Arika Pierce

My whole adult life has been a series of sink or swim moments. Meaning, I’ve had to make quick decisions to succeed through my own efforts, or fail. Luckily, each time I chose to swim which meant I’ve had to take a lot of risks and step outside of my comfort zone in order to succeed.
There have been so many times as I was navigating life in my early twenties and thirties that I thought to myself, well they definitely didn’t teach me this in school! From how to prepare for a job interview so that you really stand out (and get the job), developing a personal brand, building leadership skills, creating a personal board of advisors, managing personal finances, and let’s not forget creating healthy physical/mental habits.
Because there wasn’t a playbook for how to successfully navigate all of these areas of adulting, I decided to write one. And since there were not many coaches specifically focused on helping professionals managing adulting successfully, I decided to be one!
My approach is practical and actionable. I give professionals the practicable tools that are needed for future success. Results begin immediately.

Candy Whirley

Candy brings ‘real world’ experience from many industries including: training, retail, customer service (certified by International Customer Service Association – ICSA), restaurant, entertainment, management, youth ministry and business owner. Candy has been speaking over 30 years and has owned SBG Services, LLC since 2001. She has spoken nationally and internationally, some clients include: Million Dollar Round Table, Society of Human Resources Associations, and International Society of Association Executives, GE, Hallmark Cards, Inc., WalMart, AgStar Financial and Johns Hopkins Medical Center.  She graduated Cum Laude from Missouri Western State University with a B.S. Degree in Speech Communications, and Human Relations Emphasis, and has earned her Master’s in Management at the University of Phoenix.You may recognize Candy, she is a former Kansas City Chiefs Chiefette, performed at Starlight Theater in Kansas City, and modeled for the Kansas City Star Magazine. With Candy’s entertainment background her keynotes and general sessions are more of an interactive and engaging EXPERIENCE than a presentation.

Courtney Misener

Courtney is a writer, professional speaker, and emotional health advocate. She served as the Director of Programs and Engagement at House of Hope in Cedar Rapids for four 1/2 years before recently leaving to teach Boundaries and Emotional Wellness at a corporate level.  Courtney has worked with non-profits, start-ups and companies both small and large to provide tools that promote emotional health, respectful communication, empathy and boundaries. She is currently completing a master’s degree in Behavioral Psychology from Walden University. Courtney is a rockstar/pastor’s wife and the head negotiator and fangirl of three spunky boys. Between football games, hip-hop dance competitions and work, you can find Courtney dancing and engaging with the family’s robust Instagram account.  An Iowa transplant, originally from Tennessee, her southern roots will hopefully make you feel like you’re entering a conversation with a friend.