Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in coaching but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kim Stewart, Owner of Athena Coaching & Consulting, located in Monument, CO, USA.

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

I work with nonprofit organizations to help them develop the Board of Directors that they need to raise money, deliver impactful programs, and be sustainable long-term. My customers are nonprofit organizations and their leaders. I work a lot (but not exclusively) with organization founders who have an amazing vision for making their community a better place, but they lack the knowledge and/or experience to create a powerhouse governance board.

Tell us about yourself

With over 30 years in nonprofit leadership, I have a deep passion for the work I believe will save our world! Along with that, I thoroughly enjoy engaging other people in the nonprofit sector's work so that everyone can contribute to creating the kind of community they want to live in. I grew up on a farm in Iowa. My parents volunteered, formally and informally, doing what was right for our neighbors and community. That rubbed off, and volunteering has been a part of my life since I was young.

I believe that many nonprofit leaders see the volunteer board and fundraising as a necessary evil of the industry. My viewpoint, and the one that I am working hard to get others to see, is that engaging others in the work of an organization is the real value of any nonprofit. Getting people to care about a cause and activating them to help make the world a better place is exciting, impactful, and transformational. Not to mention, it's vital to any nonprofit that wants to succeed.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I've only been solo for a couple of years, so my list of accomplishments is not super long. I have learned a ton during this time, and I believe my biggest accomplishment has been successfully shifting from an "outsider" in our community to someone fairly well known and who is making a positive impact. I've built some wonderful relationships that mean a lot to me.

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

The biggest challenge is that no manual tells you how to navigate business ownership. Having worked in other organizations before going out on my own, there were processes and systems in place. When we wanted to make a change or consider a new direction, there was a team of people who discussed and analyzed the options. Now, as a solopreneur, it's just me making those decisions. And there are hundreds of them! Often, the options are all good, and it's a matter of choosing the one that will be best for my situation and then confidently going after it.

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

  1. Give yourself the gift of time to consider starting your business. I took a little time and went up the mountains to decide what I wanted to do. I wish I had taken more time.
  2. Develop your network of people who want to see you succeed. Your own personal Board of Directors, if you will. These are great people to take your ideas to and have them shoot holes in them. They can also help you process when it's just you. At the same time, when you start, lots of people will advise you. Take it for what it is, process it, and decide what is best for you.
  3. Understand that it's a process. Where you start will likely be just that - a starting place. Your focus may change as you grow and evolve, and that is just fine.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I speak to a lot of people who do not have any connection to nonprofit work. My question is always - why not? Don't you want to have a community that is a great place to live, work, and play? If you're not going to help create that, who will? When? I encourage everyone to find a critical social issue that they care about. Then find an agency working to address the issue and make things better. You can start out small - attend an event or donate. When you find the right fit, you will want to do more. The more of your time and money that you give to a cause you care about, the more you will prosper.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.athena-coco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenacoachingconsulting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_coaching_consulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-stewart/

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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