About Me
How my journey began
Hello!
My name is Susan Tompkins and I’m excited to share my journey with you.
I’m a wife, mom and live in the beautiful state of Maine.
Nature is a part of my soul.
The natural beauty of living near the ocean constantly inspires and heals me. There’s nothing like gazing out onto the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, listening to the rhythm of waves and getting lost in the endless horizon.
I never appreciated the access I had to these idyllic spots until I moved away for college and then my early career days. Living in Southern California in my twenties, I sunned at the beach every time I could.
One Saturday morning I remember watching trees wave up and down on this little island offshore. I said to my friend that was something I had never seen before! She then proceeded to tell me the island was an oil rigging. The trees were covering up all the machinery. They were allowed to drill oil a mile or so offshore. I was shocked.
Where I live now I’m lucky to have a nature preserve across the street. I walk in the woods to lose myself among the trees and pine needle-covered trails. During the pandemic, I visited those trails daily, finding my center during chaos and uncertainty. Reconnecting to the land brings me joy and peace.
Did I mention I live in the house I grew up in despite five cross-country moves? It’s crazy some days to look around rooms and see so many milestone memories and people from my past. I like to think my parent approve of the improvements we’ve made!
I earned a BA from the University of South Florida in Mass Communications and started my career at a video production company in Tampa, Florida. I worked trade shows taking me to Chicago, Nashville and San Jose where I got my taste of California sunshine. The next thing I knew I packed my bags and moved to Long Beach. An M&M green Volkswagen Bug named Rocky introduced me to California beaches along with freeway gridlock!
The East Bay near San Francisco was another epic move. There’s nothing like playing frisbee in February at Golden Gate Park, or watching the lights of San Francisco twinkle at sunset. It’s where I saw the Grateful Dead for the first time with my then fiancé and about 10,000 of his closest friends.
Back in Maine, the world of television news and public service held opportunity and excitement. I have the bragging rights to say that I worked on the launch of two local holiday programs, Coats for Kids and the Joy of Sharing that are still raising money and collecting coats to this day!
Fame found me at the Maine Department of Conservation where Governor Angus King named me Maine’s Leaf Lady after I secured so much press for the fall foliage website I launched. Those were the days when I would walk into stores and people would recognize me!
After leaving state government and working at an advertising agency, I started Rising Tide PR, a boutique public relations agency to work on heart-centered clients like the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Portland Society for Architecture, and the Maine Food Strategy. I enjoyed steering my own boat, running my own business.
When we adopted our daughter, I closed the business and became immersed in all things motherhood. Watching an infant grow up in front of your eyes is like no other experience. And while we have years ahead, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to volunteer in her classroom, be a head coach for the Girls on the Run team and host many playdates and sleepovers.
During the pandemic, I had an epiphany that if I ever wanted to become a life coach, now was the time. After researching way too many programs, I signed up and earned my certification from Coach Training Alliance, an online program with students from the US, UK, and the Netherlands.
I was hooked! Before I graduated, I launched 3C Clarity and booked two clients. The programs and workshops I lead all come from my heart. Leading my online women’s circle each month is an oasis away from the daily grind. The Circle Sisters are so wise and kind and caring. I feel fortunate to have found this special calling.
What the future holds is up to the Universe. I’m grateful to have met all the wonderful women along the way, at workshops, in client calls or online women’s circles. It’s quite a ride and I can’t wait for my next chapter!
Until we meet,
Susan