positive people who have a contagious, positive outlook in life. It is important to ensure that your inner circle is filled with people who will push you to achieve greatness. There is something to say when you have accountability partners that do not care about your profession, but focus on you as a person and are willing to call you out, when you have an imbalance in your life that does not match your mission statement. These individuals keep me on track by asking tough questions such as, when was the last time I went on a date with my husband, when did I do something for myself that did not revolve around work or ministry, as well as when did I spend significant, special time with my children. Again, this has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with placing the right type of people in your life that will make positive impacts on you, instead of negative withdrawals from you.
In reference to our brand, we simply have a commitment to excellence, as we perform C.P.R. on lives by providing Clarity, Purpose, and Resilience. We have inspired individuals, couples, and organizations throughout the Washington DC Metropolitan area and we look forward to bringing our personal touch to others or their next event.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting the Washington DC Metropolitan area and I wanted to show them the best time ever, I would take them to the monuments, the National Harbor, the Baltimore Harbor, and the Museum of African American History. The monuments provide a particular history that is hard to visualize, until you see them up close and personal. The National Harbor is a nice location for individuals, couples, and families to visit, especially with the scenic waterfront, numerous shops, and variety of restaurants. The Baltimore Harbor is special due to the proximity of the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Port Discovery, and the local attractions. The African American Museum is the best place to visit if you want to go on an emotional rollercoaster that will have you leaving with a sense of pride, purpose, and passion for making the most of your life.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family because without their support, I would not have the freedom to do what I do, which is to bless others personally and professionally with strategies for success. I would also like to give credit to my accountability sisters, and they know who they are. Their friendship, personal discussions, and sharing allows me to stay grounded, stay in tune with what matters, and stay abreast of challenges that affect other women and couples on a daily bases.
Website: www.allianceseminars.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allianceseminars
Other: https://speakerhub.com/speaker/veronica-williams