--- title: Meet Luminary Member, Michelle Ward description: "Back in 2007, I was at a crossroads: No longer pursuing musical theater as a career, stuck in a job that was great on paper but came with a verbally..." image: https://www.weareluminary.com/hubfs/2-4.png --- Luminary Member Spotlight - Learn their stories! [![MCButton-Menu-2](https://www.weareluminary.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MCButton-Menu-2.png?width=200&name=MCButton-Menu-2.png "MCButton-Menu-2")](https://www.weareluminary.com/smallbusinessmastercard) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareluminary) [**](https://www.instagram.com/weareluminary/) [**](https://www.facebook.com/weareluminary) [![Book a Day Pass](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4720688/576b4dad-3441-4b1d-be0a-c9e5bfc54a6d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4720688/576b4dad-3441-4b1d-be0a-c9e5bfc54a6d) [![Book Now ](https://www.wearelu.com/individualmemberships)](https://www.weareluminary.com/luminarymemberships) [![Schedule a Tour](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4720688/3fc3c9dd-9056-4d20-abb5-d94d8cc7d777.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4720688/3fc3c9dd-9056-4d20-abb5-d94d8cc7d777) [![Already a Member?](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4720688/8c43714b-3a5e-4611-a91f-3d306b158a3f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4720688/8c43714b-3a5e-4611-a91f-3d306b158a3f) [![Luminary_2-Jun-11-2024-05-48-05-2042-PM](https://www.weareluminary.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luminary_2-Jun-11-2024-05-48-05-2042-PM.png?width=163&height=50&name=Luminary_2-Jun-11-2024-05-48-05-2042-PM.png "Luminary_2-Jun-11-2024-05-48-05-2042-PM")](https://www.weareluminary.com/home) # Member Highlight [Back to Blog](https://www.weareluminary.com/member-highlight) # Meet Luminary Member, Michelle Ward [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weareluminary.com%2Fmember-highlight%2Fmeet-luminary-member-michelle-ward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weareluminary.com%2Fmember-highlight%2Fmeet-luminary-member-michelle-ward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weareluminary.com%2Fmember-highlight%2Fmeet-luminary-member-michelle-ward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weareluminary.com%2Fmember-highlight%2Fmeet-luminary-member-michelle-ward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Meet%20Luminary%20Member%2C%C2%A0Michelle%20Ward) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weareluminary.com%2Fmember-highlight%2Fmeet-luminary-member-michelle-ward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.weareluminary.com%2Fmember-highlight%2Fmeet-luminary-member-michelle-ward%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) November 8, 2021 | By [Luminary](https://www.weareluminary.com/member-highlight/author/luminary) | [Member Spotlight](https://www.weareluminary.com/member-highlight/topic/member-spotlight) **[![Luminary Member Michelle Ward](https://www.weareluminary.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2-4.png?width=658&name=2-4.png)](https://www.luminary-nyc.com/member-spotlight) ** **Tell us a bit about yourself! How did you get started with your current career path/business journey?** Back in 2007, I was at a crossroads: No longer pursuing musical theater as a career, stuck in a job that was great on paper but came with a verbally abusive boss...and I had to ask myself, "What could be a career that I can be passionate about for the next 40ish years until retirement?" That's when I realized (1) I couldn't work for anyone if I wanted to give myself the best shot for a fulfilling career and (2) I was excited to think of being the coach I couldn't find - a career coach that worked with (& understood!) creatives! I opened my doors as The When I Grow Up Coach in 2008 and was able to quit my job mid-recession in March 2010. My role transitioned to business coach for creative women throughout the years, and in January of this year I folded The When I Grow Up Coach to focus on a signature program: 90 Day Business Launch! **What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?** My Capricorn-ness, lol! I'm a self-starter for sure, and according to Gretchen Rubin's 4 Tendencies, an Upholder. So I'm real good at setting a goal for myself and following through. And also...I'm a dreamer, and that's served me well, too. **What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, or in your business, and what did you learn from it?** Saying yes to EVERYTHING early on was a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it got me exposure and connections from the start. On the other hand, I was overextended - especially since I was building my business while working full-time and getting certified. It definitely taught me - a super extrovert who thrives on relationships - to take a breath before saying Yes to something and assessing my bandwidth + how good of a fit it is. Now I work smarter for sure. **What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?** Pitching! I just bought fellow Luminary member Precious Williams' books, and I can't wait to dive in. **How do you invite others to take a seat at the table?** It's been a huge priority of mine to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive business. After taking a course with vp wright - a DEI Consultant and Business Coach who is Black - I invited her to lead private, monthly coaching calls with my BIWOC clients. That expanded to having a BIPOC sub-group in our private community - led by vp as well - and licensing her Inclusive Strategies for Your Coaching Business workbook to give to all my clients. I'm thrilled when I hear how safe my BIWOC clients feel in our spaces, and how well they feel they're served with vp on their side. **What is one thing you wish you knew a year ago?** That Luminary was here for me! I joined in June and have already attended countless virtual meetups and workshops, worked in the space a handful of times, did an Instagram Live on your feed, and participated in the Women's Small Business Month pop-up as a vendor. There are so many opportunities here for connecting and networking - not to mention the space is my fave to work in. **What impact has Luminary made in your career? eg: Business Generated, Revenue, New Clients, Career Connections, Advancement Opportunities**  Women's Small Business Month pop-up was the first time I've ever been a vendor, and I'm excited to see what comes from that. I've made lots of connections already, and know that some collaborations and referrals are just around the corner.   *Connect with Michelle!* [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/90daybizlaunch/) [Website](http://90daybusinesslaunch.com) ## Comments ### Luminary News News and Articles about Luminary. ### Subscribe for News Updates ### Topics - [Cate Luzio (30)](https://www.weareluminary.com/asseenin/tag/cate-luzio) - [Luminary Team Highlight (38)](https://www.weareluminary.com/asseenin/tag/luminary-team-highlight) - [Member Highlight (1)](https://www.weareluminary.com/asseenin/tag/member-highlight) - [News (73)](https://www.weareluminary.com/asseenin/tag/news) - [The Glass Ceiling (4)](https://www.weareluminary.com/asseenin/tag/the-glass-ceiling) [![Luminary-2](https://www.weareluminary.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luminary-2.png?width=1081&height=1081&name=Luminary-2.png "Luminary-2")](https://www.weareluminary.com/home) ###### Location **NoMad** 1204 Broadway New York, NY 10001 (646) 876 - 8680   ###### Hours **Monday-Thursday** 8:30am - 7pm **Friday** 8:30am - 6pm **Saturday** 10am - 4pm ###### Social [**](https://twitter.com/weareluminary_) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareluminary) [**](https://www.instagram.com/weareluminary/) [**](https://www.facebook.com/weareluminary) ### Stay updated with our latest news and events. © 2022 Luminary Legacy, LLC. 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