CHARLENE RIDLEY (IN HER OWN WORDS)
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- January 21, 2022
Charlene Ridley is a transition coach, dreamer, and mom of three. As the founder of Unpause Your Dreams, Charlene channels her love for seeing others win to help her clients realize and put action behind their dreams. She pours into her clients through 1×1 coaching, workshops, and wellness retreats. At the core of her work, she proves that with the proper guidance it’s never too late to press play on a dream deferred.
Ridley, originally from Albany, NY, recently launched the Unpause Your Dreams Scholarship fund benefiting high school seniors in her hometown. She provides encouragement and direction through her Dare to Dream live series as well as her brainstorming notebook Unpause Your Dreams — Brainstorming, Ideas, and Notes. Charlene is who you run to when you feel stuck and need help reaching the light at the end of the tunnel.
Why is pursuing your dreams so important?
Charlene: Perkbox Insights surveyed over 1000 people and these are the key findings:
96% of adults are not in the job they dreamt of as a child – only 4% were successful in making their dream job a reality. A huge 64% of those people still wish that they were doing their childhood dream job as adults. 43% felt that they didn’t have the talent, opportunities or resources to pursue their childhood dream – including a disproportionate 28% of women, compared to just 15% of men. During this study they also learned that the adults who didn’t pursue their childhood dream are twice as likely to be unhappy in their job as those who did. Knowing these statistics is why Charlene is so passionate. When asked why this is her mission Charlene replied, “Because I love seeing people win and believe with every fiber of my being that every single person deserves to live bold, colorful, wildly fulfilling, exciting lives. Like the kind that you have to wake up in the morning and pinch yourself to make sure you aren’t dreaming.”
Why?
Charlene: Because I love seeing people win and believe with every fiber of my being that EVERY SINGLE PERSON deserves to live bold, colorful, wildly fulfilling, exciting lives. Like the kind that you have to wake up in the morning and pinch yourself to make sure you aren’t dreaming.
I’ve recreated myself many, many times. I’ve birthed so many dreams from relocating all over the U.S. to rapidly growing my career and negotiating incredible salary increases to starting new businesses. I’ve shared everything I learned along the way with friends, family and my clients.
Where is your business based?
Charlene: My business is based in Charlotte, NC but I serve clients all over the U.S.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
Charlene: In 2015, I did transformational leadership training and started coaching. I decided to make this a recognized, formal business structure in 2020 and incorporated Unpause Your Dreams.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Charlene: The greatest compliment is word of mouth. Most of my clients have been referred to me. In 2022, I am developing a stronger internet presence and will ramp up my marketing/ad spend to get the word out so that I can help more people.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
Charlene: I have an Instagram Live on Wednesdays at noon ET called “Dare to Dream” where I interview people that are actively living their dream lives.
I host a Clubhouse room called “Winning the Day with Char & Al” on Monday, evening at 8 pm ET & Thursdays at noon ET.
I launched the “Unpause Your Dreams” Scholarship fund for rising seniors in Albany, NY.
I have a brainstorming notebook, “Unpause Your Dreams — Brainstorming, Ideas, & Notes” that was just released and can be purchased on Amazon.
I have a Ready, Set, Relocation workshop on January 27th and a Negotiation Strategy course on January 31st. I am planning a retreat for Q3 2022. Visit www.unpauseyourdreams.com for more information or to register for a workshop.
How can our readers connect with you?
Charlene: There are 3 ways to connect with me:
2. Instagram @unpause_your_dreams
3. Facebook unpause_your_dreams