Meet Lorri Palko: Business Coach and Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lorri Palko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lorri, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I don’t think about risk in terms of success or failure. I do think about risk as it relates to desired changes I want to make in my life. Change is usually resisted as our primary objective is to be comfortable. At some point, the fear of not making a change becomes greater than staying stuck and safe. When moving to Atlanta to take a job as president of a manufacturing company, I could not imagine the change that I would make at age forty. I gave up the familiar and financial security of an executive position to become a middle school math teacher. Why the change? I became disenchanted with the business’ skewed focus on owner and shareholder value above sustainability and re-investment. I had always desired to be a teacher and I had been told I was born to coach. By making what many deemed a questionable and risky decision, I was able to fulfill my dream to teach and my passion to coach. After being an executive, leading financial turnarounds, teaching, and then holding school leadership roles, it was time to take the leap to be the coach I was born to be. In 2017 I started my coaching business Love Money Purpose. When I make decisions in alignment with my values and purpose, change feels less risky. While it is wise to assess the positives and negatives of making a change, risk becomes less fearful for me when I learn to trust my intuition.

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?
Love Money Purpose is my coaching and consulting business with three areas of focus – executive coaching, managing change and transitions, and business and financial consulting. What sets me apart from other similar businesses is the coach mindset that I bring to the work. As a coach, I am totally immersed in supporting the client by helping the client realize that they have the power and knowledge to achieve the results they desire. It is about the players not the coach. The client never feels alone in trying to navigate their challenges, but also, they know in the end it is up to them. I guess you could say that I view my role as coaching the coach. The greatest satisfaction I receive is when a client no longer needs me to support them. My journey has not been one dimensional. The name of my business reflects my perspective that solutions cannot be one-dimensional either. Love leads, money matters, and there are different pathways for living with purpose. When a business has defined values that guide actions and decisions love is leading. When a business aligns resources with its mission and stated purpose it’s demonstrating how money matters. If a business is constantly evolving in light of changing environments it’s reflecting multiple pathways for delivering on its purpose. Looking back on my journey it feels rewarding, but there were many hardships and disappointments along the way. Those disappointments were largely driven by my being too closed-minded at the time thinking there had to be one prescribed outcome. Learning to let go and trust my intention has helped me open my mind to greater possibilities. I need to remind myself to stay fully engaged in the work and not attached to outcomes. Again, remembering it is not about me it is about the other person.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My friend and I are wild about sports. The recently completed sports venues Truist Park and Mercedes-Benz stadium are areas of interest in and of themselves. A late springtime visit would include a never dull Braves game as they are known for their late inning comebacks. I’m sure we would play a round of golf at the innovative Bobby Jones Golf Course. A leisurely stroll through the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Gardens followed by visiting one of the numerous restaurants on the Beltline are must stops. On rainy days you could find us enjoying the Georgia Aquarium, the High Museum of Art, or the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many that have touched my life in meaningful ways, but the one constant supporter who has been there for my entire journey is my Mom. Still at the young-age of 95, she teaches me three things – to be fully present, infuse everything with love, and serve others. My mom is a great baker and through that she teaches me to be patient and to not rush the process and to pay attention to details.

Website: www.lorripalko.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorri-palko-12348a111/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LorriPalko

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Love-Money-Purpose-612620526058449

Image Credits
Niki Murphy Photography for headshot photos.