Hello friendly faces! It’s that time of the week! We’re back with a new CNSM Meet a Mom spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law. This week we’re are excited to introduce you to West Bloomfield, MI born and raised, now Highland Park mom of two, Hope Lutz Firsel. Hope’s recent pivot away from the world of commercial real estate has propelled her into the female founder space, practicing her life’s purpose. She is a certified life coach helping women through life’s unexpected turns such as infertility, cancer and divorce, three life events of which she is personally familiar.
When asked what she loves most about being a women’s life coach, she doesn’t skip a beat: “There is no greater gift in the world than to help someone in rediscovering their own worth, self-love and inner peace.” Get to know more about this female founder’s favorite North Shore places to hang, what helps her through a tough day, how she changed directions with her career and last but not least how this kind soul is helping others through the most vulnerable time in their lives. Welcome, Hope!
Hi Hope! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now and what brought you here?
Hi! My name is Hope Lutz Firsel. I am a life coach and a mom to two teenage boys. I coach women through life’s unexpected turns. I’m originally from West Bloomfield, Michigan. I moved to Chicago in 2000 for a job as consultant at Hewitt Associates. In 2014, we moved from the city to the suburbs (Highland Park) seeking a more peaceful way of life when the boys were starting elementary school. While Highland Park has been a beautiful community to raise my boys, these last few years have been anything but smooth.
Tell us about your two boys.
My sons are 13 and almost 15. They are my entire world. They are energetic, curious, brilliant, and precious miracles. They both love music, sports and traveling. There is nothing I love more than being with my boys.
What are one or two fun facts to know about you?
I have lived near and far: West Bloomfield, Madison, Tel Aviv, San Francisco, London, Chicago, and Highland Park.
My birth name was Jennifer Hope. When I was 11 years old, I started to go by my middle name, so I would be unique. When I was 18 years old, I changed it legally.
What are your favorite North Shore places, spaces and eats to frequent with your kids or a mom’s night out?
My favorite restaurants are Merlo’s in Glencoe, and Avli and 501 Local in Winnetka. There is nothing I enjoy more than attending to my mind, body, and spirit. Sole & Luna in Winnetka or Reach Yoga in Glencoe are my two favorite business for such selfcare. For a fun night out, you can find me dancing to live music in Highwood.
What gets you through a tough day (ie. lots of coffee, yoga, meditation, wine, a good book, etc)?
Everyday has its highs and its lows. I try to maintain a schedule to keep myself operating at my best self. I meditate in the mornings, walk or exercise during the day and I journal in the evenings. When I am facing difficult times, I go to Full Bloom Lotus in Wilmette for coaching with Ramaa Krishnan.
You are a female founder of a women’s life coaching practice. Congratulations! Tell us more about this business. When did you found this and what is your area of focus?
Yes! I coach women through life’s unexpected turns. In addition to having my master’s degree from The London School of Economics in Organizational Behavior, a life coach certification from iPEC, and training in Rapid Resolution Therapy, I share the wisdom I’ve gained from overcoming my own personal traumas. I work virtually with my clients, in one-on-one sessions and small groups. I help my clients develop a plan and concrete actionable steps to help them take charge of their lives.
Hope with mentor, Jessica Zweig from Simply be at a women’s retreat.
Starting your own small business is always a risk. What was the impetus behind starting this? Why now?
After my divorce, I immediately took on project work within the industry I knew best, commercial real estate. However, I knew it was not my purpose. I was at lunch with my friend and mentor, Lindsay Pinchuk, and she encouraged me to focus on launching my coaching business. My coaching business is my divine purpose. When I am coaching others, I am in flow.
Hope with the nurses at Kindbody Fertility Clinic
What do you love most about your endeavor as a certified life coach?
I love the experience of helping other women when they feel powerless. I often work with women going through infertility, cancer, or divorce, three tragedies that I have personally faced. There is no greater gift in the world than to help someone in rediscovering their own worth, self-love and inner peace.
You have training in rapid resolution therapy. What is this and how do you employ this with your clients?
Rapid Resolution therapy is a coaching technique created by Jon Connelly. This technique is unique in that it utilizes concepts to change how the unconscious mind processes information. With this education, I can further help my patients resolve troubling thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
Why do people come to you for life coaching and what can a first-time client expect when it’s time to get started?
Women often come to me when they are facing a trauma, like infertility, cancer, or divorce. In our first session, I connect with my clients, I listen to their story, and then help them create a vision of who they want to be in the face of their challenges. Together we craft a plan, and they find a little Hope!
Thank you for being so raw and vulnerable with us today. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about yourself or your life coaching practice?
I just recently partnered with Pulling Down the Moon, a holistic fertility to center with locations in Highland Park and Downtown, to launch a group coaching series for women who are trying to get pregnant. The intention is to offer a safe virtual sanctuary for women to find mindfulness, education, and connection as they strive to create or expand their family.
How can our readers learn more about you or reach out to get started?
Please visit my website, www.Hopefirsel.com to learn more and visit https://hopefirsel.com/contact/ to schedule a call with me.
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
