Hi. I am Susan Samakow, CPCC, PCC. I was born in Brooklyn, NY, grew up in Highland Park, NJ, went to the University of Maryland (Go Terps!!) and decided to remain in Maryland (right outside of Washington, D.C.) and make it my home. I am a graduate of The Coaches Training Institute where I received my CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach certification and went through their Leadership program and Organization & Relationship Systems Coaching programs. I also received my PCC (Professional Certified Coach) from the International Coach Federation. I am on the Board of Directors of the Washington, D.C. ICF Chapter and President of my 40 member BNI networking group. I am married with two daughters and am loving life!

My background includes over 25 years of marketing experience and coaching experience even before coaching was a profession. I had a successful marketing business but never loved it. I felt that I was “searching” for “something” my whole life. What ended up being my profession and my life’s work (why I believe I’m here) is coaching. My passion for coaching shows up in my daily life as I guide people through life and career transitions.

My practice is diverse. I work with individuals and businesses (from sole proprietorships to large corporations), government accounts, non profits, and pro bono (doing life and business coaching and leadership in support of Katrina recovery; I do one-on-one coaching, group coaching, workshops, company retreats, seminars, training and facilitating, and teleclasses. I work with relationships (from business partners and company departments to spouses, siblings, etc.) because bottom line, that’s what life is about…relationship and connection.
In addition to my own practice, I also partner with other coaches doing leadership training, as well as retirement/transition coaching, and working with women’s groups. I am a published writer, photographer and speaker. At the core of everything I do is Positive Self Talk (PST) and I have specific strategies to help people shift from negative to positive self talk. After all, since our judgments and decisions come from our thoughts, we certainly want them coming from a positive place. The impact and outcome of PST affects the relationships we’re in, the careers we choose, and the lives we’re living.

My journey has been like many…plenty of smooth roads, bumpy roads, some with curves, some riding out the roller coaster, and some smooth sailing. My life took a turn in what I thought would be a nose dive and ended up being one of the biggest gifts and shifts of my life…my divorce. Now I’m not saying divorce is a “good” thing but it did change my life for the better. From the moment I made my decision to get divorced I knew that my girls (then 7 and 3) and I would be okay. I made a conscious decision that no matter what, the girls and I would land on our feet. I was working three jobs at one time, and all home based so I’d be around for my girls. When both girls were in school all day, I ventured out and got my first job out of the house. It was there I got my first taste of coaching. I found my passion… and what I believe I am here for is to support others on their journey to leading a more satisfying, fulfilling and meaningful life, personally and professionally…and especially creating “positivity” in people. What I found to be the key ingredient to having a successful life was Positive Self Talk, the inner dialogue that we say to ourselves…what makes us tick.
Helping people find their paths, reaching their goals, developing a positive self talk, and creating more positivity in this world and inspiring and motivating people so they get what they desire, is what it’s about for me.