Hi, my name is Rita Coco.
In 4th grade, I sat next to a special needs kid. I didn’t know he was special only that he struggled. I remember thinking that if Mark just got a little help, he could be like the rest of us.
As his self-appointed tutor, I liked staying in at recess and playing teacher. Some days he caught on, other days not so much, but that did not deter me because my underlying belief was that Mark would eventually get it. I tried different ways to approach how to draw a Van Gogh sunflower or how to glue a cotton ball onto the map of Alabama, because well, that was the cotton state. Many times I failed miserably, but that was why Miss Thom let me have at it. She knew which one of us was the real student during those coaching sessions.
Maybe my coaching and consulting calling started with Mark. If there is such a thing as a one-word passion, then my passion has always been “GROWTH”, my own growth and of those with whom I come in contact. Following my passion to ‘grow others’, I tutored classmates until I became a 7th grade science teacher.
My own professional growth involved several career shifts. I zigged-zagged from a science teacher to software engineer to corporate instructor to business owner. I got hooked on working side-by-side with small business owners like myself. 
Their energy, talent, fortitude, and courage were inspiring. I transformed myself into a presentation coach, marketing coach, copywriter, and a marketing communications consultant.
Today I am a True Business Ownership Coach and Consultant and I know this is who I really need to be for my clients. Recently, I had a session with a life coach which confirmed my suspicions that I have been a closet coach since the 4th grade coaching with Mark.
“I am convinced of your honesty, integrity, and your truth-worthiness. Your commitment, dedication, your wealth of experiences are great assets for your clients. In our conversation, your clarity, your ability to articulate and to communicate is obviously professional. You mentioned you open up space for your clients to trust and be vulnerable to you. I have no doubt of that based on our interaction, and this unique personal quality can be a huge positive additive to the professional world. I have the confidence that whomever I bring to you, you will take great care of them because you are capable, competent, and you care much.”
—J.Y., Marlborough, MA
And yes, I have had time for a very busy personal life! I have a wonderful husband, Robert, who came into my life the same year I launched my business. For many years, Robert helped me establish the business, working by my side on client projects. Today, he has his own successful career and is still a great advisor to me.
When we are not at work, we play. He brings the humanities into our life. He is an avid collector of music, books, magazines and movies. He is an accomplished photographer so it is no surprise that you will find us roaming the halls of both famous and obscure museums.
I balance our passion for cultural activities with my love of the sciences and projects. I’m a woodland gardener. I love creating hard and softscapes on our property. I create and implement my own landscape designs. Flower arranging is second nature to me. I have lost track of the number of holiday wreaths I designed for my garden club fund raisers.
I also consider myself a fashion designer having been taught clothing design and creation by my aunt who had a successful career as a personal tailor and created legendary Priscilla bridal gowns in Boston in her hay day.
Back to our adventures as a couple, Robert and I could probably win the Guinness World Record for 20 years of non-stop Saturday date-days. We bike, hike, shop, talk, and search out great diners. He’ll stop at music stores while I shop vintage. Sundays in good weather, Robert is off biking his 50+ miles and you will find me jumping waves at our great Mass beaches.
Our home is in Central Massachusetts, just enough for the two of us and the family and friends we entertain. Besides maintaining a woodland garden, we host the many animals that swim in our pond, dubbed Lake Malaria (Robert’s name not mine), drink from our water fountain, and nibble at our feeders. People often find our place by looking for our pachysandra lawns.
Life is great! Of course, it is my life and not the life I would want for my clients. Rather, I hope they find balance in their life so that they can claim the same. I am here to support them to have the life and business they want.