Since my twenties, I have had several careers. Having qualified as a Montessori teacher, I realised that it was not possible to support myself and my two young children on a trainee teacher's salary, and so took a circuitous route into business.

Managing the National Women's Council, I was their chief executive, lobbying Government for legal and social change, liaising with women's organisations all over Ireland, monitoring and driving many changes in social policy now taken for granted, such as: the removal of the concept of "illegitimacy"; full social welfare for deserted wives, lone parents and widows; contraception; broadening the definition of rape; judicial separation and divorce, etc.

After five years, I moved to manage Book House Ireland, Clé: the Irish Book Publishers' Association and the Booksellers Association Irish Branch. During my time there I ran conferences, seminars, training courses, managed the Ireland Stand at the annual Frankfurt Book Fair, and represented Ireland at the European Commission on book trade issues, which included a campaign to keep books zero rated for Value Added Tax.

Five years on (there is a pattern here!), I moved to become the director of fund-raising for the Rotunda Hospital Dublin, and after a year I was head-hunted to do the same job for the Coombe Women's Hospital. Thus, I spent six years raising much-needed funds for newborn babies and their mothers' needs in two of the best maternity hospitals in Europe. Most of the monies raised were by way of events such as concert dinners, fashion shows, golf classics, car draws etc.

Along the way I have written two editions of a book on successful lone parenting, "Coping Alone" (Arlen House, Dublin 1982) and "Coping Alone – A Handbook for Single Parents" (Poolbeg Press, Dublin 1990). I have had several articles on social issues published in the national press. I have also done many interviews on social issues, for international radio, TV, newspapers and magazines. Voluntary work has included family counselling and advice with AIM Group for Family Services and, more recently, a two-year stint as a telephone counsellor with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. For relaxation, I run, walk, cycle, cook, hill-walk, travel, and read.

In 1995, having never before considered self-employment, I decided to set up my own business, Clara Clark Event Management, (http://www.claraclark.ie). My company specialises in organising and managing business events – conferences, seminars, awareness programmes etc. My clients include government departments, semi-State organisations and state-funded bodies, as well as corporate, international organisations and the voluntary sector.

This business is very successful. However, wanting even more to my life, I decided to explore other potential career avenues and I discovered life coaching. I researched the opportunities and trained to become a life and business coach, and set up More to Life Coaching in 2004. (http://www.moretolifecoaching.ie).

And I love life coaching! It meets a stimulating creative need, it creates a perfect balance in my life, and working with clients is hugely rewarding and satisfying. Life Coaching and Business Coaching are about working with you and supporting you in whatever it is you want to become. With a Diploma in Life and Business Coaching, I am a member of ICF, the International Coach Federation.

I also mentor with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board. I use life and business coaching skills to mentor people in business or in start-up companies. Business coaching is one of the most effective means of helping others to achieve peak performance. Business Coaching provides support, direction, motivation and feedback, helping you to explore and expand your goals.

My own very varied life experience keeps my mind open to your possibilities and potential, and I will enjoy working with you as you become the very best at whatever you wish to be.