From Setbacks to Self-Discovery: Erica Malenstein’s Path to The Nine

Erica Malenstein is the founder of The Nine and a passionate advocate for personal growth. With her unique approach rooted in understanding human motivations, she helps individuals and teams unlock their potential. Whether through one-on-one sessions, workshops, or other resources, Erica's work empowers people to deepen their self-awareness and improve their relationships.

Can you tell us what you do now?

I am Erica Malenstein and I’m the founder of The Nine. You have probably heard of the Enneagram. It is a classic, well-founded psychological model that categorizes us humans into nine types. These types relate to our unconscious motivations: the why behind our thinking, feeling, and acting. I have dusted off the existing model and developed it into nine purpose designs. One of these designs reflects your deepest drives and points the way to your personal growth. The other eight pertain to the people around you. I use them in my personal sessions, duo sessions, and in workshops for families and professional teams. You learn to know yourself and your loved ones more profoundly, because your drives are often unconscious and all-encompassing. To enable you to access this knowledge whenever you encounter challenges in your life, I launched a basic book in both Dutch and English last year.

You can now start your journey of discovery into your motivations by reading it. Or by listening to the podcast that went online at the beginning of this summer. This way, you get an uplifting dose of self-knowledge and a push in the direction of the growth you currently need. Because personal growth is always enriching.

Erica works at Emmaplein

How did you get to where you are now? What education, life lessons, or mistakes have led you to this point?

My life is filled with moments that push me out of my comfort zone, as life often throws curveballs at you. About ten years ago, I was in a serious accident. After years of being up and running as a manager in the television market for my business relationships, I suddenly found myself at home, needing to rehabilitate. To stay active, I trained to become a drive coach, during which I discovered the Enneagram. Wow! I was shaken awake; with the help of this ancient wisdom, I not only saw my own drive and growth potential more clearly than ever, but I also understood the paths of my husband, children, parents, and our mutual dynamics better as a bonus. My eyes were opened; I learned to recognize our miscommunication more quickly, and when we got stuck in difficult moments, I seized the opportunity to grow. Further education in the field of awareness, and especially gaining extensive experience through sessions, refined the ideas behind The Nine. And growth is never finished because it is crucial.

Did you find it scary to start your own business? How did you make the decision?

My drive to share my Enneagram knowledge in a new way is so evident that there was really no other path possible. I started with my sister-in-law. We still conduct the workshops and sessions at companies with great passion. We keep each other sharp on the content. Other professionals also help with the further development of The Nine, matching the phase I am in. My personal growth also assists me in finding good (sparring) partners.

What type of clients can come to you? Why specifically these?

People who are curious about their deeper drives, the dynamics in their relationships, and how they can grow, come to me. There are also people who feel stuck, are searching, and realize that something needs to happen, to change. I provide them with insights and the tools to recognize their personal direction and feel renewed motivation.

What advice would you give to other coaches and therapists who want to start their own practice?

Above all: start! There will always be ifs and buts. So take action and make progress. Look in your network for where your unique help can make an impact and approach those opportunities. It doesn’t matter if your offering isn’t fully developed yet. Engage in conversations with interested parties and ask what they hope to gain from it. Based on their input and the progress you make, you can further develop your offering. Have fun!

How did you find and what made you choose Stories?

I found Stories when I was scrolling on Instagram, I saw your page and I was immediately intrigued. Your setup, design and vibe are well cared for and stylish. It is very nice to be certain of the place where I welcome people and to be among like-minded individuals and complementary expertise.

Erica Malenstein
Member at Stories Emmaplein.

Erica’s passion lies in helping people unlock their full potential by gaining insight into their unconscious drives. In addition to coaching, Erica is also an author and podcast host, making her insights accessible to a wider audience. Through her work with The Nine, she aims to inspire lasting personal development and help individuals and teams thrive both personally and professionally.

Find Erica’s Instagram here. Also want to join the Stories Member Spotlight? Send an e-mail.

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