Stop Spinning. Start Coaching. How Women Turn Life Experience into a Business

Focal Point Coaching with Teresa HartsfieldContact my guest - Teresa Hartsfield on Linkedin at - https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresahartsfield/Podcast: Fierce Females in FranchisingPhyllis:Are you an accomplished woman wondering, what’s next for me?Maybe you’ve built a successful career, but you’re tired of working for someone else and feeling a little invisible.I want you to know one thing: everything you’ve done up to this point has prepared you for what’s next.Welcome to Fierce Females in Franchising, the podcast where we spill the beans on one of the best-kept secrets in business. Forget what you think you know about franchising. Here we share inspiring stories from bold female founders and savvy franchisees who have designed powerful second acts in their lives.If you’re ready to build a business where you can thrive while living life on your terms, you’re in the right place.Let’s get started.Introducing Teresa HartsfieldPhyllis:Hi Teresa. I’m so excited to have you on the podcast today.Teresa:I’m so excited to be here. Thank you for having me.Phyllis:Today’s guest is Teresa Hartsfield, a seasoned business and executive coach known for helping leaders break through overwhelm, scale with intention, and build high-performance teams.With more than 15 years of real-world experience building, operating, advising, and successfully exiting businesses, Teresa brings a rare mix of operator grit and strategic clarity to every conversation.She has founded and led multiple companies, scaled teams, led turnarounds, and built and sold a top-performing franchise. Today she coaches executives, founders, and leadership teams to align vision with execution.Her work helps leaders move from friction and burnout to clarity, confidence, and sustained momentum.As an executive leadership coach, Teresa focuses on:Strategic leadership developmentExecutive planningFounder and leadership alignmentBuilding cohesive teams and scalable operationsHelping owners work on their business, not just in itTeresa partners with entrepreneurs and small-business leaders who want to grow with purpose and resilience.Wow, I’m impressed.Growing Up in an Entrepreneurial FamilyPhyllis:I always like to start at the beginning. Tell us about your upbringing and what shaped your entrepreneurial journey.Teresa:I’m a first-generation American. My parents immigrated from Vietnam. Their options were limited when they came here, so they worked incredibly hard in the restaurant industry.I’m one of seven girls, and my parents worked multiple jobs just to provide for our family.All of my sisters pursued higher education and built meaningful careers. Watching that journey was powerful.My parents also opened several restaurants, so growing up I witnessed firsthand the dedication required to build something from nothing.That’s really where my love for entrepreneurship came from.The Reality of the Restaurant IndustryPhyllis:When people think about franchising, they often think about restaurants. Can you share what that life was really like?Teresa:Honestly, we rarely saw our parents.They worked every single day. There were no vacations. When they came home they were exhausted, and the next day they started all over again.The upside was that I saw their work ethic and dedication. That example shaped how I approach business today.Why Teresa Became a Focal Point CoachPhyllis:Why has becoming a Focal Point business coach been so rewarding for you?Teresa:For me it comes down to servant leadership.I love business. I love rolling up my sleeves and getting into the details. But I also love helping people gain clarity.Many leaders are so deep in their work that they lose perspective. My job is to help them step back, refocus, and get the best out of themselves.What’s especially powerful about the Focal Point model is the flexibility. I can choose my schedule, my clients, and how I run my day.When I owned brick-and-mortar businesses, I was constantly tied to a location. There was very little balance with family.Now I have the freedom to build a business that fits my life.Women in EntrepreneurshipPhyllis:We’re living in a world where women are growing rapidly as entrepreneurs.Teresa:Absolutely.According to recent studies, women make up over 40% of entrepreneurs in the United States, and the gap between men and women in earnings has become much smaller.Women bring incredible strengths to business:empathycollaborationresiliencecuriositypattern recognitionWe also bring grit. And we’re used to juggling multiple responsibilities.The key is doing it unapologetically.Coaching Women Through Imposter SyndromePhyllis:What are some common challenges the women you coach face?Teresa:The biggest one is imposter syndrome.Many women question whether they deserve a seat at the table. They worry about being perceived as too aggressive or too ambitious.They also struggle with balancing family responsibilities with leadership roles.One of the most rewarding moments in coaching is when someone realizes:“I can do this.”Watching that transformation is powerful.Why Franchising Can Be a Smart Business PathPhyllis:What do you wish someone had told you before buying your first franchise?Teresa:The importance of culture.Understanding the culture of the franchisor is critical.When evaluating a franchise, one of the best questions you can ask is:“What business are you really in?”The answer reveals how leadership thinks and what truly drives the company.The Power of the Franchise CommunityTeresa:One of the things I love about franchising is the community.You immediately gain access to:mentorshipsystemstrainingother franchise ownersWhen you’re struggling, you can call someone in the network who has already solved that problem.That level of support is rare in independent business ownership.A Day in the Life of a Focal Point CoachPhyllis:What does a typical day look like for you?Teresa:I’ll be honest. I’m not a morning person.But I love that I can start my day slowly.I get my kids ready for school, enjoy my coffee, and spend time in devotion and reflection. That helps me get grounded before working with clients.Then I review my schedule, prepare for coaching sessions, and meet with clients throughout the day.By mid-afternoon, I shift into mom mode. I pick up my kids, help with homework, and spend time with my family.That balance is something I never had with my previous businesses.Advice for Stay-at-Home Moms Considering BusinessPhyllis:Many women listening are coming out of years spent raising children. They may be wondering if they have what it takes to start a business.Teresa:First, what you’re feeling is completely normal.But here’s the truth: if you’ve raised children, you’ve already been coaching for years.You’ve been:guidingmentoringteachingencouragingThose skills translate directly into leadership and business ownership.You’re far more prepared than you realize.Entrepreneurship Requires CommitmentPhyllis:Many people think franchising will be easy.Teresa:Entrepreneurship is not easy. It’s not for the faint of heart.But women are incredibly resilient.You’ve already spent years...