About Elka

Read a bit about where I come from and what informs my perspective and toolkit.

(Some of) My Story

I was born in San Francisco

during its hippie heyday into a military family. Perhaps that early energetic imprint anchored in my appreciation for both right- and left-brain approaches to life. This seeming-polarity is also echoed in my astrology chart — with my Sun in fun-and-freedom-loving Sagittarius directly opposite the planet Saturn, old Father Time who demands limits and structure.

I grew up mainly in Germany

and moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area as a teenager. It was a huge culture shock which you can read a bit about here. After college, I settled in San Francisco and began my career as a graphic designer and marketing writer.

It wasn’t long before my soul

steered me to entrepreneurship and, in true left-brain / right-brain balance, also to spirituality. Those two paths are entwined in my story. I started my business as a freelance creative the same year I started on my path in women’s spirituality: 1996.

I experienced profound healing

and transformation within the context of my spiritual tradition and related healing arts modalities. I wanted to bring the magic of my experience to the mainstream, to people who would benefit from rich, transformative processes within the context of their own faiths and perspectives. Not to convert someone to my path, but to support them on their own.

Inspired with a passion

for personal empowerment, I formulated a new vision to include transformative arts in my creative business. On the Summer Solstice of 1999, I birthed the business that eventually evolved into what you behold here today. It had a different name at the time and has gone through many iterations as I sought new tools and modalities to provide my clients in the transformative arts with the same level of excellence I was known for in the creative arts.

In the 20+ years since that fateful Summer Solstice, I…

• grew my freelance business into an award-winning creative agency with a small staff;

• opened a Goddess boutique and art gallery;

• trained in coaching, hypnotherapy, energy work, and many more modalities;

• earned a Master’s degree in Culture & Spirituality;

• created empowering tools for my clients;

• wrote a book and illustrated a deck of wisdom cards to go with it, then developed it into the sacred structure for my signature course, the Wisdom Year;

• turned that deck of wisdom cards into an award-winning iPhone app then into a free online oracle;

• wrote a few more books, including some guides for entrepreneurs, a collection of personal essays, and a journal for flower essence enthusiasts;

• maintained a studio arts practice, as well as a daily writing practice (well, near-daily, which you can read about here).

The adventures of the past 20+ years could fill a memoir.

(There are plenty of memoir-ish stories in my Medicine Book.) I crafted a few bullet lists below to summarize for those who prefer to skim. But there’s one important part of my story that won’t fit in a professional bullet list: I had my first child at age 41. You can read about that in my essay “Say Yes to Your Heart’s Desire.”

The heart of my work is supporting you saying yes to your heart’s desire… whatever it may be.

It takes courage and often involves risk. You are worth it.

Ready to take the next step?

“Elka is a spiritually creative and deep thinking strategist who can help you get to the root of any obstacles you might face. She takes every situation with real heart and is able to shape a uniquely original response to it. I think her viewpoint and experiences combined with her caring outlook are exactly what the world needs more of. I highly recommend you find out for yourself what a great guide she truly is!” — Entrepreneur

Summary + Past Projects

• Seasoned transformative facilitator with a background in creativity, spirituality, and entrepreneurship.

• Launched and led an award-winning creative agency.

• Conceived vision and managed operations for a Goddess boutique and art gallery.

• Refined transformative approach informed by training in coaching, hypnotherapy, energy work, and much more.

• Authored and published content in many forms, including articles, books, and products.

• Developed curricula and facilitated courses in personal growth and empowerment.

• Capitalized multiple spiritual business initiatives through a mix of methods, including angel investors, crowdfunding, self-funding, and traditional bank financing.

• Strong strategic thinking combined with intuitive insight.

Education + Training

• MA in Culture & Spirituality from Holy Names University, Oakland
  emphasized spirituality and the arts

• BA in Literature from University of California, Santa Cruz
  UC Regents Scholar
  Graduated with multiple honors

• Certifications in Spiritual Coaching, Life Coaching, Clinical Hypnotherapy, and more

• Transformative training from
  Coaches Training Institute, Life Purpose Institute, Hypnotherapy Training Institute, Reclaiming, Landmark Education, Flower Essence Society, and numerous other institutes and private teachers

• Business training from
  San Francisco Small Business Development Center, SBA, Marie Forleo’s B-School, SCORE, and other professional mentors

“I’ve hired Elka as a consultant, attended her trainings and received her professional guidance. No one I know has as much mastery when it comes to mixing business, art and spirit.” — Fundraising Consultant

I draw on the following modalities and areas of expertise.

Not all are relevant, warranted, or useful in any given session. Part of the art of holding space to illuminate your brilliance is knowing which tools to include… and which to set aside.

“Elka’s expertise in branding, business, and coaching enable her to guide her clientele in identifying, and manifesting their highest visions for themselves and their businesses. Elka layers these different skills to create a singularly unique tapestry of success.” — Massage Therapist

Curious to know more?

Explore some of the tools I’ve created:

Some of the places where my work has been featured: