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GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com | 19 obin Fernandez took an unusual path to entrepreneurship. She is a veteran of the theater, not corporate America. Yet her love for the stage led her to the seemingly unlikely world of business coaching. After a divorce, Fernandez followed her dreams to the Big Apple, where she pursued a career as a full-time stage actress. But she struggled to land the leading roles she wanted and, dissatisfied, searched for success elsewhere. In 2007, she was drawn to a new calling as a professional business coach. Fernandez uses her experiences on stage to coach businessmen and women, from small firms to Fortune 500 companies. Here, she discusses the obstacles she has encountered as an entrepreneur, how she instills confidence in her clients with theater tactics, and how she creates her best life. What is the best piece of advice your mentors offered to you? I have always been a very emotional person, meaning that I show my emotions quite easily. e first day of my coaching program, the master coaching teacher Julio Olalla said to me, 'your tears are your gift.' He said that to me showing my emotions, I gave permission for everyone else in the room to show theirs. So the advice I learned from this was to honor your true self, to notice and utilize all your innate gifts, without excuses or apologies. What challenges have you faced in your career? My biggest two challenges have been comparing myself to others and in keeping my focus. In starting a new career later in life, I have compared myself with others who have advanced degrees and 20+ years of experience. I have always struggled in keeping focus because I enjoy doing and experiencing so many different things! What is one thing that may surprise people about you? One thing I have learned about myself in recent years is how introverted I am. I love being on stage creating an experience or learning from the audience, and I love to host dinner parties, but otherwise, I prefer small groups, alone time, quiet activities in nature, and inspiring movies. Who are some women who inspire and motivate you? I love performers. I saw the movie "Miss Hill: Making Dance Matter." I was so inspired by this story of a woman I had never even heard of – a pioneer in the world of modern dance, particularly in initiating dance programs in universities. Amazing Martha Hill – a dancer, choreographer, teacher, businesswoman, and her persistence and consistency in sustaining a doomed dance program at Julliard. When did you discover your talents in singing and acting? I imitated dancers, singers and actors as far back as I remember, at four years old trying to stand on my tiptoes, making up stories, playing different characters. My mother told me I was born in the wrong time period. I begged for dance lessons and at age 10, I was in my first dance recital. I wore glasses, and of course couldn't wear them on stage, so I found I wasn't nervous at all performing – I couldn't see the audience! You've had a chance to do some impressive singing. Tell me about that. I always wanted to sing the national anthem at a sporting event. A couple of years ago, I auditioned for the Pirates spring training. ey called and I sang the national anthem for them a couple of times, as well as some veterans groups and at other events. I also did a solo with e Pops Orchestra of Bradenton-Sarasota in a "Broadway Celebrates Love" program. How do you create the best life outside of work? I absolutely love being in nature. By nature, I mean being immersed in the mountains, woods, or water, someplace where there are no buildings and few people. I love Lido Beach early or late in the day. Besides theatre dance/ballet, I enjoy ballroom dancing, especially Salsa, and I love big band music! Robin Fernandez Personal Business Coach, Nature of Being Sarasota my BEST life " " Discover, develop and be guided by your true, innate and preferred gifts and talents. Best Advice R By Katherine Ferrara Johnson

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