Almost a decade ago, I was in heels and business attire in a small, poorly run plastic surgery office on an uncomfortable chair as an executive assistant making hardly a livable wage. I was burnt out, overworked, undervalued, and over-committing myself. Finally, I thought I had landed my dream job. Unfortunately, I quickly realized I was wrong. And if I thought I was burnt out and undervalued before, this job would lead me on a downward spiral to low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and on a vicious bout of insomnia.
Time for change, for good!
Nearing or already in, the middle age years of my life at 48, I made a courageous decision to leave the “dream job” and NEVER return to any other position as an employee for anyone else again, building their business millions while building my credit card debt higher and my time freedom lower. I took on my first very own client in my new business. It was a six-month contract and the main objective was to turn the small little aesthetics clinic into a million-dollar practice. And that's exactly what I did.
Within 3 short months, the little business was bringing in over $100,000 a month and at the end of my contract, it was on the upward trend of over $100,000 each month thereafter. It was exhilarating! I wanted to do this with more than just one person at a time. I wanted to use my knowledge and skills to help not just one or two businesses but hundreds. Could I do it? The answer is YES. While I had been in that contract I was developing my coaching business plans, started mastermind classes, attending retreats, seminars, conventions, anything I could to further my understanding of how I wanted to show up for my clients, all while knowing this was my not only my passion, but my assurance that I would never have to return to another lifeless position for anyone ever again.
I wasn’t always a business coach and I am certainly unlike the others you will meet.
I'm lisa
I’m The Doer, The Overachiever, the rescue dog obsessed, 90’s girl, most likely being videoed by my teen while dancing in my pj’s, in my middle-aged woman era for some time now, and I’m not even close to being done yet...
I am NOT your average business coach.
After 25 years of small business development and management, I am here to share everything I know about entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, mindset, and personal development.
Mom, my most favorite name. I had my son in my early twenties and I quickly learned this was the one and only name I would love to hear more than anything in the world. And over a decade later I had my daughter and I can tell you, they are my two most incredible accomplishments..
Mom
There aren’t many people in my life that call me Lisa. Somehow the a gets lost through 17 years of marriage, over 30 years of friendships, and all the years of being a sister, it’s always been Lis no a, just Lis to the ones who love me the most.
Lis
I became an aesthetician almost twenty years ago! I couldn’t ignore the strong desire to get my hands wet and that's exactly what I did. I worked in Plastic Surgery, Day Spas, Aesthetics and Integrative Medicine. My very first business venture was as a solo studio renter performing skincare treatments, fresh out of aesthetics school.
Aesthetician
My mother passed down the art of making something that appeared worn, brokedown, and lackluster, beautiful and functional again. I love saving furniture from ending up in our landfills, and not just furniture, light fixtures, anything really that deserves a second chance. Oh, and I love a good home project on a dime. This was my second business as an entrepreneur. Repurposing. I love to roll up my sleeves and get out my paint brushes and lose myself in projects for days.
DIY-er
My love for writing has been with me since my twenties. I would write short stories, start and stop ‘novels’, write newsletters for businesses and for most, it’s an unknown name that I would rarely be referred to, however the select few that know, also know that one day soon I hope to change the name from a quiet title to something I am known for. It’s going to be a title I will gladly stand in and share with all of you. Stay tuned.
Writer
Running a business at 24!
I should have known then that I had a head for business
The first business I was responsible for was in my early 20’s! I had left my receptionist job in a dental office for a management position in a small general surgery office. I still think to this day, why in the world did the owner give me a shot at running his small but mighty private practice. Whatever the reason was, I am so grateful he did. This business would be my first stepping stone in business development and management.
1995 - I was young but eager
I landed my first adult job in a Dental office as a receptionist and billing specialist. This would be my first chance at getting to know the inner workings of a small business and also the very first time I was exposed to a horrible boss. My first, in many.
2000 - At home in the Spa
My first position in a Day Spa was co-managing, but it was still managing. It felt like home. The owner, my first female-owned business, would become my very first business mentor. So much of my practices around customer service were founded on principles she instilled and have carried me through my whole adult life.
1998, 24, Single Mom, & So determined
General Surgery and my first management position. This young trauma surgeon where I grew up took a chance on me. Maybe it was because I was cheap (I had no idea what a manager was supposed to make). Maybe it was because I was intelligent and determined, maybe it was all three. Whatever the reason, he would be the first on a path of stepping stones in managing small businesses.
2004 - Time for a change at 30
I made a significant move, and by move I mean literal. I moved almost two hours away from everyone I knew and moved to take a job that I didn’t want as an executive secretary in the corporate world. I hated it. I got exactly what I was supposed to get out of it. I met my husband. He worked in the same building and our paths would have never crossed had I not taken the job that I never wanted
2007- A new Graduate
Finally, I did it! I went to aesthetics school and loved every second of it. This aesthetics license gave me opportunities I never even considered. I was fortunate to land a position as the only aesthetician for a plastic surgery office, even before I graduated.
2021- Where did my 30’s go?
Fast forward to many years later, so many business ventures, so much information and experience gained. But this was the year I took a position with a small practice in medical aesthetics, a “dream job”. The owner would become the last horrible boss I would ever work for, one of many in a long line, but definitely the worst.
1995, I was young but eager
Lisa Dauge Business Coaching Begins
2023, Mid-life, and not done yet!
I spent my first year in masterminds, courses, classes, seminars, webinars, and workshops. I spent equal amounts of time undoing the damage that was done in that last position through loads of mindset work and personal reflection. As I moved farther and farther away from the past it pushed me closer towards what my business was going to look like and how I wanted to show up for my clients each and every day. The idea of turning 50 four years ago saddened me. But now I see things as they are. And my gosh, this second half of my life will be one of purpose, design, gratitude, freedom, inspiration, joy, growth, compassion, empathy, and of course education. Because If I am not learning, I will stop growing. I’m so incredibly thankful you’re here with me on not only my journey but yours.
Lisa
The triumphs and setbacks, what works and what doesn’t
If I kept your attention, good, because now you know there really isn’t much I haven’t tried or been exposed to. After two decades, I know exactly where you’re at, and I have all the experience to lift you up, teach you, and guide you on the path you were destined to be on.
And I can’t wait to share everything I know with you…
Trust someone who’s tried it all.
(No seriously, I have tried it all!)
You have the passion, I have the expertise and that makes us a great team for you to succeed.
how we can work together
LET'S CREATE SOME MAGIC
"Your social media and marketing work has been amazing, with lots of reach and engagement. I’m beyond grateful that I will hit the financial goal we set earlier this year. Feeling independent and assured I can be on my own. You’re the Best!"
- Catherine Bennett Beauty
"Watching Lisa implement small strategic changes that provided substantial growth in profits was just incredible. She was confident, knowledgeable, and so easy to work with. I can’t wait to work with her again."
- Erica D’Errico, FNP, Integrative Medicine & Medical Aesthetics
"Lisa’s positive, no-nonsense approach to problem-solving and implementing change made her an invaluable asset in the practice."
- Karen Carrington, Medical Aesthetics, Nurse Injector
"Your training with retail sales and how to price services has made such a huge impact on business. Your insight into how to grow social media and market yourself was just amazing. So grateful."
- Palms Beauty Bungalow
"Lisa has been such an instrumental piece in helping me reach my sales goals. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stale, defeated or just don’t know what you need, Lisa is the answer!"
- Beauty Gym Aesthetics
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