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

Hi Madeline, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk-taking has been a huge part of my career. For several years, when everyone else was moving forward with their job titles/salaries, etc., I felt like I was going backward! But those experiences and choices paid out absolute dividends in more ways than one.

When I was 22, I moved to Paris with no work visa, no connections, and high school-level French. I worked for 5 euros an hour at a bar where I couldn’t do more than run out of drinks and food.

Later, after only one year out of law school at a law firm, I took an unpaid internship for the United Nations in Cambodia. My only paid work was $1100 a month teaching law at the University there.

Another example. After four years as a lawyer, I took a job backward as a “junior lawyer” because it was an entertainment law position with a reputable agency that was hard to get. The title and salary stung a little!

Here is how that has played out for me:

My housemate in Paris moved to LA from Canada roughly the same time (over 10 years later) and has provided me with the richest contacts, friends, and networks I could imagine. I learned fluent French and reignited my love for dance at one of the best dance schools in Paris, which I continued in LA for five years until the pandemic.

My U.S. colleague from the Cambodian University became a lifelong friend and has been the catalyst for my shift into career and executive coaching and referred thousands of dollars worth of clients to me. I also made a global network of highly accomplished lawyers, journalists, and activists, with whom I am still in touch today. I also befriended both my judicial bosses from the U.N., who are still a source of networking and referral today.

Finally, after shifting to entertainment law, I was accepted into a Master of Law Program at USC, UCLA, Harvard, and NYU based on my experience. I ended up at UCLA, and after 15 months of uncertainty, I landed a role at a prestigious entertainment company and then moved to become the production attorney for the James Bond franchise. Not only did I triple my salary within less than two years, but I also landed one of the best entertainment law jobs around.

The best thing about taking these “risks” was that when I jumped into the path of entrepreneurship, I could draw on my past experiences to reassure myself that I was resourceful and had successfully reinvented myself before. Even though it is a career choice of ups and downs, highs and lows, the fact that I had taken calculated risks and backed myself up time and time before meant that I could talk myself out of any anxious hole I may fall into.

So I say, take the risks – and back yourself – it will pay off!

What should our readers know about your business?
I am most proud of the fact that I developed my career coaching and leadership framework through over a decade of trial and error, finding my way in some of the most cutthroat industries—law and entertainment—and that it now helps others avoid the intensity of the pain and pitfalls I experienced.

I truly desire to be of service and enjoy sharing my business and personal insights with others to help them turn into confident and successful leaders.

Seeing my clients thrive and hit goals they never thought possible is amazing, all from my coaching framework.

If there is one thing I could share with others, it is that it is never too late to change your job, career, or mindset. But the earlier you get clarity and start looking at your personal blocks and develop strategies to get around them, you’ll start to thrive and achieve the success you’ve been dreaming of. Seeing my clients kick goals is so rewarding, and it makes me feel like I am helping others find greater happiness while also transforming work cultures. This is the path I want to carve forward for the next generation.

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 love the Getty Villa in Malibu. It is one of my favorite places in LA. I find it such a respite from the LA crowds and chaos. I also finally got to Huntington Gardens last year, and it was so chill that I adored it. Recently all the places I enjoy are about calming my nervous system lol

But if I were to take someone out for a good time, I don’t think you can beat Fishing with Dynamite for seafood and champagne in Manhattan Beach during the day and then dinner in DTLA arts district and a rooftop cinema in DTLA (or Hollywood Forever if it’s in season!) and then drinks in Highland Park – too many favorites to name.

I lived in Ojai for a year, so if we had a week, I would head there for at least one night or more – definitely eating at Rory’s place and indulging in the mad strawberry shortcake thing at Boccalis after an epic hike – and then up the central coast to some of the cute spots we discovered between Ojai and Santa Barbara. The inland road back past Lake Casitas is breathtaking and feels in part like you could be in Hawaii.

I also lived in Crenshaw for 2 years, and I think West Adams and Leimert Park are so interesting historically. They have some of the best houses, cultural significance, and dining in all of L.A. they are an essential part of any tourist visit. Alta Adams is one of the best restos in LA and has one of the nicest bars!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Margot and Megan my housemate from Paris and colleague from Phnom Penh respectively have been a source of deep and valuable connections and networks here in LA and in the US generally. I am super grateful for both of them. I’m also grateful that my family always encouraged me to be curious and open and never put pressure on me to pursue a conventional path when I wanted to explore and create opportunities.

Website: https://www.coachingwithmadeline.com

Instagram: @madelinemillercoaching

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

Other: TikTok @madelinemillercoaching

Image Credits
@alfin.y.m
@goodportrait.id

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.