Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Karine Rashkovsky, an Executive Coach and Speaker, based in Canada.

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

I am an advisor, speaker, executive coach, and career facilitator. I bring passion and professionalism, theory and practice to my coaching - motivating, inspiring, and enlightening my clients. My career as an award-winning entrepreneur, educator, and speaker spans nearly two decades. Complimenting my private-sector success is my long-standing impactful contributions in the academic, NFP, and public arenas. After a successful exit from my first venture, I have dedicated myself to helping other leaders realize their potential through my signature holistic-executive coaching approach. My passion for people's development and well-being uniquely catalyzes and empowers leadership transformation for executives, managers, business owners, teams, up-and-coming talent, and academics. My measurable-results approach focuses on three foundational pillars of achievement:

  • Communication Excellence
  • Health & Wellness
  • Establishing Meaning (what the Japanese refer to as: ikigai 生き甲斐)

Tell us about yourself

You can walk the walk, but can you talk the talk? Many people have the know-how (ex. expert computer scientists, brilliant engineers, fantastic accountants), and their skills, knowledge, and talents allow them to truly "walk the walk, "… but in our competitive world, that is not enough to get recognized, move ahead, and achieve success indeed, being able to speak, so people listen and affect change is what makes or breaks people's personal and career aspirations. My coaching produces effective, persuasive, and successful communicators – at work and beyond.

Physical well-being and mental health are essential to success. After all, health is wealth, right? Many executives work around the clock and relegate body and mind to the "to do later" list (a list that may never get the attention it deserves). I have spent years building up research-backed plans, programs, and resources to provide clients with successful shortcuts and life hacks to wellness. I make it easier for you to have it all: success, health, and wellness.

And finally...I love to help people establish/re-establish my clients' life/career purpose and refresh their zest for meaning-making– whether in their career, academics, or personal. Figure out your superpower and gain your GPS for life. Receive guidance on achieving your ikigai 生き甲斐: life purpose, motivation, or finding joy through purpose. Your ikigai may change over time, so it is important to re-evaluate it from time to time and nurture the neuroplasticity required to get your goals met and experience flow. As Friedrich Nietzsche said: "He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how."

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is the transformative experience I have provided to thousands of people over the years and the rewarding feeling that comes along with it. From a business perspective, selling my first venture (an eight-figure exit) was a wonderful moment - and seeing it grow since has been excellent.

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

I embrace all the challenges that come with being a business owner, but certainly, the level of responsibility is not for the faint of heart!

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

  1. Make sure what you're doing (or what you're offering through your business) is a passion of yours - you should feel that you'd do it for free and still enjoy it. If you can do this, you'll love your life, and the rest will be gravy.
  2. Make sure you've got a talent for what you're doing - you'd better be incredible at what you do and bring something rare to the table in your field.
  3. For those areas of the business you don't have a flare for, be prepared to spot and retain talent - you need amazing people alongside you to support what you're bringing to the world.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Having a coach to help guide you through communication excellence, career fulfillment, and health and well-being is an amazing way to ensure you reach "next-level" success! Highly recommend you don't go at it alone - you'll avoid pitfalls and your own blindspots and get to where you want to be with ease (and fewer battle scars!).

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://karinephd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086200217164
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karine.rashkovsky/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-karine-rashkovsky-1963b144/

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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