Tereza Čierniková

Certified Coach, mentor, motivational speaker, owner of a marketing agency

Tereza, where to start. 

You are founder and owner of marketing agency, certified coach, motivational speaker and mentor. All at the same time. Let’s unpack it – one by one so we can learn more about your story.

According to your LinkedIn bio, you worked as a freelancer for a little over five years until 2021. In 2021, you founded Movements Media – a full-service digital marketing agency. The agency is still going strong. Can you tell us a bit about your journey from freelancing to founding your own marketing agency?

I hope you have plenty of time! 🙂 Honestly, I never wanted to own a marketing agency.

After high school, I moved to Prague to fulfill my dream of becoming a radio or TV host. Although I planned to attend a journalism college to get closer to the industry, I eventually didn’t enroll after being accepted.

Instead, I chose the path of a free internship at SeeJay radio at the time. Mornings at the internship, afternoons working at a clothing retail store to pay rent.

After a few months, I decided to email every radio station nearby, determined to make a living out of hosting. Eventually, I got a job at Kiss Delta radio, and soon after, I hosted a ten-day music festival. I often say that my brain needs constant new stimuli. So after ticking off that goal, I decided I wanted to get into the film industry. Life somehow made it happen, and I entered the film world as an assistant costume designer for Hollywood productions shot in Prague.

In the meantime, thanks to my passion for writing, I started copywriting. Once I had crossed off another goal – the film experience – I began exploring online marketing. Copywriting naturally led to social media management, which led to basic graphic design, and graphic design led to web design. Although I never mastered any of these skills perfectly (and still haven’t), it sparked a realization in me: sometimes all a person needs is an opportunity to learn and to create something.

That’s when I thought of founding a marketing agency to create opportunities for others. My life has been so diverse because people gave me opportunities along the way.

So, at 24, I founded Movements Media with the goal of being a kind of transitional platform – a place where people could realize their potential in any branch of online marketing while helping others realize their projects and dreams.

Why transitional?

Because people are living beings. They grow, develop, and one day they want to start something of their own. And that’s okay. I choose my team based on character. I teach them everything I know, I believe in them because someone once believed in me too. And when they come to me saying they’re ready to move on, I don’t stand in their way. That’s where my job ends.

The same approach applies to our clients. We’re not a typical marketing agency that squeezes clients dry. I always say we break down the stereotypes about agencies in the Czech Republic (and soon abroad too).We deliver more than just marketing from A to Z. We offer a comprehensive view, new ideas, opportunities, and paths. And when we feel we’ve given everything we could, we finish our collaboration.

Luckily, we’re a bunch of creatives with a never-ending supply of ideas, so we often work with clients for years. But that’s the approach I stand by.

The agency is thriving, and this year we are celebrating our 5th anniversary.We’re growing, and finally, we’re establishing the kind of reputation I always envisioned. But it was a journey. There’s no manual on how to run a business or lead a team.

For me, it was all about setting my ego aside and trusting my team. The agency isn’t just about me; it’s not even really mine, except legally. We’re all equals. Without my amazing teammates, none of it would be possible.

In 2023, you added mentoring to your professional portfolio. You are now a mentor at the #HolkyzMarketingu organization, as well as a freelance mentor. Why did you decide to become a mentor?

My best friend, who has also been part of the agency, encouraged me. She recognized my approach to leadership and team management. I simply believe in people, often believing they are capable of more than they realize. Achieving our goals starts with believing in ourselves. And if we don’t believe in ourselves yet, it’s priceless to have someone who does – and who can show the way. That’s how I started mentoring.

My first mentee, who still proudly says she was my very first mentee (which warms my heart), initially wanted to build her personal brand. But in the end, we focused on building something much deeper – herself. As Tomáš Baťa said: „First build yourself, then build your company.“ Over the course of five sessions, we transformed a shy little chick into a confident woman glowing with joy. That was the moment I realized – Tereza, this is what you are meant to do. This is your gift to the world. This is your IKIGAI.

As a mentor, you probably work mainly with ambitious women who want to achieve their dreams. What is the biggest roadblock they usually face, and how do you help them overcome it?

Most of the time, it all comes down to low self-confidence. The belief that it can’t work because „I’m too small“ or „I don’t have enough experience.“ I hear that a lot. Sometimes all it takes is to open their minds to possibilities and realize they can play on a much bigger playground than they currently are.

The world is full of opportunities – we just don’t see them because we keep following the same well-trodden paths. That’s why I love opening up possibilities by asking: „And why not?“ It sparks reflection.

Then we use scaling techniques – breaking down the goal into smaller steps, rating them from 1–10. As they achieve each step, their confidence naturally grows because they see their own progress. Confidence is built by keeping promises to ourselves, by achieving the goals we set. The problem is often that the goals seem too big and overwhelming. But if we break them into smaller steps, suddenly they become achievable. No one climbs Mount Everest in one leap.

In 2024, you added business coaching to your CV by becoming a certified coach. Why did you decide to pursue this path?

I decided to pursue business coaching after my experience with my first mentee. What we were building wasn’t a business, it was her as a person. And that’s a different level of responsibility. I wanted proper education in coaching techniques, methods, and how to structure sessions effectively to achieve real results.

When clients entrust me with their time – the most precious thing they have – I want to make sure that time is used to the fullest. That’s why my coaching and mentoring sessions are very practical.

Today, I often combine coaching, mentoring, and marketing depending on the client’s needs and current situation. Life is dynamic, and sometimes personal issues take precedence because they directly affect how much energy we can invest in business. We are humans, not machines. I bring that understanding into all my sessions.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a business coach?

The biggest challenge is always giving my best – and leading by personal example. Again quoting Tomáš Baťa, who said: „You can’t motivate others; the best way is to lead by example“.

Maybe that’s why my life is so diverse – constantly challenging myself and breaking my own patterns. Being better than yesterday helps inspire my clients to be braver, too.

Ultimately, the biggest challenge is fear – it just shows up under different names, like ego. Fear is natural; it has been with us since the beginning of time. It kept us alive. Feeling fear is okay, but letting it paralyze us is not.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s action despite fear.

What are the most common challenges your clients face when running their businesses, and how do you help them?

Aside from confidence issues, it’s again fear – fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of the unknown.

One of the best ways to work with fear is to name it. Awareness is key. When we name the fear, we can work with it.

A classic example: fear of mice. How does it look when you’re no longer afraid? „A mouse could run across my desk and I’d be fine.“ That’s level 10. And where are you now? „At level 1 – I can’t even see a mouse without panicking.“ Okay, what’s between level 1 and 2? Maybe visit a toy store and look at a plush mouse. Then buy one. Sleep with it. Always retaining your choice to throw it away or smash it if needed. Step by step, you build resilience.

This method applies to any fear. Identify it, visualize the end goal, and create steps in between.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a business coach?

The biggest challenge is always giving my best – and leading by personal example. Again quoting Tomáš Baťa, who said: „You can’t motivate others; the best way is to lead by example“.

Maybe that’s why my life is so diverse – constantly challenging myself and breaking my own patterns. Being better than yesterday helps inspire my clients to be braver, too.

Ultimately, the biggest challenge is fear – it just shows up under different names, like ego. Fear is natural; it has been with us since the beginning of time. It kept us alive. Feeling fear is okay, but letting it paralyze us is not.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s action despite fear.

What are the most common challenges your clients face when running their businesses, and how do you help them?

Aside from confidence issues, it’s again fear – fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of the unknown.

One of the best ways to work with fear is to name it. Awareness is key. When we name the fear, we can work with it.

A classic example: fear of mice. How does it look when you’re no longer afraid? „A mouse could run across my desk and I’d be fine.“ That’s level 10. And where are you now? „At level 1 – I can’t even see a mouse without panicking.“

Okay, what’s between level 1 and 2? Maybe visit a toy store and look at a plush mouse. Then buy one. Sleep with it. Always retaining your choice to throw it away or smash it if needed. Step by step, you build resilience.

This method applies to any fear. Identify it, visualize the end goal, and create steps in between.

How do you manage to juggle all these roles at once? Do you delegate a lot?

I stopped trying to play Superwoman, but it was a process. As I mentioned, I had to fight my ego and the belief that I could do everything best by myself.

I gradually learned to delegate, and to say „no“ when needed. At first small things, then bigger ones. Today, I can confidently say that I’ve set clear boundaries. In the marketing agency, I focus on sales and client relationships – the parts I enjoy – and I’ve handed over the execution to my team.

This allows me to fully focus on mentoring, coaching, and the lectures and workshops I organize or tailor for clients.

What keeps you motivated to continue expanding and learning?

Motivation is a key part of my life. I always say there’s a big difference between motivation and discipline – you need both. Motivation without action is just dreaming; discipline without motivation leads to burnout.

My motivation is seeing others reach their potential. It’s like wrapping my heart in a warm blanket. When I see others achieve their goals, I know I’ve done something right too.

By fulfilling myself, challenging myself, and breathing life in fully – I help others do the same. Again, a very Baťa-like approach. 🙂

What podcast, book, or quote would you recommend to stay motivated and inspired?

I highly recommend Dr. Joe Dispenza’s book Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself. It beautifully shows that change is a choice, not a reaction.

I also love Pavel Moric’s work. And if I were to mention a favorite quote, it would be:
„The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.“ (from an Apple campaign in 1997)