Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kimberly Boyd, Founder of Career Glow LLC., located in Livonia, MI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business provides career coaching. My customers are early to mid-career professionals. I build confidence in career changers by focusing on the acronym G.L.O.W. — Gain Confidence. Leverage Strengths. Optimize Opportunities. Win. I focus on "coaching from the inside," and what this means is discovering those innate strengths that we bring to the table and teaching people how to speak positively about themselves in a confident manner.
Tell us about yourself
I am a person who started my career with no idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up. As I look back over my career, I can see my foundation has always been motivating and helping others. I have a long career that started as a secretary in the banking industry, and this industry is where I've grown my career — 36 years later, I've moved into various areas within the bank, growing my career and eventually into management. I've managed banking centers, call centers, cash services, and operations management. I've taught business courses for a major online university.
In 2013 I was diagnosed with the skin disease/condition, Vitiligo. I lost pigment on the left side of my face. I joined my local support group, V-Strong, and worked in a leadership role. I also am an executive board member of the Global Vitiligo Foundation. In both organizations, we work tirelessly to spread awareness and education about Vitiligo.
For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to writing, reading, grammar, and written communication. I started writing term papers for college students, and then I started typing resumes. In management roles, I often found myself providing coaching and encouragement to my staff so that they would continue to grow in their careers... this is something that comes naturally to me. Fast forward to the onset of COVID-19, I decided to form my business officially and joined the National Career Development Association, and completed the certification course.
I am motivated when I can help others see their full career potential by helping them learn more about themselves, their skills, and their strengths. One of my favorite quotes is "the road to success is always under construction" by Lily Tomlin. We must continue to learn and grow — and navigate our careers.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have two clients that I worked with. The one client was just out of high school. She was shy and was trying to find her path and what she really wanted to do. After eight weeks of training, she was a more confident and focused young lady with a clear plan of what she wanted to do, which is to be a writer, and since our coaching, she has released her first short story. My other client was working her way to becoming a Child Life Specialist — we did lots of interviewing preparation and coaching, and today she is working in her field at a major hospital.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Balance. Balancing my business with full-time work, family time, and volunteer work for two Vitiligo organizations. I've come to know what I can take on and what I can't. It's definitely okay to say no, and I make sure that I carve out "me" time. My husband is very supportive of all that I do, so that makes things much easier.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do something that you love, something that you're passionate about.
- Don't compare yourself to others. Your journey is yours.
- Continue learning and improving your craft.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.careercoachkim.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareerGlowCoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careercoach_kim/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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