Meet Chelsea Coltman | Organizational Psychologist & Founder of Mare Blu Consulting

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

Hi Chelsea, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired by others who walk through their fears. For years I didn’t take the steps forward I should have because of my fears of failure or not feeling like I belonged. It was amazing that everyone else around me was jumping into their dreams or starting their business, but that couldn’t be my reality. I struggled (and still do) with imposter syndrome and wondered why I couldn’t be like those I admired so much; what was their secret?! After speaking with mentors and those I admired, I realized they all had one thing in common: they were scared but did it anyway. These amazing people show us that fear isn’t something that has to stop us; it’s a challenge we can tackle with courage, belief in ourselves, and grit. The more we lean into fear rather than think about it or try to fight it, the more we discover our true selves, abilities, and just how resilient we are. We need to learn to accept that fear and failure are apart of the journey! Since learning to accept this, I have grown in ways I could never have imagined all because I walk through fear, rather than letting it hold me back!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mare Blu was born from my passion for helping others (and businesses) step into their true potential. Looking back at my life and career, I can see that everything I experienced and endured was a stepping stone. The path wasn’t always straight and clear, but I believe that is just part of the journey. If the path is too easy, there won’t be any growth, professionally and personally speaking. I think what sets Mare Blu apart from others is my approach is practical, approachable, and relatable. As a consultant, it is my job to peel back the layers to expose beauty and potential. My job is not to take over, tell people what they should do, make recommendations, and leave. I genuinely care about people and want to give them the tools and knowledge to succeed. My diverse background and career have allowed me to gain many different perspectives and experiences over the last 20 years, allowing me to connect and relate to many of the clients I work with. I know what it’s like for them; I have been in their shoes! Being a business owner or leader can be so tough and stressful. I chose the name Mare Blu because, to me, it elicits peace. Mare Blu means “the blue sea” in Italian. Growing up on the beach in California was always a calming and healing place for me, which is how I want my clients to feel when we work together. I chose Italian translation because of my love of Italian culture and my 15+ years in hospitality. Food & wine is what connect us, and in Italy, that could not be more true. I have had the opportunity to spend some time in Italy and fell in love with the culture, pace of life, and strong bond people share, especially over wine and cacio pepe!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Laguna Beach, a fun and quaint city. If I had friends in town, our itinerary would be the following:

– Wake up, grab some coffee from Jedidiah Coffee, head toike, the hills for a quick morning h or head down to the beach for morning paddle boarding.

For lunch, we would head to Hotel Laguna, which offers gorgeous views of the Pacific and lends itself to some amazing cocktails, handhelds, or tacos! The menu is diverse, so you can order anything you are in the mood for!

We would then jump on Laguna Beach’s trolley to ride around town, jumping on and off as we please to hit some shops and maybe catch another cocktail at The Rooftop Lounge. We are on vacation, so cocktails are just part of the vibe!

For dinner, we would find ourselves at Top Chef Amar Santana’s amazing Broadway restaurant. My personal favorite is their Seabass of Skirt Steak—it’s always a tough choice!

– Given that its summertime, we would head over to the Sawdust Festival, a local event that comes for a few months in the summer and has been going strong since 1965. Here you can find amazing art, jewelry, and live music all by our local artists.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! There are so many people and books to thank here. Sri Divel first and foremost. She has been someone in my life who constantly goes after what she wants with no fear. She has paved the way for me to jump head-first into my dreams and make them my reality. I have spent over 15 years of my career with her and we have both championed one another throughout our ups and downs. Everyone needs someone like her in their life! I would also say my brother Chad Coltman. He is also someone who leans into what life brings and paves the way when there is no path. He too is fearless and humbly confident. His support, love, and champion also played a big part in my decision to turn my dreams into my reality.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccoltman/

Image Credits
Chelsea Coltman