Testimonials

Spoke at Harvard Division of Continuing Education on February 10th, thanks to Clara Angelina Diaz-Anderson, a former client, who leads a program there on Authentic Leadership. She interviewed me about how I have been authentic in my leadership style and how that has impacted others. I would love more opportunities to share what I have learned in my 30 years of executive coaching and consulting.

Thank you so much for your candor and wisdom today when you came to speak to my Authentic Leadership class. They appreciated your stories, honesty, and industry insights. You were great! Thank you again! Let’s keep the conversation going.

Clara Angelina Diaz-Anderson and I talking about Authentic Leadership at Harvard

— Guest Speaking at Professional & Executive Development at Harvard Division of Continuing Education with  Clara Angelina Diaz-Anderson

Nancy has one goal in mind – to unlock your true potential which will in turn drive better results for the business.” 

Matt Rota, Senior Director of Commercial Operations at Maravai/TriLink LifeSciences https://www.maravai.com

I have been doing business coaching with Nancy for a year and during this time I’ve undergone a complete paradigm shift.

Nancy has helped me see better ways of working. She identifies places where I’m getting in my own way and coaches me on how to have practices that drive results with direct reports and superiors that ultimately produce a more successful function.

The change in my behavior has been subtle, yet significant. I can see the results of our hard work permeating my organization.  I have become an important team member who designs well-crafted dashboards that provide crucial data for assessing our company’s progress in fulfilling goals.  This skillset has changed the effectiveness of our senior level teams and how accurately we can see our effectiveness.

I highly recommend Nancy’s business coaching to anyone seeking better individual and organizational performance. Get started today, because your only regret will be not having started sooner.

— Matt Rota, Senior Director of Commercial Operations at Maravai LifeSciences

Working with Nancy as a business coach brought me so much peace of mind.  I loved having someone to bounce ideas off of and help structure growing my business.  I went into private practice 4 years ago and opened up an integrative medicine and acupuncture clinic, which has grown with additional employees.  Nancy helped me navigate that growth and gave me sound ideas and feedback to help me tackle business decisions and how to approach working with different colleagues and personalities, to meet both mine and their needs.

She helped me develop marketing ideas, review financial goals, and become a leader in my own business and profession.   She truly is amazing at “disarming your private saboteur,” i.e. being your own worst enemy when it comes to self-doubt or self-confidence.  She is really both a business coach and life coach!

I recommend Nancy to anyone who is looking to grow their business and discover new ways to find fulfillment in their careers.

Dr. Zhiling Trowbridge: Click for her website!

— Zhiling Trowbridge MD, DABFM, WIMI-CP: Owner, Medical Director, Integrative Wellness Grand Rapids

Headshot of Emily DeGray

Emily DeGray, Senior Loan Officer

https://crosscountrymortgage.com/worcester-ma-3643/emily-degray/

I met Nancy Cantor when she was leading a Leadership Roundtable at a BNI training. As a senior loan officer, I wasn’t happy with the results I was producing and knew I could do better. I decided to hire Nancy as a business coach because I thought her no-nonsense, direct approach would support me in getting the results I wanted.

It was the best decision I could have made. She provides a perspective and tools that help me move past challenging situations. This enables me to make choices that serve my ultimate intentions. I have stopped doing the things I didn’t want to do, the things that sucked my time, and ultimately did not bring value to my business. I began to put my energy into building better relationships with my referral partners that shared similar value systems.

As a result, I went from closing 12-15M to closing 32M two years later even while changing companies. I can’t thank Nancy enough for her time and energy in supporting me as I continue to grow my business.

 

— Emily DeGray, Senior Loan Officer

Company LogoWorking with Nancy Cantor has been crucial to developing my business. In the beginning, we created a strategic plan together. We speak regularly to make sure I move forward with the goals and actions of the plan. Her ideas, attention to detail, suggestions, planning, and organization have helped me grow my Right Track Painting & Sealcoating business. Because of Nancy’s support, I take the right actions quickly and confidently. In a short period, I rented a location, bought the building, and hired an office and general manager, all of which contributed to the growth of my business, even during these challenging times.

Nancy supports business owners in turning their inspired ideas into reality. She is the best! Thank you Nancy, for everything that you have taught me.

Growth and Expansion!

— Jose Paredes: President, Right Track Painting & Sealcoating

 

Owner

Shirley Warren

https://www.jwa.solutions/#

Owner

Jeff White

My husband and I are partners in an automotive repair facility that services and maintains several types of cars. Specializing in a few, refurbishes and restores modern classic and vintage SUVs.  At one point, the business sales grew 300% in one year, so we had to work on growth management and team-building.

We were in a state of chaos and could not figure out how to manage the sudden growth alone.  We met Nancy Cantor at our local Chamber of Commerce and decided to hire her as a consultant.

She was patient in her role as our coach. She brought with her many tools to help us determine individual accountabilities, how roles in the company should interact with one another and how our processes should be communicated.

In a direct, but playful way, Nancy helped us to sort out some difficult challenges.  She worked with us as the owners of the company and with our entire staff.  Her team-building sessions were a turning point for our staff, helping them to be catalysts to the changes that were happening in the company that employed them.

Posting the key takeaways from our Communication Workshops and The Four Agreements’ Workshop, had us all continue to engage in what we learned and help each other improve.

I would not hesitate to recommend Nancy as an organizational consultant or motivational speaker for any organization.  She brings with her years of experience, numerous approaches for coaching, advising, and training, and isn’t afraid to take on the challenge of writing new curriculum tailored to both individual and organizational structures, wants, and needs.

It is with much gratitude that I write this reflection.  I look forward to calling on Nancy again when we need a hand with any of our structural or interpersonal needs within our organization.

— Shirley Warren: Managing Partner, J. White’s Automotive, LLC

https://dingfelders.com/locations/seattle/

Nancy Cantor has impacted my business in several areas; efficiency, profitability, and organization. We have set goals and achieved them. Regular reviewing of actions taken and those to be taken, has kept me on track to address business priorities in a timely manner. The more we work together, the better I get at operating in ways that bring success. In a year where many restaurants are failing, and my catering function was closed down, gross sales are significantly better than last year.

Nancy brings her expertise and compassion to create a safe environment that enables true personal and professional growth.

Initially, I was struggling to justify the expense of a coach. I am convinced that the return on my investment is priceless. My business and I have been fortunate to have Cantor Consulting as a partner. Nancy was one of three candidates for a coach. It was clear then, and confirmed now, that the results are the testimonial. My business and I are thriving. I am grateful and blessed to be working with Nancy.

— Vance Dingfelder, Restaurant Owner

Compass Clubhouse in Fitchburg

Because Nancy Cantor had trained the Employment Options Executive Directors and Leadership Teams in Marlboro, MA since 2002, when I was promoted to be the Director of their new facility in Fitchburg in 2023, she was hired to coach me.  In Marlboro, I was an individual contributor, and now I have a team to manage and a program that needs to be established in a brand new location.
  • Nancy has been a partner and friend, coaching me on how to set up team meetings, networking in the new area, and hiring new staff. Her contribution has been invaluable and I am reaching my objectives as a new leader.
  • On my request, she is now delivering a training that I did when I was on the Marlboro team, which was very useful in creating a vision, strategic plan, working through sabotage and getting other people on-board for support in reaching objectives.
  • Teamwork, Leadership, and Communication are all necessary for us to be successful in our roles within the organization, and the TLC and support that Nancy gives me, has me believe in myself and my team, and know we have what it takes to create Compass Clubhouse in Fitchburg, MA successfully.

From Individual Contributor to Manager

 

— Melannie Penttinen: Employment Options Compass Clubhouse Director in Fitchburg

Nancy Cantor has been working with Employment Options for the past two decades. I also joined a business development group with her when I took on our social enterprise, Catering Options, several years ago. She has always supported us in leadership development and teamwork.

When I wanted to develop my team as a new Executive Director, I called upon Nancy to work with us. She designed a program that included coaching sessions with the leadership team and group sessions with the staff.

Through my Executive Coaching sessions and her unique evaluation methods, Nancy helped us focus on current and future achievements in a way that builds awareness of strengths, establishes personal responsibility, and results in sustained behavior change that has positively impacted how we deliver our services.

I also have gained greater personal mastery, stronger communication skills, and increased confidence at leading change. Nancy was instrumental in providing me with a sounding board for strategic decision-making. She also helped me navigate my organization’s challenges while understanding my role and how I am part of the solution.

I strongly recommend Nancy as an Executive Coach. She is an incredible listener and extremely effective in assisting you in identifying what is essential. She has an innate ability to keep you focused on what is important, to yourself and the organization.

— Shannon Leary: Executive Director of Employment Options

When we first started working together, I was stuck. Business was good and customers were happy, but I was turning down work because I couldn’t handle the volume. I was also working crazy hours, and the stress and anxiety were difficult to handle. Once I was able to hire and delegate, my sales grew 20-25%. Now I have free time for myself, which is extremely important to me. Thanks to Nancy, I have a better business and a personal life.

— Angel Valdivia: Angel’s Painting

Next-Generation Children’s Centers was in the midst of a leadership transition from its founder and President to myself.

When we originally contacted Nancy, it was to help our top executives on developing a better sense of teamwork.

After discussing some of the issues we were experiencing around teamwork with Nancy, she was able to identify that our President and I needed to focus on the relationship between us, so that my role could be clearly defined.  I worked closely with Nancy, planning next steps with each of my direct reports, and as a result I believe I have emerged as an empowered leader who is able implement smart business strategies for our company.

Nancy has also started working with our executive team on communication and building a sense of team.  Our initial meeting with Nancy resulted in our organization adopting “rules of etiquette” for our team meetings which we then rolled out to our 10 schools to follow with their management teams.

My home office executive group is in the process of adding positions and I am looking forward to having Nancy back in to continue our team building exercises.

— Kathleen DelPrete: COO, Next Generation Children’s Centers

I have been working with Nancy and part of the Dream Factory Community for many years. If I did not have Nancy in my corner, I would have been eaten alive when I started my business. She really has an understanding of what you need and how to help you with your journey. I would recommend her services to everyone.

— Besty Madison: The Organizing Bookkeeper CDO Circle Member

The Dream Factory has stabilized my life for the better after retirement. It provides a place to live from my purpose and lead a meaningful enjoyable life in the company of other women who have become my close friends.

— Brenda Hedden: Beautiful Forms to See – CDO Circle Leader

The Dream Factory Community has brought me a community of women who are always supportive for whatever aspect of life I need support at any given time including business, personal, family, and philanthropic activities.

— Ann Newberry: Smooth Moves of New England CDO Circle Member

A career change was forced on me. Nancy first helped me find the perfect words for my new career mission, then coached me step-by-step for a very successful startup, that had several years of growth, and finally for the transition into laying the program down. I couldn’t have done it without her.

— Martha Schwope: CDO Circle Member

As you know – received completely life-changing support, inspiration, education, and opportunities through my Dream Factory Community time. Gave me wings.

— Deborah Strafuss: Crystal Reiki Former CDO Circle Leader and Trainer

The CDO Training was a journey from fear to empowerment; well-organized, delivered with care and knowledge.

— Carla Peretto, IL Sogno Bags

Prior to joining the Dream Factory Community, I successfully went into remission after an ovarian cancer diagnosis.
I felt accomplished but “stuck” in my plan to restart my coaching business. I kept telling myself self-defeating stories combined with thinking, there is always tomorrow.
When I joined the Dream Factory Community, I created my dream creation plan, and was supported by a community of like-minded women who held me accountable in my CDO Circle on a monthly basis.
In addition, I received support and coaching from Nancy when I signed up to be the speaker for the Dream Factory Community monthly gathering. This helped me to push outside my comfort zone and take action. She interviewed me on Dream Factory TV Show, Living Your Dreams, before my speaking engagement. Having these opportunities gave me confidence, especially when 25% of the attendees signed up for a paid coaching session with me.
Not only am I growing my coaching business, but I am growing inside.  I am more confident and clear of who I am and what I can contribute to the world.
I am very grateful to Nancy Cantor and the Dream Factory Community for the real world opportunities that led to my success.

— Mara Castello, Life Coach, Navigating from the Heart Coaching

Nancy Cantor has been a guest presenter in my internship training program for young professionals twice in the last several months. She has such a unique way of empowering people to live their best lives– starting by meeting them ‘where they’re at’! Imagine a world where all (young) people were trained in becoming Chief Dream Officers (CDOs)!? Her unique visioning exercise leads into tangible organizational tools, followed by conversations about preventing self-sabotage and generating a supportive community to keep your goals and dreams alive… Just priceless! Thank you, Nancy!

— Amy Mosher Berry: Founder & CEO, Visions Internships

Nancy designed a wonderful offering, Making a Life, Not Just a Living, that appealed to a variety of participants, men and women.   It was an interactive experience that got everyone, thinking, sharing, and leaving with insights and actions that would support them in taking positive steps when they returned home. After a year, we still get positive comments about her program.  We highly recommend her services if you need a speaker, a workshop leader, or ongoing business development support.

— Women in Transportation Committee of the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association

Thank you for being a wonderful keynote speaker at the conference. The attendees loved your talk and sessions. The value that we perceived that the members would get was truly surpassed as you did an outstanding job. We hope that we would be able to host you again soon in the future.

— Gaurav Shekar Conference Organizer, Toastmasters’ Conference: Being a Force to Be Reckoned With

menu