Client Case Study Cat Kessler - When I Grow Up

Client Case Study Cat Kessler - When I Grow Up Um, do you know that Ive coached hundreds of women since I started offering dream career guidance in 2008? And that these women are freakin rock stars, leaving soul-sucking jobs and traveling the world and launching creative, grown-up businesses and simply doing work that fits their lifestyle goals? Well ya do now and youll hear their stories firsthand in my  Client Case Studies series!  Oh you guys, Cat Kessler is a gift. I knew it when we worked together in Discover Your Dream Business this summer, I knew it when she opened her business Opt Inward this fall (go click over and try *not* to instantly breathe easier), and I definitely know it now in these answers she provides. I love not only her unique business idea and her passion-based mission, but in alllllll the limiting beliefs she worked through to get here. I just cant wait to share her and them! with you. Why did you decide to work with me? I joined your Facebook group and signed up for your article emails soon after I heard your interview with Nicole Antoinette on the Real Talk Radio podcast. Your words made all of my dreams sound so possible, without being too good to be true. The way you described (and also the way that you so cleverly named) Discover Your Dream Business, it felt like it was just for me. I had a conversation with a close friend last spring where I told herthe first time I had said it out loud!that I was interested in starting a business. She asked me what I would want to do, and I responded with a long string of ums and I dont really knows and Ill need to figure that outs. It was incredibly clear that the work of discovering my what was the next step. What were you doing work-wise when we started working together and what are you doing now? When we started working together I was working a full-time marketing job that I had been in for almost eight years. I had changed positions within the organization a few times in those years and had worked on many wonderful projects, but there was part of me that wasnt being engaged by that worknamely my passions for spirituality and making personal connections. I felt like this gap had widened after the birth of my son, and two years later I was ready to find the opportunity that would be the right fit. And now Im still working that same full-time job, but Im also building my spiritual self-care business as a side hustle. It can sometimes be frustrating to have a great business idea when Im at my 9-5 and have to wait until the end of the day to act on it, and its definitely hard to put in the extra hours after a full day of work and parenting, but I have to say that working on my business is quite energizing. Its engaging parts of my mind and spirit that havent been exercised in a l ong time. What was your biggest takeaway from our work together? It was really important for me, in our work together, to remain open to the process. When I first signed on, I honestly couldnt see past the end of my own resume. I was living in a head space where I thought I needed credentials or experience or at least a very good reason to be worthy of my work. I couldnt have imagined at the beginning of the summer the what of my business that I would walk away with eight weeks later. Looking back on all of my notes now, its easy to see the common themes threaded through all our work together. I definitely needed someone outside myself to help me see what was there and pull it together into something that has both interest for me and value for my future clients. Think of someone who is currently in the shoes you wore when we first started working together. What advice do you have for her? Baby steps are still steps. With a full-time job and a toddler at home, I wasnt sure how I could possibly find the capacity to plan and start a business. But it doesnt have to take over your entire life right out of the gate. My work with a few guinea pig clients taught me so much right from the start. I didntand still dontneed to have the entire journey mapped out in order to take the next step thats right in front of me. (This is HARD for me!) Some weeks I spend several hours working on my business, and some weeks I may only be able to check my email and keep up with a few social media posts. I dont have to compare or measure myself against anyone elses business or timeline. At the same time, I know where to turn if I need someone to light a fire under my butt. ?? Is there anything thats been a game-changer for you when it comes to your business that you can share? Wed love a good resource or a mindset/productivity tip! Something I certainly learned in Discover Your Dream Business that also keeps popping up all around me (I got the message, universe!) is this: Action is the antidote to self-doubt. I can think and brainstorm and plan literally forever, but Ill never know if I was right or my ideas were any good until I put them into action. Will people like this offer? Dont know until I ask them! Am I ready to tell people about my new business? The only way to find out is to write the email and hit send! Ive also become a big fan of mind maps for getting ideas out of my head and into some concrete, visual formthanks, Michelle, for that one! Whats on the horizon for your business? Wed love to hear about any upcoming offerings or goals!   Starting this spring, Im going to be offering some new mentoring sessions that Im really excited about. One will be designed for folks who want to introduce some more meaningful rhythms into their liveswhether its daily meditation, a journaling practice, or a weekly time of reflection. The other will be geared more toward folks experiencing a significant life momenta birthday, new baby, marriage, move, graduation, etc. We will work together to craft a meaningful, personalized ritual to celebrate and mark the occasion. My wish is that I can help my clients get in touch with a deeply authentic part of themselves so that they can show up for their lives a little more present and a little more grounded. Where can we find you and your work? Find me at www.optinward.com and on Instagram at @optinward. Get ready! The doors for Discover Your Dream Business will re-open on April 22nd. Click over and sign up for the notification list so you dont miss early bird pricing!