Rising Stars: Meet Anna Wong of Gilbert, AZ

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Wong.

Hi Anna , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I built my foundation in human resources within Hawaii’s corporate environment, earning my SHRM-CP certification while developing expertise in talent management and organizational development. When I relocated to Arizona in 2023, I maintained my remote position and continued expanding my HR capabilities.
When my company underwent restructuring and closed operations, I recognized this transition as an opportunity to leverage my experience in a new way. I pursued a life coaching certification and launched my company in June 2024, working directly with individual clients to help them navigate career and personal development challenges.
Through my client work with local business owners, I identified a significant gap in the market. Many growing companies were struggling with critical people operations—recruitment bottlenecks, retention issues, and scaling challenges that were directly impacting their bottom line. My corporate HR background positioned me to address these pain points.
This market insight led to a strategic pivot. In March 2025, I relaunched my company with a focused service offering around HR consulting and business development support. I now help organizations optimize their people strategies, streamline recruitment processes, and build high-performing teams that drive business results.
The combination of my corporate HR expertise, coaching skills, and entrepreneurial perspective allows me to deliver comprehensive solutions that create measurable impact for growing businesses.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. While I’ve been able to scale my company significantly over the past five months, the journey has been anything but smooth.
One of my biggest challenges is my own drive for excellence. My desire to be the best and work at the highest level means I rarely allow myself to celebrate wins—no matter how significant they are. Even when I hit major milestones or land important clients, I’m already focused on what’s next, what could be better, or how to reach the next level. It’s a double-edged sword that fuels growth but can make it difficult to appreciate progress.
The transition from a steady corporate salary with benefits to entrepreneurship has also been mentally demanding. There’s no predictable paycheck, no safety net of company-provided healthcare, and no HR team to fall back on for support. Every day requires hustling for new business, managing existing clients, and wearing every hat in the company. The financial uncertainty and constant pressure to generate revenue can take a real toll.
What keeps me going is knowing that the challenges I’m facing now are building something meaningful. The mental resilience I’m developing, the business acumen I’m gaining, and the direct impact I’m having on other businesses makes the difficult days worth it. But smooth? Definitely not. It’s been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m Anna, your HR pro turned executive coach, and I’m passionate about helping businesses build thriving teams. Over the course of my career in both hospitality and human resources, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with individuals from all walks of life. From guiding teams through change to supporting professional development, I’ve seen firsthand how effective communication and authentic connections lead to success. Think of me as your people strategy partner—whether you need help attracting top talent, leveling up your team’s skills, creating effective policies, or building a vibrant workplace culture, I’ve got you covered. My secret sauce? Blending HR expertise with coaching to address both the strategic and human side of every challenge, because at the end of the day, business is all about people!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Two books have been absolutely transformational for me both personally and professionally.
“Let Them” by Mel Robbins has completely shifted my perspective on business and personal growth. Robbins’ approach to letting go of what you can’t control while focusing your energy on what you can influence has been game-changing. In entrepreneurship, there are so many variables outside your control—client decisions, market conditions, competition—and this book helped me channel my energy more effectively. Instead of burning out trying to manage everything, I’ve learned to focus on delivering exceptional value and let the results speak for themselves.
“Win the Day” by Mark Batterson has been equally impactful because it bridges business strategy with my faith in a way that feels authentic and practical. Batterson’s framework for approaching each day with purpose and intention resonates deeply with how I run my business. It’s helped me see my work not just as a career move, but as a way to serve others and make a meaningful impact. The book reinforced that I can be ambitious and faith-driven simultaneously—that success and spiritual growth aren’t mutually exclusive.
Both books have helped me develop a healthier relationship with achievement and given me frameworks for navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship while staying grounded in my values

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annawongconsulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annawongconsulting/

Image Credits
Tara Dunn Photography