Lovenia  “COACH  LOVE”  Barkley  is  a Certified Men’s  Self Love  and  Mastery  Coach  and the Founder of  The Heartwork Sanctuary, an  organization  that  focuses  on  creating a safe  space  for  men  to  be enlightened, encouraged, empowered  and  elevated  through  their journey of Self Love  Healing.  Lovenia is  also  the  CEO of K.M Publishing Company LLC which houses het self published work and self love mastery courses for men and boys. Lovenia was  born and  raised  in  the  “City  of Brotherly  Love and  Sisterly  Affection”,  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  She  now  resides  in  South Carolina with  her  son.

Lovenia has such  a compassionate  heart  for people  which  is  why  she  spent  over twenty  years collaboratively  in  the  customer  service  and  healthcare fields.  The  work  is  rewarding,  but  she  always felt like she  wanted  and  deserved  more,  which  is  one of  the reasons  she  decided  to  become a  serial entrepreneur.  She  allowed her  passion  for  helping people  to  be  the  catalyst  for  pursuing entrepreneurship because  she  knew  it  would  create  unique  opportunities  to  be  of  service  to  so  many  more  people  than  she ever  could  in  Corporate  America.   Lovenia purposefully  founded  two  of her  own  organizations  that  allow  her  to  utilize  her phenomenal leadership  and  communication  skills,  while  sharing  her heart  with  the  world.  She  has  co-authored  three books  and has released three of her  own  literary  works  that guide  men to  delve  deeper into  self-love  and  the  importance  of  healing  their mental,  emotional,  and  spiritual dimensions.

Lovenia  thoroughly  enjoys  collaborating  with  like-minded  individuals. She  is  a  cohost of The Girlfriend Circle and a member  of  The Healing While Building community. Coach Love also  has  philanthropic  relationships  with  several non-profit organizations and  regularly  participates  in  forums  focused  on  mental health  and  self-love.  Lovenia’s  mantra is  “I  AM  LOVE”  and  she  is  steadfast  in  her  mission  to  help  others realize this truth  for  themselves  and  this  too  is  why  she believes  “It  takes  more heart than  talent”  to  truly thrive  in  our  journey. 

Lovenia, you’ve had a rich career in customer service and healthcare before transitioning to entrepreneurship. What inspired you to make that leap into coaching and self-love mastery for men?
In every part of my life, I interact with men and boys who are living in mental, emotional, and spiritual distress. I have always felt a special sense of fulfillment when I’m able to support and help them through difficult moments. Coaching uniquely provides the opportunity to continue being of service—but on a more impactful scale. The expanded reach allows me to influence not just my immediate circles, but also my community and, eventually, the world.

Your mantra is “I AM LOVE.” Can you explain what that phrase means to you personally and how it influences your work with men?
This phrase represents the unconditional acceptance of everything that is true about my experiences and evolution. It’s a belief that forms the foundation of my work with men, as it embodies the essence of self-love—something many men and boys struggle with due to cultural, societal, and familial influences.

Growing up in Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection,” how did your upbringing shape your passion for helping others discover self-love and healing?
Like many, I experienced various forms of abuse and trauma early in life. Yet I was always curious about why people hurt themselves and others. I used to think it was strange that I didn’t want to hurt those who had hurt me. I felt called to be the one person who could be kind, who could offer others more chances to become better.

Being introduced to therapy early in life gave me a healthier perspective on myself and others. It taught me how healing can be instrumental in transforming both self and relationships. I now fully understand that everything happened for me, not to me.

You’ve had an impactful career in both corporate America and entrepreneurship. How did you identify your true calling, and how did you take that first step to follow it?
I often tell people that my purpose as a Men’s Self-Love Mastery Coach came through divine intervention. I struggled to believe I had the capacity to serve the world in such a unique way. Coaching men and boys through mental, emotional, and spiritual distress demands an unprecedented level of intensity and intentionality. It is the most character-building work I’ve done, aside from my own personal evolution. Without God’s guidance, I don’t believe the impact would be nearly as powerful—for my clients or for myself.

The first “big idea” I followed through on was writing my first book and publishing it through the company I founded, K.M. Publishing, in 2020 in South Carolina. I believed that if more people—especially men—knew it was possible to live beyond pain and suffering, more would consider seeking professional guidance for their healing.

The Heartwork Sanctuary aims to create a safe space for men to explore self-love and healing. Can you share more about the programs and services offered and how they support men on their journey?
I initially offered virtual coaching sessions in hourly increments during the pandemic for men who found me directly or were referred. Over time, I realized that although every man is unique, their core experiences often align. So this year, I revamped my practice to offer a more personalized journey—one that quite literally gives men a PHD: Progressive Heart Designation in Self-Mastery. Two core programs provide daily support over six to twelve months.

I also offer one-time sessions ranging from one to six hours, focused on schedule evaluation, acute trauma, and personal development. At The Sanctuary, HEARTWORK stands for: Healing Each Aspect Related To Worth, Origin, Reflection, and Kinship. The word “each” emphasizes that healing is deeply individualized.

The overall goal is to recondition the heart back to love. HEARTWORK Coaching offers a powerful way to achieve that.

As the CEO of K.M. Publishing Company, you’ve self-published works focused on self-love mastery for men and boys. What inspired you to write these books, and how do you hope they’ll impact readers?
I felt compelled to write because I recognized that for many men and boys, the most effective education comes when they are given the space to read and reflect at their own pace—free from the pressure of live dialogue. My deepest hope is that these books allow them to feel seen, not just heard. That they’ll come to recognize the value of professional guidance—whether through coaching or other therapeutic modalities.

Healing is done for the self, but it cannot be done by oneself. Recovery is a daily necessity, and it requires as much help and support as possible. These books are a collaborative effort to show what’s possible when someone chooses to live free of the bondage of mental, emotional, and spiritual trauma.

Could you explain how The Heartwork Sanctuary and your publishing work complement each other to create a well-rounded approach to healing for men?
My first published work, HEARTWORK: The Self-Love Trifecta – 12 Benefits of Practicing Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Positive Affirmations, is at the core of The Sanctuary’s mission. True education demands multiple modalities, so the Sanctuary includes written coursework, live coaching, and (soon) in-person experiences.

Working with men and boys on such a deep level requires attention to all their senses, minimizing overwhelm while boosting retention and follow-through. The books serve as tools before, during, and after coaching. All sessions are recorded and provided to the client, giving them a chance to revisit key moments and continue learning. One of the most powerful tools in my practice is the ability to reflect through listening and observation of one’s own growth.

As a Certified Men’s Self-Love and Mastery Coach, what are the biggest challenges you see men facing when it comes to self-love and emotional healing?
The biggest challenges are overcoming the stigma surrounding professional guidance and unlearning deeply rooted beliefs about identity and manhood. Society’s ideas of masculinity are often outdated and toxic. Breaking free from those patterns requires radical belief, self-grace, and emotional safety—things many men have never experienced.

That’s why I take a holistic approach at The Heartwork Sanctuary. The transformation men need demands a safe, intentional space where clarity, understanding, and capacity can develop—often for the first time. This is my heart’s work, and I honor that calling with as much love, respect, and integrity as possible.

How do you balance entrepreneurship and motherhood without experiencing burnout while pursuing your passion?
I believe in “healthy integration.” I prioritize my self-care first because it makes it easier for me to be present in all of the roles that God has gifted me with. Motherhood, however, is the gift I make the absolute best effort to honor first—so family is always prioritized over my work. I schedule my work around my family and I’m firm with my boundaries. When I don’t have the capacity to do something, I say no—and I don’t feel guilty about it.

I also meditate and journal regularly, which helps me stay grounded. Even in the hard moments, these practices allow me to keep the faith that everything is working out exactly as it should.

What advice do you have for moms looking to get started in entrepreneurship?
Start with your personal development journey. Make sure your mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions are healthy. Entrepreneurship will test every ounce of your being, so it’s essential to come into it as prepared as possible.

Ideas are wonderful, but they require grit, patience, and a willingness to fail more often than you succeed. And even with all of that, entrepreneurship can still be one of the most rewarding experiences of your lifetime. Give it a go—if you really want to discover what you’re made of.

What does being a Pretty Woman Who Hustles mean to you?
To me, it means having a heart you’re willing to share with the world in a unique way—one that’s been divinely approved by God. It’s about embodying grace, strength, and authenticity while walking boldly in your purpose.

What books do you recommend for moms navigating entrepreneurship?
I recommend diving into books on personal development, money management, and wealth creation. Poetry is also a great companion—it provides a healing space and a source of emotional balance. These types of books can help you grow holistically while pursuing your business goals.

Connect with Lovenia:
📱 Instagram: @onecoachlove_
🌐 Website: linktr.ee/coach_love