Fairygodboss of the Week: Joanna Lovering

For an entire year, Joanna Lovering hustled on the weekends to build Copper + Rise. Now a full-time entrepreneur and leader of the executive presence coaching firm, Lovering says the hustle paid off in allowing her to do the work she's "on this earth to do."

Recently, Lovering shared her journey from psychology major to human resources manager to executive coach. She also shared the advice and influences that helped her create a successful business, and the challenges she's overcome along the way. Keep reading for the details of her inspiring story. 

Fairygodboss of the Week: Joanna Lovering

Founder, Copper + Rise

Tell us a little about your career. How did you get where you are now?

I often say that at first glance, my resume must look a bit bizarre: it starts with an undergrad degree in drama directing and psychology, then flips to a marketing track in the beauty industry. After I left the workforce to attend graduate school in organizational psychology, I held a number of internal human resources roles in leadership development and coaching. As the years went on, the companies I worked at got smaller and smaller... until I ended up in a company of one, Copper + Rise. 

I first launched Copper + Rise as a style coaching firm because I wanted to focus my efforts on helping women make positive changes in their wardrobes. In October 2020, I expanded my services to encompass all things executive presence, which includes how you speak (communication), how you act (influence) and how you look (style). 

Although it’s been a winding road, there’s one thing that has remained constant in my professional life: My love and passion for empowering others to move towards their professional goals. Now, using executive presence coaching, I give women the tools they need to work through the challenges and thrive. This is what I’m on this earth to do!

What's an accomplishment that you are proud of?