A powerful exploration of relationships and personal growth, this piece celebrates the journey couples take together and the importance of honest conversations about the future. Discover how choosing joy and authentic connection can lead to your own version of happily ever after.
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I broke the tradition of treating exceptional experiences as "once in a lifetime." We all deserve to choose how we are seen and treated, and by living your truth, you inspire others to dream bigger too.
Vesta Gauntlett · In Her Own Words
In Conversation
Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Vesta Gauntlett: What I feel is an influential woman is every single woman who has a voice, every woman that someone else looks up to.
What does being an Influential Woman mean to you?
Vesta Gauntlett: Hello, my name is Vesta, and I want to tell you that what I feel is an influential woman is every single woman who has a voice, every woman that someone else looks up to. It could be anyone that sees you as someone positive in their life and sometimes you don't even know the people you're affecting. So to me, being an influential woman means that you're living your true authentic life, you're pursuing your dreams, you're doing the things that move you forward and bring you joy because I believe if you walk into a room and you are raising the level, you can raise it for everyone by bringing that sunshine, by bringing that joy, and it's not false, it's truly about wanting to make a difference. So for me, being influential means that you have the ability to influence others to be more confident, to have their dream. I have, I call it my leading ladies where I inspire women to remember that they're the star of their own movie. They are not, extras in their show of their life, right? Sometimes we get pushed aside because of other roles that we play, but I am an advocate for every woman to stand up and say, you are the star of your own movie. You are the one that deserves to be in the spotlight, and by my believing that and already having that feeling for them, it raises up other women to feel the same. And I also believe in raising the volume of any room to the level that I like to work at, which usually inspires others. So if you want to be an influential woman, speak your truth, live your truth and speak with authority, and others will be looking up to you. What would I tell my younger self? Go for the creative. I went analytical in a job that I was very good at, that I was very bored in, and I wish I would have pursued my writing. I have a book on Amazon, my, my speaking, I've emceed wonderful events for local nonprofits and wanting to be on stage to inspire other women to go for those goals and those dreams. So I say to you, my younger self, the ladies out there, the more you're true to your vision earlier, the more you can help and influence others to find and follow their vision. Thank you so much. Have a great day and never stop dreaming.
Full transcript available
Her Story
About Vesta
Vesta Gauntlett is a published author, authors coach, motivational speaker, retreat host, and founder of Vestar Enterprises LLC, a coaching, publishing, and personal development company dedicated to helping individuals, aspiring authors, and couples create meaningful next chapters in their lives.
Based in North Idaho, Vesta empowers others through coaching, speaking engagements, retreats, and publishing guidance. She works closely with aspiring authors, helping them bring their stories to life and successfully navigate the writing and publishing process.
As a motivational speaker and retreat host, Vesta inspires audiences to embrace change, strengthen relationships, and pursue their goals with confidence and purpose. She is also the author of several books, including Are You In or Out?, which provides couples with practical tools and guided conversations to build stronger relationships.
Through Vestar Enterprises LLC, Vesta is passionate about equipping people with the confidence, clarity, and practical strategies they need to write the next chapter of their lives with intention and purpose.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vesta
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Do it now. Whatever it is that's been in the back of your mind, just start to do the one thing that moves you forward. Find a coach or mentor if needed, and connect with other women who give you energy and accountability.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Write it, start now. Trust your focus and instincts even if young. Break it down into manageable chunks and find someone to encourage and coach you strategically. Do not hold yourself back if you think you are too young to have a story to tell.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Many people stay in disempowering relationships and avoid hard conversations. Opportunity to provide direct, action-oriented tools like the flip book 'Are You In or Out?' that helps couples have the conversation and choose their path forward without traditional heavy counseling.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Vesta
Love and Relationships
Redefining Your Relationship Journey: Finding Your W.I.N. Together or Apart
What Is Next?
I used to joke that, in life as a woman, with all the hats and titles we wear, we need three husbands.
One to start the life we want to create. He is filled with hope, excitement, and wonder.
A second husband—a solid provider who understands what it means to work as a team and build a great life and family together.
And a third husband to embrace life after the kids, after work, and after whatever else life brings your way.
If you are truly one of the lucky ones, all three are the same man.
But for most women, it isn’t that simple.
We grow, and they don’t.
We want to work together, and somehow, it falls apart.
Someone meets someone else, and life takes a detour.
What I have found in working with couples is that one of the most important steps most relationships skip is the “check-in” along the way.
Life is busy.
Life pulls us apart and, hopefully, brings us back together again.
I am passionate about helping couples find their happily ever after—again.
I don’t believe life is a one-and-done.
I believe “I do” is the starting gun for life’s adventures.
I hope your wedding day isn’t the happiest day of your life.
Life is full of opportunities and choices.
Choosing joy is a great place to start.
But it all starts with the conversation many couples have been avoiding.
If you aren’t moving forward and excited about the future together, you will eventually stop moving entirely.
Yes, the conversation I facilitate in my book is not easy, but having it can be.
What if I told you there was a book that takes less than 30 minutes to read, is fewer than 50 pages, and was created so that your choices dictate where you end up?
This book allows each partner to choose the path that is most honest for them.
If you end up on the same page—either together or amicably moving on—that is a win.
You have a direction.
Together means you both want a life built on your shared vision of What Is Next (W.I.N.), and that is exciting.
The book offers tools and insights to help you navigate this new relationship and learn how to nurture it.
Moving on may be just what you each need to find joy.
And if you land on different pages, that gives you a starting point for your new life—even if that life is not together.
So, what do I say when couples ask me if there is hope?
I say yes.
If you are asking the question, then there is hope.
If you love each other, you can create your W.I.N. together.
I wrote this book because when I needed this resource, it didn’t exist.
I couldn’t get that conversation started.
I wanted to help others who were in the same place I was.
I wanted them to have hope.
Because we all deserve a joyful life on our own terms.
As women, we compromise so much that there comes a time when we need to put ourselves first.
A woman who chooses her own joy will bring more joy into every life she touches.
As leaders, we owe it to ourselves, our daughters, and every woman who sees us and feels inspired.
We never know whose life we can impact simply by choosing to live our best life ourselves.
Your happily ever after doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Sometimes, it begins with a conversation.
Sometimes, it begins with a choice.
And sometimes, it begins with asking one simple question:
What Is Next?
Love Experts, I will be featured on the show with my own episode. It streams shows on Amazon and Apple and others, as well as its own streaming service. My episode will come out later this year. I film in September.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.