Altovise Pelzer is a best-selling author, professional speaker, podcaster, VIP Live Streamer, life coach and founder of the online Your Voice & Reactivate Me Communities. At her core she is mom of four, she has been known to break out into impromptu dance parties or karaoke moments with her three girls or watch movies with her son.
Homelessness and molestation greatly affected Altovise’s decision to motivate women and youth to find their unique voice. She takes women from abuse to applause by equipping them to Define, Accept and Use their Unique Voice as a Speaker or Author. Women after abuse go through numerous self harming actions that start with a seed of low self esteem. Through e-courses, live events, books and social media Altovise wants to touch and transform the lives of women globally one woman at a time. Learn more about the Philadelphia transplant and Wednesday Wonder Woman below.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Altovise, Altovise?
Altovise: What makes me, me? I would have to say that it is a mesh of the good, bad and ugly things that I have endured in my life. Most would have given up, but I made a commitment to myself to use it as fuel. That pretty much sums up the unicorn that many have come to know and love. That being said, I love empowering other women to have that same feeling in their own life.
Oh, don’t believe me? I am that mom that will have random conversations with my teens in different languages when they have a snow day. I’m the one that says “let’s go jump in puddles” and my nieces, nephews, and children will follow suit. I’ve lived enough of my life to appease the spectators. Now it’s about me and the legacy I will leave behind.
Fancy: What inspired you to start coaching?
Altovise: It started with a conversation, a very awkward conversation where I told my oldest daughter that I had been molested as a child. Why was it so awkward? I had never told a sole even after finding out that my girls were molested. Yup, two females crying ……….typical scene right? Yet this sparked something beyond what I could ever imagine. Later when I asked my daughter what her most proud moment of me was…..her response floored me. She said she was proud of me telling her that I had been molested as well. Now she felt that she was not alone. Wow, right? So if telling my story could empower her in that way, what would it do for other women?
Here is the thing though, I’m an introvert. So, speaking on stages during live events, being in huge crowds and showing up in places of unknown people did not thrill me at all, lol! So it was definitely not a moment when I was ready to leap, but as soon as I did, I saw that the conversation between me and my daughter was a starting line to something greater.
Fancy: I love your tagline “Taking Women from Abuse to Applauseâ€, but what does that consist of?
Altovise: Women that have gone through abuse often find themselves people pleasing and not having high self-esteem. A number of them have a story that they want to share, a business they want to start or even just a move they want to make, but they need assistance with their mindset, mission, and money. There is a different mindset that women who have gone through abuse must overcome on their way to success. Learning to be your own cheerleader is a part of that, because they trust very few people.
Through classes, e-courses, books, live events and mastermind groups, I am able to help them hone in on a niche idea, strategy and give support as they launch. Some write books, others become speakers, but they each walk in their own place of applause. That is also why I keep my classes small so each person gets access to exactly what they need for success.
Fancy: Please share a little about online communities Your Voice & Reactivate Me.
Altovise: The #yourvoice Community is a free Facebook group where people have the opportunity to share what they do, network and find out some new things for their business. Men and women from across the globe come together to have discussions.
The #Reactivateme Community is a virtual membership for entrepreneurs to network and grow. We meet every Saturday morning with a tip or resource for your business, live Q & A, and the opportunity to just share what is going on in their business. Two years and counting, this platform has given entrepreneurs on varying levels the space to say “I am confused as heck!” Lol! Let’s be honest, with all the bad publicity attached to coaching, having a safe place to just talk it out feels great.
We don’t always need a “new class” or a “new webinar” to be successful. Often times we have collected tons of information (your laptop would most likely curse you out if you add one more tip sheet or webinar) that we have not implemented in our business. Information overload is very real, and with the odds stacked against the world of entrepreneurship…..heck, we need a locker room to talk about what is happening on the field.
Fancy: What topics do you typically speak on?
Altovise: I speak on women’s empowerment, abuse, entrepreneurship and book writing. I’ve done speeches and interviews talking about my own personal journey, as well as my journey in business. Hey, let’s call a spade a spade…….most people want to know how a single mother can start a business, sustain a business and expand a business without getting a hug me jacket each week. It is definitely not an easy task and many have tried and been unsuccessful.
That is one of the reasons I remain transparent about what I do right or wrong. No Airbnb rentals here baby! I have enough on my plate with musicals, concerts, school events, parent meetings…….and that is just the schedule for my teens. Add in the speaking events, books, classes and squeezing in some time to be a beautiful woman, and you can see how content is never lacking. Being able to pull topics from my life also allows me to encourage myself. I can honestly say that there have been many times where I came out the fire not even smelling like smoke.
Fancy: Being that you have three daughters, does that make this subject dearer to you?
Altovise: I want my girls to be able to be the best version of themselves. That is hard to do in a society where we are pushed into the direction of the “newest” fad. Yet, it has been amazing watching them do great things while still being authentically them. Even my son, who is the oldest and an introvert like me, has made it a habit to not be swayed by what the majority does.
Here is why it so important for all of them in my eyes. We are building up the next generation of doctors, lawyers, politicians, etc and we have seen that those who want to fit in often don’t make the best decisions. Even when I look at the #metoo movement and the #nationalwalkout movement, I see a society that is ready for more than just a cute slogan. They are doing the research, asking the questions and challenging the status quo. That is empowering and beautiful to see. My teens did not walk out on National Walk Out Day, but instead, they took to social media and had an honest discussion with parents, teens and college students about what the day meant. If I wasn’t doing what I am doing, would they have even cared enough to speak up? That speaks volumes.
Fancy: What are some tips that you would give women struggling with low self esteem?
Altovise: The thing with low self-esteem is that there are many more dealing with it than you know. Many hide behind whatever mask they feel comfortable in, which is why I would say that the first step would be being honest about where the low self-esteem is coming from. We can mask it however we like, but choosing to push forward means I have to deal with it head-on. That would include having some difficult conversations with yourself and your circle. Not always the easiest thing to do but by doing so you open yourself up to a world of opportunities.
Fancy: Are there any books that you would recommend for such?
Altovise: I am a bookaholic so I will restrain myself and only suggest five! Lol!
Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes
You are a Badass – Jen Sincero
The 5 Second Rule – Mel Robbins
Jump – Steve Harvey
The Big Leap – Gay Hendricks
Fancy: Â Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?
Altovise: I’m glad you asked. I’m currently opening the doors of my Get Amplified Mastermind Community to 10 women who are ready to move from the idea phase in your business. We meet once a month virtually to create a monthly action plan and strategy to build your business. You also get access to a weekly accountability call along with other bonuses to aid in your success. bit.ly/gamastermind
“Ideas have a short shelf life; act on them before the expiration date.†~John C. Maxwell
I almost didn’t launch this mastermind. I know, crazy right? Well, I had the idea a whole year before I actually launched it. What stopped me? Like, most of you, I got in my own way. I questioned the validity of my dreams and goals because of the ideas like:
It’s an overcrowded market.
No one is going to listen to me.
Am I good enough?
Do I have enough information?
What I had to understand was that there was someone who needed me just like there is someone who needs you. The wisdom and experience you have is like no one else’s and can change someone’s legacy. You have a superpower that is needed.
Follow and connect with Altovise below.
Website: http://www.altovisepelzer.com/
Instagram: @findyourvoicenow
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/altovise-pelzer
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