CLIENT STORY:
New Business Start Up and Creating a Personal Vision

Meet Anna Land,
Owner, Anna Land Design, and Founder of Heart House (not-for-profit organization):

Q: How did you hear about coaching and why did you hire Kristin to be your coach?

A: I originally wanted to find out if it was possible to quit my job at a big corporation and start my own small business. At the time, I really didn't think it was possible to leave the safety of working for someone else -- that fear seems hilarious today, but at the time it was very real. In just a few coaching sessions, I learned that not only was it possible, but necessary to follow my heart's desire. Then I worked with Kristin to develop a plan for success. Now Anna Land Design.com attracts wonderful clients who I love working with. Kristin coached me for about a year while I started my business.

My main goals were to:

• Find out if it was possible to quit my corporate job.
• Start my own small business.
• Overcome the fear of leaving a stable job.
• Create more freedom.

Q: What was memorable or meaningful about your coaching experience with Kristin?

A: For the first time, I started receiving the message that everything is possible. It was a life changing experience to switch my perspective in this way. Not only has my life just completely opened up, but I received more than I could have ever envisioned before. Because I had more time and energy after quitting my corporate job and starting my own business, I decided to start a small charity in Dallas, which has now blossomed to three centers in Dallas and Austin. We serve hundreds of at-risk children each year. Heart House (www.hearthouse.org) has received local and national recognition as a provider of high-quality after-school care. Our organization is preparing to become a national one, with affiliates opening all over Texas and beyond. Who would've throught that was possible?

Note: See Coach's Comments below to learn more about the visioning process Kristin coached Anna through. To read more about Anna's journey and how her coaching process worked, check out this Woman's Day article.

Q: Why do you think coaching works? What about it worked for you?

A: Three major reasons come to mind:

Change of perspective -- someone who can see from the outside that, yes, you can have what you desire, despite the negativity of others.

Detachment -- the coach roots for you and helps you, that isn't emotionally tied into you as a relative or a spouse would be.

Accountability -- I made agreements to take certain steps and felt energized and motivated to really take them.

Q: What are Kristin's strengths as a coach?

A: Clarity, high expectations, positive attitude, and leading by example.

Q: Do you feel your coaching dollars were worth it? Why or why not?

A: Yes, the investment more than paid off in terms of financial freedom and emotional freedom. I'm so glad I'm not still toiling in a sterile corporate environment. It's a great life.

Coach's Comments

Anna's coaching story is one of my favorites since it demonstrates the importance of having a personal vision. Anna hired me to coach her through a career transition. When she entered coaching, she was the National Director of Marketing for a real estate investment company, with a dream to start her own business.

Part of my process as a coach is to make sure that I help my clients get exactly what they want (not just what they think they want initially). While Anna's goal sounded very straightforward, I sensed there were a few more layers to discover. Yes, I coached Anna to get her new advertising and Web design business off the ground, but I also introduced the topic of Personal Vision.

One meaningful exercise for Anna was the "vision board." I asked Anna to cut out pictures from magazines that jumped out at her. When we discussed the board, we realized there were many pictures of children. This is where the seed was planted for Heart House. Looking back, I'm thrilled with Anna's progress because I can clearly see that she is fulfilling her personal vision and making a difference in hundreds of people's lives.

As a coach, I love seeing the positive "ripple effect" that's created when one person decides to make waves--just as Anna did.. I am very proud of her.

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