Barbara Borders
Barbara Borders is a seasoned entrepreneur and educator, serving as both the Executive Director of a childcare center and the founder of a coaching company. With a career spanning over three decades in early childhood education, Barbara began her professional journey after earning a degree in Industrial Engineering from Western Carolina University. Driven by the desire to personally educate her children, she started a home-based childcare program that eventually expanded into multiple locations, establishing a respected presence in Shelby, North Carolina. Alongside her childcare work, she has cultivated a thriving coaching business, Beyond Borders Business Group, supporting women in transition to achieve clarity, confidence, and purposeful business growth.
Barbara’s coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in mentorship, continuous learning, and empowerment. Inspired by mentors like Lisa Nichols and Grant Cardone, she became a certified transformational coach and has guided countless women in leaving corporate roles, launching businesses, and aligning their careers with their passions. Her programs emphasize clarity in strategy, offers, and income, helping clients move from confusion to structured action. Barbara approaches her childcare work as a ministry and her coaching as a passion, both aimed at unlocking the potential of women and children through education, guidance, and purposeful growth.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Barbara is a committed community leader and advocate for youth education. She founded Thematic Youth, a nonprofit organization promoting STEM learning for children, and serves on the faculty for the Cleveland Emerging Leaders Academy. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Toastmasters, Women in Wealth, and the Cleveland County Business Development Center, reflecting her dedication to lifelong learning, mentorship, and community service. Throughout her career, Barbara has combined her technical background, entrepreneurial insight, and heart for service to empower others, making a lasting impact on both local families and women pursuing their dreams.
• Licensed Minister
• Western Carolina University - B.A.Sc.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated
• Local Toastmasters chapter
• Lisa Nichols' coaching program
• Women in Wealth
• Cleveland County Business Development Center
• Thematic Youth
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of real-world experience, continuous self-education, and the guidance of mentors—most notably Lisa Nichols. Above all, my commitment to serving women and children has been a driving force in my personal and professional growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this industry to first ask themselves why they want to become a coach. If their purpose is clear, they should pursue rigorous training and ensure that their methods are both accurate and tailored to their clients’ needs, rather than simply following trends.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the proliferation of undertrained coaches and the spread of inaccurate information, including the misuse of AI tools. Conversely, there is a significant opportunity for those who commit to ethical practice, rigorous training, and evidence-based methods to differentiate themselves and deliver truly meaningful results.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, service, education, empowerment, and creating a positive impact within my community.