Success Stories

Below you will find a selection of some of the testimonials I have received.

I have many clients who have offered to serve as references for me, so I am happy to give you names and numbers of former and current clients that you can speak with to find out more directly about what you can expect from working with me.

“I have read a lot of self help books over the years but it really didn’t gel until I worked with Patrick. I now have the emotional tools and confidence to tackle anything that comes my way and to feel more satisfied with whatever happens, however it turns out. I really became a leader this year. We have had a tough two years in the red [with the down economy] and I am still intact and my leadership is more recognized and appreciated than ever!”

—Steve Geney, President/Partner: Contract Engineering Company

“I already had a successful consulting and speaking practice when I hired Patrick; I just wanted to achieve more! Patrick has helped me take my business to a whole new level, moving past obstacles and barriers that had stopped me in the past. I’m now able to simultaneously manage and grow several fundamentally different business strategies at the same time. My income has doubled in the one year I’ve been working with Patrick, and I’m making a much bigger difference in the world! If you’re satisfied with what you’ve achieved, keep doing what you’re doing. If you want to leave a lasting legacy, hire Patrick!”

—Tim Kelley: Founder and Principal, Transcendent Solutions LLC (Consulting Firm)

“I’ve grown as a person, leader, son, father, husband, friend, employer…and all of this under circumstances that would bring most people to their knees. It is so gratifying to be able to handle these times with grace and lack of fear.

I can’t say enough about the process. I would never have thought I could relax enough to patiently allow the process to evolve. I look forward to the calls. I get refreshed, refueled, refocused and motivated.

When I first started working with you I said “It’s going to be tough to identify what’s limiting me.” That was so true at the time, but our work together has been a natural unraveling process that brought attention to my most limiting behaviors. I had written the questions “what I’m I doing?” and “why am I doing it?”, and in three short months, I feel I know exactly where I stand and more importantly what I stand for.

I feel liberated, empowered and back on task…The process has not only cleared the smoke from my personal life, but it lifted the curtain in my business life to afford the clarity necessary to make leadership decisions comfortably. Best of all, we have identified my mission! The impact you have made on my life is immeasurable, and the ripple from that continues to expand beyond my comprehension. I can’t even imagine the aggregate result of your influence. This has been the experience of a life- time. Thank you keymaster!!!”

—Mike Geney: Owner/CEO – Geney-Gassiott, Inc. (Construction Company)

“I have known Patrick for many years and have watched him build his client base and continue to have success. Because of what I saw he was able to do in the market place I decided to hire him to be my coach after many years of skepticism. Since I started working with him it has helped me tremendously. I am learning skills like how to schedule and manage my time better. I am able to focus on the right things at the right times and be much more productive and effective. By doing things differently, we have taken our business to the next level. I believe a testament to that would be the fact that with Patrick’s coaching, we have had our best year ever! We increased our sales by 40%!!! We are more sea-worthy and well-positioned than ever for further stabilization and growth in the years to come!”

—Eric Lowey: Partner – Pinnacle Surety (Construction Bonding and Insurance Company)

“Patrick is amazing! Alive, very present, insightful, wise, unrelenting in his pursuit of truth and possessing of all the skills a coach needs. He is an absolute joy to work with and my life has shifted for the better in many ways thanks to his support and guidance. If you are looking for a top notch life and business coach, Patrick Summar is your man!”

—Timothy Karsten: CEO – The Karsten Family Foundation

“Patrick, Here are some of the things I have gotten from my work with you…

Growing personally.
More cool-headed in difficult or stressful circumstances.
Keep my eye on the BIG picture of what I am building (Values/Mission/Vision).
Keep me moving in the direction of my dreams!
Helping me get through hard times (listening, encouraging me, troubleshooting, brainstorming and helping reframe circumstances and feelings from a more powerful/productive perspective).
Helping me plan and strategize better (apply the “Ounce of Prevention” Principle).
Improved ability to plan and run meetings.
Improved ability to communicate feedback more effectively.
Helping me to learn to prioritize and manage more details/conversations effectively.
Helping me stay true to my art/Self!
Facilitating me through a weekly “Strategic Moment” conversation.
Creating structure for me to do a weekly self-assessment (the Pre-Call process).
Creating structure for accountability.
Helping me recognize and appreciate my progress and accomplishments.

—Rob Reger: Owner/President – Cosmic Debris (International Design and Apparel Company)

“In our busy lives, we rarely take time for the reflection to keep ourselves on track to create our most unimaginable dreams. They get lost in keeping up with our to-do lists. By focusing on my life mission and values it has helped to create a larger context for my life and work, so that I do not set out for a futile objective or climb the wrong ladder of success.

In addition to providing tools to create the foundation for living a values-centered life, your insight, humor and warm understanding make it fun and easy to work with you. I feel that you truly listen and remind me of who I am. As I have told you many times, your healing gift helps to heal my heart and allows me to be the best that I can be.

The last testament to the spirit of your work is that you manage to be truly connected to me, week by week, over the phone. Although we have spent very little time in person, your skills in listening and calling out the information from me have created an atmosphere of complete trust. The distance has made no difference in our working relationship. I wish I could do so well over the phone in my other relationships. It has taught me to really listen and what it feels like to be truly “heard”.”

—Candra Canning: Senior Leader of Resort Management Company

“When I first called you I was at a career impasse, debating a number of different professional options. I wasn’t sure which direction to take. Through our work together you helped me clarify my values, mission and vision. I gained perspective on prioritizing my life in terms of my relationship with my wife and family, my career, my role as an elected official and, of course, my relationship with God. I feel that I am now back on track as it pertains to my business/career. I felt challenged, valued and appreciated throughout the process. I’m really glad we worked together and consider you my friend.”

—Erik Bethel: Partner/Venture Capital Company – City Council Member

“When we started our work I was frustrated and off track. With your guidance I have learned to live more in the “now”, not to worry about the past and the future. I’m much more satisfied with my life, more relaxed, more confident and realize that I have everything to be thankful for. My attitude is positive now and this more relaxed live-for-“now” approach has helped me unburden my mind about things that have happened or will never happen that I have no control over anyway. This approach has helped with everyday life as well as with my hobby – horse cutting. I simply do not feel adverse pressure anymore.

I’m back in control again and clear about what I am doing and why, and not procrastinating on plans and projects. I’m productive and organized and getting more done. I feel better about myself and am having fun again both in retirement and cutting. You made me think differently, or look at things from a different angle, and be accountable for my thoughts to you on our weekly session. You helped me eliminate different distractions, unrealistic expectations and focus on the really important things.

Patrick, I sincerely enjoyed our relationship and thank you for your help.”

—Alfred “Cookie” Gassiott: Retired Successful Entrepreneur

“Like many of your clients, I was struggling to identify the “right” next [phase of my life]. I suspect that I had all the common symptoms: anxiety, doubt, lack of clarity in terms of what I wanted, lack of creativity in what I was looking at, and lack of clear priorities and principles for making a fulfilling decision.

In just the first 3 months of our work together you have helped me to:

Your process helped slow me down and become more conscious about what is most important to me and what I am building over the long term.
I was able to quickly recognize and filter out any opportunities that were off course for me and my long term direction.
You provided me with a powerful sounding board to think through my goals and next steps and to trouble shoot any barriers to my intentions.
Helped me to create the structure I needed to effectively stay in action toward my goals and be accountable to myself and my intentions.
I am much clearer about what I want and where I am going and how I will get there.
You got me moving [where I had been stuck for quite a while].
Your true strength is motivating and guiding people to critically focus on what drives them -both personally and professionally- and translating that into realistic options and tangible actions.

It was a pleasure working with you. This was absolutely worth my investment! Thank you.”

—Bobbie Bose: Senior Leader of High Tech Company in India

“I have gained some very important touchstones and reconnections with who I am. Yes, I always knew all the pieces were there, but I wasn’t pulling it together in a cohesive external and internal package. I also was not able to articulate as clearly as I am now who I am and what I want to do. I have reconnected with my inner compass, if you will.”

—Elizabeth Clarkson: Senior Leader of Venture Capital Company

“Thank you for getting me out of my rut. I knew I needed to do something, but I wasn’t sure what that something was, let alone how to do it. You showed me the light.

Thank you for inspiring me to grow, as a person and as a business owner/manager.

Thank you for your words. You have a gift. There is a saying, “Intellectuals make easy things seem complicated. Teachers make complicated things easy.” You are without a doubt a teacher.

Thank you for being there and making yourself available. The timing could not have been more perfect. Although I probably would have found some kind of way to do it all, things would definitely not have gone as smoothly as they did. We hit the ground running and accomplished goal after goal. My team could not be more inspired, eager and willing to take on new responsibilities to make it all work. The energy around the studio is so exciting. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Thank you for the tools. They have enabled me to be a more prepared and confident leader.

Thank you for reducing my stress level. With all of the work we’ve done, I can now handle the “fires” with a level head, think strategically and delegate when needed.

Thank you for helping me let go and trust others to do as good of a job, if not better, than what I could have done. It’s not only empowering to my team, but I finally feel like I’m well on my way to being able to stop and smell the roses. It feels good!”

—Tricia Gomez Luzio: Owner – Dance Studio and creator of “Hip Hop in a Box”

“Since we started our business we just put our heads down and worked… never looking up to see if all of that work was getting us to our goals – for that matter – we didn’t even have goals… the work with goals that Patrick does is so vital – for the short term because it helped us create a more sustainable workplace – but, then to define what we want life/work to look like in the long run… now I am starting to feel like we are in control.

I have identified my personal mission statement and resurrected my values.
I have become a better person in many respects.
I have increased my awareness and self-expression (through the pre-calls, dialogue and inquiry).
I have expanded my comfort level.
I broke through my resistance to asking for help.
We improved timelines and efficiency of our billing process.

Our office is working better than it has in a long time.”

—Aimee Blasé: Owner/President – Blasé Design Studio (Graphic Design House)

“Patrick Summar is energetic and inspiring. [He is] seasoned in the domain of personal and leadership development. He is [also] extremely positive, always looking for possibilities. He has a great way of “leaning forward” to create the future and would give [you and your project] a lot of momentum.”

—Steve Levin: Principal – Executive Leadership Consulting Firm

“I am pleased to offer my highest recommendation for Patrick Summar as a coach, trainer and facilitator. Patrick has all the skills one could desire in a traditional results coach, plus a number of traits much more difficult to find.

First of all, Patrick is organized, and has helped me to stay organized.

More importantly, Patrick has helped me to keep the big picture in mind. Many times over the last year he has helped me to put my feelings and concerns into perspective, so that I can take my emotions seriously without being overwhelmed. He is also comfortable with considering personal, spiritual and recreational goals as important priorities within our planning and assessment. In these conversations he has been sensitive, patient, and above all, positive.

All these qualities make for a competent coach. But what makes Patrick so special is that he offers something more: open-mindedness. So many coaches and counselors seem wedded to their system, to the approach that their experience tells them is true. Patrick has shown time and again that he is open to co-creating the process of our work together. He is an excellent resource for referrals to other advisors when he feels that their particular area of expertise suits my needs. He has a rare generosity of spirit to choose possibility over plan or preference.”

—Andrew Lovett, M. Ed.: Principal of Consulting Practice

“Patrick Summar is a rare gem of an individual. Always ready for any challenge, consistent in his listening, true to his telling the truth of what he hears. Patrick offers a level of dedication to service, in coaching from a place in his heart, his soul, that is enriching, empowering and gratifying to be within. Professional, accurate, on top of the need of his client, it has been my pleasure for the past year and a half to have him as my life coach and mentor. I have seen a great deal of progress from this work and have seen a quantum of new success thanks to Patrick’s coaching, letting me find strength within my true self and work to a higher vision.”

—Michael Shapiro: Senior Leader of Cruise Company

”When I first called you I was struggling with a question many folks spend their lives tackling: what is it that I really want to “be” professionally and personally. I was in a desirable [business] by most objective measures.

I knew I was interested in helping people and at the same time I wanted to make a comfortable living. I was concerned that I would have to sacrifice my desire to make a living that would allow me to provide for my family in order to “do good” in the world. Through our work, I found that I could [create] an opportunity (in fact two!) that would meet the rigorous and thorough set of criteria I long had running in my head but, before our work, been unable to crystallize. You created an environment for me to grow.

Thank you for your patience, because people like me in a state of contemplating change are prone to frustration, impatience, and concern.

Thank you for your mind, because having someone who I respect intellectually to be in this conversation with me was important.

Thank you for your flexibility. You went out of your way to deliver our mutual intended goals by making a bunch of changes in your own schedule.”

—Brad Sutton: Senior Leader of Corporate Consulting Firm

“Thank you for the work you have done with my boss. He seems more focused and not so scattered. His time is better managed and he is really on top of prioritizing his day. I hear from him throughout the day saying “Next Issue”, so I know he has a plan of attack each morning. The atmosphere in the office has always been good, but now it’s even better. I think working with you has had a very positive effect on [him]. I adore my boss so I’m grateful for your interaction with [him].”

—Tammy Soto: Employee/Office Manager of one of my clients

“Hi Patrick — We had a GREAT time in Brazil, thanks for encouraging Rob to take a vacation, and more importantly, thanks for helping and encouraging him to cultivate a LIFE he wants, over pouring everything into his work. I *really* value the work you do with him. I can’t say this enough.”

—Aimee Friberg: (Life Partner of one of my clients)

“It’s been a complete turnaround; a real turning point. I understand now the importance of and benefit of getting help from other people. Things are a lot easier and working better now. I am delegating better and my people are working better now. More specifically, I am…

Starting to take more time to plan things better and be more organized. (2 > 4-5)
Taking time to look at what is going on around me.
Starting to schedule out my day. (2 > 4-5)
Starting to look closer at myself, to see the areas that I need to work on.
At the end of the day I am assessing what worked or didn’t work about the day and applying whatever insights I had for improvement or next steps the next day.
I am writing things down more when they occur, so that I don’t forget and can make sure to act on them. (1 > 5)
I am getting and staying more focused and productive.
I’m starting to manage my managers and look at the day from the outside.
I’m staying focus on the bigger things and just checking on the smaller things.
I am being more organized.
I am learning from our mistakes and planning better for the future.
I clarified my values and created my first Vision for my life and work.
I am thinking more about my purpose and desired outcomes before my next conversation or meeting. (1 > 4-5)
I am more outspoken now. I used to put up with things but now I am being more assertive. (1 > 5)
I’m starting to realize when I need help and I don’t feel bad about asking for help or insight from people, when before I wouldn’t do that. (1 > 5-6)
I’m more open for ideas and taking the time to get feedback from other people.
I am training and coaching my staff more. I’m starting to spend more time on helping my employees not just giving them the answer. It is becoming more natural for me. (1 > 5)
I am starting to have more faith in my employees to do things on their own.
I have been expressing and demonstrating more appreciation and respect for my staff – acknowledging what they are doing. (1 > 4)
I am making sure that people are following and understanding what ever change we are doing.
I am becoming a better coach to my staff. I notice the difference in the way they carry themselves.
I am looking at problems differently. I use to deal with problems as they came up. But now I am looking for the root causes and working to solve them systematically. (1 > 5)
I used to think, let’s just put the fire out. Now I think about how to make things better.
I don’t let problems linger so much. I address them more proactively now. (2 > 5)
I am resolving problems a lot faster. I feel more confident when problems come up. (2 > 5)
I use to feel like crap when I had breakdowns. Now I realize that they are good to have in order to learn and improve and plan better for the future.
I don’t worry/dwell so much on problems now, I focus on fixing them. (2-3 > 5)
My staff is beginning to pick up that way of being too.

—Rick Trujillo: President – (Pavement Maintenance and Striping Company)

Now that you have heard about some of the value my clients receive, I invite you to contact me directly at 310-372-7711, or patrick@patricksummar.com to set up a time to talk.