Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosie Guagliardo.
Rosie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been a hard worker, aiming to achieve my goals but often feeling a lot of stress and struggle along the way. In my late 20’s, I felt like my hard work had finally paid off. I was married, had a fun job in advertising, and lived in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Chicago – Old Town. But, I was exhausted as I continued to work hard to chase more goals. And, I thought how am I going to keep this pace going?
That’s when I knew I had to make changes in my life. I realized I was focused on doing what I thought I “should do” versus what I wanted to do. I wasn’t living in alignment with my deepest desires. And honestly, I didn’t even know what I really wanted. So, that is when I set out on a path to explore how to have a life I loved – one I was inspired to live daily!
I began to connect with my real, true self. I learned more about my strengths, values, and desires. I shifted my focus to what I wanted and who I wanted to be versus all the “shoulds” in my life. I started putting more of my best self out in to the world. And, I began attracting people, situations, and opportunities that aligned with my deepest desires. For example, I received a sample coaching session from a dear friend. And, I loved it!
So, I enrolled in coaching courses while continuing to work in my advertising job. Then, I started my business in 2007 (and the recession hit). I chose to stay in my day job as long as possible and built my coaching business on the side for 6 years. It took a lot of effort, but it was the perfect way for me to grow and learn.
The best part is that I found a new way of living – – one where I pursue goals I’m super excited about while enjoying every step of the way to achieving them. I learned how to create a career I love, wonderful relationships, and a balanced life. I wanted to share this approach with clients. So, I developed a program that helps high-achieving people attain results they desire in a more natural and organic way — with less stress and a lot more ease and joy along the way:-)
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? Any advice for other women, particularly young women who are just starting their journey?
There have definitely been challenges along the way. Some major ones were the recession in 2008 and then my Dad being diagnosed with ALS in 2013 and passing away a year later. Outside of those circumstances, there were daily challenges which revolved around balancing my advertising career, building my business (which was an unknown industry at the time), and maintaining a personal life.
The good news was that coaching helped me get through all of these times. (In fact, the year my Dad was sick, my brother mentioned it seemed like I was getting a “Ph.D.” in coaching given all that we were going through as a family.)
But, he was right in a way. The coaching concepts I learned and applied to my clients were instrumental in me achieving my goals. As I mentioned earlier, I took the time to really get to know my best self and deepest desires (i.e., my values, strengths, and ideal vision for my life). This awareness allowed me to be more confident in sharing my truth with people. I also learned what held me back which was my way of thinking (i.e., self-limiting beliefs). And, I embraced a whole new perspective in life that helped propel me forward.
That perspective was to honor and accept myself (all aspects of me) and others by seeing the perfection (the beauty, the lessons, the gifts) within and all around me – in myself, in others, and in every moment of life (even the tough ones). This approach to life inspired me daily to overcome challenges and realize my life vision with more ease, joy, and grace.
So, my advice to young women just starting out is to believe in you. Ask yourself “What if I KNEW I’d succeed, what would I do now?” Then, do it!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with InnerBrilliance Coaching – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’ve loved being a life and career coach for over 11 years and the founder of InnerBrilliance Coaching. I’m a beauty-seeking, lover of life, Italian-American (who wears “Rosie-colored” glasses) while also being pragmatic, purposeful, and results-oriented. The combination of these qualities equips me to help high-achievers discover a way of living that infuses passion with practicality and balances pleasure with meaning. This approach to life inspires people to aim for success in their lives and careers while experiencing more joy and ease every step of the way.
More specifically, my approach combines leveraging your awareness + intuition + intention by infusing psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality. With this approach, you exude a relaxed confidence as you go for everything you desire in life. You radiate your best self to experience your desires more fully, get results quicker (with less struggle), and become more productive daily – – with a lot more fun!
The process starts with YOU…who you really are and who you’re being. With a deeper understanding and acceptance of your REAL essence, you’ll have greater confidence in how and when to share it with your world. These qualities translate into expressing the best version of yourself and a compelling life vision that draws NEW opportunities to you that you’ll be excited and passionate to pursue.
Ultimately, you can navigate life more gracefully and experience your deepest wishes. (Plus, your 80-year-old self will have stories that you’ll be proud to tell!)
What I love most about this approach is that you don’t necessarily change. You become more yourself as you enhance your life. When you live your life in alignment with your truth, you’ll be more energized than ever. It’s a perfectly-inspired life created in a whole new way naturally and organically… and, it’s designed and customized to move you forward with your RIGHT next steps that support your life vision!
I help my clients feel happier, healthier, and more confident that they’re succeeding in the things that matter most. They find a true sense of peace, satisfaction, and excitement with who they are and who they are becoming, ultimately avoiding a life of anxiety, stress, struggle and regret.
We do this by creating an enhanced vision for your personal and professional life and a clear road map to achieve it.
Sign up for your complimentary InnerBrilliance “Inspired Life” session now.
Here’s to unlocking your inner brilliance!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I feel one of the biggest barriers to female leadership is how to balance our masculine and feminine energy. Both are needed. But, many of us have been conditioned to lead with our masculine energy. Again, it’s useful… to help us be purposeful, deliberate, and remain focused. Yet, we could gain so much from also integrating feminine energy (i.e., creativity, intuition, playfulness) into our work lives.
I first started experimenting with integrating these two aspects within myself during my advertising career which can sometimes include male-dominated teams. I wanted to be able to lead, be taken seriously, yet not have to show up every day with a hardcore attitude to get results. So, I slowly began to lead with my feminine energy while using my masculine energy to support me (versus leading with my masculine side all the time).
The results were amazing. I actually was able to get more done while not feeling drained by the end of the day. I’m grateful that the coaching industry and running my own business is a perfect environment for me to be able to integrate these energies more often. I’m still practicing. But, it feels more like second nature now — and in alignment with my true self — more and more each day.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1749 N Wells St., 717
Chicago, IL 60614 - Website: InnerBrillianceCoaching.com
- Phone: (312) 286-0971
- Email: Rosie@InnerBrillianceCoaching.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innerbrilliancecoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnerBrillianceCoaching
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/InnerBrillianceCoaching
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosieguagliardo/

Image Credit:
Rachel Bires, Hallie Duesenberg
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
