Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal and business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Kyttanen, Founder of Zielo Studio, located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Zielo Studio is a one-of-a-kind immersive coaching consultancy with the purpose of elevating the potential of individuals and organizations. Our mission is to revolutionize the traditional coaching model by focusing on inner leadership development utilizing immersive technology, like the metaverse. Leveraging this type of technology, we are able to completely innovate the coaching experience in a way that has never been done before, creating interactive and visual sessions which enable people to interact and authentically connect in a secure and dependable virtual environment. The technology is, therefore, a catalyst for massive transformation.

The experience is enhanced further through our proprietary Mindset Energy programs, which are designed to support, empower and elevate the potential of individuals, teams, and organizations. Our innovative coaching approach measures eight Mindset Energy Competencies, known as ‘the 8C’s’. This enables individuals and teams to get actionable insights to help them expand and transform along their coaching journey while organizations get the data they need to monitor and act on the outcomes that matter most to them.

Tell us about yourself

I am an American boss-mama living in Amsterdam. My two young children, my startup, and my own Mindset Energy routine keep me quite busy. I appreciate a strong cup of coffee, enjoy biking the canals, yoga, running, spending time in nature, swimming, journaling, meditation, and music is always playing in my house. In terms of professional experience, I spent the majority of my Corporate career in Human Resources, specializing in change management, executive coaching, and leadership development. I also have business experience and particularly enjoy business and brand strategy, sales, and marketing. I have lived in multiple countries and have worked with more than 33 nationalities. I decided to transition from Corporate to Entrepreneur over 7 years ago to pursue my passion for coaching to maximize the potential of the whole person, a niche I saw as being underserved in the sector.

Following a devastating miscarriage, I found myself in a bit of an identity crisis. This led to a more extensive inner healing journey. Eventually, I was inspired to develop my own proprietary transformational coaching methodology centered around what I call 'Mindset Energy.' My approach is focused on removing the internal constraints that so many of us impose on ourselves. Too often, we grow up believing that when we master external goals, we will be happy. Yet, this overlooks the root cause of our actions, behaviors, performance, and ultimately our wellness and well-being. True leadership comes from the inside out; it is our core beliefs and values and the authentic expression of our self that create a massive impact in our relationships, work, well-being, and beyond - a legacy paved for future generations. This is actually what lights me up the most. If you can imagine that just like when you blow the fluffy white seeds of a dried dandelion, and they are carried for miles before finally setting down to grow again - you have the same impact around you as you expand and elevate. One of my favorite quotes is by Adrienne Maree Brown "When you elevate, the world elevates."

With the introduction of COVID, a pandemic of global mental health emerged, giving me the chance to expand my company and fundamentally reimagine the way coaching is carried out. I started to see the power of immersive technology. I decided it was time to shake up the industry and how people experience their transformation journey. I am excited to be part of the pioneers in this space, especially as more research shows the positive impact immersive tech can have on psychological outcomes. For example, a new Stanford study shows choices of virtual environments and avatars can promote positive psychological outcomes in the metaverse." I have also discovered this when I reflect on the feedback from the surveys I collect from my clients, such as "The environment allows for more vulnerability." I also find group coaching in the metaverse is very powerful as it creates a sense of connectedness. As one client reflected on her experience, she said, "What I liked best is to be able to listen to each other's experiences and feel not alone with what you are going through or your thoughts through the comfort of my own home feeling as if I am actually in the space."

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Birthing an idea and seeing it take shape in the form of an MVP that actually changes people's lives.

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

Expanding your 'Courage to act with intention.' In fact, this is one of the Mindset Energy competencies that tend to be more difficult for people, according to the Zielo Studio Mindset Energy assessment. What I've found doing my own inner work and supporting hundreds of others is that we tend to focus on what isn't working, we are really critical on ourselves, we haven't been taught how to regulate our emotions effectively, and we have extremely high standards for success. All of which causes more contracted energy - stress, anxiety, disappointment, sadness, burnout, etc.

When you can learn to embrace yourself, others, and life, focus your energy, embrace vulnerability and move beyond your comfort zone - you open yourself up to way more expansive energy - like joy, satisfaction, abundance, and peace. This is also where more creativity and innovation have space to shine so you can take your business to new heights.

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

  1. Ignite your personal power - master your Mindset Energy and be 100% accountable for creating your business and life.
  2. Treasure yourself and be kind - surround yourself with a network of people who lift you up and also inspire you to elevate your potential.
  3. Stay curious - dream bigger, expand your beliefs and perspective and conquer your fears. Passion trumps expertise. As Rumi says, "Only from the heart can you touch the sky."

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.zielostudio.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zielostudio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zielostudio/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zielo-studio/

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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