Monday, November 14, 2016

How to Disrupt HR, And What's Size Got to Do With It

It's time to Disrupt HR! Tune into this video of my recent presentation at DisruptHR New York (it's only 5 minutes long).

Don't Leave Culture To Chance | Colette Ellis | DisruptHR Talks from DisruptHR on Vimeo.

I shared my Don't Leave Culture to Chance presentation in May of this year at the Design a Happy + Healthy Company Conference. For this Ignite talk, I was challenged to share a disruptive idea related to company culture and talent management.

My disruptive idea is a bit cheeky (yes, a reference to size was made); yet I believe completely relevant to the discussion of how (and when) do leaders need to "worry about" defining company culture. Take a peek and let me know what you think.

Also, if for no other reason, you can watch me #fail at making the Vulcan salute!

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Step It Up with Me October 13-26

It's time to Step It Up and get moving! Yes, it's fall in the northern hemisphere. Why not take advantage of the cooler (yet still sunny!) weather (at least here in NYC) to get in more steps outside.

Join our Start Within - Coach Colette team in the Fitbit Step It Up USA Challenge.

Commit to move more: See how many steps you can get in 2 weeks! 
Track your progress: Check your dashboard to see how your activity (walking, running) adds up!

Visit the website to connect your Fitbit; search for and join our Start Within - Coach Colette team. 

Post pictures of yourself as you get moving. Connect with me on Instagram and use the hashtag #StartWithinAre you up for the Challenge?!! :-)

Monday, October 10, 2016

InStep Joins Women's Lab at CSI NYC

This October, I'm proud to announce that InStep Consulting has become one of 40 Founding Members at the Women's Lab at Centre for Social Innovation, a collaborative and supportive workspace and community for social mission organizations benefiting young girls and women.

The Women's Lab will pave the way for focused programming, storytelling of member successes, and access to a vibrant and robust alumni network. CSI is in a position to provide Women's Lab members with targeted connections and even more relevant resources and networks, ultimately accelerating our impact on the world.

Overall, Centre for Social Innovation is a space created exclusively for individuals and organizations with a social mission. I'm so excited to join this thriving community of social entrepreneurs, nonprofits, creatives, and innovators who are changing the world! Oh, and did I mention: not only can CSI members recycle, but there is also onsite FOOD SCRAP collection for COMPOSTING!!

If you're in the NYC area, stop by to say HELLO! :-)

Thursday, October 06, 2016

My Coaching Manifesto 2.0

The seasons have changed since I last wrote. Summer feels like a blur to me. I've been doing lots of personal development work through my holistic coaching group, as it has been a period of transitions ... a series of new moons and full moons through which I've been reviewing what is important to me in my business, and in my life.

The good news is that I had the opportunity to revisit my Coaching / Business Manifesto that I shared earlier in the year. This 2.0 version comes via a second exercise led by my coach, Dawn Copeland, to tease out those factors that excite me and propel me to thrive in my business.


Once again, I'm excited to share this 2.0 version of my Manifesto with you. I'd love to hear your thoughts and reactions. Also, feel free to post a link to your Manifesto if you have one!

Coach Colette - Manifesto 2.0

I am a transformational coach and speaker.

I believe in possibility.

What I know for sure is we can change the world ... together.

I love working with passionate leaders who are doing good in the world.

I dream of the day when the world and our planet is healed.

I was born to speak, heal, and help that to happen.

I've never been happier than when I witness the A-HA moments and see the sparks of light in my clients' eyes.

I feel most alive when I'm speaking and sharing my message of possibility.

I shine when I am serving my tribe within a community of support.

If I had a super power it would be seeing into people's hearts and cutting through the B-S to get to the core issues at hand.

I work best when I have a supportive team and community.

What I want most in the world is to leave a legacy of healing and sustainability.

I can help you go within to reconnect to your purpose and lead your team with compassion and confidence.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Be More Resilient in Business: Learn How June 21

Don't Let the Founder's Hustle Take You Down!

Join me for the next session of Stress Management for Founders series on Tuesday, June 21st at CoLab Factory. 

I know you've experienced a lot of ups and downs while launching and running your business. So have I! 


Session II: Flip the Script on Your Stress

In the second of this three-part series, you will learn ways to be more resilient so you can get better business results while improving your own well-being:
  • Listen to and "flip the script" on your self-talk messages
  • Build your self-esteem and confidence to handle stressful situations more effectively
  • Track the changes in your health and well-being
In addition to being able to roll with the punches, it's important to have a support network that can be a buffer in the down moments and be your cheerleaders in the up moments. Let me be part of your support network!

Join me June 21st so you can be more resilient to the ups and downs of being a founder!

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

My Coaching Manifesto -- Working Draft


Over the years of writing this blog, I've often shared what inspires and motivates me to do what I do: why your health and wellness matters to me; why I personalize my coaching as much as I can; and why my own eco-transformation journey matters.

I recently joined a year-long coaching program for holistic entrepreneurs. Through this program, I've begun working on my Manifesto to capture my business intentions on a broader scale. This is a first draft that I suspect I will edit over time. And, that I'll find a way to make it more visual.

Ready? Here goes!

Coach Colette -- My Manifesto

What I know for sure is I am passionate about people.

I am a dynamic, helpful, relevant, and gifted coach / speaker.

I've never been happier than when I see the smiles on my clients' faces and the light bulbs go on in their A-HA moments.

I dream of traveling the world helping people to thrive.

I was born to succeed, speak and train; and to help others grow.

I shine when I have a team of people who support and believe in me.

I feel most alive when I'm on stage speaking.

If I had a super power, it would be reading minds and seeing into people's hearts.

I work best when I have a team working with me and I have time to think and reflect.

I love traveling, speaking, and training.

I believe in possibility.

I can help you get clear on your goals and big dreams and de-stress about sharing them with others.

What I want most in the world is to leave a legacy of healing and sustainability.

Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Learn to How Hack Stress Starting June 14

Don't Let the Founder's Hustle Take You Down!

I’m excited to invite you to my upcoming Stress Management for Founders workshop series happening on Tuesdays: June 14th, June 21st and June 28th at Co-Lab Factory in Brooklyn.

This series is perfect for founders who want to grow your businesses but not let the “founder’s hustle” cause personal breakdowns or health issues. I always say that if I get a cold, my business gets the flu!


Session I: June 14th - Put On Your Oxygen Mask First

In the first of this three-part series, you will learn proven, mindful stress reduction techniques so you can get better business results while improving your own well-being:

  • Recognize the friction between your roles and responsibilities that creates stress and overwhelm
  • Identify and track the ways you currently deal with stressful situations
  • Use deep breathing to manage your physical response to being triggered by a stressful situation

Like I said in the video -- asking for help is one lesson that's taken me the longest time to learn. I GET it ... and I've got YOU!

Join me starting June 14th so you can get even better business results and improve your own well-being.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

InStep Consulting is a Best for NYC Finalist

The best businesses don’t just make a profit — they improve the quality of life in the communities in which they operate.

That’s what I believe and why I'm proud to be a 2015 Best for NYC Finalist.

How is InStep Consulting Best for NYC? 

I completed the B Impact Assessment, a comprehensive assessment that measures a company’s impact on workers, the community and the environment. And I've made a commitment to improve our resutls. That means I'm measuring our success by our ability to create stronger communities, high quality jobs, and a healthier city. Read more about the Best for NYC campaign HERE.

As a Finalist in this first-ever municipally-led impact campaign, InStep is part of a larger, global movement to redefine success in business so that, one day, all companies strive to be not only the best IN their cities, but the best FOR their cities. InStep is among over 1,200 NYC companies that have committed to measuring their impact and making improvements — check out all the Best for NYC campaign participants HERE!

I am passionate about building a better business so that InStep can continue to uplift our community and invest in our team. I couldn’t do that without the support of people like you who believe in our mission — people who prove that doing good is good for business. Thank you for helping me to succeed where it truly matters.

I am proud to be Best FOR NYC!

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Manage Your Stress for Greater Impact: Learn How May 23


You're invited to Slow Down to Start UP! a Be Social Change Class for Purpose-Driven Leaders

Join me on Monday, May 23 from 7 PM to 9:00 PM to learn how self-monitoring can help you better manage your stress and improve your overall well-being.

Each of us has the opportunity to create solutions that address key issues facing our world, but when you're on the front lines, how do you give yourself “permission” for self-care?

In this interactive session, you will learn proven, mindful stress reduction techniques so you can achieve greater social impact while improving your own well-being. You will recognize the link between wellness and sustainability, and receive guidance to help ditch your anxiety for lasting results.


This Class is Designed For ...


  • Social impact entrepreneurs, business owners, and nonprofit leaders looking to reduce stress, increase motivation, and experience less burnout in your quest to drive change
  • Purpose-driven professionals looking to experience greater intention and fulfillment in your work and life

Manage Your Stress to Achieve Greater Impact

By attending, you will become aware of the signals that can indicate your stress is becoming unhealthy. Also, you'll learn how to choose effective coping strategies to reduce (or even eliminate) your stress triggers.

Register NOW to Join Me: May 23, 2016, 7:00 PM at Centre for Social Innovation -- a home for nonprofits and social entrepreneurs in New York City.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Is Your Company Happy & Healthy? Learn 3 Ways to Measure on May 20


You're invited to the Happy & Healthy Company Conference | Presented by CMYK Ventures

Join me on May 20 from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm to discover new strategies and partners to help you design a happy and healthy company. Enjoy a healthy breakfast and lunch, watch inspiring talks, and meet over 50 founders and leaders who manage Talent, Culture, People, and Recruiting programs at leading NYC companies including Industry Standard, Luminary Labs, and ustwo


I'm excited to be one of the Keynote Speakers, sharing strategies to define a culture that engages and inspires employees even as your company grows.

Learn strategies for improving internal communication, collaboration, happiness, and wellness. Meet business vendors to explore services that cater to workplace happiness. Participate in discussions and workshops on themes related to organizational design, including:
  • Human Company Design
  • Planning for Change
  • Common Play
  • Diversity & Inclusivity 
Get help to manage HR, recruiting, operations, snacks, perks, interior design + more! Register now to join us on May 20th -- see you there!

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Is All Stress Bad Stress? [Podcast]

Is all stress bad for you? Not necessarily! If you're looking for healthy ways to cope with stress, I'm excited to recommend this podcast from my second appearance on the Gfem Talk Show, a show that discusses important personal and business issues to help people transform their lives.

In my lively chat with show host Femi, I shared tips and insights on when to be concerned that you have crossed-over from a healthy state of stress to an unhealthy one. I also share best practices to help identify your stress "triggers" and determine whether your "go-to" stress coping behaviors are helping (or perhaps hurting) you in the long-term.

Since we know that up to 60% of health conditions have stress as an underlying cause, you can recognize how this knowledge can be helpful to you and your loved ones. Tune into the podcast and let me know what you learned -- comment here on the blog or tweet me on Twitter.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Sometimes You Need to Slow Down Before You (re)StartUP

I've been encouraged by the recent focus on the mental health aspects of being an entrepreneur, particularly as a certified stress management coach and well-being consultant.

As I've mentioned before, unresolved chronic stress can lead to serious physical conditions, including: digestive problems (ME!), fertility problems, urinary problems, and a weakened immune system.

People with chronic stress also are more prone to anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and even depression. It's a given that stress is part of the Founder Hustle. Yet, we often feel the need to hide our stress and anxiety from others in order to appear in control, on point -- like we're crushing it! This pressure can take its toll on our health.

You may have noticed that I've changed the branding on this blog: Slow Down to StartUP.

It's based on my personal experiences as a founder, and the stress management work I've done with other leaders. It's been important to acknowledge that, along my journey, I've had to "slow down" in order to (re)start each time I've launched something. From all of this, I have defined this four step process to "slow down" on your journey to do great things in the world. It's relevant if you're just starting-up, OR if you're coming back from a pivot or a setback, and are (re)starting-up:

1. Learn your stress triggers and go-to stress coping behaviors

A stress trigger is any incident that causes you to have a stressful physical or emotional response. When you feel stressed out, it may feel like you’ve dropped the ball in some area of your life – business, finances, relationships. If your roles/responsibilities are not balanced or are in conflict with each other, you may experience heightened stress. It's important to figure out what are your stress triggers – it's your first step to make a change in how you respond. To slow down, make time over one week to track your stress triggers as well as the coping behaviors you typically engage in when you're feeling stressed out. For example, think about how you'd complete this sentence: "When I get stressed out, I usually ..." Then, make note of whether your coping behavior is proactive for your health, or could be counterproductive to your well-being if you were to keep doing it over a long period. There's no judgment here -- you're just gathering helpful information to better understand the way you deal with stress.

2. Use deep breathing to manage your physical response to stress

When you experience stress, your body releases hormones such as epinephrine, nor-epinephrine and cortisol that increase your blood pressure, speed your heart rate, and raise your blood sugar levels. These physical changes -- also known as the fight-flight effect -- can help you respond with greater strength and speed to escape a threat. However, when you're in a state of stress, the threat often is not REAL but PERCEIVED in your mind. And, yet, your body can get stuck waiting and expecting for the threat to appear. A basic element of relaxation is your breath, and it's always accessible to you. Deep breathing can reduce your physical and mental fatigue, and can promote a state of calmness. To slow down, get focused on your breath as a new, proactive way to respond to your stress triggers. Here's a different way to complete the former sentence: "Now, when I get stressed out, I like to take three deep breaths to calm down."

3. Adjust the way you think about your situation

We collect and store in our minds various beliefs. Some of your beliefs may have served you well in the past, others may have led to less positive outcomes. Over time, you stop noticing that you have these underlying beliefs, even though they still shape your current reality. For example, if you perceive a task as being difficult or unpleasant, that's most likely how you will experience completing it. Your beliefs are not static -- you can alter your underlying beliefs to create new experiences. Allow yourself to let go of beliefs that no longer serve you in this phase of your life. To slow down, begin to notice your thoughts and words -- especially the words you "speak" in your self-talk. Yes, you do talk to yourself -- and it's OK! Tune in when you hear yourself say: "I have to ..." as the words imply a burden or, perhaps, even resentment about the task. Start to flip the script on your self-talk, and speak about all the things you get to do in your life.

4. Make a conscious choice to reduce your stress triggers

Admittedly, this can be the most challenging step of the process as it often involves taking direct actions that may affect other people. The first three steps are focused on your triggers, your reactions, and your mindset. This step suggests you examine your stress triggers not just for their impact on you, but to consider how you can minimize or eliminate them altogether. To slow down, consider how can you adjust, delegate, or eliminate tasks (and relationships) that previously caused you to become stressed out. When communicating with the key people in your life, have assertive and compassionate conversations about your goals and needs. Remain open to new ideas and allow flexibility for trial and error. Spend more time with people who resonate with your mindset and support you in achieving your goals.

Stay tuned for more resources for the Slow Down to StartUP process, and let me know how I can best support you on your journey!

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Learn Why InStep Consulting is Best FOR New York City

Slowing Down to Start Up with InStep Consulting

This article features an interview with me about my reasons to participate in the Best for NYC Challenge sponsored by NYCEDC. Best for NYC is a citywide campaign to inspire and equip local businesses to measure and improve practices to strengthen their bottom-line and improve quality of life for all New Yorkers.