From people operations manager to certified executive coach, meet Natalie Robbins in San Diego, California
From big tech at Meta to laid-off, new mom, and starting a coaching business from scratch, executive career coach Natalie Robbins of San Diego, CA knows what it means to reinvent. We talk about building a career that actually fits your life, starting over with a tiny human in tow, and why asking better questions can unlock your next chapter.
If you’re feeling the pull toward something new, this episode is your reminder that you’re not behind, you’re just getting started.
Connect with Natalie
You know what I think is so funny about the podcast is that while people listen to it from all over the world, sometimes they forget that people are listening to it. Right? In the same town that I live in San Diego, California. And Natalie, that's how you found the podcast. And then reach out to me and I'm like, wait, we're neighbors.
That's so funny. My gosh. Welcome to the Career flipper. This is so cool to have you here. Tell us everyone a little bit about you and what you do at this point in your career. Yes. Well, Jenny, thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here. Um, so my name is Natalie. I'm newer to the San Diego area.
Um, and currently I am a life leadership coach and I partner with individuals. Identify their strengths and their values so they can make a plan to reach the goals that are important to them. That's a, that's a big undertaking right there and very important work. And so we'll be diving into like, how do we even get to that point where, you know, that's what you wanna do?
'cause I feel like things like that. Only happen when you go through something and you were looking for that. So, um, Natalie, I am really curious, how, how did you get to that point in your career where this is what you wanted to do? What were you doing beforehand? Where did this all start? How did you flip?
Yeah. Well, I've had a, like a few flips. Okay. You're multi flipper. Yeah. Which I, which I. I wanna just share that because I think sometimes people are like, oh, I wanna make this change and that's not, you know, how do I do that? Or I'm not ready. And the truth is, is most people. We'll have around like 12 jobs in their career.
So I just wanna normalize, I flipped a couple times, but more recently before this latest flip if you will. Um, I worked in big tech and I was a leader for a people operations team, and I had a team of. Around like 40 and folks distributed around the United States. And so I did a lot of coaching and developing and building just thriving teams and helping people be at their best and also serve.
Our goals and recruiting. And the flip came about when I was laid off like so many people experience nowadays. I know you have experienced a layoff and have shared so openly about that, and I was laid off and it wasn't a surprise. My company had had a number of layoffs and I was ready for that to happen, but I think when that.
When the shoe, when the other shoe drops, it's different. It's real, it's on paper. And at the same time, I had recently become a parent for the first time. And so talk about just complete identity shift. Um, certainly a period of, of so much joy and excitement. Also so much overwhelm of what am, what am I doing?
Um, and so I was able to take some time to focus on being a parent. Uh, full-time, which is very much a job. And then when I felt ready and I was able to build the right support around me, I was like, I really wanna do coaching. And that had been in the back of my mind for years. And I actually had worked with professional coaches through my company, but it was never the.
Right time. Um, and I don't know if like this time is like the right time, but it's the time that I'm ready to do it. And so I took the time to go through a formal certification process and that was really rewarding just to make sure that I am, I'm ethical and clear in what I offer to folks. And then as far as being really clear on what I offer.
I'll be transparent. It's been a little all over the place because I wasn't sure what I would like. Um, so I've done like some career coaching. I've done some life coaching, I've done some executive coaching, um, and giving myself the grace to just understand, okay, what is it that I offer really clearly to folks and I've learned so much like through that process.
Wow. Yeah, there's a lot, a lot to unpack here. I mean, first thing, first, I'm, I'm going way back as well of what you shared. You know, you were working in big tech, you were leading a big team. Um, I worked at startups and the teams that I led were, I mean, I think the biggest team I ever led was about 24. So you saying 40 and more, like that's a lot.
So you're working there. It sounds like you liked that because there were elements of that job, like the coaching of the teams and that kind of like maybe some of the operational stuff that you really clicked with. So it sounds like, and maybe I'm hearing it wrong, but it sounds like you liked that job, you were good with it, and then.
You got laid off. And even though it wasn't a surprise, which I'm really glad that you mentioned this, because even when things are planned, there are still, there's still grief that comes up, there's still surprises that come out of that, even though it wasn't there. And hearing that in addition to another huge life change of becoming a parent, um, which.
I mean, that is a whole next level and all of the emotions that go with that and lack of sleep, I mean like you're navigating a lot, a lot of things there. And suddenly this idea of like going back to what it sounds like was really at the core of what you liked about your last job was the coaching, but you had it in your mind for a while, and I'm curious to hear.
Was it inspired by a particular coach that you had at some point in the past? Was there something about it? What was it that was kind of like intuitively calling to you about being a coach? What were your kind of goals as far as like what it was gonna give to you, but also the service to provide to someone else?
What was that kind of connecting piece there? Why did you wanna do it? Yeah, I mean, I remember I was at a transition point in my role, um, at my previous company where my team had gotten too big and I needed now to hire leaders. There is this element of letting go. Um, I'm someone that loves detail and there's a level of detail that you cannot manage once you start leading leaders in a bigger team.
Yeah, and I was fortunate enough to leverage working with an executive coach. She was like, okay, we need to get really clear on what you are good at and we need to get really clear on what you need your team to be good at and what you're gonna let go of. And you know, there are a number of assessments you can take and I, I love assessments for my clients and, and people that I meet along the way.
And kid you not, the top strength that was on that report was coaching really. And. That to me, I just didn't put that together. And another strength that was like, I think top three was empowering. Empowering other people. Mm-hmm. And I think that's something that's just really important to me as a person, is that people feel empowered and have a sense of security and autonomy and.
I think what really came down to it wasn't the right time. It was in the back of my mind was, you know, a level of security. And I know a lot of people feel that, especially if they're in a job that has, you know, great benefits and a good salary. And that's certainly what I had. Um, there is a level of risk that, you know, you, you're taking right when you're going out on your own.
Um. And so I, I knew at some point I would want to go through at least the certification process and whatnot, but also finding time to fit that in with a full-time job was gonna be another challenge. Um, and I was like, okay, we're gonna put a pin in this. And actually, I felt like I was probably gonna do this towards maybe like the final chapter of my career.
And so it's really. Exciting that it's in a much earlier chapter of my career now, but that's how it came about was really working with a coach and taking the time to understand myself. And I think there was a level of just comfort and knowing what I was able to offer as a leader to my team. Mm-hmm. And then in turn, taking the time to now understand like, what do I offer to my clients?
Yeah. I love that that was sparked by your own kind of work on yourself and how that opened your eyes to what you were doing for others, for, for your team and what your team needed to succeed at that company, but also as just humans. And I am super curious, and this is a random question, but it pops in my mind because, you know, when we talk about the word empowerment, I feel like that's not necessarily something that.
Always comes easy to people. Sometimes we either have to see someone else maybe living that. Um, and so I'm curious, like was it early in your career or maybe apart in your life, like how did you learn to feel that sense of empowerment for yourself? What kept you motivated in those early days and even now, like how does that show up for you?
What does it mean to be empowered for yourself? It's a great question. So instantly I think of a story from my childhood. Um, I remember was in the first grade learning to read and I really struggled to, to read, um, good or good or bad. Um, the teachers put us in groups by reading level, so you're immediately identified of like who is the best and, uh, you know, who's not doing as well.
And I was put in. In one of the lower groups, and I was so frustrated and just didn't feel good about myself, of course, in that moment. And I remember I was talking with my, my grandmother, and I told her that that happened at school, and she asked me a simple question. She said, what would you like to do about it?
How can I support you? And so you better believe Jenny, I was reading anything and everything to her all the time and reading out loud all the time and finding new books and pouring myself into this skill I so wanted to be good at. And then within a few short months I was like in, in that group and had this level of confidence.
But it does it, but it took someone. Asking me that question, like, what would you like to do? Right? Mm-hmm. I'm like, how can I support you? And those are the questions that I asked my clients time and time again, I think in my career. Where it really came out too was I, early in my career was in retail management.
I did a program through Macy's coming outta college, um, one of the best and hardest jobs I've ever had. Um, and. They used to have this saying where it was like, you are empowered. And really what that was about is as a sales associate don't need to always call a manager, right? Like you can make things a good experience for the customer.
We trust you. And I think for me, in my leadership career in retail and in tech. There was always this level of trust that I wanted to have with my team. Like certainly newer folks onboard, earn your stripes, all of that. But really making sure that people know that when they were working with me, that like I trusted them.
Yeah. And so that's really where that came from. I think today where it comes. Where that empowerment comes from is it's been honestly like this new learning experience, and I'm sure you've experienced this as you've navigated the podcast in your business. It's like, oh, this is now completely wide open.
So that can feel very overwhelming. Mm-hmm. And it's also very empowering, right? Mm-hmm. Because it's like, oh, if I want to charge X for my services, I can, if I want to. You know, change who I'm serving. I can. And so for me, even now in this point of my career, um, and this new journey I'm on as a business owner, it's still requiring me to be vulnerable and ask for help and learn from others.
And that, and that requires like a level of trust and a level of vulnerability. Yeah. Oh yeah. That's an incredible story. First of all, with your grandma and reading, and just, it highlights how important it is to, like you said, ask for help or be asked the question, and then to have the support and the help that you need to be able to work and make the change.
But you do have to take ownership of it. There is that level of that, and I think that's such a good call out of like. We can. We can ask for help. We can not ask for help, or people can ask us if we want their help. Whatever it is, it still comes down. Empowerment still comes down to taking ownership for the things that we want to work toward, and when we have that support system that we need when we're.
Maybe listening to ourselves a little bit more because we're being asked the right questions. I always like to believe that we all already have all the answers. We just have to be asked the right questions. And your grandma, I mean, what an amazing woman she sounds like to, you know, and for you to be so young and for that message to be received in such a way where you're like.
I'm, I'm gonna do it. Um, and I think that's such an important call out and it says a lot about who you are now and then the types of ways that you help people figure things out that might be messy and confusing and might not be so clear just by asking these simple questions. Yeah. And so, you know, you are.
One of the things when we were chatting on Instagram that really stood out to me was that you're right in this change right now. Like you're, you're really figuring it out. And like you said, sometimes things don't always come easy. You might not like doing something after trying it for a while, but you are trying it.
And you are making this, taking the steps to figure it out. And I know a lot of people listening to the podcast are in that messy middle right now as well. And so I'm curious, Natalie, like what keeps you going? Like, because it's hard sometimes and hearing the things that you've said and how much you do help people, but sometimes there's.
The financial things that come up or sometimes there's just life in general without kind of the benefits and, and structure of a corporate job. So I'm really curious to hear what keeps you going when it gets really difficult. Yeah, and I think I appreciate you calling it the messy middle because it definitely is when you're trying something new.
Um. I think what keeps me going are a couple of things. I think one is simply the reminder that I took the time to reflect on what I really wanted for myself and for my family, and this is what I wanted, like mm-hmm. Even if it is a hard season or a hard day, like I, I chose this and I chose this in a really thoughtful and intentional way.
Um. I really love doing that through like a gratitude practice I have every day. I think the other thing that keeps me going is this career pivot is affording me the opportunity to fulfill myself professionally, leveraging what I'm good at, and also to still be very much a present parent in a way that.
I, I just don't think would be possible in a corporate job. I, I don't wanna say it's impossible, but it's just different. And so right now this fits really well for me and my family. And I would say the last thing is really leaving every session with clients keeps me going. If someone has like an aha moment or someone.
You know, reaches a milestone. I just had a client who reached this like huge milestone in her business, and it just made me so like humbled and grateful to just like be a very small part of, of her, like getting after what she really wanted. So my clients keep me going as well. Oh yeah, that is, that just lights you up, right?
Like it is those things, hearing those stories of how you know, you're. Maybe you're just asking them questions and how they're figuring it out and they're doing the dang things. They're out there doing the work and you are a part of that journey and that is incredible. And it sounds like, you know, for you, having people that have, you know, taking that test with that one coach you had years ago, you know, and how that was a part of.
Where you are now and just how the ripple effect of those small, small questions and, and things that we do can lead to so many more things down the road, but it just starts with something to push us in that direction. And it sounds like for you taking that test, but also, you know, getting laid off and mm-hmm.
And wanting to live a life that wasn't gonna be. Corporate and away from your family. And I think that that goes to show with what you said just a moment ago about you chose this and that is what keeps you going when things are really hard and staying true to the values of why you chose that. I love that.
I love that. And Natalie, you know, your work with clients in all the different kind of areas that you coach on. I'm sure there are things that you, you find these like common themes. 'cause I, I know, I find it when I chat with career focus, there are a lot of common themes, a lot of like, um, the biggest one is kind of like a repurposing skills, like things that we may have had in the past job, but we wanna change if something else.
And there's those ways to really repurpose what we already know and use it in the next chapter, so to say. And so I'm curious. What advice would you have for someone listening right now who might be, they might also know they're about to get laid off in a few months, or maybe they don't know, but they know they wanna change and they're not sure they wanna be home with their, their kids more, but they also still wanna work and not give up that corporate, or excuse me, that career-minded sense of self.
What is some advice that you have found helpful? For giving to your clients that you'd be open to sharing with our listeners right now? Yeah. Well I would say the first thing that's really important is taking some time to get things out of your head and onto paper. Um, it can be really overwhelming when you're thinking about all these what ifs I should, I want, I thought the stories we tell ourselves sometimes are just.
Yeah. Really messy and often un not. Totally true. Yeah. So the first thing I would suggest is for people to take some time to reflect what are the things that you really enjoy? What are the things that you're good at? And do those align? Mm-hmm. Um, if you're currently in the workforce, what are the elements of your job that you love?
If you could describe like your perfect work day or just day total, like what does it include and what are things that you just don't want to have as a part of your work or life. The second thing I would advise is like get really practical. I think it's great to dream, but make sure your dreams are anchored so.
Financially, what do you need to do for yourself or your family? Um, what are the resources and levers you can pull, you know, if you're wanting to start a business, are there free resources, grants, you know, there's so many great tools out there. And the last thing I would say is build community around what you want.
Um, I have never been a business owner. I never thought I would be a business owner. And so for me, finding other entrepreneurs to connect with has been just so helpful and reassuring. Um, so find those spaces where you feel safe to like ask questions and learn. And frankly, just know that the idea that you have, that next step you wanna take isn't.
It's not crazy or outlandish. Like other people most likely have been on a similar journey. And so being, you know, a little bit vulnerable and finding those spaces is just gonna help you as you take action in the way that works best for you. Hmm. Oof. Well, I love that your advice started out with the asking of questions.
I love that. I feel like that is so actionable. Everyone listening hopefully will jot those down, um, and, and, you know, journal on them, reflect on them later. I think that that is an important place to start because sometimes the best advice is the things we already know inside and. You know, hearing the community building part, I love that you brought this up.
I mean, simply for the fact that like, that is partly how we met you slid into my dms. I mean, and that's like, I find myself doing that all the time. In fact, that's how a lot of people end up being guess on the show. 'cause I'm like, hi, it's me. Um, uh, I have this little show and so I think that. If we can get comfortable with being curious and not feeling so weird about talking to others who might be doing something similar to what we want to do.
I mean, the worst they could say is no. I mean, that's it. And then you know, we move on. But most of the time people say yes and people want to help. And I, I just, I love that. I think that that is so, so important for people who wanna make changes. But I also, I wanna tie this all back to something you said in the very beginning because this fact of, like, most people have, you know, I think you said 12 jobs, you know, or, you know, and how this is the, a multiple flip for you.
And I mean, I feel like that is just so true and it is like such a taboo topic. For people to think that, you know, oh, well you, you change careers. Like why? There's like that stigma there of like, or I mean, and it's not just society, it's like hiring managers. Like I have literally had been in interviews and they're like, you do what?
You're literally a one foot in, one foot out kind of person. I'm like, what? Like I don't understand, like I am I variety. Like there's so many great things about that. I think, you know, if we kind of embrace the fact that like it's okay, um, what would that look like for hiring candidates down the road?
That's a whole other question. I'm sure we could go down, but I just wanted to call that out because it just brings back to the fact that like. You know, these are chapters and this may be what you are considering now and maybe this is something that you do for the next 10, 20 years. And then we evolve and it leads you in another direction and that's perfectly acceptable.
And okay. And the fact that you are opening up the door to conversations for this and you're seeing successes. You're right there. Holding the hands of your clients as they, you know, face the tough challenges and you're in it yourself, which in my opinion makes you a hundred percent, 110 times percent more trustworthy than someone who's just talking about it, but not doing, doing the work or doing the thing at all.
Um, no offense to anybody else, but, um, that's just how I see it. And so, Natalie, there are. So many, so many great things that you're offering to help people as you're also going through your own career change and, you know, talking about community building and connecting and how people can just slide into your dms and ask questions.
How can they find you? How can they connect with you? How, how could they talk more and bring you on as their own coach? Yeah, well, before I get into that, I'm just so grateful for the space to share my story and normalize that, you know, just like life has many chapters. So does your career, um. As far as how folks can find me, you're welcome to find me.
I am on LinkedIn, Natalie Robbins. You can find me on Instagram at Pivot Empower, um, or check out my website, pivot empower.com. And feel free to just either send me a message or book a free chat with me and see if it's a good fit. Also, have some. Resources on my website if folks wanna check those out, some freebies that are helpful just to get, just like I said, more of that reflection started for you.
That's amazing. That's amazing. And I love that you offer like a free chat, like that's super cool. Yeah. I think it's really important for me as a coach to make sure that it's a good fit for, for both the client and for myself. Like mm-hmm. Making sustainable change. Very vulnerable. Yeah. And so it's really important for me that people are comfortable and feel ready to roll up their sleeves and I'm right next to them and we're doing it together.
Um, so I love to have those chats with people just to make sure it feels good. Yeah, absolutely. I agree. And I think like, I don't know, part of me and my. Career path craziness too. Like just the, the talking about it with someone that's outside of your circle a little bit. I know, like I have such an amazing support system, uh, you know, great people in my life, but sometimes I wanna run these, you know, a little bit more unhinged thoughts by someone who has a little bit more of like an outsider's perspective.
And when there's something offered like that and. It just, I don't know, to not take advantage of it. Seems, uh, seems silly and I'm, you know, obviously this podcast is run on my own dime. I'm not here to sell anything or push any particular thing. I really just wanna like, encourage people to take advantage of the resources that are out there and if they are free, like why not?
Like, honestly. So I really appreciate you bringing that up and. Just like offering your time to do that because who knows what that one conversation could lead to for someone. Um, and so I just love that. And honestly, this has been such a joy to have you on and to chat and thank you for opening up and sharing.
I just, I appreciate you, Natalie. Thank you so much. Oh, thank you. I'm grateful for.