Career Coaching and Life Coaching - A Path That Fits

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Adrian Klaphaak, founder of A Path That Fits, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

A Path That Fits is a career coaching and life coaching company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our specialty is pathfinding. We work with people who want to find their calling, not just a job. We believe that everyone has a career path that fits who they are, and we're committed to helping you do your greatest work.

We think about careers a little bit differently… We see your career as an opportunity to use your gifts, do what you love, and make a positive contribution to the world. Our unique career pathfinding process guides you to discover your innate gifts and passions and translate them into the right career for you. We've helped thousands of people find work they love and build successful careers. We use a mindfulness-based approach to gain clarity and concrete action to get results.

All of our career and life coaches are seasoned experts with at least ten years of experience. We offer one-on-one coaching in person in San Francisco and virtually to our clients on every continent. We also have an online career coaching program that makes it possible for you to work with us from anywhere in the world. Think of it as your online career coach – on demand whenever you want.

Tell us about yourself

In 2003, I got my dream job. I had been working toward it for years, and I was elated. I had finally become a management consultant. Then I started doing the work. And… I hated it. But I didn't want to admit it. I had invested so much time and energy in preparing myself for this type of work. What else was I going to do? I didn't want to start over.

My moment of truth finally came when I was in the document records basement of a copper mining company in Utah. It was hot. I had been there alone for 10 hours, day after day, digging through boxes of old accounting records stacked on top of each other. And then it hit me. This isn't me. I was forcing myself to do something that didn't feel natural to me. My heart wasn't in it. I wasn't in it.

Now I knew management consulting wasn't my path. But I was clueless about what else to do. And I was terrified to let go of the excellent salary and prestigious job that I had worked so hard to achieve. But I didn't want to do what I was "supposed" to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to do something more meaningful. I wanted to enjoy my work. I wanted to discover the unique thing that I was built to do – and make a positive contribution to the world. So… I quit. I took a sabbatical from work, and I used it to get to know myself in a deep way. THE REAL ME.

I also know from working with thousands of clients that it is possible to do self-discovery work while working full time and raising a family. Harder, yes. But absolutely possible. And I designed the Career Pathfinder Coaching Program for people to complete alongside their full-time jobs. Back to my story... At this point in my pathfinding journey, I knew I was meant to guide people, but I didn't know what type of guiding to do. So, I started to think about the biggest life challenges people face.

It didn't happen in an instant, but I ultimately got that final bit of clarity that I needed to take the first step. I enrolled in The Coaches Training Institute and never looked back. I founded my company, A Path That Fits, in 2006 after completing my coaching training.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm proud to run a business that helps people in a meaningful way and has a positive impact on the world. I've observed that when our clients discover their purpose and use it to guide their life and career, they live and work in ways that benefit the greater good. They get inspired to do big beautiful things, they feel more joy and love for life, and I think their positivity ripples out and inspires other people to do the same.

I feel delighted anytime I get an email from a former client that is writing to share how happy and successful they are in their new career. It makes a world of difference for people to do work they love that supports their true selves.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I have an endless to-do list. There is always more that I want to do than I can do. I also prioritize being present with my three-year-old daughter throughout the workweek, so that limits the time that I spend working. It's hard to admit that I can't do it all and say no to projects that are exciting. I've learned that I'd rather work with fewer clients, take on fewer projects, and do them well than take on more and run around frantically trying to complete everything.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Discover your purpose and start a business that is aligned with it.
2. Give your business time to grow. Don't rush it. It's beautiful to dream big and have an inspiring world-changing vision, but don't expect it to happen overnight or give up when it doesn't take off right away.
3. Treat everyone with sincere care. Build meaningful relationships. Be kind.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://apaththatfits.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/careercoaching
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianklaphaak/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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