Meet Abraham Baeza | Life & Academic Coach, Administrative Coordinator, & Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abraham Baeza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abraham, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The inspiration behind starting my own business begins from my experience with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). EOP believed in me when I was uncertain about my future and lacked clarity on what I wanted to do. In 2013, they offered me a special admission slot, an opportunity for students from historically low-income, educationally disadvantaged, and first-generation college backgrounds who don’t meet regular CSU admission criteria. This was my access to higher education, allowing me to transition into a four-year university straight out of high school through their summer transitional program.

That opportunity was life changing. It wasn’t just about getting into college it was about being given a chance, a chance I didn’t realize I needed but desperately required to grow. As I began to think about starting my own business during my master’s program, I realized I wanted to create similar opportunities for others. I wanted to offer people space to meet themselves where they are, free from society’s harsh expectations. We often learn to define our worth by these embedded beliefs, but the biggest challenge is not external, it’s internal. We must become our greatest supporters and strive to be the best versions of ourselves, setting healthy boundaries and investing in relationships that uplift us.

Growing up in a trailer park in Rialto, California, I learned to prioritize others’ needs over my own. Survival meant numbing my emotions and building walls to shield myself from adversity. It felt like I was living like a zombie, just going through the motions. I never truly connected with who I was until I entered college, where I began exploring my true self.

This personal evolution is what I bring through Baeza Coaching and in my work as the Outreach Coordinator for the program that changed my life. I help others create spaces for themselves and embrace their unique journeys. My experience with CSUN’s EOP laid the foundation for my growth, and now I offer that same transformative support to others through life and academic coaching. My goal is to help individuals from similar backgrounds connect with their authentic selves and equip them with tools to navigate life’s challenges just as I was given. I’m grateful to be working with populations such as foster youth, formerly incarcerated individuals, and transitional-aged youth in both my business and educational career.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has involved wearing many different hats, including coordinating outreach efforts, running my own business, and teaching as a professor. As the founder of Baeza Coaching, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with various academic programs and nonprofit organizations, providing staff training, group coaching, one-on-one coaching, professional development workshops, and more. I truly enjoy meeting programs where they are, taking the time to understand their unique needs, and tailoring solutions that will be most effective for both their program and students.

In addition to my coaching work, I visit some of the most underserved high schools in California to introduce students to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) through presentations that incorporate storytelling and motivational speaking. I also teach a freshman seminar course, where I help students navigate the challenges of college by focusing on life skills, time management, and self-discovery.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. Throughout my academic journey, from the time I started school up until I graduated with my master’s degree, I never believed I was smart enough. I was often made fun of for the way I spoke, which made it difficult for me to see myself as successful in academic spaces. Overcoming these obstacles wasn’t easy, but I did it by journaling and staying disciplined, always showing up for myself, even when I didn’t feel like it. My stepdad played a big role in instilling discipline and structure in my life, and those values are something I carry with me to this day.

What I’m most proud of is overcoming my self-doubt and the negative narratives I had about myself. I want the world to know that no matter what, you get to show up for yourself and give yourself a chance. You always have a choice, and you deserve to make your mark in this world. Show up, stay committed, and be great!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is tough, there are so many things to do in LA! First, We would go on a hike at Runyon Canyon. Then, I’d take them to My Hero in Northridge for the best subs in town. For a fun workout, I’d suggest Disneyland, where you can enjoy exciting rides while staying active. The week would also include playing soccer and basketball at Porter Ranch Community Park, one of my favorite spots. To top it off, I’d make sure to include a visit to Pinz Bowling in Studio City!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to thank the Educational Opportunity Program at California State University, Northridge. This program provides invaluable support services to students like me, and it truly changed the direction of my life. I’m especially grateful for the incredible mentors I had along the way—Susy Amezcua, Seairra Ford, Orlando Roybal, and Jason Lumague. I also want to extend a special thank you to Shiva Parsa and Jina Gonzalez. Shiva not only leads our program but also took the time to interview me and give me the opportunity to be a part of it. Jina has been an amazing role model and has played a significant role in shaping who I am professionally.

I’d also like to thank my family for their unwavering support. I’m deeply grateful to my mom, stepdad, papa Hutch, and sister. My mindset and drive to dream big comes from them. No matter what challenges I faced, they were always there to lift me up and encourage me to keep going.

There are so many more people I’d like to thank, as it truly took a community to get me to where I am today. As I tell my students, the lone wolf only gets so far, but a wolfpack can make a huge impact! I’m grateful I found mine.

Website: https://baezacoaching.com/

Instagram: @baezacoaching

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-baeza-m-ed-161977163/