Kirsten Beske is in an amazing networking/mastermind group with me (if you’re looking for one, definitely check out Accelerated Business Alliance!). She is a Life Redesign Coach for mid-career women ready for more purpose and impact In the next chapter of life. I’ve loved getting to know Kirsten and her wide variety of interests and experiences (btw she’s a rockstar hockey player, in addition to all the other amazing things you’ll read about below). You can find Kirsten at www.kirstenbeske.com and in her Facebook Group Align and Redesign.
First things first – what would your walk-on-stage music be?
When did you start your business, and why did you create it?
I started Kirsten Beske Coaching in 2018 as a way to assist and elevate accomplished professional women through meaningful work and life transitions, for more clarity, engagement and a sense of purpose in the NEXT Chapter of their lives. For me, it is a way to pay it forward, as I had the benefit of having coaching support as I went through my various professional and life transitions.
Tell us about your business and what makes you unique in your field.
I love to help women move from feeling frustrated, stale and undervalued into a more passionate, engaged and thriving stage of life. Many of my clients are very accomplished in their field, yet are feeling tired, lethargic, just slogging through each day, wondering ‘what is the point? There has to be more!” My Next Spark and Next Chapter programs guide my clients on the path to “more.”
As a former attorney and psychotherapist trained in the science of how humans thrive, I am in a unique position to guide my clients into clarity in their values, strength and purpose, as well as to help them past any limiting beliefs or crises of confidence that may be holding them back from their full potential at this stage of their lives. I have the unique combination of both the academic knowledge base, and also the personal life experience of making big life and career transitions myself.
What do you feel makes your audience special?
My clients always say that I have the ability to “get them” in a way that most people don’t. My audience is amazing because they have so much lived life experience, work experience and accumulated inner wisdom! In working together, my job is to help guide them into full expression and ownership of their wonderfulness. So many of us have been socialized to downplay our strength and skills. I love watching my clients truly embrace their full amazing selves at this stage of their lives.
If you could magically give all of your community members one thing in this world, what would it be, and why?
Rock solid confidence that they are unique, wonderful and worthy – just how they are.
Has anything surprised you about starting a business?
Like so many things, it is both harder AND more rewarding than I anticipated. I love feeling like I am truly the master of my time, energy, money and impact on the world.
Did you create your own website or hire it out? Do you use WordPress?
I hired it out and use Word Press.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own business?
Make sure you are clear on your niche and client results through implementation before you invest in infrastructure like a website. Or you will just have to redo it all in a year or so!
If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would you do and why?
I would not have invested in FB Ads at the stage of business I was at. But, like so many learning experiences, sometimes you have to try things before you know if they work or not.
Do you have an email list? If so, did you start it when you launched?
I have an email list that started when I launched.
Is this your only job? Did you launch your business while working another job?
I launched while still working another job, as I was a single parent of two college-aged kids and needed to make sure I could pay the bills. I am happy to report it was only a little over a year until I could quit that job!
How do you promote your site?
I include it in emails and some social media posts. I bet I could do more though!
Who are your favorite bloggers or podcasts right now? Or what is an influential book that you’ve read lately?
I have been loving the Normal Gossip podcast for a completely light and entertaining break to the seriousness of life work! Highly recommend, just for the fun of it!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
“I am too old to change” is just a limiting belief that can shift and really increase your engagement of life once you embrace it.
