Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chrissy Carew, Founder of Insightful Player, LLC, located in Nashua, NH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have two businesses.
- Coach Carew - I am a Master Certified and Board-Certified Life and Business Coach author and trainer. I work with people who are passionate about embracing the yearnings of their hearts to help transform our world.
- Insightful Player, LLC. I have partnered with NFL players who share their inspiring stories to empower youth and champions of youth. Insightful Player is a bold movement of hope committed to transforming culture into an inclusive, kinder, and more loving place. Watch our newly released
podcast - https://www.youtube.com/user/insightfulplayer.
Tell us about yourself
I began coaching because I always saw more within people than they did. I had an insatiable appetite to have them experience this for themselves. I believe in the human spirit's immense power, courage, and kindness. When my clients see this within themselves, their personal and professional lives soar.
I started Insightful Player, LLC because I was worried sick about youth. Role models were falling down, left and right. Most of the stories about professional athletes were very negative. Because kids look up to athletes, I felt like I wanted to do something about this. I went on a research rampage and discovered there were so many wonderful athletes who were kindhearted and were doing so much for their communities. I reached out to all the NFL teams and let them know that I wanted to write inspiring stories about the players that really cared about kids. I wanted players who would be willing to share mistakes they made and lessons they learned. I have written 51 stories about NFL good guys. The first 32 players are in my book; Insightful Player football pros lead a bold movement of hope. I am excited to report that we just launched a weekly video podcast to help transform our culture into an inclusive, kinder, and more loving.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Coach Carew:
I started coaching in the mid-1990s. At the time, nobody understood what a coach was. I joined The international Coaching Federation Board of Directors and immediately became the Public Relations and Marketing Chair. I headed up all PR efforts for our industry. The media went from being very skeptical about professional coaching. In fact, during my first conversation with the media, they said, "this sure sounds like a cult to me." From there, they ended up embracing the coaching profession to ultimately blessing it.
Insightful Player:
Publishing my book, Insightful Player, football pros lead a bold movement of hope. I had a lot of doors slammed in my face when I started Insightful Player. I continued reaching out because I felt like I had answered a calling to inspire youth. I believe it is our youth who will take our world to heights that we cannot imagine. However, if we don't give much more support to kids could mean the end of humankind. I believe in the immense power of courage and the kindest of the human spirit. We can do this if we all work together!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Even though I had a successful PR and Event business before I became a professional coach, the imposter syndrome reared its' ugly head (again). Many business owners experience this. And say things to themselves such as, what right do I have to offer my service (or sell my product) to the world? Who do I think I am? What if they find out who I really am? How do I possibly think I can offer value and make money?
It is a huge stretch to start a business, and it is natural to doubt yourself. However, we all must believe wholeheartedly in the value we bring to the world. Our vision and why we are doing it must be much bigger than the obstacles we will experience. Also, we need to make it much bigger than ourselves. It is important to be driven by a tremendous passion to contribute to others. The by-product will be tremendous profitability. It is very rewarding to own a business. The growth you will experience is very empowering and humbling too.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Keep your day job until you become profitable. I left my job yet immediately started to supplement my income by becoming a sales consultant, waitressing at night, cleaning houses, and even delivering the Boston Globe every morning. If I had known better, I would have kept my job. However, doing all these jobs motivated me and took away any fear of not having enough money to take care of my bills.
- Don't do it alone. Get a huge support team. Family, friends, colleagues. None of us can do it alone.
- Trust your passion. If you have a deep-rooted desire, trust that you have the ability to do it brilliantly. You will have to work really hard, and it is so worth it. If you are not willing to work hard and make sacrifices, then you don't want it enough, or it might not be the best choice for you at this time. It doesn't mean that better timing could be soon down the road.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.theinsightfulplayer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insightfulplayer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/insightfulplayr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissycarew/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
