Meet Elena Sonnino—life coach, yoga/meditation guide, and retreat leader. She helps women come home to themselves—their inner wisdom, their power, their peace, and their joy. She’s our featured member in today’s February Member Spotlight!
Read on to gain exclusive insights into Elena’s experiences as a creative entrepreneur in the coaching industry.
Q&A Section
Q1: How are you creative in your career?
Elena: “My creativity shines when I brainstorm and create immersive experiences that are intentional, delightful, and out of the box – and take pleasure in the planning and the delivery. As an entrepreneur, I’ve also developed a habit of allowing my work to be guided by curiosity and delight, and my background as an elementary school teacher, which inherently for me means that I am frequently following my intuition to meet the needs of my clients, to create content, and deliver bespoke transformational experiences that also create community and connection.”
Q2: What’s your favorite project you’ve ever worked on?
Elena: “Planning retreats – whether they are one-day experiences, long weekends, or weeklong international immersions. I love being inspired by an intention, finding a magical location that cultivates that feeling, and allowing the place and natural surroundings to be a master teacher along the way. I take great pride in finding local experts and practitioners to add their own gifts to our experience and taking care of every detail and then some for my clients. I am always shocked and delighted at how the synchronicities combine to create unforgettable and transformational moments. Some of my favorite retreats have been to the Lago di Garda in Italy, Sayulita Mexico, and Sedona, Arizona. I’m proud of the fact that so many of my retreats sell out with returning retreaters who know and trust that I will create a safe and nurturing space for them to come home to themselves.”
Q3: If you had to give one piece of advice to other creatives looking to start a career in your field, what would you say?
Elena: “Plant seeds, drop outcomes. There can be such a tendency to try to do ALL the things , follow in the footsteps of mentors, and develop tunnel vision for goals. My proudest and truest moments of thriving in my role have always come from allowing myself to plant seeds of possibility, and then allow curiosity and my core values to guide me on the path.”
Q4: Do you have a highlighted project you’d like to share or something you’ve created recently that you are proud of?
Elena: “I’m thrilled and so very proud of The Thrive Journal – which was published in May 2024. This journal has been in the works with prior versions since 2019 and now feels like it is ready to be used by thousands of women. The Thrive Journal is the delightful offspring of an undated planner and intentional journal. Each new page invites you to come home to yourself, and because it’s undated, there is never any judgment. It is designed to feel like a warm hug every time you pick it up. The Thrive Journal helps you be rooted, curious, and totally alive in your life with a focus on aligning your intentions with your core values, the messages of your heart, gratitude, and delight.”
Key Takeaways
- Follow Curiosity & Delight in Your Work – Instead of rigidly sticking to a plan, let curiosity and intuition guide your creative process. Elena emphasizes the power of brainstorming and crafting immersive experiences that foster connection and transformation.
- Plant Seeds, Drop Outcomes – Success in a creative career isn’t about following a strict path—it’s about allowing possibilities to unfold naturally. Stay open, experiment, and trust that your values and intuition will guide you.
- Create with Intention & Purpose – Whether designing a retreat or writing The Thrive Journal, Elena focuses on crafting experiences that nurture and inspire. Apply this by infusing intentionality into your work to make a meaningful impact.
Ready to dive deeper into The Thrive Journal, Elena’s coaching sessions, or her transformational retreats? Click here to learn more!
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