About
Hi, I’m Noel.
Sometimes life looks good from the outside and doesn’t feel that way from the inside. I’ve been there.
Fifteen years coaching. Two Stanford degrees. One company built and sold. Incredibly underwhelming karaoke skills.
30 minutesZoom or phone
I didn’t set out to be a coach.
I’ve always been interested in helping people. Listening, a different perspective, making someone feel understood, or making them laugh and hearing “I needed that.”
I studied religion and anthropology at Stanford, which taught me why people believe what they believe and do what they do. Not the typical path to founding an education company, which I then did. I co-founded Tutor Corps, spent eight years building it, and sold it.
Then it got hard. Really hard.
I wanted a bigger challenge and felt I was capable of more. So I gave everything up, moved to LA, and started fresh. My mom passed away. Family discord. A new city where I knew no one. I had gone from too many friends to none. I hid it well, but I was lonely and it felt like my life had fallen apart.
The small changes started to add up.
They didn’t feel like much, but they stacked. Our lives are a series of small choices that collectively make us who we are. Eventually I felt like myself again, but it was a version that had been battle-tested and came back with something worth passing on. So I started serving others.
What I’ve learned since.
Fifteen years of coaching founders and executives, and training leaders in Stanford’s LEAD program, taught me this: sometimes all it takes to get unstuck is a conversation. People usually know what to do. They need a push in the right direction, and I’m really good at that.
People rarely need better advice. They need someone who won’t let them talk themselves out of it.
I’ll bring research-based practices, strategic thinking, support, and humor. The work is serious, but we can still have fun along the way.
Working with me
What I’m like in the room.
One more thing, and it matters: everything you tell me is 100% confidential. Not your boss, not your board, not your co-founder. Just us.
“I don’t want someone telling me what to do.”
I’ll ask first
You’ll do most of the talking. My job is the question that makes you stop mid-sentence. When you don’t know, I’ll say what I’d do.
“The people around me don’t ask the hard questions.”
I’ll be honest
Kindly, usually with a joke attached. But I won’t nod along while you talk yourself out of something that matters.
“I know what to do. I just don’t do it.”
I’ll hold you accountable
What you said last week, what you were avoiding, what you promised yourself. Then I’ll ask what happened.
“I don’t need one more heavy thing.”
You’ll enjoy the work
The hour doesn’t have to be heavy. I’ll make you laugh at least once a session. (But no more than twice.)
He gives honest feedback and real accountability, and he just gets me. He’s also hilarious, which makes the work fun. I’ve made him one of our trusted advisors.
Lesley BrogFounder, Wags and WalksWhat I believe
Most of us live in a cage we built ourselves.
The bars are the beliefs we stopped questioning a long time ago: “I’m not ready,” “that’s just how I am,” “maybe next year.” You don’t get out by gripping the bars harder. You get out by noticing there’s a door.
Your choices create your life. So make ones that inspire you.
The background
Where the method comes from.
01
The anthropologist
Stanford, TwiceA BA in Religious Studies and an MA in Cultural and Social Anthropology, the study of why people do what they do. Which is most of coaching.
02
The founder
Founder & OperatorCo-founded Tutor Corps and spent eight years building it before selling my company. When a founder says it’s hard, I know.
Nonprofit FounderFounded the Tutor Corps Foundation: tutoring, scholarships, and community grants.
03
The improviser
Creator of “Yes, And” TrainingAn improv-based, on-your-feet training method. 100% satisfaction rate across every session I’ve run.
President Emeritus, Stanford in EntertainmentLed the organization for 11 years. Still on the board.
04
The coach
Fifteen yearsCoaching founders and executives.
Stanford GSB LEADCoached and trained hundreds of leaders through the flagship executive program.
Off the record
The things that don’t make it onto a bio.
- At five
I was a chess prodigy. Peaked early.
- Ordained
I’m a minister and a six-time Best Man. Currently accepting applications.
- Seventh grade
I wore exclusively sweatpants and Reebok Pumps, carried 20 pounds of baby fat, and refused all haircuts. Good thing I never had an awkward phase.
From a client
Read the transcript
Working with Noel completely changed my business. As a solo entrepreneur, I know how hard it can be to keep every aspect of your business running on your own, and how easy it is to get bogged down in your head with every little detail, and with wondering what’s the next thing that I should be working on, and is that really the biggest priority. But thanks to Noel, I was able to get really clear on the objectives and priorities that would be the best for my business, and also was able to set really impactful long-term goals that I know are going to take my business to the next level. Also, thanks to him, I was able to have the first profitable month in the history of my company. I know as small business owners, we are constantly looking for ways to save money and looking for things that are budget-friendly. But I promise you, hiring Noel as your business coach is going to be the best decision that you ever make.
How can I help?
I keep the practice small so I can give each person real attention. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll tell you.
30 minutesZoom or phone
Money-back guarantee
If after your first paid session, you don’t feel it was valuable, I’ll refund it. Including a whole package, if you bought one. For any reason.
I don’t want your money if I can’t help you.