About Joan Friedlander

Joan is a lifelong student of human potential and behavior. She enjoys playing in the game of business and, as she'll readily tell you, finds that's it's an excellent playground for personal growth, self-expression and learning. At the heart of her work is a purpose that she first articulated in her teen years, that all human beings have a right to pursue and engage in work that they enjoy, is satisfying & fun.

Before graduating with a degree in psychology from the University of California at Berkeley, Joan started studying alternative models for understanding and maximizing one's full potential. She brings her diverse business background - she held 21 jobs before launching her coaching business in late 2000 - and various studies to her work with her clients. Joan focuses on personal productivity and work-life balance issues for 2 reasons:

1) No matter how successful you are in growing a business, if you are straining to reach your goals, living in fear, or do not also enjoy a rich personal life, you'll eventually pay the price, as will your business.

2) Because the quest for both provides such a rich backdrop for questioning and transforming the beliefs and habits that keep people from living the life of their dreams.

Though only formerly articulated this year (2009), Joan has been developing the Workstyle Approach(tm) to business growth since she started her business. She is a master at working with business owners to increase clarity and confidence, improve productivity, reduce the impact of distractions, and develop a more soul-centered, "organic" approach to business growth.

Joan encourages her clients to see their talents and happiness as gateways to enhanced productivity.

"My mission is to offer services, products and guidance to business owners, employees and entrepreneurs who seek to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I want them to know they have choices, and assist them in exercising them to build a successful sustainable business on their terms."

About those 21 jobs. Joan enjoyed 7+ years with Waldenbooks/Brentano's as a store manager and training manager and was a business partner in a company that worked with individuals to gain some mastery with their personal finances; she worked for a 2-person national non-profit organization supporting other women business owners, for insurance benefit companies, in public health care and executive search firms. She's held many roles in her career, everything from administrative support to management and training, with responsibility for hiring, training, project management, benefits oversight, and marketing and sales.

"Running a home-based business for the past 9-plus years has been a significant factor in my ability to create a work environment that fully supports my health and well-being, whatever state it might be in. I'm here to support you in being so successful that you'll never have to go back to a J.O.B. unless you want to, to support your growth as a business owner who contributes to the the success of others, and in a way that gives you flexibility and a complete sense of satisfaction."

 

Speaker and Author

Joan has been invited to speak at professional organizations such as NAWBO-Orange County, eWomen Network and Green America to talk to their members about work-life balance, marketing, productivity and delegation strategies. She's been been a keynote speaker and break-out session presenter at the annual conferences for several companies, including Showhomes(R), Pet Butler and EDSG. To find out more about Joan's speaking topics, click here.

Joan is the author of several workbooks, including The Master Calendar Solution, Business Your Way and the Delegation Planning Kit. She publishes a bi-weekly newsletter, "Dare to Thrive and a blog, "Heartway to Success."

In 2006 Joan was inspired to do something to give back to the community of millions who are living with autoimmune diseases, as she's learned how to live her life and continue to work while managing the symptoms of Crohn's Disease. She co-wrote a book with author and coach, Rosalind Joffe, M.Ed., Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend!, published by Demos Health in May 2008. To find out more visit www.keepworkinggirlfriend.com.

Business Partner and Project Manager

In addition to running Lifework Business Partners, Joan served as the Director of Training and Licensing for Get Clients Now!™ from 2005-2009. She is a Senior Facilitator of the Get Clients Now! program. As of January 2010, she's led about 55 group programs.

Education and Professional Affiliations

Joan has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a graduate of Corporate Coach University. She has been regularly active in her local coaching chapter, ICF-Orange County, and served on the board for several years, including her tenure as President in 2004. With her move to Northern Virginia in 2009, Joan now volunteers 2-3 hours a week at the headquarters for Green America, and serves as co-leader of the Green Economy Group for DC EcoWomen.

On a personal note...

Joan, a native of California, recently pulled up roots and moved to Northern Virginia with her husband, 2 dogs and a cat in early 2009. Her son, now 24 and an aspiring musician, lives in California, as do her two step-sons. As someone who like to try new things, Joan is enjoying the opportunity to explore a completely new part of the US and make new friends.

If you would like to talk to Joan about your situation schedule an appointment now, or call her at (703) 536-5422.