Corporate Success Translates to Life Coaching for Dallas Businesswoman

Lisa Ratcliff turns pattern of ‘offering advice’ into life-coaching.

Image © 2022 Miss Ari Photography

For as long as she can remember, Lisa Ratcliff has been the “go to” for advice about relationships and general life concerns from her peers. Both her colleagues and friends want to know what she thinks; what she would do and her perspective on their respective dating predicaments.  

Ratcliff - already a successful regional vice president in the corporate world, a wife, and a mother of two has more than a few valid reasons to put her friends and their immediate requests on the back burner. Instead of using her busy schedule as an excuse, she finds pleasure in helping others reason and make logical decisions.

Like many Americans at the onset of the very invasive Pandemic, Ratcliff began to consider ways to make a passion and a fleeting thought a bit more permanent. After hearing so often that her advice was golden, she began to wonder where that skillset could take her.

“It’s funny, I was actually going to a counselor on a quest for a “self-help” practice,” Ratcliff shares. “The counselor kept looking at me like, why are you here. One day she asked me to tell her about what I do in my free time. I told her that I spend a lot of time helping others. The counselor said I think you should try your hand at that.”

Within a matter of days, Ratcliff began working on her life coaching certification.

“The counselor basically kicked me out,” Ratcliff laughs. “She said I don’t know what I can do for you – I don’t think you need counseling, but maybe just someone to be your sounding board or coach.”

It was both the honesty and the transparency of that counselor that propelled Ratcliff into her new journey.  

Today, the diligent businesswoman counsels both couples and individuals. Ratcliff frequently meets with couples that are either seriously dating or interested in marriage. Sometimes, the marriage is in trouble. She takes special care to help both parties get to the root of the issue.

“I teach couples to apply practical skills,” Ratcliff explains. “I even show them how to fight fair.”

Oftentimes, the root of the issue is a lack of communication. When it comes to the counseling session – nothing is off limits. Sessions include feelings on children, managing money, sex and more.

“For couples dating, I try to help them decide if they really want to be married,” Ratcliff explains. “Sometimes I must help people decipher between if their perception of marriage is fantasy or reality. Many people are quick to say oooh I want to be married, but they don’t understand the communicative language of marriage.”

So, what makes the five foot and feisty Lisa Ratcliff a good candidate to consult as a relationship counselor? Well, she’ll be the first to admit that no dynamic of her life is perfect, but her marriage, however, is rather awesome. Mrs. Ratcliff has been married to her husband Terrence for 22 years. The couple has raised two young men, both now in college and the couple has also embarked on various business ventures as a collective.

“Terrence is very supportive,” Ratcliff shares. “I don’t care what I want to do – if I tell him that it’ll make me happy and not harm me, he says go for it.”

In an intentional effort to lead her counseling efforts by example, Ratcliff has solicited the assistance of the Mr. for L&T Talks. During these live podcast-like videos, the couple enjoys discussing every topic under the sun. Terrence, although far more reserved than his wife was super excited to participate. He provides an imperative male perspective for viewers and their interaction allows people to see the quality in differing opinions merging respectfully.

While Ratcliff hasn’t stepped away from her busy corporate life, she is accepting new clients. Most sessions are conducted over Zoom, but she is not opposed to in-person sessions.

“I want to meet people in places where they feel comfortable, like the park or their favorite restaurants,” Ratcliff says. “My goal is for clients to not view me as a cold, therapist figure, but more like the homegirl down the street, whom they can enjoy a glass of wine with and have great conversation.”