Big Oak Coaching Founder
Tara Michelle West
My Professional Why
To elevate the authentic personal brands and ethical influence of Leaders and Intrapreneurs, so they can advance their career and serve as a catalyst for financially sound organisations, happy workforces, and raved about products and services.
Tara’s knowledge, understanding, and emotional intelligence shines in the services she provides.
~ David C.
Personal Mission
To inspire others in living out a joyful and meaningful life aligned with their values and purpose, so they can make a difference to the world in ways that is etched on their heart.
TARA MICHELLE WEST: BIO
Tara Michelle West is a personal branding and marketing strategist and executive career coach who has served as a catalyst for thousands of people from 36 countries in being happy and fulfilled in their career. They have achieved this via her career coaching; career programs; personal branding services; videos; articles; contribution to books, articles and radio; and jobseeker software which, in itself, has thousands of users via licenses to recruiters, resume writers, corporate industry, and individuals.
In particular, Tara’s strategies help Servant Leaders and Intrapreneurs in elevating their personal brand and marketing strategies for greater career impact and opportunities, as well as leverage to acquire new leads and / or business on behalf of their employer. In addition, she coaches Executives (and emerging Executives) in aligning with a career that fits their values and purpose, achieving greater work / life balance to maintain flow and meaning, and achieving momentum for both work and life accomplishments and satisfaction.
Tara’s corporate clients have included Hewlett Packard Australia, Ingrity Data & Analytics, Vero Insurance, Mission Australia, and Department of Education & Training, amongst others. Tara’s expertise has been sought as a contributor and industry expert on ABC Radio, She Said Magazine, and Career One. Some of her other accomplishments have been recognition as a Finalist in the prestigious Telstra Women’s Business Awards, as well as being featured as co-author of “Living an Abundant Life”, with motivational public speaker and self-development author, Brian Tracy; self-help author and motivational speaker, the late Dr Wayne Dyer; author of the Conversations With God series, Neale Donald Walsch; inspirational and motivational speaker, trainer and author, Mark Victor Hanson; and corporate trainer and author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Jack Canfield.
Tara has established and built four successful brands over the past 28 years, including three B2B / B2C companies and a software product. These have been in the careers, branding, marketing, PR, and design space. In 2017 she founded Big Oak Coaching and merged an existing business to further grow her services in alignment with her passions. She helps leaders and intrapreneurs in having amazing careers and making an impact on the world in ways that are etched on their heart.
Connect on LinkedIn
Qualifications:
- Certified Professional Coach
- Certificate in Everyday Psychology
- Diploma of Freelance Journalism
- Clinical EFT Practitioner
TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONALS FROM…
IN A NUTSHELL...

EXECUTIVE CAREER COACH
I am passionate about people being inspired and doing work that is etched on their heart. I coach leaders, emerging leaders and intrapreneurs in career growth and satisfaction.
PHOTOGRAPHY ENTHUSIAST
Capturing stories through images is my all time favourite hobby, along with post-production. Nothing better than travelling, meeting new people, and capturing what I see.
NATURE LOVER
I believe we can learn a lot from Mother Earth – many lessons that can be applied to life and career. I’m an advocate of caring for our beautiful planet and encourage folks to spend as much time in nature as possible for physical and mental wellbeing.
PERSONAL BRANDING STRATEGIST
I help Leaders & Intrapreneurs to authentically elevate their brand and marketing for greater impact and career opportunities.
SELF IMPROVEMENT
A thirst for knowledge I study human behaviour, positive psychology, marketing, business strategy + more that also gives my clients the edge in their personal branding & marketing.
ANIMAL LOVER
Some people call me the ‘animal whisperer’ 😉 I despise animal cruelty and using animals for entertainment. Over the years I’ve been the 2-legged mum of horses, guinea pigs, alpacas, fish, dogs, and cats. Currently proud Mum of Miss Effie, a rescue Greyhound.
I have a personal website where you can view my self improvement blog and photography.
Being really good at something doesn’t mean you love what you do. It’s a waste of your talent NOT to be in a job that fills your heart with joy.
~ Tara Michelle West ~
Quals, Corporate Clients & Awards
My Clients Have Averaged...
- Up to a 90% interview success rate 90%
- Time to hire 10-90 days: Reduction in the average job search by 50-80% 80%
- Salary package increases 10-40% 40%
- Increased Job Satisfaction: Priceless 100%
- Improved Emotional & Physical Well-Being: Priceless 100%