Connect
To Top

Meet Stephanie Rising of The Rising Effect in Tucson

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Rising.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Stephanie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my coaching practice in 2006 because I wanted to help small business owners find a more sane and profitable way to function. I had just wrapped up a 10-year career in management and marketing with a small local firm with about $3M in annual revenues. As a general manager, I experienced the challenges of running the day-to-day. We went through an employee embezzlement, routinely irrational client demands, and a relentlessly competitive bidding process. We had 25+ employees relying on their paychecks and were always aware of what was at stake for them.

When my former employer decided he wanted out, I helped him position the company for sale and stayed a year to transition the new owners. By my early 30s, I was hungry for more variety in my clientele and more control over my work life. I wanted to leverage my experience and knowledge to help small business owners become more effective leaders. A small business is a high wire act, a constant balance between profits and people, systems and sanity. Over time it’s exhausting, and it can compromise a leader’s ability to function with clarity let alone enthusiasm. I’ve worked with over 100 small businesses on strategic planning, team utilization, daily operations, sales and marketing, the client experience, and profitability. It is always immensely gratifying to see them get off their hamster wheel, regain their passion for what they do, and be profitable in the process. I also walk my talk: I’ve worked with a coach or mentor for the last 14 years to continue learning and to increase my objectivity about my own business.

Has it been a smooth road?
One of the challenges I’ve experienced is something many industries have in common: A few bad apples spoil the barrel. I believe most coaches prioritize their clients above their financial interests. I also know there are coaches who either a) take on clients without really being able to deliver what the client needs and/or b) try to keep them locked into a contract even when the relationship ceases to be productive. The small minority of coaches who practice this way create a poor perception of our industry. It gives the majority of us, who put the client first, an additional marketing obstacle to overcome.

Also, business coaching is at times like business therapy. It can get pretty confessional. I serve a clientele that can feel exposed and vulnerable sharing their fears, failures, and financials. Coaches must establish and retain their clients’ trust so they are empowered to achieve the work they’ve come to us to do. If you are considering working with a coach (and there are many benefits to doing so), interview them. Ask them questions about their experience, their methods, etc. If you aren’t comfortable with the person, don’t work with them. And don’t sign anything that locks you in. You should be able to work with your coach for as long as the relationship benefits you. I use a two-page letter of engagement that spells out the expectations for the coaching relationship. I’ve had clients stay with me for as long as 6 years without a contract. They see me as part of their company, and the relationship continues to benefit them. It should be that simple.

Please tell us about your business.
As a business coach, I specialize in behavioral analysis; strategic planning; performance benchmarking; and employee alignment. My clients to date have represented a total of over $60M in annual revenues and 1,000 employees. As I think about what my business has allowed me to experience, there are several things that I’m proud of that set my practice apart from others.

I’m proud that I actively advocate for my clients. For example, I nominate them for awards and help them with their applications. In the last three years, I’ve nominated 17 clients, 12 won in their category, and 3 were finalists. On a few occasions, I’ve comped my time to help clients physically get their offices organized and create better space utilization. I even make a point of wearing my clients’ branded T-shirts when I’m out in public, just to help with brand awareness. My clients know I’m on their team and I genuinely care about them.

I’m also proud of the work I put into my book, DISC: Leverage Your Nature, Increase Your Sales. It outlines practical, step-by-step marketing advice specific to each behavioral type. I will soon be launching an online course that is a companion to the book, so businesses of any size have affordable, easy access to marketing tools. I also just had the one year anniversary of my podcast, Small Biz, Big Voices, which celebrates the stories and impact of small business owners.

I’m very excited to have won the Southern Arizona BBB Torch Award for Ethics in 2019. It was such an honor to be chosen, especially because of the nature of the work that I do. I’m deep into the guts of every business I work with, so it’s important to be conscientious and trustworthy. It was gratifying to celebrate that!

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’ve lived in Tucson almost all my life, and I’ve often visited the Phoenix metro area for conferences and vacations. I would say the thing I like best about Phoenix is the diversity of things to do. My husband and I have a lot of great memories from countless weekend get-aways at gorgeous Phoenix resorts. Phoenix also has outstanding museums that we love to visit.

What I like least about Phoenix is probably the typical complaint: Too much traffic and too much heat. It never seems to cool off in the summer, even at night. The relentless summer heat makes getting stuck on the freeway that much more irritating. But the upside is…. There’s always a pool and a margarita waiting for you somewhere!

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Podcast shot: Mark Bishop, Business RadioX producer
Head shot: Bevin Dunn, owner and photographer Bevin Christina Photography

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in