Meet Michelle Carlen | Strategist | Business Consultant | Facilitator | Professional Development Coach

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

Hi Michelle, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Alignment Advising supports organizations, business leaders, and business professionals in becoming higher performing individuals and companies – creating positive impacts for themselves, their employees, clients, and the communities that they engage with.

Our services not only boost individual confidence, communication, and leadership but also create a positive ripple effect throughout the community. By empowering individuals and organizations, we foster a culture of growth and collaboration that contributes to meaningful social impact.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Christmas, A Broken Elbow and the Launch of Alignment Advising

How It Began:

After 20+ years in the hospitality industry, I came to a critical crossroad in early 2019, one that would alter my trajectory either forward in a new direction or continuing a similar path. I chose the former – to pursue time to evaluate where I had been in my career and where I wanted to go.

Honestly, it was challenging as I faced unexpected job loss. If you have not experienced it, it can be one of the most difficult life events. And this was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Job loss can feel isolating and not in a fun way. For me, I began to doubt. I doubted my abilities, experience, and talents to who I really was. Rather than focus on all that for too long, I decided to pull myself up, dust myself off, and focus on what results and value I had given to every place I had worked at throughout my career. It was more than just marketing and sales expertise. I had been providing tools to teams of people I managed, helping departments better integrate, and redirecting organizations to become more strategic in how they used resources and the type of workplace culture they created.

While searching for a full-time job, I ended up with a part-time one. And while I was doing that the idea for Alignment Advising took form. What I realized is that I wanted to reshape small organizations AND individuals to become better by making small adjustments and improvements in a variety of capacities and ways.

Roadblocks Along the Way:

Has it been easy? No, far from it. I got my business license on December 19, 2019. And just one week later, there I was celebrating Christmas with my best friend’s family, just having a grand old time. Then suddenly I slipped in my socks dancing in the kitchen to Christmas music and poof, I broke my elbow. Ouch….!

So, with a broken elbow I carefully started 2020 with a soft launch of my business through social media on January 13th. It was a flurry of emotions. Especially ironic as I was promoting “alignment” while here I was completely out-of-alignment. This was not ideal timing, but I knew the broken elbow would heal (not as quickly as I would have liked). So, I pushed on and decided to delight and soar with the exposure I was gaining in my new business.

I gained new clients while losing others, but then I could see this was all really going to work for me in the end. AND THEN…. Friday the 13th happened in March when the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, clients who were going to sign contracts that same week bowed out of their verbal commitments. And as the months progressed, it was clear the collateral damage of the COVID-19 was just rearing its ugly head.

While these events unfolded, I had to quickly adapt and pivot to figure out what services could I offer to the hospitality industry which was being dismantled piece-by-piece it seemed like with the banishment of being “in-person.” Virtual took hold and I had to embrace it.

I quickly determined I could offer my resume writing and job preparation skill services to those who were furloughed or laid off. Additionally, I had to get creative to find new business clients outside of the hospitality industry which had fed me to that point. I expanded and offered services outside my comfort zone. At times I wondered if I was making progress, but I kept going.

What Does the Future Look Like?

Now here we are at the beginning of 2025 my business has grown in many directions and I am serving clients in a variety of industries offering a full-range of business management services not just for the hospitality/tourism industry but to those in financial, professional services, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. Many referrals have helped my company gain exposure in new circles. Additionally, making a concerted effort to join new networking and industry groups has given new opportunities and connections that are valuable.

What Makes Alignment Advising Different:

My own work and personal experiences over the years has given me unique insights and perspectives into challenges that many face in the work place and throughout their career. I apply all that I have learned to help others gain knowledge and perspective of their own so they can become more confident and find successful. Not only does my background include vast business experience, my life as an artist and a creative gives a more balanced approach to tackling issues that businesses and individuals face.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This just happened!

My best friend came up from San Diego on the Amtrak to Union Station in Downtown LA for one day. We had a blast.

I whisked her away starting at Grand Central Market just a short jaunt from the station. A plethora of food outlets representing various ethnic cuisines awaited us. First, we grabbed an Americano followed by strolling along to figure out what our taste buds were calling for – me Italian, her traditional street tacos. We caught up, laughed, and then we walked across the street to Angel’s Flight Railway the 118-year-old funicular takes passengers on a short ride between Hill Street and Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. When we got off, I showed her the Wells Fargo Building where I use to work at a Law Firm decades ago – I quickly pointed to the Walt Disney Hall off in a distance (we really were short on time.) Then, we walked over to one of my favorite spots – The Biltmore Hotel. This historic building is full of tales. As you walk into the lobby you can feel the past come alive picturing all the stars and statesmen that have stopped in this lovely setting over the century. And this hotel has been the scene of many films and shoots.

Back to our car and off to Pasadena my home town – we couldn’t miss it. Driving through Old Town Pasadena (one of my favorite hangout for shopping and eating we ended up on downtown Lake Street. We visited the new Erewon Market which use to be Border Books. Followed my a little shopping at Macy’s and Ann Taylor. And then, back to Old Town for dinner at Agnes Restaurant & Cheese Shop – a true delight.

Or evening came to a quick close with a adventures and curvy drive back on the history 110 Freeway through China Town and back to Union Station. Just seven hours in total and I’d do it all again.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve had several coaches and mentors throughout my life and career. Many whom guided me in making sound career and business decisions that ultimately got me to where I am today. But a family member that continues to support me in so many ways is my 101 year old Grandma, La Verne.

My Grandma taught me a lot of what I know about watercolor art (skills and techniques) – and now something I do for fun which I have created into a hobby business. As my Grandma tells the story, she had been learning watercolor for about 20 years and when I was six years old, I asked her to teach me. I remember painting with her in her studio north of Seattle in the Puget Sound area. I spent summers, fall, and sometimes winter vacations there. It was our thing to do. I was clumsy and would get frustrated, but she smiled and complimented me – it was our special time together. But it wasn’t just the art of watercolor that I learned from her, it’s the drive I have which is to always “do your best” which has been my motto for all my years. This especially rings true as it relates to starting Alignment Advising my boutique small business consulting and professional development coaching practice.

I hear my Grandma’s voice when I think of what I need to do to continue to build my business and my art. And when I speak to her by phone (since she lives a few states away) I get to hear how “proud” she is of me. This makes my heart beam and gives me all the reason to continue to do my best at everything in my life.

Website: https://www.alignmentadvising.com/

Instagram: @originalsbymcarlen

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

Other: https://originalsbymcarlen.com

Image Credits
All photos are taken by me or someone using my phone. Exception is “Angel Marie Shines” photo which is authorized by her Angel Marie Shines.