Inspired by her abiding passion for the healing arts, Kim’s journey as a holistic entrepreneur developed into the integrative business she has today, where she serves as a Health Coach and Feng Shui Practitioner. Her interview inspires us with this lovely concept: to trust that we are exactly what a particular client needs at the time they come to us.

What inspired you to become a holistic entrepreneur?

I have always loved and been drawn towards the healing arts. I became a CMT in 1992, a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner in 2003, and then went on to become a Certified Health Coach. One thing naturally unfolded into another. As far as being an entrepreneur, I have a very creative spirit, don’t like being told what to do, what time I have to be somewhere, when or if I can take a day off, so becoming my own business owner was inevitable!

Tell us about your business or practice.

I currently work as a Health Coach/Feng Shui Practitioner. The two actually have a lot in common. Both are concerned with the health of all areas of our life, living in balance, in abundance, in gratitude and with intention. I want to help women, body, mind and soul ~ fulfill their passion; get back their lust for living, accept and appreciate their amazing selves, to become the best they can be and to live on high. My goal is to help my clients take control of their lives ~ to live their lives instead of having their lives live them. There is a saying, “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” This is the basis of all of my work.

What is your current business model?

I work with clients in whatever way works best for them, whether it is in person, on the phone, virtually, or in group programs and workshops.

What has been one of your favorite moments as a business owner thus far?

Whenever I see a client have an “aha” moment. When that light comes on and they become empowered and realize that they really do have what it takes to make and sustain positive changes in their life.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in running your business or practice?

One of the biggest challenges for me is that I tend to give my services away. It’s easy, because of the compassionate nature of most health workers; we want to provide services to everyone, even those who can’t afford them or really aren’t open to them. I give lots of information away, through speaking engagements, tips and suggestions on my blog or Facebook page, but actual coaching is a service that requires a commitment, and that commitment includes a financial one as well. Due to the nature of both my coaching and consulting businesses, I don’t have a tangible product to sell. I basically have to sell myself and inspire confidence and trust in clients that I will be able to give them something of worth and incredible value.

How have you overcome those challenges?

Listening to other coaches and entrepreneurs who have been in this same boat. Having them remind me of how valuable are services are, and how needed.

How do you find new clients?

I have tried to get clients through my web site, flyers and sitting on the other side of my computer screen. But I’ve found that most of them come to me when I am out there meeting people. I’ve had success by speaking at Meet-up groups or other events, word of mouth, and by offering incentives to old clients when they refer a new one.

What have you found to be most effective in securing new clients to sign up for your services?

Really tuning in to what their needs are. Being able to answer their questions before they are even asked. To immediately make a connection and be able to relate to what they are going through and impressing upon them that there is a solution, a way out, a new life ahead.

What do you do to keep your existing clients engaged in the long term?

I’m not really sure. But I try to get people to stay focused on the journey. There are small positive changes that happen to us all along the way, but we can lose sight of those things if we are only focused on the finish line. I ask them to pay attention, to be here now.

As your own boss, what is your best strategy for staying focused and productive during your workday?

That is always a challenge, to stay on task. But I do the “Big Rocks” at the beginning of each week to plan out my priorities. I also make appointments with myself, say, to work so many hours a day on this or that, and hold myself to them.

If you could start your business over again from the beginning, what would you do differently?

Get out there and talk myself up earlier. Not worry so much about having everything perfect, meaning my website, my flyers, my business cards, etc.

What were some of the first mistakes you made that you would tell a new holistic entrepreneur to avoid?

You don’t need to give out all of your knowledge and expertise immediately. It is easy to feel like you need to share everything you have spent years learning to your clients and that if you don’t, you aren’t giving them enough. When I first graduated from the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program and went out in the world to work with clients, I felt at times that I might not be qualified, that I might be missing something. I talked to one of my teachers about this. His advice to me was to trust that I was exactly what a particular client needed at the time, to trust that karma had brought us together and that we were both getting exactly what we needed. I gained confidence and took comfort in that.

What are the top three business tools or resources you couldn’t live without?

My blog, my website, and my peers from both IIN and BTB Feng Shui.

What has been your most effective method for growing your business?

Word of mouth. Getting out there and meeting people.

What is your favorite indulgence?

A Renaud’s almond croissant (a French bakery here in Santa Barbara) ~ or, for an occasional treat, a Mai Tai from Duke’s in Malibu!

Most exotic thing you’ve ever eaten?

A Lebanese dish, Kibbe, which is made from lamb, bulgur wheat, onion, and spices. Not all that exotic, but many times eaten raw. My Lebanese grandmother would make it and taste test it raw to make sure the spices were just right. Then she would let us test it too or put in on some flat bread and we ate it raw as a snack.

Most memorable place you’ve ever visited?

I love to travel and find something wondrous and memorable about all of the places I’ve traveled to, but I have extremely fond memories of Cape Cod. There is something magical about that place. I think I must have been a lobster fisherman in a past life. I am very drawn to that place!

Last book you read?

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

If you could only have one kind of food for the rest of your life, it would be…

Well, if my health wasn’t a concern, it might be potato chips, plain or BBQ.

What is your go-to breakfast?

My favorite smoothie. Almond milk, spinach, pineapple, a little bit of coconut, ½-frozen banana, chia, flax and pumpkin seeds.

What do you find most fascinating about the human body?

How our little feet can provide such support for these big bodies!

What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?

Freedom. Being able to develop my own programs. Being able to set my own schedule. Freedom to pursue what I feel passionate about.

Kim Klein is a Health Coach/Feng Shui Practitioner based out of Santa Barbara, CA. You can find out more about Kim and her business, Kim Klein Health Coach, by visiting www.kimkleinhealthcoaching.com.