Ep 10 – Overcoming Your Inner Critic and Thriving with Purpose (with Stephanie Rourke Jackson)

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What if your greatest strength was something you hadn’t fully recognized yet?

For Stephanie Rourke Jackson, the journey from fashion industry executive to life coach, mentor, and confidence builder wasn’t a straight path—but it was one filled with self-discovery, community, and clarity.In this episode of Coaching with Impact, I sat down with Stephanie, founder of Beacon Coaching, to talk about how she helps coaches and professionals develop radical self-awareness, confidence, and clarity—and how embracing her own transformation helped her build a thriving coaching practice.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, struggled with self-doubt, or wondered how to grow your coaching business without overcomplicating things, this is the episode for you.

When Success No Longer Feels Right:
How Stephanie Found Clarity and a New Career

Stephanie’s story didn’t start with coaching. She spent 25 years in the fashion industry, specializing in marketing, PR, and brand strategy. It was a career she loved—until she didn’t.

For brand strategy coaches, Stephanie’s journey serves as an inspiring example of how clarity and purpose can redefine a career.

“I had the career, the dream job, the beautiful office—everything I thought I wanted. But one day, I found myself circling the building, dreading going in. That was my wake-up call.”

Like many coaches, Stephanie didn’t plan on becoming a coach—but life had other plans. As she experienced a personal crisis, she worked with a life coach who helped her regain clarity, purpose, and direction. That experience was so transformational that she jumped into coaching training headfirst, investing in herself and her future.

“I signed up for my first coaching program, paid the tuition, and figured the rest out later. That’s just how I roll.”

How to Land Your First Coaching Clients (Without Overcomplicating It)

Many new coaches struggle to land their first clients—often turning to social media and trying to “figure it out” along the way. But Stephanie’s approach was refreshingly simple: 

  • Start with Conversations – She didn’t build a website first or stress over branding. Instead, she asked people about their struggles, listened deeply, and offered solutions.
  • Offer Low-Stakes Sessions – Instead of overthinking pricing, she launched $25 coffee chat coaching sessions, providing value in exchange for testimonials.
  • Let Word-of-Mouth Do the Work – As she helped more people, referrals naturally followed.

“I realized I didn’t need a fancy marketing funnel. I just needed to help people—and when you truly help, they talk about you.”

Scaling a Coaching Business Without a Social Media Overwhelm

Despite being active online, Stephanie doesn’t rely on social media for client acquisition. Instead, she focuses on in-person events, speaking opportunities, and retreats.  For those looking to improve their web design for coaches, Stephanie’s approach highlights the importance of clarity and ease of access in reaching the right clients.

“Social media is just one layer of marketing. If you want real traction, you need a multi-faceted approach—newsletters, speaking gigs, networking, and in-person events.”

Here are Stephanie’s go-to strategies for growth:

  • Host Retreats & Events – She organizes seasonal retreats that create deep connections and transformation for her clients.
  • Run Small Group Coaching Programs – Programs like Courageous Corner give clients a structured path while maintaining a sense of community and support.
  • Leverage Speaking Engagements – By pitching workshops to companies, she positions herself as a trusted expert in workplace confidence, leadership, and personal growth.

“I keep things simple—Zoom, Eventbrite, Canva. You don’t need fancy tools to be successful. You just need to take action.

The Inner Work That Fuels Confidence and Growth

Stephanie is known for helping clients uncover their true identity and build confidence—something she’s developed through her Identity Mapping framework.

“Confidence is a skill, not a personality trait. You can build it, practice it, and strengthen it—just like a muscle.”

Her AHA Formula helps clients break through self-doubt:

AWARENESS – Identify what’s holding you back.

HONESTY – Get real about what needs to change.

ACTION – Take steps to create the life & business you want.

“Your inner critic will try to keep you safe—but it will also keep you small. Recognize it, challenge it, and move forward anyway.”

A New Approach to Confidence & Clarity for Coaches

Stephanie believes that coaches need coaches—and that support systems are key to sustainable success.

“You don’t have to do this alone. Get a mentor, join a community, invest in your growth.”

Her latest coaching offers include:

  • 1:1 Coaching & Clarity Calls – For those seeking personalized guidance and strategy, Stephanie offers free 30-minute clarity calls to explore the best next steps.
  • Courageous Corner Coaching Community – A 10-12 week group program designed to help coaches and professionals build clarity, confidence, and connection.
  • ADDvance: ADHD Coaching – A specialized program for adults with ADHD, helping them navigate work, relationships, and productivity with strategies tailored to neurodivergent minds.

Own Your Growth, Own Your Future

Stephanie’s journey is proof that you don’t need to overcomplicate your coaching business to be successful.

Her advice?

  • Keep it simple – Start with conversations, not tech.
  • Get visible – Speak, host, connect—go where your clients are.
  • Invest in your growth – Mentorship, coaching, and community make all the difference.

And because getting started can feel overwhelming, Stephanie is offering a FREE 30-minute Clarity Call to help you gain direction, break through your inner critic, and take the next step with confidence.

🎯 Claim your free clarity call herestephanie@beaconcoaching.ca 

Whether it’s offering a coffee chat session, booking a clarity call, or hosting your first event, the key is to start before you’re ready.

About Stephanie

Stephanie Rourke Jackson is a Certified Life & Leadership Coach, speaker, and founder of Beacon Coaching, dedicated to helping professionals and entrepreneurs build radical self-awareness, confidence, and clarity. With over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, and public relations, Stephanie transitioned from a successful career in the fashion industry to coaching, driven by a deep passion for personal development and transformation.

She specializes in identity mapping, leadership development, and ADHD coaching, guiding her clients to uncover their true strengths, align with their values, and step into their fullest potential. Stephanie is also the creator of Courageous Corner Coaching Community, a 10-12 week group coaching program designed to cultivate confidence and meaningful connections.

Through her 1:1 coaching, group programs, and transformational retreats, Stephanie empowers individuals to navigate life and business with greater purpose and resilience. She believes that confidence is a skill that can be cultivated, and she’s on a mission to help people step into their unique brilliance—without overcomplicating the process.

When she’s not coaching, you can find Stephanie hosting retreats, speaking on self-leadership, or sharing her insights on Instagram (@beacon_coachingca) and beaconcoaching.ca.

FeiModern is a boutique brand strategy and web design studio for female coaches and speakers who are ready to be seen at the level they are already operating. We work with purpose-driven women thought leaders who are done playing small online, helping them clarify their message, elevate their presence, and build a brand that communicates their value before they say a word. Our mission is to lift and empower BIPOC women worldwide to step into their authority, charge their worth, and show up with confidence.

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Podcast episode graphic for "Overcoming Your Inner Critic and Thriving with Purpose" featuring host Fifa Tran and guest Stephanie Rourke Jackson, Global Personal Development Coach.

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