Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle O’Connell.
Hi Michelle , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a home where you worked hard, took risks, and hoped for the best. I was encouraged to go to college like most people I know, so that I did. I’ve been a mental health therapist for the past 10 years and I absolutely love my job, but I have always craved more.
Newly single in my late 20’s I thought dating was going to be a breeze. Joke is on me, turned out I needed to do a lot of work on myself and I found that tons of people had difficulty dating. Whether it was anxiety, low self-esteem, lack of experience, negative mindset, etc. there were a lot of barriers for people showing up as their authentic self. In spring 2021, that idea of becoming a dating coach started to grow. I talked a lot about it and with my mental health background and experience with dating, I launched Unstuck by Michelle in August 2021.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The main struggle for me was the whole “running a business” thing. Learning how to create a website, understanding how to use Canva to make Instagram posts, I mean, basically all of the logistic were a learning process to me. It took me asking for a lot of help and challenging myself. Meeting with my clients, facilitating workshops, talking about dating coaching is my Jam… that part was/is smooth sailing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Unstuck by Michelle is a dating coaching business. I work with individuals who struggle, for whatever reason, with dating. Whether it’s low confidence, feeling burned out, missing red flags, feeling inexperienced, new to the dating scene, etc. I use my mental health background, mixed with my personal experience to tailor a dating plan based on individual needs.
Something that has always been important to me, is to be accessible and affordable. Dating coaching should not cost more than mental health therapy (at least that’s my personal code of ethics). I feel like that sets me apart from other dating coaching services that cost thousands of dollars. When you work with me, you get me. We can text about dates, I can help you get some photos for your profile, give you concrete things to practice to work on confidence. It’s a very personable experience, I become invested.
Dating coaching is not match making, that’s an important distinction. I can’t guarantee you’ll find a partner, but I can help you to change your mindset and to feel more confident about the whole dating process.
What are your plans for the future?
There is so much I want to do. I have been teaming up with Lucille’s Bottle Shop (A Fabulous little NA bottle shop in St. Paul owned by my girl Alex) and facilitating dating workshops, I did not on sober dating and on dating with confidence. I look forward to more of those. I also will be on My Talk Radio the first Friday of every month to talk everything dating! At some point I would like to write a book. I have always dreamed of being a writer (my grandma is an author and a big inspiration to me).
Pricing:
- Initial Session: $85
- Single Session: $80
- 3 Session Package: $225
- 5 Session Package: $350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unstuckbymichelle.com
- Instagram: @unstuckbymichelle
- Facebook: Unstuck by Michelle
- LinkedIn: Michelle O’Connell
- Twitter: @unstuckbymichelle
