Celebrating Five Years and Paying it Forward 10% at a Time – October 1, 2020

It’s hard for me to believe that FIVE years ago today on October 1, 2015, I launched my own business.  I recall that first day.  I was standing in my kitchen looking out the window on a beautiful fall day and I said to myself, “ok, now what?”  It’s comical looking back now.  That day five years ago felt like I was jumping off a cliff.  I knew I had a parachute, but I didn’t know how to operate it yet.  I was wondering if I could really figure it out.  Worried I might not know how.  Convinced I would make many mistakes.

The truth is I did make many mistakes.  Mistakes with clients, financial mistakes, forgetting to take care of myself because I gave everything I had to my business – common rookie entrepreneur mistakes.

That was then.

Today, I’ve fully grasped how to do this entrepreneur thing: running a woman-owned small business, being a coach and mentor to many business leaders, and serving as a team & leadership consultant for numerous organizations is “my job”.  It’s what I do.  It’s who I’ve become.

And after five years, I find myself wondering what’s next?  Five years is a long time for me to do anything!  I love change and novelty and finding challenges. I have no immediate plans to do anything different.  I love my work, my clients, and the fulfillment this work brings me.  I have the opportunity to honor my core personal values every single day.  At the top of the list are freedom and flexibility, and what I call “inspired connection.”

Still, I sense a change is coming.  Maybe it’s a simple refresh (by the way, please check out my refreshed homepage HERE, stayed tuned for more updates).  Maybe it will be a grand adventure!  This feeling, or knowing, that something is changing is prompted by so many things:  hitting this five-year mark, the pandemic, the pending election, the systemic racial injustice, and adding teacher and short-order lunch cook to my daily responsibilities.  I know many of you can relate.

Photo Source: GreatLeaders.com

Paying It Forward – 10% at a Time

Did you know that only 10% of women-owned businesses ever make $100,000 or more?  However, the Boston Consulting Group found that businesses founded by women who are in these six, seven, or eight-figure categories earn TWICE as much money as businesses founded by men, based on a study of 350 start-ups.  When women are able to get the resources they need (financial, coaching, mentors, etc.) they THRIVE!

I want to support the women who have big ideas, big dreams, are full of passion and purpose, AND they may not have the resources I did to reach their full potential.

Here’s where I need your help. 

I am committing to having 10% of my coaching practice be pro bono work for women leaders or leaders-to-be.  More specifically, I am looking to connect with women who are one or more of the following:

• Economically disadvantaged

  
  

• Non-white

  
  

• A leader in a non-profit or start-up who serves in a purpose-driven business such as child and family development, climate change, ending systemic racism, or similar.

  
  

These are the women who, one by one, will change the world.  And I want to help them make their vision a reality.

If you know of someone who would benefit from working with me, would like to know more about how I can help or, how you can help too, please email me at carol@expansiveleadershipcoaching.com

Lastly, I can’t let this opportunity go by without thanking the MANY people who have helped and supported me, challenged me, reminded me to RELAX, and just been there for me when I needed them.  A HUGE amount of gratitude to my coaches and mentors, my executive assistant, my accountants and bookkeeper, my copywriters (this one was all me), my marketing support, my yoga and meditation instructors, my spiritual guides, my amazing clients, and of course my family and friends, especially the patience of my son, Ben.