The Starting-Out Diaries 7 – Writing the Book

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What you may or may not know about me is that, as well as providing coaching services, I also write. Mostly stories, but also some non-fiction. My most recent publication, Crystal Companions, is a portmanteau novel (made up of several stories with a unifying thread). Based around an adult education evening class, it features the stories of the twelve students and their chosen crystals, and starring Kitty, the tutor who is teaching them about the qualities of their crystal, and ways to choose, use and cleanse them. I wrote it because I learn best from story, rather than dry facts, … Continue reading →

The Starting-Out Diaries 6 – Retirement and Beyond

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Yesterday at 5pm, my life as an employee ended. Well, the employment doesn’t officially end until next Friday, but I’m on a flex day today and annual leave all of next week. I’m still being paid, but I don’t have to show up any more. I know, you’re not at all jealous! Of course it’s exciting! I get to choose how my life looks in every way, restricted only by finances and the fact that I don’t drive. I can write when I want, work on new offerings for my coaching clients, perhaps offer some English tuition … read more, … Continue reading →

The Starting-Out Diaries 5 – The Knotty Question of Pricing

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A new business owner faces the challenge of pricing services effectively to reach clients with limited funds. To address this, she is adopting a ‘pay what you want’ model for menopause courses, aiming to broaden access and establish stronger client relationships. As she prepares for retirement, she plans to promote her services through word of mouth and social media while also addressing insurance needs for her coaching business.

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The Starting Out Diaries 4 – My First Cohort and Beyond

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Last Saturday, I held the final session for my first cohort on my group menopause coaching course, Coping to Confidence. It went really well, and I had some lovely feedback. The review that one of my participants posted was heart-warming. I’d already decided to extend it from 6 weeks to 7, so I asked Copilot AI to suggest content for a new session, explicitly around menopausal weight issues. It rewrote my session plan in some detail, leaving what worked and adding in another session. I still need to write that session, of course, but it may have saved me some … Continue reading →

The Starting-Out Diaries 2 – The Techie Bit

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Goodness, how do people manage to set up a business on their own with no knowledge of the technology? I guess they hire someone, but you hear so many horror stories about people charging for work that never gets done, or turns out so shoddy, you’re ashamed to give anyone the link. It happened to a friend of mine. Don’t get her started on that subject! Thank goodness for my very patient and tech-savvy partner, Rick Leslie, formerly of PCServices. I would never have got as far as I have without his expertise – and his knowing where to look … Continue reading →

The Starting-Out Diaries 1 – Decisions, Decisions!

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Setting up a new business is not for the faint-hearted. That’s not news, of course – that’s partly why many fledgling businesses never get off the ground. But let me walk you through just some of the decisions I’ve had to make to even get started. Finding a name for the business wasn’t difficult, thankfully. My therapy business is Embrace Healing, my Etsy shop is Embrace Crafts, and my signature logo is a purple heart with spreading hands opening in a welcome embrace. That choice was simple, though it wouldn’t be so easy for many businesses. Choosing a web domain … Continue reading →