Welcome to Saturday Business chat. We’re finding out about a brand new business today: Kaitlyn Hatch has only just launched Me First Life Coaching! Kaitlyn’s one of those natural entrepreneurs, finding out what the word meant when she was 12 and has been producing and selling art and engaging in various business ventures since she was very young. Now she’s a Life Coach, helping other people achieve their goals – although she hasn’t done this particular job before, she can draw parallels between how this business will work and how other endeavours have worked in the past, showing that you can switch emphasis and move between areas in a freelance career.

Kaitlyn’s following the path I took, working full time in a day job at the moment, but planning to transition to part time and then fully self-employed soon (sooner than I did it!). So let’s find out what she’s doing!

What’s your business called? When did you set it up?

I just launched Me First Life Coaching in January 2012, although I did a soft launch of my website in November 2011.

What made you decide to set up your own business?

I have alway been very entrepreneurial. I remember taking a test in a magazine when I was about twelve which said I was extremely independent and self motivated so I’d do well to be an entrepreneur. That was the first time I heard the word and I had to ask my mum what it meant. When she explained it. I remember thinking that owning your own business was a lot of work. I’ve since come to realise that there is a lot of reward in the work involved and, ultimately, I’m better suited to being my own boss than to working for someone else.

What made you decide to go into this particular business area?

Life coaching is a natural choice for me. I love helping people realise their potential and I really enjoy showing people how they are their own greatest teacher. It’s second nature for me.

Had you run your own business before?
Sort of. Since I was a kid I’ve been really good at selling things. I used to hand draw colouring books and sell them door to door in my neighbourhood. From the age of nineteen for four years I set up a not for profit organisation in Canada. For the past three years I’ve been doing my own self marketing as an artist. I’ve held two successful gallery shows, one in Calgary and one in London.

I like making things happen, setting stuff up so it works and can carry on and then moving onto the next thing. This will be a bit different from my previous experience but the principles are the same.

How did you do it? Did you launch full-time, start off with a part-time or full-time job to keep you going … ?

I’m still in the process really. I’ve done a soft launch and then a hard launch. Now I’m working on spreading the word, getting networked through my blog and advertising for clients. I believe goals are super important but I also believe in keeping your eyes wide open. If you focus too much on a single goal you might miss another opportunity that will get you the same end result. For the time being I’m still working full time for someone else, but I’m cutting back my hours and have plans to be fully self-employed by the end of the summer.

What do you wish someone had told you before you started?

Nothing really. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve had a lot of positive support my entire life. I’ve always believed that you need to just get on and do it. If there’s something you want in life, some direction you’re looking for, a path you want to take, then do it. Now. Life isn’t next week or next month or in a year. Life is right now and it’s up to us to make it what we want it to be.

What would you go back and tell your newly entrepreneurial self?

I think I’ve always been entrepreneurial but I think I’d go back to my younger self and say, “Remember who you are.” I wasted a few years when I forgot who I was, what I was passionate about and what mattered to me. Of course, if I hadn’t have gone through that loss I wouldn’t have learned the lesson and when older me popped up in front of younger me and said such sage words of wisdom, I’d have been more baffled than appreciative. Thing is, I really love myself, who I am and the life I’m leading. I wouldn’t be this person if not for the mistakes and hiccups of the past so I can’t really say I would go back.

What do you wish you’d done differently?

Not a thing. Regrets shouldn’t be about ‘what ifs’ or trying to change what cannot be changed. They’re about learning from your mistakes by promising not to repeat them in the future.

What are you glad you did?

I’m super glad I’ve done it. End of. Full stop. I’m happy to have made the opportunity and taken the plunge.

What’s your top business tip?

Know what you’re worth. I think a lot of people undersell themselves. Whether you’re working for someone else or working for yourself, what is the value of your time?

How has it gone since you started? Have you grown, diversified or stayed the same?

I certainly hope it doesn’t stay the same. Change is constant, growth is important.

Where do you see yourself and your business in a year’s time?

I don’t know that I have a really specific idea of where the business will be in a year’s time. On general terms I see it as self-sustaining, growing at a manageable pace and providing me with a stable income as well as feeding my passion for helping people.

That’s an enviable goal, and what a positive and forward-thinking lady! I’d say these were good attributes for a Life Coach, wouldn’t you?! I wish Kaitlyn every success in her new venture, and look forward to seeing where her new path has taken her in a year’s time …

Note: Kaitlyn’s websites are now not available so I can only assume that the business is no longer running.

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