Shannon Borg
Application for Community Manager
Let me introduct myself …
Hi! I’m Shannon!
Shannon Borg
Coach, Community Builder, Artist, Podcaster, Teacher, Website Designer
When this job came into my inbox, I was so excited! I have been thinking about applying for a position with Move Abroad Coach for a while, waiting for a position to arise that would fit my skillset. The Community Manager position is just that. It is the perfect way for me to help communities of entrepreneurs and others who love travel and culture as much as I do.
I would love to use my experience as a teacher, coach and community builder to help others realize their dreams, and help Move Abroad Coach grow into the amazing company you envision. Because I work for myself, my schedule is very flexible.
I am currently finishing a masters of fine art in painting at Southern Illinois University, with no more obligations except my MFA Show March 1st.
I hope to be a “SlowMad,” living part time on San Juan Island, Washington State (I own a home there), and part time in London, traveling throughout Europe.
As you’ll see below, I have traveled extensively in the last two years, including Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, The Netherlands - and before that, teaching in Saudi Arabia, Oregon, and here in Illinois. I also have clients from Berlin, Ireland, New York, California, Washington, Illinois, and elsewhere.
Below you’ll find out more about me:
A copy of my resume with 20+ years experience as a magazine writer in food, wine & travel
Author of 3 books (food, wine, and poetry), and many magazine and online articles
Certified Life Coach for the past five years, coaching artists in business with an online community on the MemberUp platform. I’ve also had groups on Facebook, and created in-person and online retreats.
Experienced in technology: Website Designer, course creator, online classes & group coaching
Experience
Community Building Experience
I love coaching entrepreneurs (my clients are mostly artists in business), and I feel it is my calling to help others learn how to get past their blocks to realize their dreams.
I’m a certified life coach, through The Life Coach School, an excellent and rigorous program, and have had my own coaching business since 2020, coaching artists in business basics, marketing, and mindset.
My coaching program, Metaphor Mindset Studio, is a coaching + curriculum program. Find out more at shannonborg.com/join.
Here are some kind words from a few of my clients:
With the process I teach, my students have been able to
stay true to their own creative vision while building the confidence to venture into new territory.
Instead of a mere accountability buddy, who pesters clients to check off task boxes, Shannon helps me to evaluate what exactly is at the center of the challenge. WHY am I procrastinating or afraid? WHAT is stopping me from taking action? WHY am I accountable to everyone but myself?
Shannon also incorporates both astute easy-to-understand business advice and client-led fun and interesting creative and spiritual methods, and has an entire vault of resources that I can access anytime. She is definitely changing the way I do business for the better.
Kelsey G.,
Coach and Community Builder
Shannon’s coaching has been a source of personal encouragement, creative motivation and business expertise. Without her guidance my shift to a creative career path would have remained rocky and unfocused.
Coaching has helped me change how I view myself as an artist and provided me with the professional tools to grow my custom furniture business.
Matt O.,
Fine Custom Furniture
Through one-on-one coaching, I’ve realized that the only way I'm going to feel empowered in my art business is to not apologize for my vision, to be of service with my art, and stay in tune with what my own needs are - and also what my collectors needs are.
Coaching allowed me to combine my art with my leadership goals, and to pursue a masters in public policy and environmental studies while maintaining my art practice.
Pamela Hoke, Artist,
Nature Educator & Activist
Examples of Community &
Client Experience Work
Executive Director of Leadership San Juan Islands 10-Week Program with cohort of 15 community leaders
I’ve run my own coaching program & community on MemberUp platform for 2 years (coaching for 5)
Marketing Coordinator for Friday Harbor Atelier, a group of artists
Taught group art & business classes in Saudi Arabia, Oregon, Washington, Illinois
My current coaching community is on the MemberUp platform.
25 Members
One-on-One Coaching Calls
1-2 Group Coaching Events per month, called “Thought Salon.” See some of my online coaching workshops here: shannonborg.com/thought-salon
Other Writing & Teaching
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Books
I have written about food, wine, travel for many years, focusing on the people of the food and agricultural communities in Washington, Oregon, and California.
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Magazine Articles
I wrote a column for Seattle magazine for 6 years, and have written about many other subjects over the years, from car racing, to museum curation, to farming, and more.
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Podcast & Blogging
I’ve produced my own podcast and written about wine, food, travel, the arts, creative process, mindset, entrepreneurship, marketing, and more. Explore my podcast at metaphormindset.com.
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Website Design
Designed and launched more than a dozen websites for artists, healers, consultants, and more. I also assess, consult, and create marketing plans to promote and improve websites.
Question Time:
If I’m a self-employed coach, why would I want
to work for someone else
(you may be asking…)?
I’ve been looking for a way to supplement my income, have more diverse income sources, and have a more global focus while I create the next phase of my life. I want to live in London at least part time, and travel a lot throughout Europe, Eastern Europe, and hopefully Japan.
I want to build my coaching skills in new ways, and bringing my community building skills to Move Abroad Coach is a great way to make use of my skills and contribute to a growing company of people with the same vision - to help entrepreneurs create their dream lives.
As a “mature” adult (I’m 60!), I bring the wisdom and experience of years of dreaming and following my goals. Sometimes I’ve failed, sometimes I’ve succeeded.
Always, I’ve taken on challenges with excitement and enthusiasm, and done my best.
Recent Travels
The Last Two Years I’ve Traveled to 8 Countries and 26 Cities:
2025:
Florence, Italy (2 Week Study Abroad to draw and look at art and architecture)
4 Week Eurail Pass, with travel to:
Milan, Basel, Hamburg, Denmark (Aarhus, Aalborg, Hjorring, Copenhagen & little villages), Sweden (Malmo & Trelleborg), Amsterdam, Ghent, London, Cornwall (Newquay and St. Ives).
2024:
3 Week Study Abroad Trip to England:
Brighton, Portsmouth, Fishbourne, St. Albans, Newcastle, York, then Wales (Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, St. David’s, Solva, back to London).
Road Trip through Missouri and New York State/Manhattan, Connecticut to research a book.
Thank you so much for considering my application.
I would love to talk with you on a Zoom call about how I can help you grow!
Please email me at hello@shannonborg.com or just select a time that is convenient for you from my scheduler if you would like to take this conversation to the next step. I hope so!
Sincerely,
