
You’re not here because something is wrong with you.
You’re here because you know there’s more.

Before I became a Career and Business coach, I spent over a decade in the legal industry, rising to Partner in a 230+ attorney law firm with a national presence. I was an award-winning M&A attorney and dealmaker, not just practicing law but being positioned for long-term leadership. I learned how power actually works inside elite systems. How people rise. How money moves. How authority is earned and exercised. And I learned something most people don’t until it’s too late: the leaders who win aren’t the ones who sacrifice themselves the most. They’re the ones who trust themselves early, make decisive moves, protect their time, and lead like CEOs of their own lives.
I watched too many brilliant, capable leaders stall out because no one ever taught them self-leadership. They were underpaid for the value they carried, overextended because they were reliable, and conditioned to accommodate instead of lead. That’s where my work comes in. Moxie is the linchpin. It’s self-trust under pressure. Conviction without permission. Knowing when to stay and having the courage to walk when something no longer fits. Today, I help seasoned leaders, attorneys, executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners build that kind of authority so their careers, income, and lives expand without hustling harder or shrinking to fit someone else’s soul-sucking playbook.
This is what I do and more:
I help high-performing leaders step into real authority so they earn more, work less, and stop overworking to prove their value.
I teach clients how to lead from self-trust and conviction so they get promoted, paid, and invested in without waiting to be chosen.
I help people design careers that support an actual life, with space, influence, and freedom instead of burnout and quiet resentment.
At sixteen, I accepted a full four-year athletic scholarship to play NCAA Division I soccer at the University of Hawaii. College life included a moped as my primary mode of transportation, and an apartment across the street from Waikiki Beach my junior and senior year.
I was born and raised in the Metro Detroit area. Which explains why I peaced out and went to school in Hawaii for all the sunshine I could want and then some.
I double majored in Finance and International Business while juggling an NCAA D1 soccer schedule because why the hell not get two majors when the school is funding your education?
I practiced law for eleven years. I began in commercial litigation, even though I was told early on that moving out of it would be difficult. I ignored that advice and went on to build the rest of my career in outside general counsel work, corporate transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.
I walked away from the legal career I spent over a decade mastering at the exact moment most people would’ve doubled down. I had just had my highest-earning year by far, originated six-figures in business as a first-year Partner, was named a 2025 Notable Dealmaker by Crain’s Detroit Business, and picked up my fifth consecutive Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star award (for the 2.5% of attorneys who get nominated).
I launched this journey with a passion forlorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit and have since been able to lorem ipsum and more lorem ipsum.
Through my work, I’ve been able to deliver results that matter—lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur, including some cool stuff like:
Proven credibility in the [specific industry/service]
Data-driven strategies that get resultsInsert bullet point or statement here.
A personalized approach to every project

By utilizing Vanessa's coaching services, you acknowledge, understand, and agree that (i) the information or advice provided in Vanessa’s coaching services is not legal, financial, therapeutic, mental health, or medical advice; (ii) VLB Coaching, LLC is not a law firm; and (iii) Vanessa is not acting in her capacity as a lawyer when providing coaching services and is not creating an attorney-client relationship with you.
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