Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in life coaching, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Crystal Barrow founder and CEO of Shape Your Success Coaching. Crystal is also a #1 Amazon best-selling author of ‘Get Your Career Back on Track: 8 Steps to Go From Derailed to Empowered’ based in New York, USA.

What's your business and who are your customers?

I am an attorney by trade, certified career coach by life purpose! I help job seekers, career changers, and leaders who feel stuck and stalled overcome their fear and overwhelm to discover their next career move, master all stages of a job search, or navigate a complete career transition towards career fulfillment.

Tell us about yourself

Previously a federal law enforcement officer for the U.S. Department of Justice, I was unfulfilled, despite being successful in my job. I had always felt a ‘tug’ to practice law and heeded the call to attend law school full-time following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Since graduating from law school, I’ve worked as a prosecutor for the City and State of New York. Following my passion, I accepted an opportunity to become a career development manager and immediately fell in love with the work. It was this shift in my own life that showed me I wanted to help others, on my terms, to pursue career paths doing work they love.

I love being a career coach because I get to show people that they already have all the answers when it comes to creating the career path they want and that they can overcome the hurdles!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is getting this thing off the ground, nurturing it, and watching the business grow as well as my perseverance and resilience.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Tuning out the "noise" can sometimes be so hard! It's important to protect my peace with a nice balance of information gathering and sharing without comparison to continue to show up as my best self for others.

What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. To be wary of comparing yourself to others. It’s easier to say than do, but it’s just a no-no.
  2. To say yes and figure out the rest later. So many times were offered opportunities, and we think about why it may not work out or fail, but I think we should say yes to an opportunity, and focus on how to make it work along the way.
  3. What you focus on expands, so you have to make it something good.

What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance?

Definitely guided meditation and prayer. I make it a point to carve out time for family and friends, and I started incorporating a daily "reset" of my mind and heart space. It's not easy, but it's necessary!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I became the #1 best-selling author on Amazon 2018 for my book, “Get Your Career Back on Track: 8 Steps to Go From Derailed to Empowered,” wherein I share my personal story of major career transitions and how I handled the unexpected! Available at https://amzn.to/3EMz5k0

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://shapeyoursuccesscoaching.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShapeURSuccess
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shapeyoursuccesscoaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalmbarrow/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShapeYourSuccessCoaching

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share then email community@subkit.com, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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