After spending 35 years in the corporate world of advertising, her retirement lead her to a new venture. Kim Bealle had an extremely demanding career with Young and Rubicam, Kraft Foods and Saatchi and Saatchi and had been commuting into New York City. Over her career she worked with major US and global clients and brands, was director of client services and in charge of client leaders. “At 50 you’re old in this industry. I was well beyond that so it was time to retire.” And not only that, Kim’s husband Preston was ready to spend some time on the road. With their children all out of school or finishing college, the couple had plans to winter in California.
This retired lifestyle was great, but after the first year Kim knew she needed something to do with her free time. “One of my friends was a career coach in training and needed clients to practice on, so I volunteered.” Kim discovered through this experience that she had a real passion for coaching herself. She realized too that this was something she could do part time and remotely.
Kim started with a 3-month in-person training program with the Coaches Training Institute, followed by an intensive 6-month certification program. “I learned so much in my training, including the fact that this was not about solving the client’s problems. Instead it’s about giving clients the tools and eliciting their own capability to solve their own problems and make the changes they wanted to make.” She too needed practice clients to get certified so she reached out and found some willing friends and acquaintances. “I had a soft launch of my practice by telling friends and family to spread the word and the word spread.”
Kim works about 15 hours a week with 15 clients at a time, helping them figure out where they are in their careers and where they want to go. “My clients range from age 22 to 70. Some are coming out of college and don’t know where to begin to find a career. Some are mid career and want to get promoted or move in a different direction. Some are retiring and want to figure out what’s next. And, interestingly, I coach them on whatever else they need, from getting healthy to getting organized to strengthening their relationships.”
“It’s really great to have my own business. I can set my own hours and I have the flexibility I want. And because most of the coaching happens over the phone, I can do it from San Francisco, Martha’s Vineyard or right from home in Darien.” Kim’s husband thinks it’s great and is super-supportive. She knows the income won’t replace the income she had before but, “I love that I’m doing something that fulfills me. Helping people figure out what they want is a powerful driver.”
VentureMom Tip
Set up a venture that gives you the flexibility you need.
