Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karen Amlin, Founder of Intentional Thinking Academy Inc., located in Kingsville, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Intentional Thinking Academy's 7KEY Self-Empowerment Program is an immersive approach to self-improvement that will help you find your path and make an impactful life filled with happiness, success & peace of mind. The 8-week program includes over 120 powerful audios as well as a 234-page interactive workbook and journal for insightful activities, daily intentions, and night-time reflections. Throughout the eight weeks, participants are supported by their own private coach who helps them strategize and stay accountable to reach their desired outcomes. It has helped many men and women of all ages gain more confidence, find their voice, identify their purpose, and feel inspired to follow through on ideas and dreams they've had for a long time.
Tell us about yourself
I am a personal and executive coach who has earned my PCC designation through the International Coaching Federation. I started out as a private counselor and, along the way, fell into a natural love of coaching, which is forward-thinking and solution-focused. In the past seven years, I have accumulated over 5000 coaching hours, helping hundreds of men and women find clarity on the decisions required to achieve their personal and professional goals.
I am motivated to do the work I do every day because I feel strongly that it is my calling to help others get "unstuck" in life and support them in feeling empowered to make choices that align with the life they really want. I bring my own personal experience of getting "unstuck" to my coaching and my deep belief that it is possible for everyone to create a life they are proud of. This belief drives my work with clients, and the results I have seen them achieve are a testament to my success.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Although my coaching practice was successful and thriving, I am proud that I did not choose to rest on my laurels and ignore the little voice telling me that there was more. I worked hard to create the Intentional Thinking Academy and felt a profound sense of purpose and gratitude when I sat across the first group of Life Coach and NLP students waiting to be trained by me. In addition to developing courses and launching the Academy, My 7KEY Self-Empowerment Program was my most significant accomplishment as a business owner due to the vulnerability and dedication needed to put so much of myself into the program. My meaningful feedback and gratitude received from participants of the 7KEYS are rewarding on a level I never imagined possible.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing as a business owner of a new company is prioritizing the order tasks are completed. With new ventures, there is no end to the ideas flowing to you all at once, while you already have a long list of items on your to-do list. It is very challenging to decide what is best to focus your energy on each day. Going hand-in-hand with that is the need to find the balance between your passion for your business, the desire you have to spend quality time with family and friends, and the need for self-care and rest.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The three tips I would give a future entrepreneur:
- Fall in love with the vision of what you want; imagine what it will look like and the impact it will have on your life and the lives of others. Falling in love with the vision will sustain you in times of struggle, doubt, and procrastination.
- Start before you are 100 percent ready, and re-work your plan as needed. Too many people plan for years and never take a step forward because they believe everything has to be perfect before starting, and this strategy often leads to burnout and unfilled dreams.
- Accept that challenges and mistakes are just part of the process. Adopting the outlook that there are "no failures, only feedback" will be incredibly helpful. Any successful person will tell you that they made mistakes along the way and had to endure negative comments from others. Knowing this is a natural part of the process is the most impactful thing I can share with new entrepreneurs.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Yes. Believe in your dreams and ideas. The thoughts that tug at you are clues to your purpose. No one has to share your vision or buy into your plan because it came to YOU for a reason. It is yours to understand, believe in, and fulfill.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://intentionalthinking.academy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intentionalthinkingacademy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenamlin/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-amlin/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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