Andy's Story and Approach
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With over 20 years in the corporate world, including international experience, and a decade as an executive and business coach, I’m passionate about helping others achieve personal and business excellence. My approach combines the science and heart of change to get results faster. Most of my clients come through referrals, but if you’ve found me through other channels, here’s a bit about my journey. Hiring a coach or consultant requires trust, so I’m sharing my story to give you insight into my experience and what drives me.
What drives me?
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Success is the achievement of personal and professional goals, encompassing fulfillment, continuous growth, positive impact, financial stability, and overall well-being.
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1️⃣My Youth
I learned about the value of love, curiosity, encouragement, inclusivity, and hard work from my parents, who were educators and community builders. They continue to bring out the best in people even at ages 87 and 93. I applied these principles to teams in my career, and it worked exceptionally well. My parents modeled psychological safety long before it was recognized as the #1 variable in high-performing teams. Psychological Safety Definition:The belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes, and the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking. It greatly accelerates learning and growth. 1969-1988. The values of love and curiosity are a catalyst for healthy, mutually successful relationships. |
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2️⃣College
Inspired by my two uncles who loved learning and their work, I pursued Engineering. My undergraduate journey took six years as I explored various engineering and business majors before settling on mechanical engineering. I also appreciated meeting people from all over the world in my residence hall. BSME from the University of Minnesota 1988-1994. EMBA from the University of St. Thomas 2003-2005. Learning is a lifelong adventure, driven by wonder, growth, and connecting with diverse perspectives to better our own lives and the lives of others. |
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3️⃣Corporate Career
I enjoyed a 21-year career with varied roles in engineering, quality/operations, sales, marketing and executive leadership. My last role was Global VP of Sales and Marketing for a Fortune 500 Operating Company, leading/serving a talented team of nine direct reports and 50 indirect reports. I even lived in Germany for 2 years with my family while also serving as GM of CPC GmBH. As a company, we achieved annual double-digit global growth in sales and profits over my final 5 years, thanks to a high-trust, innovative, and collaborative executive management team and organization. I led corporate strategy development, our goal deployment process, business development/M&A, and a global sales and marketing team across all business units - Biopharmaceutical, Medical Device & Industrial. I loved learning and experimenting with others to achieve ambitious results, leveraging individual and collective strengths. I was chosen for the Dover Corp (Fortune 500) 8-month Executive Development Program at the Darden School of Business, where I learned and worked alongside other presidents and senior executives. I've lived and traveled around the world, and I see humanity as more alike than different. 1994-2005 Success in business is driven by innovation, trust, and the collective strength of a dedicated team. |
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4️⃣ Coaching and Consulting Career
Throughout my career, I benefited greatly from coaches like Kate Larsen, Dr. Richard Bents (we also co-wrote a book on Trust), Annette Nathan, Dr. Stephen Crawford and more. They gave me confidence and courage when at times I struggled with imposter syndrome after promotions or faced corporate pressure for growth from our Fortune 500 parent company. They helped me better understand and leverage my strengths in collaboration, listening, strategy, connecting with each team member, and aligning teams for effective action. By my mid-40s, I was ready for a fulfilling career helping leaders and their teams. I enjoy supporting senior c-suite executives, their teams, and small business owners scaling their business. As a process-driven coach/consultant, I rely on the science (mechanics) and neuroscience of change (understanding our brains and nervous system), while avoiding complexity and over-analysis that inhibit action and results. I use self-developed tools/models based on 30 years of experience, reading (I even read research studies to make sure concepts work and are reliable/valid). This is why I prioritize 1-on-1 coaching; most training remains theoretical and can feel too risky or vulnerable to implement or experiment alone. I also utilize assessments on occasion, like The Five Behaviors, DiSC, ARPe, MBTI, 360, Maxwell Leadership, and more. I partner with other consultants and coaches to provide the most value to clients, offering additional support for capacity or expertise when needed. I've also enjoyed training on trust and psychological safety to teams and talent development professionals. 2015- Present |
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5️⃣Andy's Interests
Outside of work, I enjoy time with my family, the outdoors, playing the trumpet, music, sports, and the arts. We love traveling and exploring new places, often with friends. My Dad, an avid Minnesota sports fan, keeps me up updated daily. My son prefers active participation, often getting me out to play pickleball, tennis and golf when he's home from college in the summer. My awesome older sister is the cool one - riding Harley's and inspiring women into the trades around the country. I also donate a portion of my time to leaders in new positions, helping them start strong in their new executive roles, and to business owners to help them scale faster. Personal recreation and pursuits provide the balance needed to recharge and inspire, fueling greater achievements in all areas of life. |
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6️⃣Let's Grow Your Business and Inspire Others
My Bold Start is the culmination of 30 years of learning and experimenting to create a modern, effective approach to holistic personal and business success. I focus on nurturing growth mindsets in leaders. Understanding the pressures and challenges of modern business environments, I believe there's a more effective, healthier way to navigate them. By embracing a transformational and sustainable approach to leadership, we can achieve better results for ourselves and foster a supportive, successful environment for our teams Let's get started... |