About Me:
Spreading kindness and practical positivity through coaching, connection, and hugs around the world.
Meet Me - CC
Hi, I’m Carol, many people call me CC. I’m a positivity strategist, kindness advocate, hug activist, and the founder of Positive Focus, a nonprofit I created in 2009.
For over 15 years, I’ve helped people navigate everyday challenges with more ease and compassion. Whether I’m working one-on-one with coaching clients, speaking at events, or giving out free hugs on a city sidewalk, my mission is to remind people that they matter and that small steps can lead to big change.
This work is deeply personal. I know how it feels to doubt your worth or wonder if what you do really matters. That’s why I focus on helping others shift how they think, speak, and act, so they can live lives they actually enjoy.
What I Do
Coaching
I help people shift from self-doubt to self-trust and from overwhelm to clarity. My style is gentle, practical, and focused on real-life tools that lead to lasting change.
Speaking and Collaborations
I speak on kindness, mindset, emotional awareness, and the power of small, intentional steps. I’ve worked with a wide range of organizations and alongside voices like Iyanla Vanzant, Gabby Bernstein, Gregg Braden, and Sunny Dawn Johnston.
Hug Mission and Positive Focus
Through my nonprofit, Positive Focus, I lead Global Hugs Weekend and smaller hug events throughout the year. I’m on a mission to give and count 1 million hugs, because I’ve seen firsthand how much connection and comfort a single hug can offer.
Empowerment Coaching in the Community
For five years, I served as a Volunteer Empowerment Coach with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, offering weekly positive mindset videos to support personal growth and emotional resilience. This work reminded me how much people can thrive when they’re given encouragement, consistency, and tools to believe in themselves. In 2023, I was honored to be named their Volunteer of the Year, a recognition I hold close to my heart.
My Story
I’ve always been the person people turn to when they’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed. But for many years, I struggled to show myself that same kindness.
Growing up just 4’10” and dealing with chronic medical issues, I often felt “less than.” I tried to shrink myself even further to avoid judgment. What I’ve learned since then, and what I now share with others, is that who you are is not only enough, it’s valuable.
I’ve always loved encouraging people. I didn’t call it coaching at the time, but I was helping friends, coworkers, and even strangers believe in themselves long before I made this my profession.
My life hasn’t been perfect, and I don’t try to present it that way. I feel my feelings. I experience loss, stress, and heartbreak. But I choose, again and again, to meet those moments with as much gentleness, kindness, and honesty as I can, and to help others do the same.
About Positive Focus
I started producing events in 2007 and launched Positive Focus as a nonprofit in 2009.
Positive Focus exists to help people feel more connected to themselves and one another. We focus on real-life kindness, practical positivity, and the impact of simple human connection.
Our free programs include the Global Hugs Mission, which invites people across the world to share hugs and be part of something uplifting and joyful. We believe hugs are powerful. They bring comfort in sorrow, celebration in joy, and connection in everyday life.
Positive Focus is where I share the heart of my mission. No preaching. No fixing. Just showing up with kindness, one person at a time.
What I Believe
Positivity doesn’t mean avoiding the hard stuff—it means moving through it with intention and compassion.
Kindness is a choice I make daily. It’s not weakness—it’s powerful, practical, and needed.
A small step is still a step. Momentum comes from movement, not perfection.
Hugs matter. So do words, silence, laughter, and tears. Human connection heals.
You don’t need to be “fixed.” You’re not broken. You might just need support, clarity, or encouragement to take your next step.
You matter. Whether you’re celebrating something big or struggling to get through the day—your story, your presence, and your heart matter.
Joy deserves just as much attention as struggle. I believe in celebrating progress, honoring growth, and finding light in the mess.
A Few Things To Know About Me
I avoid using words like always, never, you must, or you should.
I believe your journey is yours. What works for one person may not work for another.
I’m passionate about living with intention, not perfection.
I love to laugh and create space for joy, even in difficult times.
I’m committed to helping others navigate life with more kindness, calm, and confidence.
Ready to Connect?
If you’re looking for support in shifting your mindset, moving through a life challenge, or creating more peace in your daily life, I’d love to hear from you.
And if you just want a hug, I’ve got one ready.
Kudos
