Testimonials
More than 200 people know what they are talking about!
Here are three more to listen to now!
 Listen to Karen Rothstein |
My overall income has increased an average of 30%Investing in Michael's program is undoubtedly one of the best business decisions I've made. Prior to learning the Business Growth Solutions program I had zero clients, I mean, I had zero clients month after month. But then within 90 days of implementing the procedures I began to get clients; I had 10 clients, then 20 clients, 3 speaking engagements, and I haven't looked back since then… My overall income has increased an average of 30% each year over the previous year's growth, and I'm on track for the best year yet. |
 Listen to Will Thompson |
Michael, thanks for all your practical support and contagious enthusiasm.Four years ago I wanted to go from part time coaching to full time, and took Michael's 6 months business course. It was with his coaching and the help of that group that I was able to make that leap from part time to full time and in less than 2.5 years I was able to surpass the income that I was making previously and now have a thriving business. Michael, thanks for all your practical support and contagious enthusiasm. Here's to the new adventure. |
 Listen to Eileen Redden |
My business doubled in size in just a matter of months.It has definitely helped me to grow my business more quickly than I ever imagined possible. The program is based on a tested and proven business building system that is incredibly easy to understand and implement. As a result my business doubled in size in just a matter of months. Not only will you reach a whole new level of success, you will enjoy every moment of this because working with Mike Charest and the other licensees in this program is a real pleasure. |
About Michael at GYBGYL Chicago:
“Michael goes above and beyond to serve his clients. The information I received in the last two days was priceless! I’m on a roll now, Thank You!”
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“I finally took the plunge to have my own business because Michael made it seem possible.” ********************************************* “The energy, camaraderie and inspiration was electric. Michael and the whole team dada fantastic job laying it out and challenging the attendees to focus and get it done. Great job…Michael, Cristin, Mark & Julie.” ********************************************* “Extremely valuable…Michael provides energy and motivation like no other. His marketing strategies are directed and systematic. The knowledge he shares is extremely beneficial. He is genuine, heartfelt and authentic. I would recommend Michael’s seminar to anyone who is serious about growing their business.” ********************************************* “I signed up for your program because of who you are, the comments of reliable people and because it was meant to be you and your staff for me, now! Thank you.” ********************************************* “Michael’s authenticity and sincere desire and ability to help solos grow their business is amazing. One weekend and I learned more concrete, nitty-gritty, dare I say “easy” ways to grow my business than I have in months…years of trying to do it on my own piece-meal. Can’t wait to begin the 9-month course!” Karina Hipp ********************************************* “Michael was authentic and I appreciated his willingness to share his knowledge to help me. Everyone had wonderful customer service!” ********************************************* “I found immense value in the past two days and am excited to begin immediately to implement what I’ve learned. Making a clear and distinct decision, having a vision and belief window to look through will certainly propel my business to new heights…” David Griffith. *********************************************About Michael at GYBGYL Dallas:
“Your programs have helped me more than any other marketing material I have ever used.” Sandy Kaiser
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“I received great value for the cost of the seminar. It exceeded my expectations. I got immediate benefit from the materials and will continue to use all the materials. Thanks for the many free gifts you gave us…Michael Rocks!” Gail Hartin
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“This has been the best two days of fun and learning combined! Michael does an above-excellent, over the top performance and truly cares about his clients.”
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“This weekend was extraordinarily inspirational for me. Clarity, tools, energy, connection with others, all amazing. I feel much clearer about where I’m going and how to get there.” Kathy Light
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“I am re-ignited and joined the 9-month program.” Susan Potter
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“The motivation this seminar gave me is invaluable for moving my business forward. It was worth every penny and then some!”
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“During breaks I had more “AHA” moments where I wrote out plans, got ideas, made resolutions, connected dots and shifted key strategies than I have had in a year! The seminar was a catalyst for my own creativity, a boost for my resolve and a wellspring of personal energy.” Carlos Santayana
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“I really enjoyed the interaction you had with everyone. You didn’t back down when people had issues with things that they interpreted in a way that was not your intention. I was truly impressed.”
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“Michael is a “down-to-earth” kind of guy and very genuine. I came to work on my belief system and am leaving with more truth about myself as well as excellent marketing tools!”
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“Michael blends a great combination of enthusiasm, generosity, wisdom and real-life talk into his presentations. THANK YOU FOR THIS WORKSHOP!”
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“I can see in Mike and BGS the commitment to helping others. Opportunities to promote people in the group are of high importance; i.e., Kathy, Chad, etc. Even encouraging business between the group members.”
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“I believe that within the first hour, I had already recouped the investment. This is a fantastic program and I’m so grateful to know your team.”
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“Michael is a high energy, inspirational model and communicator with a bold, yet caring approach to serving others.” Russ Yaquinto
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“This workshop far exceeded my expectations, which were already high! Michael and his team were excellent at educating us on some very important subjects, but even more important, was the clear level of genuine caring and concern they possess.” Eddie W. Reeves.
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“Michael’s heart for helping shined throughout the workshop. I learned a lot about what I wasn’t doing. I’ve been inspired to re-commit to making my business a success and to register for the 9-month program.” Karen Finn
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Chere Bork
Savor Your Life Today!!
www.cherecoach.com
Michael’s ‘heart-felt, business’ philosophy totally spiced up my life. His warm common sense approach combined with business fortitude empowered me to TOTALLY grow my business. What I used to earn in ONE YEAR I earned in the last TWO MONTHS. I bet you would want that too! With Michael’s help I can present a workshop and half of audience will WANT a comp coaching session and half will hire me. If you want to totally grow your business and your life give Michael a call..he will help you fall in love with your life. Call him today ok if you are ready for a simply rich life.
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Harlan Oelklaus
Entrepreneurial Systems
Working with Michael as my coach since the end of October, 2006, I have made tremendous progress in both my business and personal life. With the fifteen clients I had at that time, I have increased my recurring revenue 96%, translating to $82,000 on the books already in 2007! I have increased services to ten out of the fifteen clients and increased their individual monthly fees from 50% to 300%.
Before working with Michael, I had a “hang up” with money and how much I was charging. Through his coaching and the use of the tools available to me, I have mostly overcome that hang up and my clients now pay me between $350 and $950 per month.
Additionally, it is fun and a pleasure working with Michael, a person of great integrity. I am 64 years old and because of the fun and success I am currently experiencing, I am rethinking my retirement plans.
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Rodger Blaker PCC
Rodger Blaker Coaching LLC
www.rodgerblaker.com
Since I began following Michael’s process and advise my average number of clients has doubled from 12 to 24 per month and as a consequence, my average monthly income has doubled. I hired Michael to help me reach my average income goal of 100k+ per year and I know this will happen soon because of the success I have experienced since I began working with Michael.
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Pamela Sisco
Life Transformations Unlimited, LLC
www.strongmindandbody.com
“Meeting Michael was a milestone in my adult life. The day he asked me “what are you afraid of?” was the first step toward radically changing what I believed about myself. In 2 years since God brought him into my life, I have passed the 3000 client count and now have 2 businesses instead of one and see visions of a 3rd! The world would be transformed is everyone had a Coach like Michael in their corner!
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Marian Baker MCC
WakeUpInspired.com
WakeUpInspired.com & MarianBaker.com
I have worked with Michael as a business-growth coach.
Bottom line: Every coach interested in succeeding needs to hear Michael’s message and have the opportunity to gain value from his approach.
Michael’s system for growing your practice works. You could run around taking lots of teleclasses and buying lots of books, et al. When I saw Michael’s model, I knew he had all the right ingredients (prior to coaching I was a marketing exec for 14 years). If you follow his principles, your business will grow.
Finally- there’s Michael the human being—what a huge heart and generous, fun spirit. He will become your boldest, uplifting champion. He’ll ask the right questions to get you to cut to the chase and focus on what you need to do for real business growth. He’ll help you explicitly lay out the steps and go for it. I encourage everyone- new and veteran coaches, to come enjoy laughing with Michael and gain eye-opening new value for your business and the quality of your life.
Since learning the C&GR system and coaching with Michael, my income has increased 60%. I now have 22 clients and my current is income level is more than $8500 per month. I am at “waiting list” status with private clients. I have also launched a new book/group program – attracting five times more clients than initially expected. Working with C&GR, I have enhanced my “vigilance” as a full-time business owner. I have renewed focus, accountability and follow through. I feel more confident in my ability to carry out my joyful mission in the world.
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Will Thompson
“The Clergy Coach”
www.theclergycoach.com
I began coaching with Michael at the beginning of 2003. At that time, I had a very part-time coaching business (3 clients, $5,000/year). I took his 6-month “Coach and Grow RICH” intensive program. With his guidance, I took the leap to full-time coaching 2 ½ years ago.
Today, I have a thriving full-time business that continues to grow– 21 clients, $64,000/year, and national exposure. As “The Clergy Coach”, I now have a reputation for providing powerful leadership training and wellness “playshops” that effectively address the demands of Episcopal clergy. Not only that, I am having a BLAST and doing what I love to do!!! I am using the skills and experience of the past 30 years, and making an amazing difference in the world.
I could not have made this leap without Michael’s support, encouragement and coaching. His dedication to keeping me focused on my vision, and not settling for anything less than living from my very best has been a true gift!
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Bill Proctor
Epicenter Development Group, LLC
As a small business owner I was hesitant to spend money on an outside coach. After a year of working with Michael, however, I can definitely say that it was an excellent investment. Michael has been a great “sounding board” for me when making decisions and has stretched me towards building a world-class organization. Since working with Michael, I have hired two people for my organization and doubled my annual consulting revenues. Thanks Michael for being a trusted and valuable member of my business team!
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Carol Moss
LCSW, Wellness Coach
www.CarolMoss.com
“In just a few short months, I increased my client base by 40% as a result of working with Michael. In addition, my speaking engagements increased by almost as much and I’m pleased to say I’m booked into next year. Michael’s honest, straightforward and focused approach to coaching was just what I needed to get some much needed tread under my wheels. And as if that weren’t enough, he’s just a great guy and fun to talk to. Thank you Michael!
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April Goyer
Avancez
When I first launched my business, I made the mistake of many entrepreneurs; I thought could do everything myself. The result was lack luster performance and I almost lost my business. One day, I decided that I had had enough and I hired the best business coach available – Michael Charest. He helped me change my business and my life.
Since working with Michael as my coach, my business has grown exponentially. I had 6 clients a year ago and now my 6-figure practice is full with over 20 clients! I am also getting paid as a speaker and selling products. If you are done settling and ready to create the business you deserve, hire Michael as your coach. What are you waiting for?
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Elizabeth Austin, RN, CPCC
The Inside Out Life Design Coach
During the program, *I doubled the income from my coaching practice*. What else is there to say?
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Holly
Thanks for your feedback, Mike – it is really helpful to have an objective and experienced person take a look at my materials.
This is one of the things I love about your coaching system – your support is superb and helps me feel that when I’m unsure about a step I’m taking, I have someone to help me get clear and confident again.
The good news is on the revenue side. I am have a boomer month in May. I will invoice about $17,500 during the month. So year to date through April, I am running 23% ahead of last year. However, when we add May to the numbers it jumps up to 57.7% ahead of last year. Last year through May I did $36063 while this year it will be $56,896. As you might guess, I am really busy this month working several nights and last Saturday. I am having fun and helping a lot of people with their companies.
I now have 7 members on one TAB Board and 8 on the other. I can only use one or two more members and I have 23 active clients that I contact at least once a month. I have a new project with The Maids Home Services for whom I did not work for a couple years. This weekend I facilitated a strategic planning session with them and made $2200.00.
Life is good and thank you for your help.
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Dawn Falbe
AKA Astrologer Dawn
www.AstrologerDawn.com
I would be more than happy to tell you about the benefit I found of working (and continuing to work) to Michael.
I have been involved in business with Michael on and off for 7 years. When I first met him he became my Coach and in the first 3 months I went from 0 to 13 new Coaching clients (which is what I was aiming for at that time). I started putting into action all that Michael had to teach growing a business and it has grown!
I believed so much in what Michael had created in his program that I decided to become a licensee and reformat his program for Metaphysical Practitioners and Alternative Healers. My courses have been very well received in my industry and financially beneficial for me!
If money is not a major motivator for you, (I don’t know you) I can say that I was motivated by Michael in my pursuit of offering value to my clients. In offering the most authentic me to my clients. I have learned how to build a strong belief in myself and continue to call on Michael whenever I need him.
I can’t gush enough about how Michael’s business sense and coaching has not only changed the direction of my business but brought joy and passion into my life.
I highly recommend Michael as a Coach.
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Hamilton
Thank you. You are a special person. Excel with your gift of compassion. Life is such a struggle at times and we, as mere mortals become caught up tin the web, sometimes out of necessity and sometimes because that is the way we think we should be going. I have found that if we can blend the necessities and the true mission which we are here for giving and to lighten the load of others. Not by taking their burden away, for we all must learn our own roads by caring our own loads, but to help people onto the spiritual path by setting examples and by talking of the universal laws of kindness, compassion and disciple. These are the things that are important. You have the gift, I can see it. Use it in your daily affairs. You are a good man.
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Carol
Crystalaire County Club
Just wanted to let you know how very much I appreciate your going out of your way to help me get a bonus. I’ve never received such a gift and especially such a large gift for a job well done!
I realize that are many of us here at CCC show are dedicated and are also deserving of a bonus, but it make me especially proud that John and the board of directors acknowledges my efforts also.
…The staff has mentioned tome that you make them feel valuable to the overall success of CCC and it really makes us all want to make Crystalaire the successful golf club that it deserves to be.
Thanks for the confidence you’ve given me. IT makes me feel like I’m not too old after all!
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Will
Coach Will
www.coachwill.com
Thanks Michael!!!
I have just finished 2 comp sessions. One has already hired me. The other will let me know on Monday. In the first session, when I asked what were the benefits of our coaching – he said he appreciated the clarity and strength of my “vision of abundant life”. Michael, I give you the credit for demonstrating that clarity and strength to me in your presentation to the Asheville group – that conviction and enthusiasm lives on in me now.
Through my experiences with the ManKind Project, one of the learning weekends is called the “Inner King Training”. In it, we learn how to tend to the kingdom/realm that is ours to care for – and claim our royal name. Mine is “King Will the Exuberant”. Today has been another experience of claiming my passion and mission.
And I give you great thanks and appreciation for your gifts, leadership and support.
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Jude G. Aoun
Attorney at Law
As Christmas and the New Year quickly approach, allow me to thank you for the invaluable benefits that you have bestowed upon me since we first began to meet regularly four months ago. In the short time that we have worked together, you’re detailed, organize life plan and coaching support have dramatically increased my overall organization, efficiency and happiness in every aspect of my life.
Not only has your expertise resulted in a tremendous boost to my self confidence and professional accomplishments, but the improvements that you have affected in me have been noted by my friends, family and colleagues, and supervisors, all of whom have excitedly inquiries about the source of my positive changes. Amazingly, my employer has been so impressed by the results of your coaching that I recently received a $13,000.00 raise when I only expected $3,000.00.
When I first contemplated retaining you for your services, I must admit that I had my doubts regarding the need for coaching. After all, I have gone merrily through life and had become and attorney by my own effort. Why would I now need a coach? How wrong I was! Indeed, our work together has turned out to be the best investment I’ve ever made.
Through your guidance, I realized just how much room for improvement there was in my life. You helped me to truthfully assess my strengths and weaknesses in the areas of professional performance, business organization, personal relationships, physical and psychological health, financial responsibility, and overall happiness.
The system of goal setting and pursuit that you have given me has proven to be the most effective tool I have ever had at my disposal. Based on the results that I have seen in the last four months, I am utterly enthused to see what 1999 had in store for me! Thank you for all that you have done for me, and I look forward to spreading the word to others who can benefit from your service.
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Frank
I wanted you to know how much I appreciate all the opportunities and the great learning experience you have given me while working with you…
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Carroll
THE CREDIT BELONGS
The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at the best, know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the ores, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. –Theodore Roosevelt-
This is my favorite quote. It speaks of passion, fear and courage. It recognizes were credit belongs.
I see in you great passion, sometimes blinding fear but I also see enormous courage. Your accomplishments at our office have been unbelievable. You alone, have added value to the family of individuals and groups. I have watched you ease fears, build self-esteem and build character.
You have a great gift my friend. You are not a timid one. You’re bound for greatness and have the determination and courage to get there!
Thank you for sharing a part of you with us. The experience has already made us better business people but more importantly it had made us better human beings.
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Cathy
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. –Thoreau
I bought this card in September to push me to listen to myself and go look for my dream. …Today I live the life I’ve always dreamed without fear of anyone not liking me or judging me. I’m an amazing person and I can do whatever I dream. Thank you for your push and genuine loving support-you made a difference –
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Dr. Dave
You know what they say, “Help enough other people get what they want in life and you’ll get everything you want.” I see you as a real leader, taking charge and facilitation FORWARD MOVEMENT in those around you. It’s a real pleasure to have you in the practice and most of all to have met such a like-minded spirit. Thank you and I look forward to serving you.
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Mark (and Julie)
I wanted to express my thanks and love for what you did for Julie and I. You have a great talent and skill that you were blessed with. You really are changing people’s lives for the better, you just changes/helped ours. Also, you are and incredible brother and I am lucky to have you!!
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Christina
Thank you for your insight, caring, and most especially your patience during the time we spent together. You are an amazing man with tremendous things ahead of you. Thanks for letting me in to be a small part of that on the ground floor. Have as much faith in yourself as you do in your clients, no matter what lies ahead and I know your success will be limitless. (:
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Michael Rafferty
Thank you, BGS for the incredible coaching. In just 6 months, I secured 11 new clients, which resulted in a $4,400 increase in monthly revenue. With coaching, I do more, and actually enjoy the process along the way. You have helped me finally achieve the kind of financial and personal success I am looking for!
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Kevin Bates
Date Success
www.datesuccess.com
The BGS [business building] system flat-out works! All you need to do is DO IT! And the 1-1 coaching really helps me fine-tune my implementation of the marketing strategies and keeps me motivated. In just 4 weeks, I have secured 8 new clients! My income has gone up dramatically! Just as important, I am pursuing a niche that I truly love, and I’m loving it! Success breeds success. Follow the system and allow yourself to be a successful solopreneur.
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Denise Hedges
Life Work Coaching
This is the best, well-thought-out, step-by-step plan to building a coaching business I have ever seen. I have no doubt my business will be successful when I follow this plan!
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Linda Finkle
Executive Coach – Pres. Washington DC ICF Chapter
I walked away from this program learning new concepts, new ideas and a whole new way of thinking about building my business. and having made friends with the other class members I expect to keep in touch with for the foreseeable future. Beyond that, Michael pushed and challenged me (and the other class members) to take action.
Thank you so much for this system. Within 6 months of taking the program I had 28 clients, several speaking engagements and raised my fees 50% over what I initially charged. For any solopreneur, new or veteran, this is a must take course. If you want to learn how to build a thriving, financially sustaining practice, you need to learn this system!
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Gurumeher Khalsa
Yoga Teacher
One year ago I was working full-time for a Natural Foods Company. In 10 months, I secured 22 paying clients and have transitioned to coaching full time! YES, a full practice in less than a year! I replaced my “job income” with a coaching business. I am more happy, fulfilled and balanced than ever before. I am living my dream by helping others do the same. Learn this system and hire a BGS coach… it works!”
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(Rev) Margaret Hutchens.
With my divorce four years ago, I took on all the debt ($30,000) except his student loans.
I always had less than $10.00 left of my paycheck after paying bills, allowing for gas and some groceries and usually less than$5.00. Then I met Dawn who led me to BGS. From what I learned from her, BGS and the Law of Attraction, my situation is far different today. (One thing I did do was pay myself as a “bill.”)
I discovered that I have been prosperous enough to wipe out all my debt after January 2008 except my mortgage.
What I want to say is Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you for developing BGS and bringing the BGS family together.
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Sally Kraus
I’m paying off my license. Did you know? What a great feeling! It’s one of the best investments I have made in my life!!!!! THANK YOU!
It was great to hear you speak the other night at the ICF LA Meeting. Thank you for the valuable information (I offered a complimentary session yesterday with new belief and confidence in the process!) but mostly for your genuine enthusiasm and love of coaching. Our meetings are always inspiring, having you with us made this meeting more inspiring and uplifting than most.
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Marcia Mungenast
Marketing Consultant & Career Developer
I have been receiving your e-mails ever since you started Coach & Grow Rich with Michelle, and it’s wonderful to see how you’ve grown and prospered on your own. Even though I’ve never met you, you’ve been a wonderful, inspiring presence in my life, and I thank you for that.
Like you, I’ve been fortunate to have my business expand and grow (it incorporates, but does not exclusively offer, coaching), and you are so right about how a growing business results in a growing life. I’ve had so many wonderful people come into my life as a result of what I do.
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Mary Kay Aide, M.S.
www.lifecoachmkay.com
I want to thank you for your advice about getting a methodology for working with professional women wanting more balance between their personal and professional lives. I went home that night and put together 5 steps to achieving balance and it’s been great. When I present myself to groups, going through those steps with them really brings the idea home to them. It’s so helpful having specifics about what I do. It was truly a missing link! It opens up lots of opportunities for me-classes, articles, a book?
I’ve read your book as well and I loved your stories. I think being able to laugh at ourselves is so helpful. Thanks for sharing all your stories. Have you run your marathon yet?
Also, thank you for coming to Madison. It was a great event. I hope it was beneficial and enjoyable for you as well.
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B
Thank you for joining the call today. It was GREAT to have you there!
After you left, Troy shared with the group that he heard you speak in St. Louis and that you were amazing. He said that hearing you speak gave him further validation of his decision to buy a license. He said it’s clear you “have it all together” and he is really pumped up to come to the weekend training and get more!
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About Michael as a Speaker:
Michael Baker, President, 2006
San Antonio Professional Coaches Association
As President of the San Antonio Professional Coaches Association, I had heard from our membership that they wanted to learn more about growing their businesses. We were very fortunate to arrange for Michael Charest to present a workshop on the subject. When the word got out, we had members of other chapters inquire about attending, so we invited all four Texas ICF Chapters to attend our first annual “Gathering of Texas Coaches”. We had a fabulous turnout and Michael delivered on his promise of an “entertaining and informational conversation” about growing our businesses. Michael speaks in an everyday experience-based language about what it takes to make this happen. He is great presenter who kept us all on the edge of our seats taking notes on his every word. It was very rewarding and beneficial to me personally in helping me define some actions that are moving my business forward at an accelerated rate! I encourage anyone who has the chance to hear Michael speak to do so. He’ll give you some great ideas on how to drive your coaching business to the next level. I only have one warning if you do, “Hold on tight and get ready to rock and roll because you WILL leave ready to take action and make things happen!
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Connie
C. Rose Coaching
www.coachconnie.com
What can I say? I know that Gerrie’s already thanked you on behalf of PACA but I want to add my own personal thanks. You were so well received; the feedback forms gave you fives and fours (mostly fives) on a 1-5 scale.
A few of the comments:
“…was inspiring and thought provoking.”
“One of the best speakers/topics/programs we’ve had in the past year.”
“Very motivating.”
It was clear that your presentation came from the heart and was delivered with sincerity, honesty and love. We also appreciate the wonderful testimonial you wrote for PACA. We’re proud of our chapter and it’s wonderful to hear it validated from someone who has seen many other chapter operations.
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Carrie Chevalier Mosher
President, Minnesota Coaches Association
I highly recommend Michael Charest to speak to your coaching chapter. The value Michael provided to our members was unbelievable, especially in light of his “expense-only” fee… What a service to the coaching community!
We usually bring in “local speakers” for our monthly chapter meetings to keep expenses to a minimum. But, we took a chance and are so glad we did. Due to Michael’s reputation in the industry, we attracted 70 paying coaches to our meeting!
Michael’s speech was phenomenal and the community continues to rave! Invite Michael to speak to your chapter. Take advantage of his generosity. You will be glad you did!
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Maria Cristini, CPCC
President of SF Coaches
Certified Professional & Personal Life Coach
Being someone who has personally taken Michael’s teleclass, “Coach and Grow Rich”, I was thrilled that he would come and present for our SFCoaches meeting. Michael’s generosity of spirit makes anything one takes with him a gift. He simply gives as much information as he can, is very approachable, his messages are clear, practical and inspiring. I would highly recommend him as a speaker.
When Michael spoke we had one of our largest meeting turnouts, the energy was high and everyone was very energized at the end. I consistently use tools I have learned from “Coach and Grow Rich” and am proud to say I have a fun and successful coaching business.
With the generosity that comes from Michael and Michelle when sighed up for the C&GR program, the price quickly becomes a bargain. I look forward to sharing my successes with them, because I know they truly care.
I now I have the steps on how to build my business. I have no doubt that taking these actions on a consistent basis will grow my business. I look forward to integrating all that I’ve learned and practiced on the calls into my daily actions; I look forward to coaching and growing rich in many ways.
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Christopher McAuliffe
President, San Diego Professional Coaches’ Alliance
Founder, Accomplishment Coaching
President, Excellence Coaching
I highly recommend that you have Michael speak to your chapter. We had over 80 people for Michael’s talk on “Master the Complimentary Session to Grow Your Practice” on 11/10/03. This was our third highest attended meeting of the year. The reviews from the coaches were outstanding. If you really want to add value to your local coaches, bring Michael to your city. You will be glad you did!
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Julie Fuimano, MBA, BSN, RN
Coaching for Leadership Excellence
www.nurturingyoursuccess.com
I really enjoyed meeting you the other night. Thank you for joining us here in Philadelphia. Everyone got so much from your program!
Personally, your message comes at the perfect time – don’t you just love gifts from the universe?! As I shared briefly, I am working on designing, or rather, languaging my own platform so that my business can take off this year. I’m ready I just need the marketing language – a very clear message about what I do. I’m not sure why I find that so difficult to do for myself; I’ve helped others…
I want to use a system that has already been known to work – thanks! I’d also be very interested in learning how you could help me to language my platform – or what you might recommend. I feel like what I need is 30minutes of an experts’ time to nail it down.
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Nancy Baker
Coaching & Mentoring
www.nancybaker.net
I’ve watched your work for years, and as someone who spent 15 years in sales and over half of that managing sales teams, I must say I watched your work with joy, knowing the solid information and proven techniques you brought to the field of coaching. They were much needed!
PACA is still buzzing with your words. Your impact will last a long time, both on PACA and on the profession. Blessings and thanks for all you do!
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Deb Lindergren
Your humor, insight and practical advice are a rare and wonderful combination that makes learning and stretching FUN. You inspire me to go do it!
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Barb
Balsam Group
What a treat to meet you in person. As I mentioned, I’ve enjoyed your newsletter and participating as you developed your programs. No, I didn’t do the work along the way and so have been one of those stuck at a low levels that you led us to ponder on Thursday.
And what an evening Thursday was. After meeting you I met a not yet newbie coach who had just heard the word coaching less than two weeks ago. I took her under my wing, especially to get in the food line early, and offered possible resources to explore further. She told me she was there because she’d felt that God had a message for her. And yes, at the conclusion of your presentation you turned and looked directly at her as you said the words that it is a message from God to share your gifts. We were both overwhelmed and richly blessed. Okay, so I haven’t yet done the official write it down part but know that the plan is there and the shift did happen. I realized to my core that Tools for Idea People is what I do and have fun doing it and it is useful. It need further refinement and clarification AND it is more than okay to do what is fun and easy for me. [All those years of guilt and pain can be left behind.]
Thanks for the kicks in the pants.
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Elizabeth Trezise, M.Ed.
Coach to the Inspired Entrepreneur ™
www.inspiredentrepreneur.com
YOU ROCK, MICHAEL!!!!!
You are very motivational and inspirational! I love how direct and straightforward you are. It’s a style that works brilliantly for you – and to get people to really think – am I committed to this or just pussy footing around.
I, for one, am COMMITTED to being a 6 figure coach and will check in with you in a few months to give you some updates.
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Cathy Garger
Michael, I mean it when I say that your class was one of the best….if not even the best class I have taken to date. God’s honest truth. I woke up this a.m. and FINALLY wrote my “mission statement.” (and am more excited than I can ever ever tell you!!!)
You are not full of fluff, but rather, the “bottom line” kind of talk. You truly have made a difference in my life. Bless you!
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Helen Gordon
I tell you Michael… you are HOT! I could not agree with you more… and the partnering with a professional speaker is a brilliant idea. Keep doing what you are doing….you are really good at this!
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Unknown
Michael, you are very genuine and relaxed in front of an audience. You are engaging and convey your belief and are talented at inspiring others to believe in themselves.
The best words to describe Michael are engaging, powerful, provocative, fun, inspiring, clear, and systematic.
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Lou Raye Nichol
www.workinglife.com
This is a well-organized, content-rich seminar that provides practical, doable ways of marketing and selling coaching. I came away with a very clear idea of what I can do to improve my business.
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Pete Reiniger
I heard Michael talk about mastering the Comp Session at the recent SF Coaches meeting. Everything I was hoping for, and more. “This session allowed me to zero in on my target market without someone trying to talk me into something that might not fit my situation. We are all unique, you recognized that and you understood and helped us find our niche. Really a great weekend!! Never thought I’d say that about missing my golf on Saturday morning and being holed up in a motel for a precious weekend.
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Kelly Jo Murphy
www.museplayground.com
Providence has moved! So much is already happening! I’ve been working all day on fine tuning EVERYTHING. Recording my belief. Laying out my PLAN. After writing the article for my newsletter today, a well-known and experienced coach, who has her own radio show, wants me to be her guest! And it’s on a station right here in Phoenix! I just want to say, with tears running down my face, THANK YOU! My life is changed forever.
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Peter Mandell
Life’s Game Plan
I left energized about the possibilities of making my still developing coaching business a true financial reality in the near future. I now have a clearer vision of how to make it all happen. Michael spells it out in easy to understand concepts. It’s clear that even if you have the best product in the world, if you don’t successfully make others aware of it, it will remain a well-kept secret. I connected with his language and his enthusiasm. It was “a-ha” moment for me.
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About Michael’s previous seminars
Dawn Lake – Executive Coach
The Lake Group Inc.
As an experienced coach who has built a practice, I needed a shot in the arm approach to getting refocused and back on track after taking time off and letting my business falter. Coach & Grow Rich has provided the spark for getting back in the saddle. Plus it taught me lots of new techniques and marketing skills I simply didn’t know. An excellent course and an absolute must for the beginner!
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Victoria Vojnovich
Leadership Coach
Coach & Grow Rich LIVE was an amazing experience! I am confident that I will have a premier coaching practice by using this system. I now know exactly the clients I was put on this earth to coach!
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Merrily Sable
This was perfect timing for my early onset into the profession of coaching. I project it will save me light years in the time and emotional energy it would have otherwise taken to grow my coaching practice. Thank you Michael and Michelle – You were superb and I appreciate your availability during the whole seminar.
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Anita Hermesch
A powerful seminar full of what I need to market my coaching business more successfully. Perfect tag team delivery with lots of helpful role plays throughout plus lots of great info in your workbook. Thanks!
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Janice McKenzie-Cole
I walked in with a general idea about how to start my practice trying to be everything to too many people. I walked out focused knowing exactly who I am going to target and how.
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Will Frey
Path Finders Coaching
www.pathfinderscoaching.com
C&GR is practical and inspirational. I’m definitely going to do what I learned… I am committed!
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Brian Nichol
Business Coach Institute
A solid, systematic and powerful approach to the process of marketing and selling coaching.
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Mark Handler
Dollar-for-dollar, this has been better than any coaching teleclass or seminar I’ve taken so far. My pledge to you is to make your system work for me!
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Ruth Ledesma
www.ruthledesma.com
For years I had resisted a niche because I didn’t want to feel boxed in and in danger of being bored to death by the same old clients. Michael and Michelle helped me see that focusing on a particular niche is not forever, but rather one at a time. Your program in Raleigh this past weekend was one of the best I have ever attended — extremely well organized, lucid, relevant, beautifully presented and other superlatives too long to list!
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Thomas Kebba
www.coachkebba.com
The marketing strategy and information obtained in the Coach & Grow Rich seminar is down to earth, realistic and makes sense. I highly recommend this program!
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Vickie Bevenour
Business Success Coach
Excellent workshop! Well worth the investment!!!
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Dawn Scott-Raxter
www.dsrcoach.com
Michael and Michelle should be charging more than double for this session – they give you that much VALUE! Their system is well thought out and highly implementable. I guarantee that even an experienced coach will have more than three big “ah-ha’s.” I learned the value of specifically targeting my marketing efforts, how to do that and how to overcome any objection I will ever get. This is HUGE!
Lastly, Michelle and Michael are fabulous. They are respectful, lively and experts at delivering content. It is evident that they love what they do and that they care and really want me to succeed and have a full practice. I commit to getting back to them in 90 days to report progress. Every coach should take this program – it is the best money I ever spent!
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Wendy Wein
www.lightenupcoaching.com
I know the Coach & Grow Rich Live seminar will be invaluable to me as I continue to build and widen my coaching practice. I received many practical and easy to implement ideas, inspiration and fun. A must for all new and intermediate coaches.
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Leah Grant – President, Orange County ICF
www.coachnow.com
This seminar is wonderful for new coaches who need assistance getting clear on who they coach, what they coach on and the basics of marketing themselves and converting complimentary sessions into clients.
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Sedona Sunrise
www.sedonasunrise.com
I have lots of great ideas from the seminar and am eager to get home and get started on them! The entire weekend was packed with value. Michael & Michelle’s energy really complement each other and keep you in the room.
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Tom Marbois
www.centergysystems.com
What an awesome seminar! I learned more in two days than in two months of studying on my own. I feel equipped with powerful tools to create the coaching practice I dream of. I’ll let you know when I reach the $100K mark!
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Marcy Rich
This seminar was great! Very well organized and developed. Mike & Michelle made me feel like they really wanted me to know this, use it and succeed. I left the seminar extremely motivated and inspired. I learned that it is important to live my dream. I can do it now and know how. I’m ready to go! Thanks so much!
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Kay Sever
Optimize Consulting LLC
Marketing and how to frame what I do in a coaching context have my two biggest challenges the past 12 months. I believe this weekend has given me a platform to move forward from and make rapid progress.
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Kitty Stuart
www.showbizcoach.com
www.coachoftransformation.com
This was a weekend filled with ah-ha’s for me. I can’t wait to go out there and do it! What a great event made even more awesome and fun with Michael & Michelle’s fantastic presentation skills. I wasn’t bored once. Thank you!
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Barb Kahler
Leadership in Action
I realized during the “decision” section why my current coaching practice has not taken off the way I would have liked. The result was well worth the two day time commitment for me.
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Colleen Mandeto
If you are a coach and you don’t have a full practice then Coach & Grow Rich is a must! Michael Charest & Michelle Schubnel will provide you with the tools and strategies to help you build a wildly successful coaching practice.
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Leah Vanpoelvoorde
Owner/Coach
www.outsidethebox.com
I recaptured my vision for my life and now have a powerful plan of action to take me there with joy and ease.
*My practice doubled in size!!* I was able to determine a powerful price point for my coaching that allowed me to feel confident when approaching potential clients. Thanks a million!!
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Shari Marbois
www.centergysystems.com
Coach and Grow Rich Live has been a fun, informative, motivational and enriching experience. I feel that Mike and Michelle helped me identify the target, helped me set the course and gave me the tools to catapult my coaching business to its highest potential.
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Julie Strutner
www.totallifemgmt.com
This weekend gave me a lot to think about and implement. It will surely assist me in growing my coaching practice and take it to a new level. Just awesome!
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Stephanie Deluse, PhD.
www.drstephanie.org
If you have no idea where to begin with the business piece of building a coaching practice, this seminar will take you from A to Z and cement your belief that you can do it. If you know a little or a lot about general business building principles this seminar will serve as an excellent reminder and powerfully focus your knowledge to serve in the coaching profession. You win either way!
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Diane Belcher
Since C&GR Live I have actually been able to tell several people what I do as a coach. This is big for me because I was floundering over the area I wanted to coach and how best to describe what I do. Big thanks!
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Colleen Schaefgen
The step-by-step process was clean, simple and powerful. I know I can fill my practice using it!
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Michelle Roden Spruill
This program fills the void of what is not covered in coach training about how to build a new business.
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Marti Campbell
Executive Coach
www.marticampbell.com
After attending the C&GR seminar I know I will fill my practice in just a few months. I wish I had known about this program when I first started my business. Thank you for a very powerful weekend!
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Marcia Girardi
www.clearfocuscoach.com
Before your seminar I knew I could coach people with complex lives and was having trouble marketing that idea. You helped me so much by showing me how to be more specific. Thank you! I feel energized, inspired and eager to get started. I am confident that I will create the practice I’ve always wanted!
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Terry Schaefer
This is a program any coach, new or experienced, can use to grow their practice and take their business to the next level!
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Charles Kilczewski
www.empoweringgrowth.com
Michael and Michelle provide the missing link that empowers great coaches to really thrive and succeed!
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Claire Heilbrun
www.clearlightcoaching.com
C&GR provided me with exactly what I needed: clarity, information and support. Now I’m really ready to create my vision and help other create theirs.
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Michael Kahn
www.hardiness.com
This seminar is a great value! Michael and Michelle’s presentation style makes learning fun, easy and very engaging. A powerful way to get the nuts, bolts and soul of developing a successful practice.
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Joanna Clark
www.possibilitiesplus.qpg.com
I had so many V-8 moments during this seminar! I had assumed that since coaching came naturally to me that marketing would also. I learned they are very different skills and I now I have the fundamentals. Thank you! I deeply appreciate you both!
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Bette Novak
Up until now I had a hard time articulating and narrowing my focus for my coaching practice. The who/what/how helped me find my focus and now I’m ready to charge forward.
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Heather Bradley
It is now very clear to me why my coaching business is where it is today and I know what I need to do differently going forward.
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Brian Rice, Ph.D.
Past President of Greater Phoenix Coaching Alliance – ICF Chapter
Michael Charest and Michelle Schubnel have come together in the “true spirit of coaching ” to create a straight forward approach to building a coaching practice while delivering their program with enthusiasm and honesty. In being honest, they acknowledge the work required to make it happen – but their program provides the map to get us there.
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Brian Tuffy
Possibility Enterprises, Inc.
I had the good fortune of meeting Michael and Michelle at the Coach and Grow Rich Live! Event in Washington, DC in June of 2002. To say that I learned a tremendous amount and received incredible value from my participation in C&GR Live would be a huge understatement.
Then in January of 2003, Michael and Michelle came to North Carolina to put on C&GR Live for our local coaching chapter and fortunately for me, I was able to attend. During my second experience of C&GR Live! – - it finally clicked. Because I wasn’t there to “learn” the system this time, I was able to focus my entire energies on figuring out how to make their system REALLY work for me. During the weekend, I clearly identified WHO my target market its, WHAT it is that I do for them and HOW I do it. I spent two days after the event “practicing” my WHO, WHAT and HOW and now I feel totally comfortable answering the question “So Brian, what do you do?
Let me share with you the new tangible results that I have achieved since working with Michael and Michelle this second time. I have picked up 5 new clients ($2100 in revenue), fired one of them, and I launching a huge campaign to give people the opportunity to experience me.”
Within a short period of time I had several clients and my practice continues to grow. Within 6 months of taking the class I had 28 clients, several speaking engagements and raised my fees 50% over what I initially charged.
For any coach, from a new coach to veteran, this is a must take course. Everyone who takes this can learn something and walk away with new ideas they can implement in their practice. The only requirement for success is that you are ready and willing to take action. If you want to learn how to build a thriving, financially sustaining practice, contact Mike and sign up for this course.”
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About Coach and Grow Rich Teleclasses:
Kendall SummerHawk
www.KendallSummerHawk.com
This program has paid for itself many times over! It gave me a clear direction for my business and practical techniques that I continue to use daily. I can’t imagine succeeding without it!
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Mildred DeJesus
Michael, thank you very much for giving me the exact tools I needed to grow my practice. It is without a doubt they work. I implemented everything I learned and VOILA! I gained 4 clients in 2 days. Before your class it would sometimes take over 30 days to gain 1. This is thrilling!
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Rama Yaffe
I’m really glad I took the Coach and Grow Rich teleclass when I started my private coaching practice. Learning these tried and true marketing principles at the outset has saved me lots of time and money!
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Sarah Zeldman
www.SarahZeldman.com
I love what you wrote about defining your target market. I was afraid to do it at first – I didn’t want to limit myself. I thought, “I can coach anyone. If I exclude people, I’ll be cutting back on potential clients.” However, eventually realized that that attitude was not getting me clients either.
After your class I found a niche I am really passionate about and focused my marketing. Boy am I glad I did! As soon as I “announced” my niche market to everyone I knew, I got great support. I was featured in an article on the subject of home business in a local newspaper because I am now seen as an “expert.” From that article, I not only got clients, but also speaking engagements. My practice is finally taking off. Thanks so much!!!
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Nancy Joza
Thanks you for your great class!. I had already chosen Moms, in groups and individually, as my target market. But I still felt myself floundering when preparing marketing materials. I now realize that I hadn’t identified just what I wanted to coach them on. I feel like I just jumped over another hurdle on my way to a pactice that fills with ease. Thank you!
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Yulita Yoo
Life Coach – Hong Kong
Thank you for your great program! Before I took it I felt lost, even though I knew coaching was for me. I now know what I offer as a coach and how to articulate that, my target market and how to find them and how to set prices with pride, confidence and competence.
Thank you for giving me the tools I needed to build a successful business. I can’t recommend your program enough, especially for new coaches.
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Alexandra Ross
Michael, you have made a huge difference in my life. First, with the Coach and Grow Rich teleclass and then with your tapes. I have already started implementing the magical complimentary coaching session and in a couple of days, have three set up!
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Diane Brennan
www.coachdiane.com
Just wanted to let you know how happy I am to be in your teleclass. One week and I’m already seeing a change in myself and my focus. I have a new client and I’m meeting with another that I believe I will have as a client next week. Thank you!
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Lori Rubenstein
I treasured not only Michael’s class, and not only the strategically and well thought out business approach, but also the supportive environment and friendships made. This class is for the novice, as well as the seasoned coach, and I recommend it to every coach.
Jafree Ozwald,
Akashick Life Coach
www.enlightenedbeings.com
The Coach & Grow Rich Class was extremely beneficial to build my coaching business. It provided me with the coaching knowledge, sales skills & creativity to take my business that step further. Thank you Michael, you have an excellent program!”
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Céline R. Greffard
Zest for Life Coaching Company
Michael, you are fabulous at giving these classes! I have taken a number of different classes and it really shows that you are letting yourself shine through, having fun AND really getting the learning across. You are true professional, you give us all something to strive towards. Kudos to You!!!
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RoZ Van Meter
www.coachroz.com
I’ve been putting up gorgeous websites and creative newsletters for year, but not until today did I get a sense that I really can work a coaching business for PROFIT as well as fun. Thanks for your real-world coaching today. . I needed some down-to earth practical strategies, and you helped!
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Brian Scott Fritz
Lifeshift Technologies
I have been coaching part-time for seven years and am a graduate of Coach University as well as having studied at and with various other coaching programs and institutions. The Coach & Grow Rich Course represented a quantum leap in, not only my coaching practice, but also in how I see myself as a person and a coach in general. Call it life-timing, call it karma, call it anything you want; this course absolutely refined and defined me as a coach more than any other tool or program I have ever been exposed to. The combination of the incredibly, focused structure of the course and the undeniable authenticity, passion and commitment to this profession of the developer and instructors of Coach and Grow Rich allowed me to settle in to my own authenticity as a human being and as a coach. That is our place of power and passion and when we come from that ALL is possible. Thanks Michael and Michelle.
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Martha Lanier
Ignite Your Potential, Inc.
www.MarthaLanier.com
C&CR far exceeded any of my expectations for this class. I learned so much more and especially enjoyed the camaraderie of our class. As the weeks progressed I was able to better identify who I am and what I have to offer, and even more valuable, exactly who my ideal clients are and the value I bring to our coaching relationships. I also enjoyed learning the concept of pricing which I had never thought of that way before. I’ll always remember the role plays and have found the suggestions already a great help in building my practice. C&GR is by far the best investment I’ve made in my coaching career!
Just to share, I spoke to a women’s group at my church this evening. Here are the stats: 36 attended, 30 returned my Comment Form, 23 requested at least one of my services, 17 asked to receive my ezine, “Motivational Moments,” 14 want to know of future programs, 10 want to schedule a complimentary section (yeah!), 4 are interested in group coaching/teleclasses and 3 know of organizations who would be interested in having me speak. I’m pleased!
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L’Tanya Durante, Life Coach
www.CoachWorkingMom.com
As a new coach, I suffered from “information constipation.” That is, I wasn’t confident and didn’t think I could be until I learned just a little bit more. The first area of the C&GR program that focused on making the decision to have the coaching practice of your dreams and building your belief were critical for me. I became much more confident in my coaching abilities and what made me unique right now. As a result, I have designed a coaching program for moms and started leading teleclasses — something I probably never would have done so quickly without having participated in this program. I absolutely loved it!
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Deborah Bayer
Results Coach, CFO
Thank you so very much for sharing your expertise during your 90 day program.
By working the program with your support and guidance, I have gained clarity and focus and am beginning to soar with my marketing efforts.
One of the best returns on my investment in your program came this morning when I was a guest at a networking organization’s meeting. On the spur of the moment I was asked to give a 60 second commercial about my business and who/what a good referral to my business would look like. Not only was I able to clearly communicate to the group, but I was able to do it with humor, passion and leaving them something to think about.
The immediate result, 4 of the professionals in the room (a lawyer, a mortgage broker, a marketing entrepreneur, and an insurance broker) approached me and stated that they were very interested in sending ‘all’ of their clients to me. One of these professionals is even interested in receiving a Complimentary session for herself.
Wow! What a difference you have made in my life and in accelerating the growth of my business. With sincerest thanks and warm wishes.
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Carolyn Smith
You and Beyond
www.youandbeyond.co.nz
I was looking for a more structured approach to building my coaching practice and when I heard about the Coach and Grow Rich program I didn’t hesitate in registering. I knew it was just what I wanted. The program offers an easy to follow, but very effective system and I have no hesitation in recommending to anyone wanting to build a successful coaching practice. I love “Mastering the Comp Session” module and have converted all prospects I’ve actually wanted to coach and who’ve had a complimentary session with me into fee paying clients since I did that module. So if you’re looking to build a successful coaching practice, don’t hesitate, register right away.
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Rachel Rosenfeld
Kadima Coaching
www.kadimacoaching.com
C&GR provides great nuts and bolts knowledge and guidance for marketing a coaching business. By following their advice to develop a niche, I have become an expert in a specific area and now attract more clients. The C&GR approach for sample sessions and handling objections are also really effective. I highly recommend C&GR. It delivers!
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Nancy Weil Brown, MA, CPCC
Certified Professional Co-Active Coach
I knew I had committed fully to being the best coach I could be for my clients even before the class began. I meant it when I spoke about my commitment to my “practice.” My “ah ha” was that, until I took the C&GR teleclass, I did not realize that I had not committed to my practice as a “business” – my business. That realization reframed my thinking and has helped me to make better business decisions. My service to the client and how I coach have not changed at all. What I do differently is how I market myself and how I structure complimentary sessions. I serve the client’s need for value, and my needs to build a strong, profitable business.
Also, I thought I had a niche and a target market before I took the class, although I had struggled for years with my “elevator speech.” I think it took just a couple of weeks to clarify my niche, which led easily to the elevator speech. Narrowing my target to writers helped me focus much better than when I called my target “creative people.”
Finally, I discovered two people in the course who live in my area. One I already knew superficially, the other not at all. We formed a buddy group that has become an important part of our lives, and we are continuing to meet even though the class is finished. They have helped me immensely in more ways that I can write here.
You guys are great at making all of this so much fun! This is serious business, as each of knows, but playing with it and laughing a lot increases the learning – at least for me it does. Thanks for everything!
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Reed Johnstone – Dover, MA
Johnstone Professional Coaching, Inc.
www.johnstonepc.com
I want to thank you again for sharing your insights on “Mastering the Complementary Session” last week in Atlanta. Your style is punchy and content is full of practical tips. I’ve heard from a bunch of people who have said that your breakout session was the best one they went to all week.
I love your use of pain/pleasure in clarifying the value of coaching for the prospects. Can’t wait to implement your tips and fill my practice in 12 weeks! All the best to you.
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Timo Navsky
I attended your workshop last Saturday at the S.F. coaches meeting. Just wanted to report that I used the homework questions today at a complementary session and they were very powerful. Though I didn’t have time to send them to the perspective client before the session, I used your suggested format for the whole session and incorporated the 3 questions during the coaching part of the session. I did tell her I would ask her to be my client if there was a good match and the beginning part of our meeting… lo and behold, she did not cringe at all, and it got the “sales” part handled without any uncomfortable, un-named feelings before we began our coaching. The pleasure – pain- pleasure coaching part went very deep… and she did not want to leave the first pleasure part. I encouraged her to have a look around the “pain” question, and she was surprised at the depth of her feelings and tears as she explored what was there for her. It was a very powerful part of the session.
Part three, closure… well, she had no resistance, saw value, and we had a great big hug when we agreed to partner and become coach and client.
What I really liked was the structures you taught me. It helped me know where I was going, lay things out clearly, and really get down to what was important in my future client’s life.”
Thanks so much!
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Genece Hamby
the authentic schmooze
Personal Brand Coach
I want to thank you for an excellent presentation at the ICF this past Saturday in San Francicso. Even though I have been on a three-month sabbatical from the public while authoring a book, I’m grateful my coach insisted I attend your presentation. She was right about you! Your talk was worth the coming out of hiding.
What you are doing for the coaching industry is critical to its overall growth. I look forward to sharing your work with others I believe can benefit from what you offer. Great blessings to you!
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About Michael’s Speaking:
Christine Pepper-Wong, CPCC
Hi, Michael and Michelle – thanks for a great presentation on Saturday at SF Coaches. Everything was clear, concise, you stayed on track, loved the fast pace – no chance to get bored! Can’t imagine how to improve the content. Just referred one of my own clients to send for the free 90-day challenge piece – I’m helping him work through it. You’re both dynamic coaches and I thank you again for the fantastic products you are putting out here for us.
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Suzanne
Saturday was my first SF Coaches meeting. Michael’s talk was fantastic and so relevant for me. I finished my course work last August at CTI and enjoyed the experience. But, the one area I felt I had missed was around the comp session. I have spoken with other coaches to see what they did and each person has a different answer and no real help. Thankfully I haven’t done much to date because I would have been winging it. Thanks to Michael I have a clear direction and excitement about how this session should go. I can’t wait to get started now and actually solicit comp sessions.
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Jo Miller
President – Silicon Valley Coaches
Thanks you for an inspiring and very useful session. It was great to meet the faces behind the names that have everyone buzzing!”
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Joanne Kermond
Balance In Life Coaching
I was in Sydney for your talk last Thursday. I had flown in from Melbourne specifically for this and although my trip was short it was one of the most worthwhile I have ever done.
I really enjoyed your presentation, both from a practical point of view and also your energy, passion and motivation. In my last occupation, I was surrounded by fantastic, motivational speakers; very polished and professional…all self taught from building teams. You are the first person I have heard speak since then that really blew me away.
I was so inspired by you and your coaching ethics. I have been exposed to ‘commercial’ coaching in the last few months and have been striving to find a confirmation that their are great coaches who really are doing it for what I believe are the right reasons; firstly, to fulfill their purpose of helping people. You have helped me more in a couple of hours than anything else has. Thank you!”
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Karen Rothstein
Certified Hypnotherapist
I wanted to thank you for your integrity, and your excitement and support of our success. I sincerely appreciate how you make yourself so available for us and your sincere commitment to our growth and development as licensees. I look forward to all our calls and feel I get such value from everyone. You have truly made the culture of the calls about us, and I further appreciate that you show up so fully for us on each call. Thank you just doesn’t seem to be a large enough word, but THANK YOU!
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Joan Peterkin, President
Wealth Initiators Inc.
I have been learning so much from all of you in our teleclasses and from the weekend in L.A. Since I can back from L.A I have changed the way I conduct my business and is becoming more focus and organized. That weekend was truly a blessed weekend for me. I felt loved and at home with everyone. One of my goals is to be traveling and doing speaking engagement just like you, meeting and inspiring great people and appreciating every moment of life and its beauty.
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Eileen Redden
Focus on what’s most important now: THAT ****D Y N A M I T E**** BOOK!!!!!!! This is the BEST self-help book I ever read! Period. Easy to read, incredibly engaging, very funny, and extremely powerful in the message department!!!!!
Michael Charest is one of America’s most loved, respected, and successful personal coaches. Now he has written a gem of a book with a simple, but powerful message for everyone. This book will touch your heart, make you laugh and show you exactly how to connect with your unique greatness and create the life you’ve always wanted. Every chapter is incredibly engaging and fun to read! In fact, I could not put this book down and read it all in one setting! As you literally fly through its pages, Michael and Griffin, the From Grunt to Greatness ambassador, will inspire you to embrace and appreciate who you are now, so that you can take action to become the person you always knew you were meant to be! You will find yourself returning to it again and again, and each time you will take something special away. This book is an investment you will never regret and a fantastic gift for the special people in your life.
Becoming a Licensee in this program was by far the BEST business decision and investment I’ve ever made! In just a few short months of being in the program, I have all the tools I need to take my business to the next level
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Casey Truffo, MS, MFT
Compassionate Consulting
I have been speaking for the last several years—but very rarely got coaching clients from my talks. Then a colleague suggested I join C&GR Virtual U to learn how to improve the results from my speaking. So I did, thinking ‘one more marketing program—I could teach these in my sleep.
Was I ever wrong about your program being just another marketing program! You have a system. A system! (I am a fan of great systems!)
I recently spoke at a conference of fitness trainers. I followed your scripts and system and out of the 41 people at the conference, 24 signed up for comp sessions! I have conducted 18 so far and now have 14 new clients!
I became a great artist by using my own colors and your “paint by numbers” program. I love it!! I am excitedly figuring out my marketing plan based on all this for next year. I completely owe my success to you and your great C&GR system. Thanks for everything!! You guys ROCK!!”
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Alisa Garber
C&GR Virtual U has transformed my business. I studied the C&GR Virtual U course on how to create a coaching program and developed my own program, called The Personal Fulfillment Program. I sent out an announcement to everyone I knew, as recommended in the Grassroots marketing module.
Within 8 weeks I enrolled a total of 16 new clients for my group and my 1-1 practice. There are gems of wisdom and advice in every C&GR class. Thanks so much! I could not have done it without you.
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Sibylle Austin
Since starting C&GR Virtual U I have had so many amazing opportunities walk right up to me and bowl me over. Off the top of my head, these include 3 paid speaking engagements, 5 new coaching clients and 6 (yes that’s six) 2-day workshops being organised by people who are just grateful for me to turn up and do what I do. A newspaper has rung me and asked to do a story on me. An IT magazine has rung me and asked to do a story on me (great kick in the pants to get my website up); and all this is absolutely priceless to me.
Sure, I may have been able to do it on my own eventually. However, I really believe that C&GR has been the catalyst. I thank you guys from the bottom of my heart!
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Laurie Dupar
I still can’t believe the incredible value of your program! Each teleclass is worth the price of the entrance fee! I have found your program to be an amazing adjunct to my coaches training. I especially appreciate the down to earth practicality of Coach and Grow Rich. I have implemented each of your suggestions and have had amazing results! In the few short weeks, I have signed up five clients, had numerous complimentary sessions, am participating in a teleclass with one of my colleagues and have a speaking engagement lined up!
Some days I listen to your recordings in the morning and find myself applying your strategies during a networking session that evening. I can’t tell you enough how well your program works. It is as if you are right there looking over my shoulder! I have shared my successes with my other classmates at CTI and I am so glad to be able to recommend a program to my colleagues who also want to have a successful coaching practice.
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Kathi Graham-Leviss
Building a small business is tough and creating a thriving coaching practice even tougher. But, it can be done. Thanks to the C&GR system and specifically hiring a coach for practice-building, my coaching practice will exceed $500,000 in 2003!
Moreover, I am experiencing more joy and balance in my life than ever before. C&GR is dedicated to this profession and your success personally. This system works. I am proof of that!
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Anita Pizycki
The Coach and Grow R.I.C.H. program was one of the best practice building learning that I have ever done. The material is awesome and the class keeps you moving through it. Key for me was the combination of metaphysical and practical exercises and advice. The decision/belief/dream section is imperative to getting your business to the next level. On the practical marketing side the light bulb came on when I realized that if I understood “how” I coached then I could market it. Also the advice about how to do a complimentary session, speaking and strategic alliances was hugely helpful. Since taking the program I have 4 new clients, several complimentary session booked and a speaking engagement for 300 Professional Women. Thanks Coach and Grow R.I.C.H.!
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Adele Fuller
I’ve signed on five clients since taking the class and am feeling more and more confident in my abilities to market myself. Spreading the word about your work and class. Thanks for your incredibly effective program.
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Al Spicer, CPCC
I cannot imagine any coach who is truly committed to establishing a thriving coaching practice to pass up Coach & Grow R.I.C.H. The innovative and practical tools and strategies that it offers, along with their supportive, warm, and articulate presentation style, makes it fun and clear how you will create the coaching practice you have dreamed of having. I enthusiastically recommend this program!
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Adele Michal – Coaching Creative Professionals
Having resisted choosing a target market and niche, I now know that making that choice with the help of the group has been the single powerful benefit of this wonderful program. Instead of limiting me, it has given me the focus and enthusiasm to build my business effectively and to share the benefits of coaching more successfully. The Coach and Grow RICH program is comprehensive, and the Action Group brings it alive. The cost is a bargain for what I have gotten. It should be a requirement for graduation from every coaching school.
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Sally Jo Blair
I have gleaned an enthusiasm and commitment for my business that would not have happened had I been attempting this solo. The expertise and professionalism of the group members, as well as their willingness to bring heart and head to the calls, is truly inspiring. I have moved so far in just a couple of weeks. I have no doubt my coaching practice will be well launched by the time we are complete. Thank you for the vision to bring this model to all of us. It is awesome.
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Kelley Doyle
I started C&GR with 5 clients. After just 2 months I have a total of 11 clients, 3 strategic partners in place, and a local news story! You probably are asking yourself how did all of this happen and so quickly? It is the direct result of following the CGR program! This stuff DOES WORK! Especially the daily action of listening to your decision statement, belief statement, belief narrative, and future letter. I was skeptical at first and then forced myself to try it for 2 weeks. Now it is the very thing I look forward to after I take a morning mediation walk. Good luck to all the coaches out there! Stick with the program and if you haven’t found an absolutely fabulous coach to partner with, find one! I have 2 and they are amazing!
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Dianne M. Daniels
I cannot thank you enough for all the help and great information I’ve found through the C&GR site and the Virtual U. Not only have your teachings helped me to gain new clients (4 out of 4 from a recent speaking engagement, one speech that is leading to a retreat engagement, and more than 2 dozen comp sessions that raised my confidence level immensely!), I have now been chosen as a featured speaker for the annual Coachville Conference in June.
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Sharon Worsley
I LOVE the templates you provide. I just finished the lesson about grassroots marketing and decided I wanted to send my letters out right away. And the truth is, I would not have done it if you didn’t provide sample letters I could use. Your letters are worded perfectly – all I did was customize it to my target market and niche. Thank you for making it so easy to take action!
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Ivy Algazy
I just wanted to let you know how fantastic I think the Coach and Grow R.I.C.H. program is. I can see that if I follow it, I will develop a sustaining coaching practice. You have enabled me to put some structure to figure out step by step how to do this, which for me is just what I needed. It is so exciting!
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Katrina Baldwin
Just had to write and say—you guys ROCK! Have just started your training and am so inspired and motivated by it. Love your style and Love your content! Thanks again!
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Alvah Parker
Thank you so much for the Coach & Grow R.I.C.H. program. I just completed 2 comp calls using your method and closed one on the spot. The other person will probably become a client in a couple of weeks!
I’ve done comp sessions in the past with mixed results. This methodology really works for me and for the client. In the past my sessions ran too long. (I was always trying to provide tons of value and was never sure if I had or not.) Your method helps me to keep the call to the 30-40minutes I planned for with no pressure to uncover something huge to make them become a client. I now realize that I was providing value in my calls before. I just didn’t have a framework by which to measure it.
Last Tuesday I spoke to a local Chamber of Commerce. From that I got 5 appointments to do comp sessions! I’ve done some speaking before but this time I got more comp sessions than ever. I mentioned it twice in my presentation because I felt so confident that I could give them a valuable session in 30 minutes. Thank you! Thank you! This program is definitely worth it.
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Viveca Monahan
I am so inspired by your work. You stand out from the crowd, and I want to share with you what it is I find so valuable:
1. You have been consistently generous with your time, information, and resources.
2. You have kept your prices very affordable.
3. You have a simple process that people easily understand and can do. It reminds me of the Weight Watchers points system. The program is infallible. It is so simple and understandable. When I followed that wonderful program I lost weight. When I followed your program, I got clients. A simple program plus the motivation to follow it is the formula for success. The only reason I didn’t lose more weight (or get more clients) was because I misplaced the motivation to continue with these simple and ‘perfect’ programs.
4. Having misplaced my motivation could have meant the end of the program. Unlike Weight Watchers, C&GR kept gently showing up with generous and sincere offers to motivate me. You send out just the right number of announcements and offers without ever sounding desperate or insincere. You have a genuine interest in helping coaches to thrive. I totally get it and am profoundly grateful.
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Gina Concotelli
I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know how much I appreciate your web site, materials and class. I’ve been around coaching since 1996, this is my 3 time of starting a private practice. Your system, by far, really nails it on the head on “how to” build a practice. I have a sales and mktg. background… and still, when applies to one’s own business… well, it’s just different. The information is so clear and explained step, by step, by step. Thank you!
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Kerry Hannigan Plancon
Your company’s program was recommended to me and I am working my way through the third module today. I coach single people who want to be in committed relationships. Once I got my “who” on Wednesday that was it for me. I officially launched my business on Thursday by filing Success Strategies Life Coaching at the court house, and calling my community center to see whether I could have a workshop there – They said yes. On Tuesday morning, I worked with a friend on my website, and on Tuesday afternoon after the complimentary session, I had my first client. Wow! If that’s what your program does for my first week in business, I am strapping on my seatbelt for the ride. I can’t wait to see what happens when I get business cards. Think of all the single people I can help thanks to you.
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Rev. Walter Bryant, Sr. Pastor
Mt Pisgah Baptist Church
What I got out of the class was for me to really learn how to market the coaching. I feel pretty confident in how I coach, but I was very ignorant about how to go about developing the business and presenting it in such a way that I could talk about coaching to persons who would be interested in hiring a coach and doing it in a way such that it would be done professionally and give an understanding of what it is about and what benefits it would bring to them. I would definitely recommend this as a course for people who are interested in coaching as a profession.
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Rev. J. Gary Butler, Director
Potomac Park Camp (Assemblies of God)
The Coach & Grow R.I.C.H. system is very practical. It’s a very excellent system and I think for people serious about building a coaching practice and really doing this in a serious way, it’s a very excellent system. It makes a lot of sense and there’s a lot of truth that you recognize as you go through this.
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Gina Helms
TLC Leadership Coach and Trainer
I would say that on a scale of 1-10 with ten being useful, I would give this Coach & Grow R.I.C.H. class a ten. What I got out of it was a method, which is what I lacked most. Now I have a foundation to build on and it’s something I can keep working on. So for me it was the method and the tangible result of having homework which forced me to produce something.
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Lyn Eichmann
TLC Leadership Coach and Trainer
For me C&GR taught me how to market. I’m developing more confidence in my coaching ability and my opportunities are expanding and I now feel a lot more confident that I have a system that will help me market it. I really enjoyed hearing from other people that have business experience. To know that this is what other people are doing ministered to me a lot-it validated what we were learning as opposed to just thinking that somebody came up with these ideas and maybe they’ll work and maybe they won’t. I found the teleclasses to be very helpful to me.
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E. Scott Harvey
TLC Leadership Coach and Trainer
The Coach & Grow R.I.C.H. course was useful to put the aspect of one-on-one marketing together, which is something that I wasn’t familiar with or knew how to do well at all. I wouldn’t have had any idea of how to effectively sell this service one-on-one…or even in a large setting. I probably would have done the only thing I know how to do which is send out postcards and ask around for referrals. So this was extremely useful in learning how to put things that I’m naturally good at, such as public speaking and conversations, and putting that together in marketing coaching.
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John Nowacki
UNISYS
The C&GR course has been valuable to me. The way things are presented were very good. The ideas are solid. The manual, the homework are very good. I think it is especially valuable to have this as a teleclass because it was good to interact with others who are involved in coaching and who are taking this. It was a very good course—very worthwhile, and I would recommend it.
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Tim Schofield
TLC Leadership Coach and Trainer
Coach & Grow R.I.C.H. talks about the business side of coaching. It lays out a very clear, very systematic process of going about building your client base and building your coaching business. The materials are very clear. I thought starting with the belief and dream module and laying that out was a great place to start for anything—not just for building your coaching business, but for building any type of business…even a relationship. Starting with that and getting very clear on the who and the what, clear on the how so you can market it with a marketing strategy, and then the pricing piece was very, very good also. I feel much more comfortable about moving forward as a result of this course.
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Veronica Karakan
TLC Leadership Coach
Even though I had to miss a number of the classes, I found that it was extremely helpful in putting together a coaching proposal. I didn’t know what to charge in terms of the value of my offerings. I listened to the one session on how to determine your value and then I had the opportunity to chat with the instructor, and it really provided me with some wonderful guidance and input on how to structure my proposal. I would have really been lost without it. This course was really helpful.
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Nashawn Turner
TLC Leadership Coach
I really enjoyed this course tremendously. It was of great value to me. I just completed the TLC program and it filled in the gaps…I feel like I really have a completed coaching experience of how to do it all. Not only how to coach effectively, but how to run a coaching practice. C&GR answered all the questions that I had and I’m so glad that I was able to do it. I have really enjoyed receiving and gleaning from all the people that were on the calls.
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Jodi Wozniak
TLC Leadership Coach and Trainer
Everything really changed for me by taking the C&GR class. I look at the doors that are opening for me after coaching full-time for a year, and those doors can be traced right back to revelations that I had either through our discussions when I share in the teleclass or peer meetings, or simply from reading and listening to the material. All the doors the Lord has opened in coaching have been the direct result of that. One example is that the Lord has changed my thinking about giving away value and not being afraid to do so. The rewards from that alone have already come back double from what I gave out, so again this has just changed everything. I could probably talk about several different things, but to sum it up, overall I think that all the praise reports I have in my life about what the Lord is doing in terms of my coaching business have come as a result of this course.
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Will Meier
TLC Leadership Coach and Trainer
I thought this was a very good class. It was very comprehensive and informative. I got to try some of the stuff and it works. For myself, it’s a challenge as kind of an opportunistic thinker, to narrow down my strategies and my niche and then apply myself in those areas. But I now have the tools to make it happen. It’s just a matter of finding the time to apply and follow through and be consistent.
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Rev. Rich Coffelt
TLC Leadership Coach
My experience in the C&GR teleclass was extremely beneficial in many ways. As a new coach launching my own business I was in need of clarity as to the essential foundations for building a viable practice. C&GR provided just such a resource. By identifying my ‘who’ and ‘what’ I have been able to focus my marketing efforts. Also, for someone with no previous marketing background, the marketing train paradigm was helpful. Most importantly, by providing periodic peer appointments and teleclasses I received the encouragement and accountability to ensure that I turned the insights into action. Thank you for facilitating this experience.
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Roberta Fauntroy
TLC Leadership Coach
This course was helpful because of the focus on specific ways to do business development. I found the information on developing a marketing system very helpful. The speaking venue was already on my radar but after taking the class, I realized that it is vital for me to develop strategic alliances to market effectively. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
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About Micheal’s book: From Grunt to Greatness!
Michelle Schubnel
Veteran speaker, coach and personal development expert Michael Charest takes a powerful approach to self help with his self-deprecating humor, real-life examples and practical success strategies. “From Grunt to Greatness” is an enjoyable and entertaining read that not only helps the reader see their own internal “grunt” but more importantly shows us how to bring our greatness forward. You can’t read this book and not find yourself thinking about it afterwards and using Michael’s unique approach in your own life.
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David Richards
I thoroughly enjoyed reading From Grunt to Greatness. There are a number of things that make this book worth the read. The first thing that comes to mind is Mr. Charest’s writing style. He has a way of taking critical, complex ideas and breaking them down into manageable thoughts with which everyone can relate. He shows that you don’t need to be perfect to strive for perfection. I love that the idea is not even to reach perfection, but rather, to find value in the journey. Through humor, the author demonstrates his strong sense of humility. He is able to laugh at himself which makes it is easier for us to laugh at ourselves. I’ll never forget his narrative of deciding whether he should remove his shirt while out for a run. I won’t spoil the outcome of his decision, but, for me, that anecdote alone made the book worth buying!
This book made me take an assessment of my life. While I believed I lead a balanced life, From Grunt to Greatness raised my level of self-awareness. I have a renewed sense of energy and commitment to making certain areas of my life even better. It is very empowering when your actions in life are in line with your values and purpose.
I can’t wait for his next book to come out!
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Carrie Pitts
Arbonne International
Michael’s book was such a clear reflection of what my own journey has been. I started my own network marketing business 1 year ago. My struggles have included improving self confidence, improving my health, trying to be a phenomenal parent, and believe it or not fear of success. Michael’s book gave a name to my struggles, being a grunt. I have since embraced that word, and the knowledge that I am not the only one. This book helped me to push myself to be the best, but accept who I am at the same time. This book should be in your library.
Anyway, I told Julie that Chris was great, but I really felt like you had just as much to offer as he did. He has a great story, he came from a really bad place in his life as a youth and has obviously transformed into quite a person.
But your story is so great because it is every person’s story. The struggles that we all face as normal people when we see a goal that we never thought attainable and start to reach. I just felt like your thoughts are so appropriate for what I am trying to share with people as I build a team.
Anyway all of this was in effort to tell you, thank you again for your book, and you are right up there with the best.
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Deborah Tieman
Michael Charest wrote a wonderful, true to life book. His writing is extremely honest, hilarious and to the point. It kept me laughing from beginning to end. I think there were a few tears that came along too. He makes you feel great knowing you do not have to be perfect. He gives wonderful solutions and ideas on how to improve your life. Each chapter made me evaluate my life path in a more open and positive way. I can actually say this book has changed my life. I thank you Michael for writing From Grunt to Greatness. When will the next one be on the shelves?
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Kimberly Moore
Work Smart Live Juicy!
What’s the point of greatness if it’s always a step away and you don’t get to thrive today? From Grunt to Greatness gives you the tools to be great with a specific step by step focus. But more importantly, it reminds you to appreciate who you are today so you can really propel yourself to greatness, while enjoying your life today. I recommend this book to everyone from college student to entrepeneur!
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Windy Warner
Executive Coach
www.coachwindy.com
From Grunt to Greatness is very real, accepting, practical and inspiring. The author exposes his gruntness to us in ways that most people wouldn’t even dare! In doing so he helped me embrace my own gruntness and laugh at it without beating myself up! At the same time he provides a path to change…not to become “perfect”, but to become my best where I want to be my best. I will always be a grunt in something(s), but that doesn’t mean I can’t be great in those things that are important to me! If “success” has been eluding you, this is a powerful and entertaining guide to thinking differently and acting differently so success can start to find you.
I finished your book last night, and it was great. Of course knowing you, I could hear you speaking all the words in my head. I loved it. Mostly because you made it so personal, sharing your “gruntness”. I have marked the book up and have it on my desk for reference for me and my clients. In fact this morning I used PEWATO with one client and she loved it!
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Barbara Mencer
Rainmaker Strategies
www.rainmaker-strategies.com
As a perfectionist, I always strive to be the best at everything I do. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it doesn’t lend itself very well to enjoying the journey. From Grunt to Greatness showed me that life is really about the journey, not the destination. Wow. What a concept! The author’s candid, self-deprecating, hilarious stories showed me that it’s okay not to be perfect, and I’ve begun to appreciate my Gruntness even as I move toward reaching Greatness. I recommend this book to everyone!
I am thrilled to be a licensee! After filling my coaching practice I was searching for a way to do more — to help more people and increase my revenue, but I found it hard since there are only so many hours in a day! Customizing the Coach & Grow Rich program for my target market was exactly what I was looking for. Not only am I now able to help an infinite number of people grow their businesses, it’s great to be able to sell product while I sleep!
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Jason Nazar
This is a fantastic book! I have read and listened to more self help books and tapes than I care to remember. The author’s stories are poignant and to the point, and more importantly hilarious. He does a great job of empathizing with the struggles we all face while trying to be great. It is a super quick read. This book may not change your life, but it will definitely change your outlook. I loved it. A definite worthwhile read.
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Lisa C. Mackesy
I never thought that I would pick up a self-help book and not want to put it down. Mr. Charest has such a different and unique kind of writing style. This book will make you laugh out loud and let you realize it is easier to get through the tough times when you are laughing at yourself and not crying. Mr. Charest’s honesty and candidness was what moved me the most. I never felt like he was preaching, I always felt like he was trying to help me make my life more fulfilling. I can’t wait until his next book comes out…I’ll be first in line at the bookstore.
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P
I thought this would bless you to read this. It did me. THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT. Thanks for all YOU DO.
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Mel Nelson
What was amazing to me was that I was sitting in a huge gym full of kids warming up vocally and band members with every kind of instrument each playing and singing something different, it could have and should have been very distracting but once I picked this book up along with my pen for notes, I found myself truly lost in the book and it’s message! There are so many wonderful things that he shared that I can apply to my life and I thought it might also be helpful for Leann. I thought each week I would write just one thing down for her for the week that she can re-read every day or tape to her mirror so she can constantly be reminded of something positive. I thought I would start next week with Michael’s quote,”Dedicate a portion of every single day for the rest of your life to building your belief in yourself” and ” Conceive- Believe- Achieve!!! There are so many and of course you already know them but it was so exciting for me and it is just what I needed today! I was feeling a little down and man if you need a pick me up, just pick this book up!!! My thanks to you and Michael and I am going to take his suggestion and buy The Greatest Miracle in the World, by Og Mandino and read it after this!
(See, Michael’s book really does have me pumped up!!!!)
Sorry this is so long I just wanted to share a few things with you, and in closing one more thing I read that I thought was worth passing on,
“Friends in your life are like pillars on your porch, sometimes they hold you up and sometimes they lean on you. Sometimes it is just enough to know they’re standing by!”
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David W Pulaski
Hell of a job, MC!!!
What a hell of a job on your book – nice to see a former ballistic frog target making the “big time”. Some miscellaneous ramblings…
Griffin is a piece of work.
Man, you should do standup comedy. I really liked the last illustration in the book, (the same one on your ’site!)
Have told some folks that your book is available on Amazon.
FGTG is damn thought provoking. I never remember you as a “grunt” for God’s sake!!!
Now go out there and continue what God intended for you to do – you’re doing it!!!
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Colleen Lemons
Colleen Services / Within I
www.colleensservices.com
www.withini.com
Anyway, I did get to read your book before we left and just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it! I’m really impressed with how vulnerable you allowed yourself to be. That takes a great deal of courage. It’s funny to actually know the author — it almost felt like I was reading your journal at times! I mean, even though it’s been eons, I still recognize your tone and style and rhythm… almost like I could hear your voice as I was reading it. Isn’t that weird? I can see that we’ve had many parallels in our journeys. That’s pretty cool. Oh, and my mom started reading it too and wanted me to let you know she’s enjoying it also.
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David Giwerc; MCC
ADD Coach Academy
www.addca.com
Speaking of books, I am really enjoying yours. It is very creative and hits some very crucial points about our inner foundations that support our growth. It is really well done and well thought out. It is easy reading but has important concepts that stay with you and have a positive impact on reminding you what’s important. I think you did a great job and should be very proud of what you have written and created.
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Len Jones
Merry Christmas….. I just finished reading your book, From Grunt to Greatness and I must say that I am ROCKED by your greatness. WOW! I truly am impressed, Mike. I never realized you were such a fantastic writer…. and a fantastic person too!
I am so impressed that I want to buy three more books…I am sure they will be equally impressed and will definitely get something out of your book.
Excellent, comprehensive coaching seminar fit for both the novice and already successful coach. Michael and Michelle are a knowledgeable and dynamic duo who can light your coaching fire and increase your net worth
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Mary Ann Bailey, MC
Bailey Coaching
www.baileycoaching.com
Congratulations on FGTG! I just finished reading it and I loved it. It’s fun to read, it has a great message and Griffin is a wonderful character! I wish you the very best of luck with your business and your new line of FGTG books and materials. I think you’ve got a winner!
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Dan
I hope I don’t go on to long but I have to tell you all this while it’s fresh in my mind, it’s that important to me. The other day had to take Krysten, Barbara’s daughter, to the doctor for a MRI, all is fine. I wanted to read something while I waited for her. So I decided to take your book. Long story short, I read some at the doctor, at home that night and finished it sitting in my truck during a short break between clients. It was awesome! I’ve read a couple of books with much the same message before, but none were able to make that message so clear and easy to understand or as fun.
Now I have to tell you that me reading your book is a much bigger deal than you might think. In my lifetime I have read a literal hand full of books, I can even name them, Mystery Over the Red Brick Wall – 8th Grade, The Hobbit- early twenties, Feel the Fear, Live Your Best Life Now, Ask And It Is Given (HICKs), the Bible and your book, that is my life time achievement of reading. Mind you most of those books took weeks for me to read, unlike yours that took two days, that how much I was impressed and enjoyed it. I told Barbara tonight that when my kids turn 16 I want to them have your book. What better age to start learning the secrets to a successful journey and your book is the one. I place it along with the bible as the two most important books I have ever read, no bull.
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Stacy Wieners
Benjamin Phelps School
bigyellowbox.com
Let me just say that I am 1/3 into your book and can’t wait to find another hour or so to wrap it up. I am very impressed thus far and promise to employ some of your wisdom. I love the third person twist regarding your own personal challenges with the country club. I remember inquiring about YOU some time ago to a mutual friend (don’t recall who) and thinking that you must have had the world by the junk as a golf enthusiast running a facility so impressive. ( I appreciate the golf fantasy but my lower back regularly brings me back to reality)
I have a passion to travel the country and to be working for myself while helping others to better themselves. Coaching, inspiring, and developing sales people has always been a dream of mine. While working for the Boston Beer Company I learned how valuable a good sales coach can be and how lucrative it can be for both the company benefiting and the coach who is compensated to do the developing.
Coaching has always been a passion of mine (as you have heard regarding baseball) and my personal sales experiences and successes, coupled with my obsession for being the center of attention in every and all aspects of life has set me up for what I believe could be a very successful and lucrative career as a sales trainer. I know you can appreciate my passion. How would you suggest I move forward? I would welcome the chance to get together with you when you return east to discuss some suggestions. For the record, I have had the good fortune of making some strong alliances within the corporate world and beyond that might be assets to some mutually rewarding endeavors.
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Debbie Carter
Carter Automotive
www.carterautoparts.com
I’ve read Michael’s book and was very impressed. My personal fitness trainer is Pam Sisco. She gave me the book to read a few weeks ago. With the ongoing encouragement of friends, I’ve made the decision to go back to college. Reading the book touched me and I’m ready to make “my journey” more rewarding.
Can’t wait to hear more!
Personally, your book inspired me to make some changes in my life. I’m moving forward in my “journey”. I want to enjoy it. I expect to face some major challenges, including possible divorce and leaving my “job”. We have a family business and that will be very difficult. I am enrolled at Friends University to complete my degree in business management accounting. Jan 26 is the start date. I am one week from completing a 12-week challenge with Pam Sisco. In January I start “boot camp”. Physically and mentally I AM READY for the journey.
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Diana Aughe
Coaching from the Heart
www.coachdiana.com
Michael, Thank you so much. I enjoyed your email/card very much. I also really enjoyed reading your book. It’s one of the few I read quickly and all at once without putting it on a shelf to complete later. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do next. Enjoy Christmas with your family and hope your 2006 is a year of abundance for you. It’s a year 8 which is a good money, business, and power year.
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Wally Graham
Pleinbridge Consulting Group, Ltd.
I read the book. It is really good. Lots of words of wisdom that can easily be applied. The book is inspirational and funny. I will purchase other copies and pass them along to clients as the opportunities arise.”
I loaned my copy to a woman named Carol Nalavenko who is president of the Village Health Clubs, a chain of high end sports clubs and spas in the Phoenix area. Carol asked me about motivational speakers. I gave her your name and web site along with loan of the book. I will follow-up with her after the holiday to get my signed copy back, and to gauge her reaction to what she read. I will see if she might bring you in for a session with her management team.
Hopefully, she will, and she’ll get back to you to discuss.
I wish you continued success, good health, and happiness. Hope our paths continue to cross in the future.
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Tom Henschel
Essential Communications
www.essentialcomm.com
I’ve been torn between writing you and just saying, “Wow! Congratulations! Thanks for sending me the book! Looks great!” or waiting until I’ve read every page so I can actually TALK about the book.
Well, I’m half way in between. I’ve been reading it and enjoying it but am not done with it yet.
It’s great to get a picture of what’s in your head and how you think and how you position your ideas. I really enjoying hearing YOU in the book. I especially resonate with your stories. Your jogging story at the outset is a great example of you being able to really draw me in and tell a great story. The sail in the SF Bay is another. (Did you really see a body floating? Yikes!)
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Kristin
Loving you book. My favorite part is the Happy Baby Yoga pose. Laughed my you know what off.
And gee whiz thanks so much for including me in the special friends section. You are a special pearl to me too guy.
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John
I finished your book last night and I definitely could hear your voice. What a wonderful and inspirational book. I thank you so much for my personal acknowledgment, but it is I that learned much from you and am sincerely appreciative of all your successes at Crystalaire and your friendship. I will be mentioning your book in the member newsletter this month.
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Unknown
Having worked for a Publishing Trade Event, I can’t tell you how many books I would get from first time authors. None were so quick to capture my attention as immediately as yours did. Because of my past experience related to this industry, I was skeptical yet eager to see what my friend was capable of producing. You have a style of writing that speaks to everyone and clearly that was the goal in this book. I’m sure my comments aren’t premature and I’ll let you know when I’m done. Congrats!!
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Claudette
I love your book! I received it a few days ago, and really enjoyed reading it. What struck me immediately was how engaging it is – no matter which section I turn to, I’m compelled to keep reading. It’s also very well written.
I think that the descriptions of and distinctions between grunt and greatness are really well developed and easy to apply to one’s life. The “grunt-greatness” concept isn’t one I’d run across before, which makes it refreshing to read about. And the personal stories are great – they are vivid and underscore your points well.
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Cathy
I just finished your book. lt is beautiful.
I took it out of the mail at 5pm and even though I had visitors tonight I had to finish it. It literally was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I feel so blessed to know you and have you as an inspiration and friend. You made me laugh and get the chills. Thank you. For being you. And for sparking something in me years ago that has grown into me being happy being me.
I am filled with love and gratitude.
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Ann Phillips
The book was PHENOMINAL!!! I read it all that same night that I got it – couldn’t put it down. I, of course, especially liked the last chapter!
I have to say that I laughed my ass of quite a few times with your “personal stories” and experiences. God, could I relate to some of them! The date thing was the tops! Way too funny!
I have to say, that it certainly put things into perspective for me. I found much of it to be written common sense, which makes you actually think about why you doing things, and NOT doing things to change the way things are. I found NUMEROUS times in your book that I could place myself directly in the chapters. I think that we ALL have had similar experiences, but just don’t quite know when to go about changing them. Or knowing enough to do so before it is too late. We all could benefit from reading and adhering to the advice!
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Ed
I have 20 pages left. Your book is amazing…I have had it on my mind this whole week. You relate with things everyone relates with. It’s strange Mike, but I really feel like it makes sense to me, like I would write it. This book IS different. YOU come across like a real person who has made real mistakes and had real ambitions. It really is excellent. Easy to read and understand. Everyone needs to read it. You put into simple words what everyone really needs to know. Nice job Mike, you can make it with this.
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Dave
There are a couple more things about your book. First, I was rolling on the ground laughing about your decision to take off your shirt while on a run. Even in my most fit days, I wouldn’t do it……..but it crossed my mind. But my body has spent too many years being flabby to do any shirt taking off while in motion! It is funny how many people feel compelled to mess with runners. I can’t tell you how many times a car load of kids had something to say about my running. Not necessarily mean stuff, but just “we’re really bored so we’ll mess with you” stuff. On the flip side, in my very first marathon it was a comment from another runner that really motivated me. I was about 3/4 of the way through, and hitting some hills. I passed a couple of attractive girls on my way up and heard one of them say, “Nice calves!” It wasn’t a come on (at least I didn’t perceive it to be one) but rather just a nice thing to hear from another marathoner. It definitely kept me going up the hill. I couldn’t hear such a nice compliment, then turn around, stop running and throw up (which is what I wanted to do).
My other reoccurring thought was about your spirituality. Besides the mass at your wedding, I can’t think of religion playing a very central role in either of our lives at that time. At least not that I knew of. But it is obviously is now. How cool it is to see the spiritual growth in people, especially seeing the different paths people take.
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Unknown
I began reading your book last night. I stopped on page 62 only because I couldn’t keep my eyelids pried open any longer. It is FABULOUS! Reread that, Michael. It is a WONDERFUL book whose message is not only powerful, but it hits the truth dead on.
I’ve said to my kids on several occasions, “You won’t be happy with yourself until you have a college degree.” I don’t know why I said this, but it probably came from the fact that attending school with all its requirements, the stress, the deadlines, the tests, is by far the most difficult undertaking for a person with learning disabilities. I felt that if my kids could tackle this challenge as I had, there would be no obstacle that they couldn’t overcome. But something was missing from my statement; it wasn’t complete. And the comment actually served as a negative judgment for my older son. He felt that if he didn’t live up to MY expectations of getting a college education, he was a failure.
Well, my dear, I finally know what I was trying to say. I found it on page 22. “If you do not have the courage to pursue your personal potential, you will never fully love and respect yourself.” That’s it. It can’t get any more simple than that. What a motivator, Michael. That statement pierced my soul.
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Bev
I was feeling the softness of the pillows, the warmth of my comforter, and the cool breeze sweeping over my neck and shoulders as I read the last page of your book.
Brilliant. Wonderful. Penetrating. Encouraging. Enticing. All of a sudden I LOVE THE JOURNEY. I love the NOW. I LOVE this moment.
Your desire for writing this book was to help people move forward on their path from grunt to greatness. You’ve achieved your goal in a HUGE way. Your book left me on a HIGH and ready to take action.
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Jay
Michael – I’m impressed, moved, touched, inspired and proud — after just finishing your debut book.
You and your creative team (ie. Family and friends) accomplished something truly terrific. But as brainchild’s go, “FGTG” is all you…and what a story. It was a great mix of anicdote and how to, and the writing was very clear and accomplished. What comes off the page so readily digestible is a testiment to your focus, vision and belief, in your message.
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Philip H. Henderson
Ethical Magician, Oxen Drover, and Inspirational Listener
www.LeadersWithIntegrity.com
I will give you a TEN! Your caring style and wisdom about building a ‘rich’ coaching practice.
I have received and read From Grunt to Greatness!
You are correct, it is a different kind of self-help book. I think you honesty and freshness will appeal to the Grunt side of many people and give them the confidence to move forward to greatness. Congratulations on your good work. I wish you outstanding success with this new product for your clients and friends.
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Kim
Read it cover to cover and felt like I was in conversation with you; it was so fun.
My favorite parts: Loving yourself now makes the other things possible. If not now when because when is now.
The simplicity of the process. I can relate to you. but you stress that it’s patience and persistence and action and it is hard.
Fear of the possibilities rather than the failure
Your examples…..your honesty
Idea…
Having been at the community college for 12 years; I see this book in the Freshman Seminar (something about the dog with the jersey). It is a required course especially in private schools. Wouldn’t it be cool if it were on the reading list as a supplement or the actual text? Hmmmm…….
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Candy Whirley, MM
SBG Services, LLC
www.candywhirley.com
I’ve been wanting to e-mail you for a week about your book From Grunt to Greatness! I read it on one leg of a flight to MA I couldn’t put it down and I laughed out loud!!!!!! I recommended to my group at the University of MA!!!! I love the “I wonder what I look like from behind:)” Great lessons, easy lessons, and lots of humor…..I LOVED it and will have it on my table for back of the room sales!!!!!!!
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Chuc Barnes, CSP
MINUTESCOUNT!
www.MinutesCount.com
I just finished reading it and want you to know how much I enjoyed your message and how your entertaining stories and examples enabled me to quickly see the points you offer. I’m especially touched by the story you tell of sitting with your dad and listening to what he says about “This is it.” That is very profound. I love that.
I also want you to know that several times today I stopped reading your book and said to my wife, “Listen to this, Jennifer.” I then read your illustration to her and she and I laughed together and said “That’s a good point.” I must have done that with her at least 10 times. Thank you.
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Marcia Wieder
Dream Coach
www.dreamcoach.com
As someone who has dedicated her life to helping people live their dreams, I can say with confidence…READ THIS BOOK! When you follow Michael’s guidance, you will experience the level of success that you dream about!
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Sandy Vilas, MCC, CEO,
CoachInc.com
www.CoachInc.com
What a powerful book! Michael masterfully balances a self deprecating humorous style with the confidence to challenge readers to grow and achieve their dreams. Read this book and enjoy your journey to happiness and fulfillment!
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Glenna Salsbury
Professional Speaker
FGTG is a perfect blend of inspiration, humor, and thought-provoking questions. If you long to think new thoughts and open new doors for living life to its fullest, this is the book for you!
