I’ve always been a dreamer, and always enjoy hearing stories of those in my life that are not only dreamers, but also doers. This is my 4^th installment in this series; I’ve had: a musician, an author, a brewer and now a professional coach on my blog! I’d like to introduce you today to Katie, a coach who partners with highly motivated professionals in uncovering their desired outcomes and achieving their goals at work and in life. Let’s jump in and explore how Katie was planning and preparing to be an entrepreneur way before she ever knew that’s what she wanted to or was going to do. 

The Beginnings

Katie’s story starts out like so many of us as young professionals do – not really knowing what she wanted to be when she grew up. As a little kid Katie would play ‘entrepreneur’ with friends and her sister and they would start pretend businesses with a rotating ‘boss’. She has always enjoyed solving problems that she saw in her everyday life around her. As she got older, she went to college and like many of us, was unsure of her major as she didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up. As she approached the end of her time in college, like many young professionals, she started looking for a job. Unlike other young professionals (like myself in college), she took job-hunting very seriously. First of all, she had a spreadsheet to track it all, and she: attended career fairs, established new connections, and networked with as many recruiters as she could meet. She ended up accepting a job for a magazine in Birmingham, Alabama.

Looking back at this time in her life, Katie reflected on how without knowing it, she was already working on the skills required that would one day help her become an entrepreneur. Her networking and organizational skills, as well as her desire to proactively fix problems and make things better would serve her well later on!

Early Corporate Life

Although I gathered that Katie had a desire to be an entrepreneur one day, she started out in the corporate world and was happy there. That’s one thing that’s struck me about Katie – she’s always positive, no matter what, and works hard to be content in her current state. Katie experienced some adversity in her early roles – layoffs, having to move back to Atlanta, interviewing like crazy, getting a job at a semi-startup the day before they got acquired, and then acquired again, she’s been through a lot. What I was impressed with how Katie mentioned time and time again that she learned to be ok even when stuff went awry, especially for things outside of her control. 

Katie excelled in the corporate world because she had a drive that ultimately helped her found and build her own business being a professional coach. She is BOLD, and is never afraid to raise her hand, take on a new initiative or question why something isn’t done differently. Katie received promotions, took on new roles (including one she semi-developed on her own) and achieved success at her job. All along, she knew that she wanted something more though, and in the back of her mind knew that she would want to do her own thing in the future. 

Breaking Free from the Golden Handcuff

I loved the term that Katie referred to as the thing that she felt was keeping her back from following her passion as an entrepreneur – ‘the golden handcuff’. It’s funny how after some time, things get comfortable, we get content and the life we lead is the life we want to continue. I’ve personally felt this in my own career – which paycheck is nice, and a slightly larger paycheck in the future with a raise is even nicer. Houses we live in are expensive, and the lifestyle that comes with it requires that paycheck. We get comfortable, and we start to lose a bit of the drive. 

Katie – and I love this part of her story – diligently saved up for a long period of time. Instead of getting more comfortable with those raises and bonuses and paychecks, she saved her money, know that starting a new business full-time is risky, and she’d likely go without a paycheck for a few months. She saved up and with some back of the napkin math with her fiancé (now husband), felt comfortable about being able to quit her job and pursue her passion full time! 

Starting out on her own, Katie took the time to invest in herself, which I thought was really cool. Most startups will raise investment money, and Katie viewed the startup investment period as a time to invest in her own development. She attended Co-Active Coaching Institute as well as Emory’s Executive Coaching Program and networked with other professionals – both in and outside of her profession. Before all of COVID she was working out of a coworking space (now out of her home), and is proud to say she’s loves working with her current 1:1 coaching clients! It’s certainly a long road ahead, but I love Katie’s optimism, and realism in pursuing her dream of continuing to help support leaders through 1:1 coaching.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 

I picked up on a ton of advice while talking to Katie – and even had a bit of the entrepreneurial flame in my own life re-ignited! One of the things that stood out – and I’ve already mentioned this before in the post is – learning to be content and be ok when things go awry. 

Katie also talked a lot about the comparison trap for aspiring and new entrepreneurs. As soon as she started her entrepreneurial work, she found herself still bound to the 8-5 schedule, often being the first in the coworking space in the morning. She would feel down when she saw others on social media flouting their entrepreneurial success. Katie encouraged readers like yourself to stay focused on yourself – your path and your success and not to be discouraged, especially early on. Katie did say she regretted not fully being herself when she started her business. ! She commented that you learn so much by talking to people – especially potential customers! However, it is important that you don’t compare yourself to others because everyone has their own unique strengths and talents!

Finally, and certainly a YMF plug here – Katie would not advise entrepreneurs to just quit their jobs blindly to follow their dreams. She saved up for several years and felt financially comfortable taking a risk. I’m all about encouraging you to follow your dreams – just do so responsibly!

A big thanks to Katie for the interview and sharing her story! I’ve known Katie for several years now, and it’s been so cool to watch her on her journey towards being a professional coach full-time.  If you’re interested to learn more – her website is Adkin Talent Solutions.