I did not wait until I was perfectly prepared before I started my business. I started it and learned as I went along. I asked questions about invoicing, about setting prices and I hired a coach to support me on this path. She supported me to see myself as capable and to step into my identity as an entrepreneur.
My company began as 'Marjorie Warkentin Coaching'. I had been retired from my career in healthcare for several years and was not ready to stop using my professional abilities. I enrolled in a Life Coaching program and established my web site in December 2015. I started coaching clients 1:1, both in person and virtually.
With encouragement from my coaching mentors, I began offering group coaching in the form of 'Women's Circles'. This led to hosting one-day Retreats for women with a focus on Play and Pleasure. I was writing regularly and posting blog posts on my web site every two weeks. I grew a mailing list and sent out a monthly newsletter with reflections and a link to my blog posts.
In early 2019 I started my book writing journey. I hired an editor and by November of 2019, my manuscript was nearing completion. I had a designer to partner with and we created the cover and the layout of my book.
I knew I needed help with marketing my book, so I hired a publicist. The first thing she did was revamp my website. I changed my business name to 'Inspired Journey Inc.' which was a more inclusive title for the variety of services I now offered. I was an author and a speaker as well as a coach.
My book, 'Saying Yes to Life: Embracing the Magic and Messiness of the Journey' was released in February 2020. I was excited to promote my book at conferences and book signings.
Then all my plans changed! The speaking tours I had envisioned along with the book signing events never happened due to COVID-19 and the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. My marketing has mostly been done virtually. I post regularly on social media and have done some personal advertising with friends and family, mailing books to them or delivering them in person.
I began submitting blog posts to online publications and I now have many articles published on Elephant Journal and Thrive Global. I have also been interviewed for many podcasts and have my own YouTube channel where I share my thoughts and inspire others through my video chats.
I continue to send out a newsletter regularly and include links to my latest articles and podcasts.
I recently started hosting a virtual Women's Circle/Book Club where we study my book and connect as participants. I see it as a way to support women who may feel isolated and anxious due to the uncertainty in life.
I recently started hosting a virtual Women's Circle/Book Club where we study my book and connect as participants. I see it as a way to support women who may feel isolated and anxious due to the uncertainty in life.
I plan to offer virtual Circles regularly in the new year, and my desire is that this will be a way to introduce people to my book and also be an encouragement to them on their personal journeys.
2. How did you come up with this idea and go about executing it?
For the last six years of my career, I was a Leadership Consultant in the Healthcare Company where I had been a nurse for 30 years. In this role, I learned about the ideas of self-awareness, clear communication and coaching practices.
As I saw the powerful benefits of the 'Coach Approach' for leaders, I became interested in what it might be like to have a Life Coaching business.
After my retirement, I was a consultant leading workshops for a few years. Then I knew it was time for me to enrol in a coaching program. This is when I chose to start my company, 'Marjorie Warkentin Coaching'. I knew I could not do this on my own.
After my retirement, I was a consultant leading workshops for a few years. Then I knew it was time for me to enrol in a coaching program. This is when I chose to start my company, 'Marjorie Warkentin Coaching'. I knew I could not do this on my own.
I was learning about the power of collaboration with others in the coaching field, and I reached out for help. One of my colleagues designed my web site, and others met with me to support me in practising my coaching techniques. I stepped into the unknown and took one step at a time.
I did not wait until I was perfectly prepared before I started my business. I started it and learned as I went along. I asked questions about invoicing, about setting prices and I hired a coach to support me on this path. She supported me to see myself as capable and to step into my identity as an entrepreneur.
3. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?
I had been an employee for all of my professional life and I had little idea of what it meant to lead my own business. To be my own boss. To take full responsibility for what happened in my organization.
My biggest challenge was believing in myself, and my ability to be an entrepreneur. I had many fears about money and my 'money story' kept me from charging what I was worth, and also, kept me from investing in my business by hiring skilled support people and systems.
I did not wait until I was perfectly prepared before I started my business. I started it and learned as I went along. I asked questions about invoicing, about setting prices and I hired a coach to support me on this path. She supported me to see myself as capable and to step into my identity as an entrepreneur.
3. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?
I had been an employee for all of my professional life and I had little idea of what it meant to lead my own business. To be my own boss. To take full responsibility for what happened in my organization.
My biggest challenge was believing in myself, and my ability to be an entrepreneur. I had many fears about money and my 'money story' kept me from charging what I was worth, and also, kept me from investing in my business by hiring skilled support people and systems.
I had what I call a 'deficit mindset' and I would look for what was lacking, rather than what gifts were staring me right in the face.
The way in which I overcame this was through hiring coaches to challenge my mindset and show me what was possible as a business owner.
The way in which I overcame this was through hiring coaches to challenge my mindset and show me what was possible as a business owner.
I had several mentors who inspired me to see myself as worthy of being paid well for my services, and who got me practising showing up powerfully as I marketed my business. I began seeing myself as worthy of being a woman who owned a Coaching Business, and I knew that my learning would also help others.
4. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
For me, one of the most important qualities is believing in myself. The doubts are always there and to move forward despite the fear is an important aspect of being an entrepreneur.
4. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
For me, one of the most important qualities is believing in myself. The doubts are always there and to move forward despite the fear is an important aspect of being an entrepreneur.
As I describe in my book, 'Saying Yes to Life: Embracing the Magic and Messiness of the Journey', it is necessary to face my fear and ask what I can learn from it. Then, I tell my fear that I will be okay without its advice, which usually is that I should give up or play small. I have resources that fear does not know about, and I am going to be okay moving forward.
This includes being willing to admit when I don't know something and to be humble in asking for help. There are no stupid questions and to be willing to learn is so important. I have always surrounded myself with those who are more experienced than I am, which I believe is another important quality.
This includes being willing to admit when I don't know something and to be humble in asking for help. There are no stupid questions and to be willing to learn is so important. I have always surrounded myself with those who are more experienced than I am, which I believe is another important quality.
Rather than be intimidated by others' success, I am inspired by them and spend time with them, in order to be encouraged and so I can learn from them.
Patience is another important quality for an entrepreneur. A solid business does not happen quickly and it is important to keep my goals in mind even as I focus on the tiny steps on my journey.
5. What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business?
The factor that is often not addressed is one of the most important in my view. This is the commitment to my inner life journey, and the care and attention needed to be a kind, loving and joyous human being.
Patience is another important quality for an entrepreneur. A solid business does not happen quickly and it is important to keep my goals in mind even as I focus on the tiny steps on my journey.
5. What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business?
The factor that is often not addressed is one of the most important in my view. This is the commitment to my inner life journey, and the care and attention needed to be a kind, loving and joyous human being.
For me, this means recognizing that my business is only one part of my life. I have many relationships in my life that are significant to me.
For example, I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter to a 96-year-old father, a sister and a friend. I also want to be nurturing to myself, which may mean that I take time away from my business to rest and play.
I have had a coach on a regular basis over the past years, which has been an important factor in my business. I have focused on how I want to feel each day, and this has become a foundation for how I work in my business.
I have had a coach on a regular basis over the past years, which has been an important factor in my business. I have focused on how I want to feel each day, and this has become a foundation for how I work in my business.
I choose a 'Word of the Year' each January, and it is amazing to me how this grounds and guides me in every area of my life, including my business. This year my word is 'Courage'. Certainly, it has taken courage for me to navigate my book launch and marketing in light of COVID-19.
Over the past few months, I have asked myself how I can demonstrate courage when I have the opportunity to try something new in my business. For example, posting live videos on YouTube has been a challenging step for me. And, I have done it thanks to the inner work I have done over the years.
6. What are your tips for the first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Follow your dreams! Share your ideas with those who will encourage you, and not with the ones who will tell you your ideas are out of reach. Seek professional support from those you admire or are inspired by. Most successful and experienced entrepreneurs are delighted to offer help to those who are starting out.
Think outside the box. Let your imagination flow, and get in touch with how you want to feel as you become a business owner. The details will fall into place if you are following your curiosity and passion.
Be open to what events and conversations come your way. Once you have declared your intention to start a business, the Universe will bring you what you need. It may be in the form of a podcast with an idea for you, or a book or a movie, song or video. Your openness to be guided is part of the magic of this journey.
Have fun! Lightness and pleasure are magnets for success. Creativity thrives in the energy of enjoyment of the process.
6. What are your tips for the first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Follow your dreams! Share your ideas with those who will encourage you, and not with the ones who will tell you your ideas are out of reach. Seek professional support from those you admire or are inspired by. Most successful and experienced entrepreneurs are delighted to offer help to those who are starting out.
Think outside the box. Let your imagination flow, and get in touch with how you want to feel as you become a business owner. The details will fall into place if you are following your curiosity and passion.
Be open to what events and conversations come your way. Once you have declared your intention to start a business, the Universe will bring you what you need. It may be in the form of a podcast with an idea for you, or a book or a movie, song or video. Your openness to be guided is part of the magic of this journey.
Have fun! Lightness and pleasure are magnets for success. Creativity thrives in the energy of enjoyment of the process.
7. How can one overcome a hurdle of lack of funds when starting up?
There is a dance in the reality of needing money to start up a business and the magic of trusting that the money will show up once I commit to a project or business idea.
When I started writing my book, 'Saying Yes to Life: Embracing the Magic and Messiness of the Journey', I wanted to work with an editor. I was unsure where the money would come from, and together with my husband, I chose to hire her and borrow the money if necessary.
Within a week of making that decision, the exact amount of money showed up as an early inheritance gift from my husband's parents.
I had no idea that this gift was coming my way, and it was such an encouraging affirmation for me that I was on the right path. Sometimes, the first step has to be taken before the money shows up.
There are often ways to access money that are not obvious. Perhaps a crowdfunding campaign is an option. Is there money in things you no longer need that can be sold? Is there a vacation fund you can cash in while you get started? Perhaps a friend or relative would invest in your dreams, and see it as a privilege.
I had no idea that this gift was coming my way, and it was such an encouraging affirmation for me that I was on the right path. Sometimes, the first step has to be taken before the money shows up.
There are often ways to access money that are not obvious. Perhaps a crowdfunding campaign is an option. Is there money in things you no longer need that can be sold? Is there a vacation fund you can cash in while you get started? Perhaps a friend or relative would invest in your dreams, and see it as a privilege.
Often there are elders in our midst that are looking for ways to use their savings, and you may be surprised at their joy as they generously support your business.
There are also loans and government plans for new business start-ups. Get advice from a trusted financial person, and pay attention to what you are drawn to.
On my path to rewriting my 'money story', I learned that my attitude towards money is crucial to my receiving what I needed. As I developed an attitude of trusting that the Universe had abundance in store for me, I was struck by the money that showed up in different ways.
There are also loans and government plans for new business start-ups. Get advice from a trusted financial person, and pay attention to what you are drawn to.
On my path to rewriting my 'money story', I learned that my attitude towards money is crucial to my receiving what I needed. As I developed an attitude of trusting that the Universe had abundance in store for me, I was struck by the money that showed up in different ways.
I encourage new entrepreneurs to get coaching on their money mindset as one aspect of overcoming the 'lack of funds' hurdle.
- Marjorie Warkentin (Author, Speaker and Life Path Mentor, Founder - Marjorie Warkentin Incorporation)
- Marjorie Warkentin (Author, Speaker and Life Path Mentor, Founder - Marjorie Warkentin Incorporation)
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