Raving Fans

What Raving Fan Clients Have to Say...

Mastermind/Group Coaching Participants Share Their Experiences

Private Client Testimonials

"Six months after leaving a challenging job, moving hundreds of miles to a community where I knew nobody and had no work, and starting a new phase of life, I took stock of the progress I’d made and realized with satisfaction that I negotiated this transition remarkably well. Then I remembered my very first conversation with Steve Stutz months before that. He had asked me to visualize and describe an ideal day in this new future. As it turns out, the kind of day I had imagined and described way back then has become the day I am now living. Like all of us, I was full of good intentions. I credit my work with Steve for making those intentions come to fruition.

Steve begins his work by helping clients to identify their values, which then become a guide and motivator for future work. When I was tempted to act out of panic, he relentlessly returned me to those values. He is an excellent listener and a skilled responder -- by turns devil’s advocate, cheerleader, resourcer, motivator, brainstormer, instructor -- depending on my stated needs. One of the most challenging and valuable aspects of our coaching relationship was that he didn’t do my work for me. He insisted that I set the agenda, and then he would respond and shape his support and my accountability accordingly. This helped me to get to where I wanted to be, and forced me to be proactive rather than passive.

My story has not ended, even though the coaching relationship has. But I face the current challenges confident that the progress I made, the insights and habits and tools I gained, and the positive reinforcement of my efforts thus far have equipped me to step positively into the future. I am grateful for my work with Steve, and am glad to recommend him to others who are ready to face their future differently."
--Elizabeth Liggett, Hutchinson, Kansas

"Being unsettled, full of fear, and the feeling that there is something more has been an almost constant state of affairs throughout my life. I didn't have the words for what “it” was until I started working with Steve in June of 2014. In the past six months, Steve has guided me on my journey to sort out a career path setting clear goals and a long term focus of opening my own non-profit. When we began our coaching sessions I had no job, no focus, and lots of fear about the future. After only a few sessions I had the skills and confidence to hold multiple coffee dates resulting in three paid positions. These opportunities are network building blocks for my non-profit. The investment in coaching with Steve has paid off at least ten fold, $10,000 alone in income, and more yet to be seen in the non-monetary benefits from the people I have met and the skills I have learned. Thank you Steve, I look forward to working with you in the future and having you at the ribbon cutting of the non-profit."
--Bridget Thien, Austin, TX

"Being coached by Steve Stutz has benefited me both personally and professionally. Steve's careful listening and perceptive questions have helped me think through some key issues in vocational trajectory and organizational sustainability. The coaching process with Steve resulted in clear action steps that have brought me closer to my goals. I recommend Steve to anyone interested in moving forward on the path. If you're ready to work, Steve is there to help you progress toward your goals."
--James Jarrett, Forney, TX

"Just a quick note to “Thank You” at the end of my coaching time. This has been a great experience for me. Before we started working together, I was feeling trapped by the state of my finances, my thinking process, and the demands of my personal life. I was suffering from the results of a few poor choices, feeling very insecure about myself and my abilities and experiencing general overwhelm in life. My autistic son is high need and takes a lot of my energy to keep focused. When I heard about your coaching program, I got excited! I’ve always been into personal growth and development, but had gotten sidetracked. I wasn’t exactly sure what “coaching” was all about, but I thought this would be my chance to get started again. Wow! Was that ever true! You helped me to set goals and get moving toward achieving them in the areas of health & fitness, finances, and organization. Over the past six months, I’ve been able to de-clutter large parts of my life, learned how to stay flexible and open to change, to “chunk down” overwhelming tasks into “easy win” bite size tasks. One important thing I learned from you is that just staying committed and making incremental progress is crucial to achieving the big goal. I think anyone who needs to gain a sense of focus and acceptance, to achieve some specific goals, people who are experiencing overwhelm and choose to work with you are in for something special! They will quickly realize that you aren’t going to do it for them—they’ve got to own it for themselves—take personal responsibility for where they want to be. And you can then help them to get moving toward those goals. I will be recommending you to my friends and colleagues. Thanks again for a great coaching experience!"
-Cathy Bryan, legal services professional and author of “Walking on Rainbows”, Houston, TX

"What a great six months! When we began working together, I just didn’t know at all what to expect. “Life” coaching was a new concept for me, and but once we got started I realized what a powerful thing this really is. I contacted you initially because I wanted help to improve areas of my life that were negatively affecting my ministry. I wasn’t sleeping well, my weight had been creeping up, I was struggling with emotions swirling around career and finances. I knew that I needed someone to help me see my own blind spots and help me make the connections that I couldn’t on my own. I needed accountability, encouragement, and sound advice on how to get moving forward toward what I really wanted to do. Along the way, you gave me the extra leverage and incentive I needed to get the treadmill (which was an expense I might not have incurred—even though it clearly supported my health goals) without coaching. This in turn helped me to get started on my weight loss—and having you there as an accountability person has really kept me motivated and moving toward my goal. I know that I threw a lot of different situations at you—and you have an easy going way about you that never got rattled. You are thorough and you keep things on track, but you do it with patience, which was very important for me. Very non-judgmental, supportive, encouraging—and you celebrate progress! I hadn’t stopped to rejoice very often when we were just getting started, but I realize now how important it is to celebrate the small victories and keep pressing on toward the big prize! I think the best overall change for me is becoming more logical and systematic when facing challenging situations, like my weight loss or reacting to other people. You’ve helped me to become a more intentional “dot connector” and I’m much more self-aware of my internal reactions and responses. I feel a lot less lost than when I started! I’m planning to use your services again—in other words, I’m now sold on the process and I will be recommending you without any hesitation whatsoever to my friends and colleagues. They will appreciate your integrity, your intelligence, your professionalism, and the fact that you really do know your stuff! Thanks again for everything!"
--Kevin Hrebik, Houston, TX

"Thanks so much! I am amazed at what I have accomplished over the past six months. I contacted you initially because I had started a new ministry position and wanted help in defining and reaching new goals in that area. Then life intervened and I had to step away from that work—which was a defining moment for me. Should I look for another ministry position or find something in the private sector? In coaching with you, I got through that major difficulty, found a new job, and I’m now working on repairing those strained relationships. Your encouragement, insight, and coaching helps such as the “3 legged table” visual helped me to evaluate the validity of my beliefs and to choose more resourceful responses. Thank you for your probing questions, which were consistently on target and helped me to restore a much more positive view of myself. I’m laughing now as I remember how negative I was during our first session! I was struggling with changes at work, with weight gain, I was unable to exercise due to a foot injury and I felt trapped in place. Words like “impossible” and “failure” were my answers to your questions about my goals and aspirations. The truth is, I wasn’t even sure that I had anything worthwhile to bring to the coaching time. How wrong! You have a matter of fact, pragmatic way of approaching problems that turns them into opportunities that seem very doable, rather than being obstacles to overcome. When I would report something I had done, which I thought was not very important, you always helped me to see how much I had accomplished and how it was moving me toward my goals—that was very motivating for me! Looking at where I am today—losing weight, tracking food, exercising with my husband, serving on the women’s ministry team at my church, and making real money in my new job—I realize that I’ve accomplished so much more with your help than I would have on my own. Rest assured, Steve, that I will be recommending your coaching services to anyone facing a difficult transition or with an issue they are having difficulty resolving. I will also be looking to recommend you to anyone who is in a new position or who has a dream they want to put into action. I’m sure they will get what they need when they work with you—because I’m proof of it! Thank you so much for working with me! (and at a great price!)" --April Yeung, Houston, TX

Steve was one of the instructors for my Life Coach Certification class. Steve left a great impression and by the end of the day I knew I wanted to hire him as my Coach. Steve really helped me think through things and then take measures to get results. He was firm as needed but also very sensitive and helpful. We spent 6 months developing my coaching practice; we developed a lot of information in what seemed to be a short time from narrowing down a niche market to marketing. At first I dreaded the work, it was more of my laziness than the work load but now that it’s all over I am very excited as I see all the pieces to the puzzle come together. I am sticking to the goals that we have set and continuously dedicating time to my practice. I can definitely say with his help I have become a confident expert in my niche market.

–Shana Naylor, Shana the Control Freak–Life Coaching for Single Moms

“I have been fortunate to know and work with Steve Stutz in both the National Speaker’s Association and the Houston Coaches Association. Steve has been completely devoted over many decades to making a powerful and positive difference in people’s lives. He has much experience and knowledge as a counselor, speaker and coach providing practical support to others navigating the difficulties in life. Steve is a person of integrity and compassion who walks his talk but also has the unique ability to help others do the same. You will find inspiration, insights and helpful tips from his writings, his seminars and his individual coaching.”
–Dr Rob Pennington, Co-Founder, Resource International, Houston, TX

“Steve and I had the opportunity to meet in the fall of 2011. I was in the midst of offering pro bono career coaching to the Workforce Solutions Aerospace Transition Center (ATC). Steve offered his support and ideas, too. Thanks to that push, we were able to partner with another 3 career coaching specialists to offer continued support to the ATC through the end of 2011. Thanks Steve!”

- Laurie Peterson, Founder, Coach, Consultant & Facilitator at New Horizon Strategies, Houston, Texas

“Steve is very personable, professional and knowledegable. He helped me to see certain aspects of my life in a way that resulted in a more positive outlook. He also helped me to broaden my perception of myself and what I am capable of. I would have no hesitation in recommending Steve to friends and colleagues.”

-Linda Grubbs, PMP, Aerospace Industry, Houston, TX

“Steve is very committed to helping his clients achieve their goals and gain clarity. He has many tools that he uses to help people become clear on the choices they are making whether it is changing careers or choosing the area they want to be focused on for their education.”

- Natalie Donahue, The Credit Card Coach, NXGEN Payment Services, Washington, DC

I had the pleasure of meeting Steve in January 2012 at a coaching training that we both attended. Steve is very authentic and engaging and has a wealth of knowledge. I believe Steve would be an asset in any environment where expert coaching is required!”

- Sandi Miller, Speaker, Coach, Founder at True You Makeovers, Houston, TX

“It’s been a while but I wanted to let you know I was accepted into Physical Therapy Assistant School at San Jac. After a rigorous screening and interview I was one of 24 chosen out of over 180! I am very excited and would like to thank you for your role in helping me form my new life goals that lead to this new adventure. As I told the interviewers, this opportunity matches 4 of the 5 top goals I developed. Thank you again for your guidance in a time of turmoil.”
- Christine Dailey, Houston, TX

“I have worked with Steve and found him to be professional and helpful. His training tips and general attitude about life is positive and helpful. I can recommend Steve and his services without qualification.”

-Sam Reichek, General Manager, Bay Area Communications, Houston, TX

“When I called Steve in 2012, I was tearful and fearful with no end in sight. My head was in a cloud and I could not see any hope in the future. When a friend suggested a life coach, I almost laughed at the idea but also knew I needed help with my future. After one year, I am now on an exciting path to a new career and I am confident in the future and in myself. Steve taught me to set specific goals and deadlines, to realize my own self-doubts that were holding me back, and to turn my wishes into achievements. I am no longer tearful and fearful but confident and empowered. I now have a future that looks bright and I am excited to take what Steve has taught me to accomplish even more.”
-Barbara West, Houston, Texas

“Thank you for the intensely valuable time you spent with me last evening (as timed from a South African perspective!). The opportunity you offered to me to excavate and uncover something of the patterns in which I have been embroiled across the past couple of years was very helpful. Treasure actually. The way you listened and met me, heard me and responded to me has made a very big difference in my perception and experience, creating a sort of about-turn … that significant.”
- Sharon Ries, Johannesburg, South Africa

“Steve is an outstanding leader. I worked with him on many levels and can say with great respect that he is extremely capable in helping people, is able to think outside of the box, and is always ready willing and able to provide insight, understanding and conviction to whatever problem arises. Steve never sugar coated the truth but always motivated all to grow and release that within each of us which helps us be the best version of ourselves as we can be. Steve is definitely an great asset and I would hire him again should I ever be in a position to do so.”
- Marcus Hernandez, Houston, TX