Today, I am celebrating my 7th Business Anniversary. I am Kim Furnish, Director of Instar Coaching C.I.C. I am a Life Coach, Workshop Facilitator, Author, Podcaster and Laughter Yoga Practitioner. Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Daughter, Wife, Carer, Friend, Dancer, Runner, Yogi.
My business ‘why’ is that I would love people to live their best possible life. I would like them to be kinder to themselves, to realise that they have choices, that they write their own stories. I would like people to be connected to themselves and to others.
When I first started in business seven years ago, I was a novice at marketing. I lacked the confidence to promote myself and the business. Social media platforms were a mystery to me, and this was an area of development. My strengths through the start-up phase of my business were enthusiasm, positive energy, resilience, and love of learning. I soaked up all there was to know about running a social enterprise. I loved being with other social entrepreneurs because I liked the creative energy and passion.
On my business anniversary 7 years later I am much more confident in myself and in my work. I believe in the work that I do as I have witnessed client transformations. The business provision has changed. I have provided many services, created many programmes and I have been innovative with the support I provide. My work is now hybrid, online interactive sessions, face to face sessions and self-study online courses. Adaptability and growth are important to me and I have learnt to evaluate my business. Deciding what is working well and what is not and acting upon it is one of my strengths. I understand myself and I have strong self-awareness. I instinctively know when the time is right to pursue an idea and I trust that I will make it happen. I am persistent and I see things through.
Financial viability has been a challenge. I worked part time for a year alongside running the business and this helped. The attendance at some groups has been low and I have needed to stop providing some services. I have experienced loss in my family and changes in my relationship due to a diagnosis of Parkinsons. My own practice of positive psychology, meditation and self-care has helped me to navigate these challenges.
Using my voice has been a personal development journey for me. This journey started with having low confidence ‘playing small’ and low self-worth to initiating and creating a podcast to share my experiences. I am proud that the podcast helps others on their own personal development journey.
Recognising my strengths and playing to them has helped me manage a changing business.  I am adaptable and embrace change, I will persevere until I learn how to accomplish something. I am authentic. I practice what I preach, and I don’t ask anyone to do something that I wouldn’t do. I don’t have all the answers, I don’t pretend to be perfect, and I own my vulnerability. For nearly 40 years I have been committed to my own personal development journey and I continue to have regular life coaching. I am inclusive and believe that anyone can lead a happier, more fulfilling life given the right tools.
I hope you have enjoyed celebrating my business anniversary with me. I am looking forward to where my business takes me in the future.
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