Feedback from clients and colleagues

Strategic communication, talent management, leadership coaching, brand development, key-note speaking

"Jessi's client-focused and individualized approach to issues of strategic planning and branding inspired confidence in her ability to provide custom-tailored coaching to both individual and group projects. Working with Jessi as a consultant provided positive return on investment. She is creative, skilled, and consistently reliable". - Elaine Brenchley First State Heritage Park, Project Director, Dover, DE

"Jessi began volunteering with us, and we quickly invited her to join the Board of Directors. We knew that Jessi had previous Board experience with other organizations, as well as great marketing skills. She has done an exemplary job in growing our membership, launching our new website, and positioning us for future growth. Her dedication and problem solving abilities are outstanding! We are a much stronger organization with Jessi on our team.” January 12, 2011 Cathy Zaitzow. Past President, San Diego Organization Development Network (Los Angeles, CA)

“When I made the decision to attend the Personal Branding workshop, I had already developed a preconceived notion of what would be presented. I was quite inaccurate in my expectations. This workshop was about empowerment and identity. It was exactly what I needed to hear.

Jessi LaCosta, president of BlueRio Coaching, presented the material in an interactive and engaging manner. Personal branding is about the ability to manifest your inner self; your core values, beliefs, and visions through your communication with others in a variety of settings. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend this workshop. I have already begun to implement some of the ideas and concepts discussed.” Sheila Prados, Baltimore, MD

“She has been a remarkable motivator, supervisor, mentor and coach. Her diverse talents have enabled her to taker her career to new heights. I met Jessi when I interned for her during my senior year in college. I instantly saw her drive and excitement to teach me all she could about PR, marketing and the museum. Jessi did not only teach me the basic principles of communicating in business, but also taught me things that could not be found in a textbook.” Adriana Hromin (Ridgefield, NJ)

“Jessi LaCosta brings skill, knowledge and wit to an array of topics that are important to students and other potential leaders in our community. Jessi has the ability to tailor her presentations to fit a multitude of audiences, so that complex topics can be understood by all, from beginners to experts. The quality that sets Jessi apart from others, though, is her passion for her work and her compassion for her clients. She understands the true nature of coaching – she “gets it.” Jessi has been a true joy to work with both as a participant in workshops and as a presenter, and is a valuable asset to any individual or group as a coach, trainer, facilitator or speaker. Jessi is a top-notch professional and an excellent communicator. She understands the nature of communication, and is adept at sharing knowledge and feedback to provide the best value and service to her clients.” Anthony Butler, University of Baltimore, Baltimore. MD

“Working with Jessi has been a life changing experience - both professionally and personally. Her coaching not only helped me to better articulate the ideas I wanted to share in the workplace, but she also helped me drill down to reveal and dissolve the barriers I put up when communicating with certain audiences. Beyond the communication coaching, she helped me to begin a process of self-understanding, to discover what truly motivates me and what my mission in life is. I am tremendously appreciative of Jessi's insights and her passion for this work; I didn't realize the transformations that were around the corner when I picked up the phone earlier this year to inquire about Jessi's coaching!” Karen, Franz Staff Scientist / Watershed Program Director at San Diego Coastkeeper

'I'm so grateful to you and your Personal Branding Boot Camp! Your expertise proved positive when I took all the brilliant nuggets I learned and applied it to my new business venture. The Boot Camp was not only very professional, but clear, focused, structured and extremely informative. Thanks again.

Amie Hoff, Hoff Fitness, New York City • www.HoffFitness.com

“Jessi LaCosta volunteers for Nonprofit Management Solutions to provide capacity building training for nonprofits in San Diego County. She has been an absolute joy to work with! She has an incredible energy and the evaluations reflect her enthusiasm, innovation and knowledge she brings to each workshop. She has been a fantastic addition to Nonprofit Management Solution's faculty!!” Serena Ngo - Nonprofit Management Solutions ( San Diego, CA)

“I just wanted to let you know that we had our very first leadership orientation today and it was a huge success! We had 8 new leaders participating; being totally present, interested, and connected... it was awesome! We wanted to share this win with you because we couldn't have gotten here without your support and direction. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Ellen Frudakis, Co-President, Impact Young Adults.CA

“We are in the process of working with Jessi on branding, internet presence, and various marketing activities. She is fabulous -- full of great and inventive ideas, and wonderful at implementing concepts. Jessi is very giving of her time and talent, and it is an absolute pleasure to work with her. Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad feels fortunate to have her formidable skills as a resource.” Pat Maldi, Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad, Carlsbad CA

"I went to your marketing class for non-profits and I thought you were fabulous. I think you have a tremendous talent and I like learning from you, you can really heal an audience. Keep up the good work!" Adrianne Burleigh, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, Volunteer San Diego

"Amazing! I was faced with a very uncomfortable situation at work, and Jessi was instrumental in guiding and supporting me throughout the experience. She was able to delicately point out opposing views, encouraged me to consider all possible outcomes, and consistently steered me in the right direction. "

"Thank you so much for being the eyes, ears, mind and heart witnessing the birth of this major business presentation and "coming out" business event... You help draw much more quality and thoroughness from me. You help the task feel less daunting. I know I can trust that your feedback will be honest, conveyed with respect and kindness, yet firmness if needed based on your huge knowledge base.... Your branding coaching process has provided that intelligent, emotionally intelligent, guided discovery process that has helped draw all of the best out of me. It was there, but I wasn't accessing it fully. Now I feel a joyous strength of purpose and plan and trust my performance will reflect that warm and confident power as well." Dana Terrell, LCSW, EMDRIA-Approved Consultant President of SanDiegEMDR.com. San Diego, CA

"I want to thank you for your very informative and inspirational presentation at the ISES Luncheon at the Red Cross Building. One of the points that has stuck most with me is that one must be consistent and true to your image in every communication and interaction with the public. I wholeheartedly agree with this and will strive to follow this advice at every opportunity—from answering the phone, to networking and following up with people, etc." Jessica L. Barnes, Human Rights in North Korea Project, FREEDOM HOUSE, Washington, DC

"Ms. LaCosta understands the dynamics of good public relations. She has excellent writing skills, strong creativity and the very necessary ability to build relationships with the press. Over the years I have worked with hundreds of colleagues and reports. Rarely I have found someone whose dedication matches Ms. LaCosta’s. She approaches every challenge with intelligence and enthusiasm and she brings to her work an unusual depth of experience. She has a particular gift for teaching and mentoring others. Unlike many creative people, she takes the time to share her talent and experience with others in order to help them learn to be the best they can be." María E. McCabe, Veritas Communication, Chadds Ford, PA

“I very much enjoyed the sessions. The topics were educational and informative. I really got a lot out of the case studies and examples. I also very much appreciated the reinforcement of building from one's strengths instead of the more familiar concentration on 'areas to improve.' I found the experience very upbeat and positive. I am glad each session came with a resource guide since I feel I need to learn more about a variety of topics before I feel comfortable applying them with confidence in my work area. Instructors all came across as very knowledgeable and professional. Enjoyed the freedom of doing the sessions at the office and not having to find time to travel. The phone conference and slides worked well for me (low tech and easy to follow!!). Well organized, logical flow of ideas and concepts. Thank you for including me in the inaugural session!” Mary Valerio, Deputy Environmental Services Director, City of San Diego, CA

Hear what a coaching client says about the experience: "The business coaching helped me prioritize, simplified and brought the
ideas to the surface. It helped me so much." Jaime Cole. Owner Pilates A-Go-Go, Oceanside, CA share more:

"Thanks so much for all your work, and continuing efforts, on behalf of the Governor's Awards. We've never had such wonderful coverage prior to the event, the night of the event, and after the event! It's been great working with you!" Laura A. Scanlan; Director, Delaware Division of the Arts. 2004 Governor's Awards for the Arts

"Jessi is such a great person at heart. Working as an intern for her has given me an inside perspective of how intricate it is to build a business from the ground up. Her wealth of knowledge and advice is an asset any person should seek. As an intern I learned many things from: branding, mission to vision statements, and in general, how to be a motivated person. I really loved the time I spent interning for her." Christopher Acevedo, 2008 SDSU graduate, BlueRio Strategies Intern

“I greatly appreciate all the advice and help. I don't think anyone has ever explained things to me in a way that made so much sense until I talked with you. Again, thank you so very much. ” Jaime Jessopp, Rikett quartz; Knight Industries - Chicago, IL

"I first met Jessi LaCosta after a speaking engagement at the University of Delaware in 2004. She was there to share with our class her vast knowledge of marketing and the importance of branding with which she built her career. On that day I took much more than marketing away from her lecture. As Jessi spoke about her life/work experiences I felt in many ways as if she were speaking about my own. I felt an instant connection to her; and shortly after our initial meeting Jessi became both my mentor and my friend. Jessi is a genuine individual who holds true to her values even in the most difficult situations and expects no less from the people around her. I have found her drive and passion to be incredibly inspirational. But what truly sets her apart is her kindness and compassion. She is a woman who truly cares about the human spirit." Stacy Flug - NYC, NY

“Jessi spoke to the Business Student Association at the University of Delaware about how to be successful in pursuing a job in a business-related field and what modern "marketing" is all about. She was by far the most captivating speaker the BSA had the entire year. Jessi used her real-life experiences to relate to the students and engage them in the presentation. Students were actively participating in the presentation by asking questions and many students even stayed after the meeting to talk to Jessi. Because of Jessi's varied work experience and knowledge of many different aspects of business, she was able to appeal to students with all different majors and interests. The BSA would love to have Jessi speak again at one of our meetings.”-Kristen Blough
Treasurer, Business Student Association, Newark, DE

“Jessi is a bright and charismatic leader who brings great energy and discernment to both problem solving and vision building scenarios. I have worked with Jessi on the San Diego Organizational Development Network Board and she has provided a great source of expertise and guidance to help strengthen the identity and function of the board. I am very grateful to get to serve alongside one of San Diego's great professional leaders.” Sarah Check Ferry, San Diego CA