30/05/2026
At 21, I started my own consulting firm. But at 19, I was working for an optometrist, making $7.25 an hour. [Hello 2002 in the USA!]
I had a clear goal: I wanted to buy a home. But I knew a bank wasn't going to look twice at a $7.25 hourly wage. So, I took on a second job transcribing medical files—the old-school way, with the little foot pedal and headphones. [IYKYK]
Eventually, that clinician saw how I was running his operations and offered me a role. Instead of a lateral move, I reached for the moon and asked for $12 an hour. Within a couple of years, other practices were calling the clinic asking, “Can she do for us what she did for you?”
The Forensic and Clinical Psychologist and his Private University Professor wife sat me down—I thought I was in trouble! Instead, they told me I had built a name for myself and mentored me into starting my own business.
The coaching and strategy world looks very polished today, often driven by quick frameworks and instant gratification. But the best wisdom comes from proving yourself in the trenches, step by step.
No matter where you are starting today, keep your eyes on the moon. Your ex*****on speaks so loud. And small business owners are the heartbeat of our communities and will do everything in their power to support you.
Tonight we have our grand awards ceremony [Thanks to and Karen M. our category sponsor] where one person will walk away with the title of Business Coach of the Year and honestly, regardless of our starting positions or final accolades - I have no doubt that , Jaya Mcintyre, Diane Mckendrick, Sasha Eburne. , Kate Langford and I will keep doing the phenomenal work we've dedicated our careers to. Here's to all of us!
