Entrepreneur – Kristin Koltick http://kristinkoltick.com Peace, Power & Purpose in All Areas of Life Tue, 10 Oct 2017 16:47:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.23 You Cannot Go Where You Want To Go By Remaining Where You Are http://kristinkoltick.com/you-cannot-go-where-you-want-to-go-by-remaining-where-you-are/ http://kristinkoltick.com/you-cannot-go-where-you-want-to-go-by-remaining-where-you-are/#respond Tue, 10 Oct 2017 16:47:36 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=302 I can recall the first time I heard the term life coach. I thought to myself “What a silly concept. Why would someone need that? Life is life, you just live it.”

I was a young woman, naive in so many ways, and a virgin to the incessant demands and relentless uncertainty of adulthood. In the years that followed, I attended college. I got married. I became a mother. I developed a chronic illness. I became an entrepreneur. My marriage failed. My body failed. My business failed. I was lost. But, throughout the twists and turns of the path I was on, I found a way to navigate and strategize and, most importantly, envision a better future.

I shared my journey and surprisingly, people found inspiration and hope in that. People began reaching out to me, not only to offer encouragement or thank me for sharing my most vulnerable moments and the way I forged through them, but also to share their own personal experiences and struggles. People came to me to find strength, insight, help. It became my privilege and purpose to give it, and to share in their pain as well as in their hope.  Helping others sort through their circumstance, find direction and courage and create a clear path toward their own happiness became a personal mission.

I was working on other projects and building businesses, but all the while, I was distracted by the influx of people seeking the same thing I was working toward in my own life, happiness. Only I realized that it wasn’t a distraction at all. It was more of a calling, something that had become my passion and purpose. After quite a bit of discernment, introspection and the help of some powerful seminars and life coaching of my own, I decided that this is where my focus should be.

I am, by my very nature, a coach. A cheerleader, a helper, an encourager and a problem solver. It is within me the desire and the need to help people move past their fears and circumstances into the life they are capable and worthy of. That has become my mission.

As a life coach, I can help you identify your goals and the things that are holding you back from achieving them. I can help you sort through the uncertainty and make decisions confidently. I can help you find possibility in all the areas of your life where you want to create change. Together, we can create a vision for your ideal future and empower you to get you there.

 

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Make It ’til You Make It http://kristinkoltick.com/make-it-til-you-make-it/ http://kristinkoltick.com/make-it-til-you-make-it/#respond Mon, 25 Sep 2017 02:18:17 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=308 When I started my first business, I wanted to learn everything there was to learn about being an entrepreneur. I had no base of experience or education about business ownership, but I knew that knowledge was power. I was committed to taking in as much knowledge as possible in order to learn fast and create success. I started reading books, watching videos and attending webinars on entrepreneurship. Throughout the first few months, one recurring phrase really stuck in my mind…”Fake it ’til you make it.”

It was the answer to my biggest insecurity as someone brand new to sales and recruitment. How was I supposed to convince people that I knew what I was doing, that I was going to be successful, that they could trust me to help them achieve their goals? Simple. Fake it. Until I make it. I did just that. And it worked. It really did. For awhile.

I used social media as a platform to grow my business. I made posts about every little freedom my job allowed me. I shared about how rapidly my team was growing. I posted about all of the wonderful aspects of this job and all of the opportunity it created, for someone who was successful in doing it, which wasn’t me quite yet. But it did work. People saw my excitement, my commitment and my faith in what I was doing and they joined it. It really didn’t take that long before I was actually successful.

The fake-it-til-you-make-it approach worked so well that I started teaching it to my team. Well, not just teaching. Perhaps more like preaching. It became part of my training model. I expected new team members to make these types of posts regularly because, if they wanted to be successful, this concept worked. And it worked relatively quickly.

What I didn’t realize until much later is that faking it doesn’t actually work at all. Why? Because it’s a lie. It’s inauthentic. It’s not sustainable. Sure, I did find actual success by faking it in the beginning. But in the process, I lost part of myself. I became this other version of myself on social media, and even beyond. I was no longer able to clearly distinguish what was part of the lie and what wasn’t. I felt a constant need to uphold an image, an ideal of what life was like, in order to attract people to what I was doing. It was draining. Eventually I started to disengage from my business because I had come to feel so inauthentic about who I was being. I didn’t want to do it anymore. And I didn’t know any other way to do my job.

After some time “off”, a lot of personal development and time soul searching, I realized that there was another way. A better way. I decided to start fresh and make it until I made it. 

Confusing? Maybe a little. Let me explain. I just realized that instead of pretending to be this or that, I just had to start making my life the way I wanted it to be until it was the way I wanted it to be. It’s simple, really. Just get to work. Start creating. Start doing. Start being.

“What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.” -Buddha

When I adopted this new approach to my businesses, and to my life, I found a completely new kind of freedom. A freedom in being fully present to the passion and purpose behind my goals. Having access to that created the space for so much more success and possibility. Perhaps more importantly, that methodology has allowed me to be wholly at peace with where I am at any stage, with any endeavor while feeling completely empowered to design my life as I want. That is true freedom.

If you are struggling to find clarity, direction or power in any area of your life, I would love the opportunity to help. Fill out this form for a free consult.

 

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The FACTS & FICTION of Entrepreneurship http://kristinkoltick.com/the-facts-fiction-of-entrepreneurship/ http://kristinkoltick.com/the-facts-fiction-of-entrepreneurship/#respond Mon, 27 Feb 2017 01:55:13 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=274 My job, and truly one of my life’s passions, is to introduce people to the world of entrepreneurship and help them succeed. Throughout the course of my work as a mentor and coach, I’ve encountered a surprising array of misinformation and apprehension about becoming a business owner. Almost daily, I witness the wall of doubt and fear keeping people from stepping forward into their hopes and dreams. Honestly, it frustrates me. Because I was once on the other side of that wall.

Three years ago, after nearly a year of being offered an opportunity to become my own boss for the first time, I took the plunge into entrepreneurship and joined a direct sales company as an independent distributor. I had virtually no experience, no education and no network. I was a new mom, desperate to be at home with my child, with little hope of ever being able to do that without sacrificing financial stability for our growing family. But something inside of me kept telling me that maybe I could. Maybe there was a way.

From the day I got started, my only regret has been that I hadn’t done it sooner. I’ve learned over these years that anyone, even a stay-at-home-mom with no time, energy or clue what she was doing, can be an entrepreneur. I keep using the term “entrepreneur” as if it’s some fancy job. I assure, it’s not. I work from home in sweatpants, hair un-brushed, covered in dog slobber and half- watching Star Wars with my son. It’s not a glamorous job. But it allows me the freedom to focus my life on what truly matters to me: my family, my health and my mission. And it CAN do the same for you.

I want to address some fears and misconceptions about entrepreneurship. But first, allow me to state that my goal is not to convince you to do anything. My intent here is simply to help you break down that wall of self-defeat that’s keeping you from living the life you truly want, and to offer you a way to create that life.

Who? I think the biggest challenge I face in helping people start their own businesses is helping them BELIEVE that they are capable of doing it. Before I became my own boss, I really struggled to see myself as a successful “business” person. I looked at the people who were living that life and felt disconnected and inadequate. I allowed my inexperience and excuses to keep me from following my heart for nearly an entire year. I’ve realized two things since then. First, almost everyone feels this way before they get started. It’s normal to experience fear and doubt when considering a big change. The second thing I’ve learned is that while fear and hesitation may be normal, thinking that you CANNOT do something is wrong. You can do anything you want. The only catch is that you have to believe that it’s possible.

When people ask me if entrepreneurship is right for them, my answer is always “yes.” I believe wholeheartedly that it’s for anyone who wants to create a life with more time, purpose and freedom. There are no prerequisites. There are no disqualifications. Anyone can do this.

Why? There is no question more relevant than that of why someone would want to become an entrepreneur. In fact, this question is so vital that I would’ve started the post with it had I not found so many people counting themselves out of the opportunity on the basis that entrepreneurship is “not for them.” But now that we’ve established that it is, in fact, for everyone, let’s dig into the why.

If I met with you or spoke with you on the phone to discuss becoming an entrepreneur, one of the first things I’d ask you is “WHY do you want to do this?” And by why, I mean what do you hope to gain from it. What are you looking for that you think this opportunity can provide? Why is critical because it’s what will motivate you. It’s what will push you out of your comfort zone, beyond your self-doubt and into success. It’s your fuel AND your fire.

How? There are endless ways to become your own boss, but not all are equal. So bare with me.

Starting a company can be expensive, time consuming and risky. The cost of a storefront or warehouse alone can be hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Factor in equipment, furniture, inventory, labor, advertising, insurance and any other expenses and the majority of Americans are looking at an unattainable goal. Even if you have the capital to invest that much of your money, you’re taking a huge risk.

Then there’s the issue of time. Starting a brick & mortar business takes a tremendous amount of time. Time is your most valuable resource because it can never be replenished. Time you spend investing into a business is time away from every other area of your life. How much time are you willing to devote to creating a life of freedom? 40 hours a week? 50? 60? More?

The good news is that you can become an entrepreneur without having to invest a ton of time or money. That’s how I did it. And that’s why I’m such a huge advocate of network marketing. Bill Gates once said “If I would be given a chance to start over again, I’d choose network marketing.” Dave Ramsey has stated that “The worst thing we can do is get a second job. the best thing we can do is start a home-based business.” Why are these guys such proponents of network marketing? Because it works. I’m living proof.

I went from being a stay-at-home mom living paycheck to paycheck, buying groceries and diapers with credit cards to earning a six figure income, paying off debt and buying my dream car. And I did it from home, working about 10-15 hours a week in my pajamas. It works. It works for anyone.

Where? The answer to this is simple: literally anywhere. Network marketing is a mobile business. My entire business is run through the internet, so I can work from home. Or from the park. Or on vacation. Or wherever I decide to live.

When? Yesterday!

Like I said before, the only regret I have since getting started in network marketing is that I didn’t start sooner. For years I allowed myself to believe that a life of financial freedom or of success was only possible for others, not me. I struggled financially. I thought I’d never get ahead. I felt I’d never be able to provide a good life to my son, to take him on vacations and give him great experiences. I was overwhelmed with debt, fear and hopelessness. I allowed my fear of failure to keep me from having the life I wanted. I settled. Until I realized that there was a better way. Life had more to offer, even for me, if I believed in it.

Besides the fear of taking that first step, I know a lot of people think they don’t have the time to invest into growing a business. I know that time is invaluable. I get it. But one of the greatest things about network marketing is that it doesn’t take a lot of time. It really only takes a few small actions, consistently, day after day. If you can spare an hour a day, you can do this. And isn’t an hour a day worth a lifetime of freedom?

The toughest part of my job is seeing people on the verge of freedom afraid to take that step forward. I want to push them. Pull them. Drag them. Because I know how close they are to breaking through that wall between settling and succeeding. I understand their fear but I know that freedom lies on the other side.

When one of my mentors asked me what my goal was for the year, my reply was this….”I want to help as many people as possible create freedom in their lives by becoming their own bosses.” I’m deeply and sincerely committed to that.

The Nitty Gritty. Okay, okay. So having your own business isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. If’ I’m being totally honest. I need to let you in on a few secrets.

  1. Taxes. Taxes can be a tiny bit of a pain, but not really. It’s as simple as putting part of your income away and saving all of your receipts. And getting to write off dinner at your favorite restaurant, talking about how much you love your job!
  2. Websites and Inventory. Unlike starting a business from the ground up, network marketing eliminates so much of the work. You get your own website(s) and don’t need to stock inventory. Friends and family members can order goods and services through you and pay directly through your site, and the company ships right to them! So you can focus your time on sharing what you’re doing and helping others!
  3. Social Media. Let’s be real. We are living in a social media world. Even our president uses social media to communicate. Social media sites are an incredible tool for business owners because they allow you to reach millions of people from your phone or computer! To be successful in network marketing, you have to learn to leverage the power of social media. Sometimes that means stepping out of your comfort zone. But trust me, even for introverts, it’s a game changer and it’s well worth it!

So there you have it. I hope I’ve given you a little bit of insight into what it takes to be an entrepreneur in today’s modern world. Even more so, I hope I’ve given you some hope that entrepreneurship is right for you! If you have even the slightest notion of taking that step into entrepreneurship, let’s chat!

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Welcome! http://kristinkoltick.com/welcome/ http://kristinkoltick.com/welcome/#respond Thu, 29 Sep 2016 18:48:02 +0000 http://kristinkoltick.com/?p=85 However you may have stumbled upon my site, I’d like to take a moment to welcome you. This project has been in the making for over two decades and I’m enthralled by its official launch. You can learn more about my story in the About section, but for now, I simply want to thank you for being here.

So much of my blood, sweat and tears have gone into my own personal health journey and, by extension, into creating an environment where I’m able to share in those of others. Aside from motherhood, I’ve shifted my life’s focus to helping women create freedom in their lives; the freedom that comes with good health, entrepreneurship and peace of mind. Every day, I work with women from all walks of life, to design a life that works for them and allows them to thrive. It’s a job that I’m both honored and impassioned by.

And so I thank you for being here. Whether you’ve been following my journey for a while or you’ve just found me through a random search, I am grateful that fate has brought us together and I truly hope that you find some value in such happenstance.

When I first began to put the pieces together for this project, I was admittedly overwhelmed by the magnitude of my vision for it. I have so many ideas and dreams about how I could impact the lives of other women. After much prayer and introspection, I realized that to limit myself was to limit who I would be able to reach. That’s precisely the opposite of my intention, and so I decided to follow my heart, throw caution to the wind and take the leap of faith into absolute uncertainty.

freedom

My aspirations are limitless, but as with any dream, we must begin somewhere, to lay the groundwork. I’ve been working as a health & fitness coach for three years and as my own personal focus has shifted toward nutrition and wellness, so has my work. If you’re looking to make a lifestyle change, to get in better shape, to find confidence, to feel better, to improve your quality of life, I can help. Health coaching is the foundation for this project. But behind the scenes, I’m working on so much more. I’m working to share my story, and to hear from other women about Lupus, autoimmunity, healing and hope. I’m working on a book, in addition to this blog. I’m working to spread awareness and education about Lupus, autoimmunity and treatment options for these diseases. I’m planning events and creating a podcast. I’m working to connect with women who want more freedom in their lives. I’m providing mentor-ship, strategic business planning and marketing for women who desire freedom through entrepreneurship. I am doing everything in my power to help you create the life that you wish for and deserve.

If I can help in any way, please reach out by filling out the contact form below.

If you have a story to share about your struggle with autoimmune disease and are interested in connecting, participating in my podcast or helping spread awareness about AI, please fill out the form below.

 

 

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