Valerie Mummert Shares All About Her Coaching Retreats That Help Women Achieve Their Dreams

​​Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

I’m Valerie Mummert, founder of Valerie Mummert Coaching. My passion is to help women rescue their 'someday' dream; that sweet spot that she has been putting off until someday when she has more of this (time, money) or less of that (responsibility, fear). I host coaching retreats focused on this transformation. My personal 'someday' dream is to host retreats and events because I love the logistics and all the details that others dread!  I help entrepreneurs plan their retreats or events, serve as the assistant/ concierge so they can enjoy their retreat and focus on sharing their expertise, or offer complete done-for-you services for those who would love to offer a retreat or event to their community but don't want to do it themselves.

Who are your customers?

Entrepreneurs who want to host a retreat or event for their community but do not have the experience, resources, or desire to do it on their own.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I have worn more hats than a mannequin in a millinery.  My background in management and display for an upscale retailer taught me attention to detail and that sales is about feelings and not logic.  As the team leader of volunteers and the event coordinator (including weddings) on staff at a mega-church, my focus was on communication behind the scenes and problem solving.  Making sure every detail was attended to so the best experience was achieved for the attendees was our top priority.  And last, but certainly not least, I am the mom of seven grown children who were homeschooled and worked in our family businesses.  They are now all functioning (and mostly self-employed) great adults that we thoroughly enjoy hanging out with.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

It was a logical progression. I have hosted retreats for years and used my gifts of organization and hospitality to provide transformational experiences for my guests whether it was teaching a workshop, hosting a dinner party, coordinating a dream wedding for a bride (while juggling the family dynamics), or providing a weekend get-away experience for a group.  When one season of life is wrapping up, my question is always, "What's next"?

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I have always taken on leadership roles when working for someone else, so it was not intimidating for me to step into being my own boss.  My husband has always been self-employed so it's been a way of life for us.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

My strategy was to share with my family and friends, but I quickly realized they were not my customers!  I started asking myself, "What do I need to learn"? and then I found someone who could teach me.  That result was getting a little better, a little at a time, over time.  Having referrals from other entrepreneurs that I have met have been the key and I make a point of doing the same for others. 

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

There is so much noise in the online space!  I have learned that networking and getting to know others and what they do is the key to connecting with your customers.  A referral from someone you have helped and invested in, and they have done the same for you, is worth more than thousands of followers.  Put your efforts into networking.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

That I am doing what I love to do- and realizing that not everyone is good at or wants to do what comes easily to me.  After coaching others to rescue their 'someday dream', I realized I needed to start investing more in my own.  Once I committed to this, opportunities started to open up.  Maybe they were always there and I wasn't paying attention.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

I found a list on a journaling page from a year ago with all of the things that I didn't know how to do.  It was mostly tech and I have learned all of them and can now help others who are stuck.  The big win is the mindset that you may not know something yet but you can figure it out.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I think women are craving in-person interaction and communities who met online want to get together face-to-face.  Retreats allow you to get outside of your office walls and focus on learning, implementation, and accountability that is at a different level than can be achieved online.  So many entreprenistas I have talked to would love to serve their community with an in-person retreat or event, but they are intimidated with the planning, implementation and details.  I thrive on that part of the retreat allowing the host to focus on sharing their expertise and having the time and energy to connect with their guests.

What is your top productivity tip? 

I start everyday with something to be grateful for, something to be excited about, and a quote or thought to focus on.  It puts the never-ending to-do list into perspective.  I also use time blocking to keep me from getting distracted and a timer to (try) to minimize distractions. 

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

I have the capacity to work well under pressure and against deadlines, but I sometimes procrastinate until a due date and then stress out that I'm not going to get something done because of an unforeseen interruption.  The stress of feeling 'behind' causes burn-out.  Now, I set deadlines as 'Do Dates' rather than 'Due Dates'.  This choice allows me to prioritize family and personal time even if something comes up that was unplanned.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I don't think of my work hours as 9am-5pm.  My current lifestyle without the responsibility of kids at home to take care of allows me to work the hours I need to when I want to.  The freedom to spend a weekday morning with my adult kids and work on a Saturday morning instead is my choice.  I can travel for a few days during the week, work a few hours (if I choose to) while I'm traveling, and make up some time on the weekends if it's a better fit in my schedule. 

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

Don't be afraid to say out loud what everyone else is thinking; especially if it's a question you think is stupid.  Most women you want to help anyway they can so don't be intimidated.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

What did you like the best/ least about your last job?   What is the one thing you are afraid of?

Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family:

As a former Mamaprenista, your time is limited with your kids, the sky is the limit with your business. 

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Thrivecart:  Sales pages, courses, checkout, all for a lifetime/ onetime fee (no monthly fee)

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

You don't need to have it all figured out.  Don't compare yourself to your perception of what you think everyone else has accomplished.  We all struggle with the same things.  You are great at what you do and not everyone else is good at that- that's why we need you.  Don't doubt yourself.

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