Business Coaching with Laura
They say if you want to learn about yourself, start a business. And, it would seem they are right.
Leaving my corporate job and setting out to follow my passion – often leading heart over head – was one of the biggest learning curves of my life. And I now love sharing, with a passion, what I’ve learnt to help support and guide those embarking on their own small business journey.
Embarking on the journey to create and run your own creative business can be a huge undertaking and I know that because I’ve done it. It can be hugely rewarding but it can also be hugely challenging, the highs can be high and the lows can be low and doing either of those on your own can also sometime be, well, a bit lonely. You can give your self too hard a time for the mistakes and forget to celebrate the wins. Imposter syndrome, procrastination, overwhelm, decision paralysis, I’ve had them all. And although I came out the other side, a stronger more self-aware person, with many a lesson learnt and a successful business, I really wish I’d sought out more support.
I wish I’d been able to identify that I didn’t have to go it alone. I wish I’d had someone by my side, who just ‘got it’ that could be a listening ear with support and guidance when I needed it. But the upside of not having had it is being able to deeply see the value in being able to be that person now for others. But, before we talk about that, let me tell you a little bit more about my own journey…
It was mid-2014 and I was an ambitious career-driven thirty-something marketer with a good job in finance. The truth? I was utterly miserable. Underneath the mask was the reality that I felt increasingly stuck in a career which neither lit me up nor inspired me to climb any kind of ladder. I felt like I was going through the motions of life. I was completely disillusioned by the corporate world and I constantly wondered what was wrong with me. The mask was starting to slip.
Something had to change.
Career changing and life changing
Changing career in my mid-thirties was huge for me. My biggest life change yet. Even bigger than emigrating solo to the other side of the world shortly after my thirtieth birthday. And at times this change into creating and running my own design business has pushed me to my absolute limits. My business has been, without doubt, one of my greatest teachers and those teachings have stretched me and tested me in ways I had no idea were possible.
Transitioning from a corporate career to something creative can evoke so many of our own self doubts and fears. Often the switch involves going from doing what we thought we ‘should’ be doing – perhaps at times to satisfy others – to suddenly doing something for us, something for and from our own soul. And that inward focus shift and call of our heart can at times be confronting. It can test us emotionally, mentally and physically, as we get side tracked by our resistance to our growth; disguised as procrastination or imposter syndrome or whichever form, of many, it chooses to show up as.
But I did it and you can too
But it’s possible. Very possible. And I’m here now because of the love of it. The love of design and the love of interiors but also the love of the journey and the process that got me here. Did I question if I could do it? Absolutely. Did I suffer from imposter syndrome? Often. Did I experience bouts of extreme loneliness in the circumstances which my life decisions had found me in? Yes.
Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor.
It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution.
Give us what you've got.
Steven Pressfield | The War of Art
Would I have it any other way? No.
And that’s why I now offer my business coaching program. I want to help those on a similar path, because I speak to so many other people who feel the way I felt. Those who want so badly to create a life and business they’re dreamed of but are scared to take the first step or the next step. And I get it. Because I was scared too. But I believe that the people who are successful are successful because as they grow so too does their inner courage and their self-belief. They may get stretched time and time again but they use it to fuel them not break them. And I believe having a coach along side you is a great way to ensure that growth is consistent and that energy and emotions are positively geared in the right direction.
Along the way on my own journey I’ve met some amazing people and had incredible opportunities open to me, often like little signposts arriving at just the right moment to tell me to ‘just keep going’. And it’s keeping going that gets us to where we want to be, right? Even if it’s the littlest of steps. One of the first things I can help you with is intentify where you want to get to and what steps we need to take to get you there.
Do I have all the answers?
Absolutely not and I won’t pretend to. But what I do have is a passion to help people to flourish and thrive in their creativity and skills – to see them push through their resistance and to give us what they’ve got. And what else I have is the experience that got me here. My own story rich with learnings from mistakes and mishaps and more. I don’t propose to tell you how to run your business, but what I will do is support you and hold space for you as you step up and out into whatever it is that is calling you next.
And I know from my own experience how important it is to have the right support in place from someone a little further on in their journey. Someone who just ‘gets it’, someone who will meet you where you’re at, understanding deeply how it feels because they’ve been there, someone to cheerlead you through business creation or growth which is undoubtedly going to change your life and I’d love to be that support for you.
I started following Laura on social media when I was still stuck in my corporate job, dreaming of doing what she was doing. Her story inspired me and gave me the belief that I could do it too. Fast forward a couple of years and it’s no longer a dream anymore! She has all the knowledge and credibility from starting a successful business and is willing to share her learns. Her input has been invaluable to me. Laura is easy to connect with. She is open, kindly honest and gets practical when I need it. I couldn’t, and maybe wouldn’t, have done it without her
Jennifer Black - Interior Designer
Coaching Package
A six month one-on-one coaching commitment to each other – with the option to extend beyond six months if you feel that would be supportive. This coaching isn’t just for Interior Designers and is open to all creatives looking to go all in on their business and themselves.
Included;
1 x Introductory Session 90 minutes (expect a few questions via email in advance)
12 x Mentoring & Support Sessions* 45 minutes held fortnightly at an agreed time – via Zoom video conferencing.
Full WhatsApp access Monday to Friday – for support between sessions as needed.
*Additional 1:1 sessions can be added at an additional cost, agreed at the start of our commitment together.
Investment, one payment of $2950
OR payment plans are available.
I only offer a six month package minimum & you’ll quite quickly understand why when we start working together and see the pace at which things evolve when you have a dedicated space to focus purely on the growth of both you and your business, because ultimately the two always go hand in hand.
Taking the risk and leaving my ten year corporate career for the unknown was a big and scary thing.
On those questionable and difficult days Laura’s support, guidance and encouragement gave me the boost I needed for perseverance and success.
Laura’s approachable, genuine and lots of fun to work with. Taking on this new journey just wouldn’t have been the same without her by my side.
Tarmaine Hales - Interior Designer
I'd love to support you and your business
If what I’ve shared resonates and you’re ready to invest, drop me an email [email protected] & I’ll be in touch to arrange an initial conversation to check we’re the right fit.
I know it can be a big step to invest in yourself like this, so if you have questions, that’s ok, let’s chat everything through. I look forward to supporting you to create a life and business you love.