Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Wallace.
Wendy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My passion for developing others started as early as I could remember. When I was younger, I used to teach my nieces and nephews how to read, write and do basic math. As a teenager, I became involved in my community through a leadership and mentorship program, as well as an all-original arts program focused on spreading non-violent practices through music. As I began to grow in my career, the constant thread of helping others navigate their own careers while being authentic to themselves was present. I spent the early years of my own career doing what other people thought I should do (law and operations). It wasn’t until I recognized my passion for education and project management with the purpose of lifting others up that everything began to make sense.
During the pandemic, while I was home with my husband and two children, the desire to give back was more evident than ever before. This was during a heightened time of racial injustice and protests. I thought to myself, how can I contribute to my community in the middle of all this chaos, hurt, and discouragement?
In the summer of 2020, we took a family trip to New Hampshire. While there, I had this epiphany of how I could feed this burning desire to help improve the lives of those around me. This was when Wallace Career Coaching came to fruition. I realized that my part of my purpose was to help others reach their full potential. With that, Wallace Career Coaching was birth at the side of a lake in the middle of the pandemic.
The vision behind Wallace Career Coaching is holistic career coaching. I am interested in the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of each of my clients. I launched the business in August 2020 and within four days had already reached both my client and financial goals. I have had the honor of serving over 100 clients in the past two years in securing career jobs, sprucing up their resumes and cover letters, coaching them through the interview and negotiation processes, and even starting their own businesses. I believe in educating and empowering others to reach their potential. I love providing my clients with the necessary insights and tools to help them succeed.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has NOT been a smooth road! One of the main struggles was figuring out how I was actually going to support my clients while being true to what I enjoy most about my business. For example, when I first started out, I offered business plan writing as a service. After finishing my third business plan, I realized that I did not enjoy doing it so I ended it as a service. I did not like the idea of going off on my own and working on a client’s business plan when I could have taught them how to write their own business plan and cast their own vision. I thoroughly enjoy connecting with people, getting to know them, and helping them actualize their dreams. Writing business plans at night was not my idea of that. I felt like a hypocrite telling my clients to focus and do what they enjoy doing but here I was writing business plans (which I did not enjoy).
As a wife and working mom, another struggle was figuring out how this new business was going to fit into our already busy lives. I was also serving in my local church, as well as on the regional level, and had a very demanding full-time job with the Rhode Island Department of Education. Although client demand was high, I made the decision to scale my business hours back to two nights a week to prioritize my time effectively. I did not want to burn out because I have a deep commitment to helping others.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wallace Career Coaching is invested in helping you reach your potential! I have coached, mentored, taught, and helped place over 400 professionals in fulfilling career opportunities. I have an extensive background that encompasses community development, law, information technology, marketing, workforce development, and education. I have a unique perspective on how to connect each person’s individual purpose to current labor market needs.
Outside of my career coaching business, I am the Director of Engagement and Development for Brown University’s Annenberg Institute, National Student Support Accelerator. Prior to this role, I managed Rhode Island’s largest career readiness initiative, PrepareRI, alongside the Governor’s Office, the Department of Labor and Training, RI Commerce, and CCRI.
The pivotal moment that I am proud of brand-wise is that in February 2022, my husband and I decided to merge businesses and rebrand to Wallace Consulting. We now have a family business! My husband, Dirk Wallace has been in the accounting and finance industries for over a decade. He has a passion for teaching and supporting small businesses to set themselves up for success by investing in their financial infrastructure.
Wallace Consulting is a consulting firm geared towards providing financial guidance for small business owners looking to grow and scale their business profitability, as well as career guidance for professionals looking to advance their careers. The mission of Wallace Consulting is to empower small businesses and individuals with the resources needed to achieve their goals.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
What a great question! I am truly standing on the shoulders of giants!
First off, my mother is my number 1 inspiration. She came to the United States, knowing little to no English, worked THREE jobs and brought all 10 of my siblings over from Cape Verde, and encouraged us to pursue our dreams.
While attending the Pawtucket Leadership Program as a teenager, I was paired with Hollie Edwardo, who was a Paralegal at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. She and Richard Rose gave me the opportunity to become a Student Intern and learn more about the legal field. Hollie used to coach me on hard and soft skills and Richard was such an advocate for people of color within the legal field.
Other mentors include Kate Hawley from the Pawtucket Weed and Seed and Paris Fisher from Project Peace. Kate used to always give me the best advice, and Paris challenged me to grow as a creative and overall better human being. He witnessed the love of Christ to me in a very practical way.
As I continued with my career, other mentors included my pastor, Bishop Stephen Harper, his wife, Mother Ingrid Harper, and their daughters, Jacqueline and Erika. My faith is a large part of who I am. They taught me that you can have a strong relationship with God while contributing to society in a meaningful way.
Certain supervisors like Peter Borden, Maddie Burke, Spencer Sherman, and Liz Teixeira have all invested so much into me. I am forever grateful for them.
My extended family, particularly my siblings have always been super supportive. I literally would not be where I am without them! They taught me to be resourceful, resilient, and comfortable in my own skin.
My friends continue to encourage and uplift me in so many ways. Friends like Gabby Gibson, Zainab Sesay, Alicia Hill, Susan Curtis, and Tekesha Rhodes (to name a few), have been there through all the major life transitions.
My biggest cheerleader is my husband. We are literally doing life together. Not only is he my husband and business partner, he is my best friend. I can always rely on him! I am so grateful to know him and for the life that we are building together along with our two beautiful children.
Pricing:
- 10-Minute Consultation: Free
- 30-Minute Career Consultation: $75
- 60-Minute Career Mapping: $155
- Resume Review & Edits: $100 for 1st page ($30 each additional page)
- Customized Cover Letter: $40
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wwallaceconsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wallacecareercoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wallacecareercoaching/
