Elevating your dream (and yourself) is no joke.
I know because I am doing it too.
“The best way to sum up Merritt? High whimsy, low bullsh*t.”
— Elizabeth Alice Murray Actor/Writer I New York City, NY
Hey there, I’m Merritt Minnemeyer.
I am on a mission to eradicate executive mediocrity.
Clients call me a “master coach,” but I think of myself more as a thought partner, guide, and cheerleader.
I founded Master of One Coaching to catalyze passionate creative leaders in succeeding as purpose-driven change makers and cultural drivers for good.
Because if we are to thrive together in the future we need YOU leading the way with bold, compassionate, decisive action.
Me at age 3 with handsome papa. (Holy 1979, Batman.)
Bringing big visions to reality is in my DNA.
I come from a long line of executive leaders, creatives, and entrepreneurs. From the time I could talk, my family discussed business at the breakfast table.
While my Grandfather was the Founder + CEO of his international, publicly traded company, my Dad and Mom ran their private architectural design and real estate development firm.
By my teens, I was traveling the world attending shareholder meetings with my Grandad AND seeing the realities of running a main street business through my parents’ eyes on a daily basis.
My headshot fresh out of college. Ahh, youth
Art is in my veins.
My family taught me more than the art of business. They taught me about the value of art. Dad was a brilliant visual artist. Mom loved to sing and play the piano. Grandad played tuba and sang baritone in a barber shop quartet. My godparents were a textile artist and a jewelry maker. Our home was filled with music. We were surrounded by creative work and creative people.
I was fortunate enough to be encouraged to follow my heart. Starting at age 3, I spent hours each day immersed in dance, music, and theater. That little heart led me all the way to New York City to pursue big Broadway dreams.
Though I now call myself a “recovering actor,” those years performing, directing, producing, and teaching theater and film provided me THE BEST possible training for business - and for life. I see the world through a lens of art and creativity. And I still find tremendous joy and meaning in creative endeavors. In fact, founding this business is one of my most satisfying creative achievements.
This unique upbringing taught me a lot about what to do…and what NOT to do.
Growing up in those environments, I gathered some amazing experiences, but I also learned the terrible pitfalls of leadership gone wrong.
My Dad, once a highly respected visionary, ended his career in heartbreak. He trusted the wrong people, divorced twice, withered away from illness, and died too young with little to his name.
My Grandad lost millions in his later years He let his ego get in the way and nearly destroyed what was, at its height, a booming, continent-spanning empire.
The effects on our family - and the people who relied on those businesses - were pervasive and devastating.
As a young professional, I worked with some of the biggest names in the New York theater community. Many of them were amazing mentors and teachers.
Others - not so much. (I have stories…)
These experiences motivated me to do differently.
They gave me the drive to work with visionaries to handle high pressure situations with grace, reach their full potential with integrity, and leave lasting legacies of meaning and purpose so others can thrive in their wake.
Then life handed me my hardest lesson of all.
In March of 2011 my beautiful husband, Peter — a gifted actor, musician and teacher — suffered a seizure totally out of the blue at just 39 years old. Imagine how terrified we were when he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
After a year of gut-wrenching treatments, and while parenting our three little kiddos…we lost him.
Our entire world was blown apart.
The night Peter died, I crouched in a ball on the cold linoleum floor inches from where he had collapsed. As I sat there in silent shock, an email came through to my phone from a friend with the last words he ever wrote:
“Choose Well. Choose Wisely.
Choose Love.”
Today, I no longer wait for “someday” to make big moves toward purpose, joy, and success.
And you don’t have to either.
The devastating loss of my husband and his inspired message ignited something deep within me.
I got acutely in tune with my intuition.
I surrounded myself with mentors and peers to help elevate my thinking, my work, and my relationships.
I learned to trust my gut even when it felt risky.
And now I know:
My superpower is transforming creative leaders into great executives who are creating a better world.
Today I am grateful to grow a body of work that I truly love. I completed a Master’s degree, attained several professional coaching certifications, and founded a business that affords me the fulfillment and opportunity to use my gifts to create a legacy of positive impact.
I get out of bed excited to work with clients who are innovating in creative, corporate, industrial, government, social, economic, and environmental spaces.
I am executing on my purpose. Finally.
And you deserve that too!
If you are ready to step into a more inspired version yourself in leadership and in life…
you are in the right place.
“Merritt, is nothing short of a superhero. Her love, compassion, and ability to show up fully for her life is inspiring. I love her and all she brings to this world.”
- Carole Kennelly Founder/CEO, Mayware Ceramics Studio and Ritual Retreat Studio I Ojai, CA
It is time for your brilliance to shine.
I believe…
There’s wisdom in humor. (And healing too!) Like they say: “What doesn’t kill you, makes you funnier.”
And that your courage to evolve in your body, mind and spirit is the key to your success and joy.
I LOVE…
Dark chocolate (I mean, I REALLY love it), luxury couples’ spa days, nonfiction audiobooks, grooving to live music, yoga and meditation, cheering on my kids from the stands, traveling to destinations near and far, “forest bathing,” knitting hats for friends’ babies, and Star Wars. Yep, I said it. After all I help our clients “use the Force” all day long ;).
Are you ready to ignite your Inner Executive Genius?
Testimonials are unpaid from actual previous clients. There are no known material conflicts of interest. Results vary per goals and priorities of each individual.
“Merritt truly is a MASTER coach. In just one hour we made some terrific discoveries about what’s holding me back from achieving my goals and we put together a practical framework to accomplish them. If you’re struggling to achieve your goals, this teacher/cheerleader will deliver a high return on your investment”
— Karen Anderson
CEO, Purple Peak Marketing l Boston, MA
“Merritt responds to the issues at hand and also gently pushes to get to the deeper issues underlying one’s resistance and fears. I’m so glad to have found her—my work, and my life, have grown and my visions for the future are more possible, and more likely, than ever.”
— Chris Wells
Founder + Executive Director, The Secret City l Woodstock , NY + Los Angeles, CA
Media Bio
Merritt Minnemeyer is the Founder of Master of One Coaching which is forging the next evolution of executives. She is a Professional Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation, a “recovering” actor, and an international speaker who employs 25 years leadership development experience and her entrepreneurial DNA to every nook ‘n’ cranny of her work. Having rebuilt her life after being widowed with three kids at 35, Merritt believes that conscious leadership is THE #1 solution to our world’s most critical challenges, and that anything is possible with clear intention, aligned action, and a commitment to wholeness.
