Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathy Caprino, Leadership & Career Coach, located in Stamford, CT, USA.

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

I run a career and leadership coaching and training company - Kathy Caprino LLC - that specializes in supporting the advancement, growth, and success of women in business and emerging and seasoned female leaders. Our work helps executive women and as well as new and seasoned leaders "find brave" to experience breakthroughs to greater success, fulfillment, and reward in their work and projects.

Drawing on my experience as a former corporate VP, trained therapist, and "Finding Brave" expert, I also help professionals close their "power gaps" to gain greater confidence, bravery, and self-mastery, resulting in more successful and meaningful outcomes in work that deeply matters to them.

I'm also a Senior Forbes contributor and media source on leadership, executive development, and careers, and I offer executive training, as well as workshops, speaking, and other programs for organizations, Leadership development, DEI programs, and women's events and conferences.

My latest book, The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths To Career Bliss, explores the seven most damaging power gaps that negatively affect 98% of professional women and 90% of men today and teaches how to overcome these gaps to reach our highest potential. My new "Most Powerful You" video training course (https://mostpowerfulyou.com) is based on my book and offers important training to organizations and for all professional women and emerging leaders who wish to make a positive difference in their roles and serve as the inspired leaders and change agents, they long to be. Overall, the goal of my and my team's work is to help professional women "dig deep, discover their right work, and illuminate the world with it."

Tell us about yourself

I spent 18 years in corporate life, rising to the level of VP and focused on direct marketing, publishing, product development, and market research. While the career overall was "successful" on the outside, it was anything but successful on the inside. I faced many serious challenges throughout my corporate life that I recognize now were true crises, including sexual harassment, gender discrimination, toxic colleagues and damaging workplaces, narcissistic bosses, chronic illness, zero work-life balance, and more. And worse than all that was waking up every day asking myself, "Is this really the work I'll be doing for the rest of my life?" I had a longing to make more of a positive difference rather than just "sell products." After a brutal layoff in the days following 9/11, I decided I'd had enough and made the decision to reinvent myself and transform my career to be involved in helping professions. I became a marriage, and family therapist, writer, and speaker, and I founded my business aimed at helping women of all levels bypass and overcome the deep challenges I had faced. I'm very motivated and inspired by the women (and men) and leaders I work with now, and I am honored to serve as a source of support, guidance, and education that helps professionals reach their highest potential and most thrilling, rewarding goals and visions. As I love to say, "If I can help at least one woman each day overcome the challenges she's facing, it's a wonderful day." That's what fuels me, as does having had the opportunity to with over 20,000 women across 26 countries and six continents so far. In addition, to help bring new success strategies, solutions, and tips to professionals, I'm thrilled to serve as a Senior Forbes contributor and the host of my podcast Finding Brave, which allows me to interview amazing thought leaders, influencers, top leaders, entrepreneurial experts, bestselling authors, creatives, entertainers, and educators -- all of whom have so much to share to help professionals thrive.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Great (but tough) question! I think I'd have to say that for me; it's that I finally "found brave" to address the deep internal challenges that had kept me so stuck over my 18 years in corporate life and to finally take the reins and decide to be the author of my own life. Running a business, as we know, isn't for the faint of heart. It requires courage, commitment, consistency, connection, and collaboration -- and a big dose of flexibility -- all of which can be challenging if we don't have the inner resources to remain confident and resilient. I'd also add that learning how to bring our skills and talents "to market" effectively can be difficult, especially in the rapidly-evolving world such as the one we live in today. I'm proud to remain committed to this work in the face of many new and unexpected challenges.

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

To be a successful business owner, we need many different skills and traits. Just a few of these are well-defined boundaries, very strong emotional maturity, and a high degree of self-awareness and resilience. Without these, the process of running a business and managing others -- and being successful at it -- will be extremely challenging. But we don't tend to focus on developing boundaries or emotional self-mastery, and most people don't understand how necessary these are in business, so they falter.

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

  1. Before you leap, understand what's involved in this new venture. Be fully aware and prepared. Develop a strong business, marketing, and financial plan, with a keen understanding of everything it will demand of you. And don't leap to it without a sound transition and financial plan.
  2. Make sure that you understand the "living identify" of being an entrepreneur or business owner, and you aren't simply fantasizing about the glory or freedom or running away from your former career or corporate life. You bring "you" into your business, so address any power gaps you may be facing that are holding you back today from greater success, reward and fulfillment. Do this today before you start or run a new business.
  3. Be the best you can be, and understand that competition is fierce. Building a strong, compelling brand and delivering products and services that stand out successfully and serve in powerful ways in your ideal niche doesn't just happen. It requires work, research, and a growing understanding of who your clients or customers are and what they really want. And it requires a commitment to continuing to grow personally all along the way.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I want to wish you all very good luck! But do know that you can actually shape your own luck by bringing forth a mindset that expands the "serendipity" in your life. A great book to start you on your journey is Christian Busch's "The Serendipity Mindset." Check out our Finding Brave podcast conversation here - it will uplift and inspire you! Here's to great serendipity and good fortune in all you do.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://kathycaprino.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElliaCommunications
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathycaprino/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathycaprino
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathycaprino/

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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