A Facilitator's Journey: Real Life Stories

In this episode of the SOF Podcast, host Kirsty welcomes Mark Walsh, an embodiment teacher, and business entrepreneur, to discuss his fascinating journey from running a small business to a multimillion-pound business and back to a medium-sized business.. Mark shares his insights on the nature of connection and the lessons he learned from scaling his business. This conversation is packed with valuable advice for anyone navigating their own entrepreneurial path, balancing work and well-being, and looking to incorporate embodiment into their professional practice.Key Discussion Points:The Nature of Connection - Exploring how meaningful connections extend beyond words to include physical presenceMark's Business Evolution - The journey from solopreneur to running a multi-million pound companyChallenges and Lessons in Scaling a Business - expanding too quickly and knowing when to scale back.Insights on managing stress, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and creating a sustainable business model.Outsourcing and Delegation - The importance of building a team that supports your business goals.Diverse Metrics of Success - Evaluating success through various metrics beyond financial performance, such as email engagement rates and team happiness.Continuous Learning and Development - The value of ongoing education and upskilling for both personal growth and enhancing team capabilities.Join us for an insightful conversation with Mark Walsh that delves into the practicalities of embodiment, the realities of running a business, and the importance of staying true to your values and passions.I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Join Kirsty and Kurt Lindley as they dive into the life of running a business as a facilitator, trainer, coach, and consultant. They chat about everything from juggling workloads and managing diaries to the ups and downs of cash flow. It’s a candid discussion about the importance of finding balance in both your professional and personal lives, packed with practical tips for building strong client relationships and maintaining well-being.Kurt is from South Africa, grew up in Yorkshire and puts his family first, always. Kurt's a bit of a procrastinator and a dreamer, always lost in thought or scribbling down poems. In this episode, he brings his passion for learning and exploring, sharing how these traits play into his professional strategies and personal philosophies.Kirsty and Kurt touch on several important topics:how effective workload and diary management can keep you on top of your game.strategies for keeping the financial side of your business healthy.why taking quiet periods for reflection is crucial for growth.finding the sweet spot with pricing to keep both you and your clients happy.maintaining your mental health and setting boundaries for a happier, more fulfilling career.My invitation to you is to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

This episode with Caroline Boyd is about being an Associate (Sub-contractor) in the training industry. The benefits, the challenges, the dynamics of the associate-training company relationship, the transition from corporate to freelance, and importantly the journey an associate goes through. The conversation is backed by Caroline's thesis she wrote for her Occupational Psychology Masters.Caroline is a trainer/facilitator and works in the space of management and leadership. She is an associate and business owner (for now),Themes that we cover:Being an associate provides a safe bridge into the freelance worldThe associate-client relationship requires trust, effective communication, and a clear understanding of expectations.Where and how associates find meaning and fulfilment in their workThe complex relationship between the associate-training company-clientThe measure of success used by associates goes beyond money!The journey associates go through from yes, to no, to prioritising work that aligns with strengths and valuesHow training companies can foster a positive working relationship with associatesThe importance of psychological meaning, awareness and safety when fostering and nurturing associate - training company relationshipsConsider whether finding your own clients is what you really want?My invitation to you is to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.t

To Niche or Not to Niche - That is the question!Many are told early on in their foray into freelancing that niching is a good idea. whilst logical it can still leave us scratching our heads about how to start, where to start, how to do it and maybe even asking if it is worth it.In this episode, Cat Hase and I talk about finding our niches and how to discover and refine your niche. We share the value of networking, seeking external validation, and conversing with others to gain clarity. Cat reminds us to stay open to opportunities outside of the niche and the importance of aligning the niche with personal values and interests.Cat is a creativity coach and helps facilitators and trainers to bring more play into their workshops. Cat loves designing and creating activities. her favourite question is "Do you have any ideas for....."In this episode we cover the followingThe Topic of NichingKnowing What You Want to DoDefining What You Enjoy and Don't EnjoyThe Decision to NicheFinding Your NicheThe Importance of Retreats and ConversationsThe Moment of ClarityThe Value of Conversations in Refining Your NicheAdvice for Finding Your NicheNoticing Signs That Your Niche Isn't WorkingMyth: Niching Means Saying No to Other OpportunitiesShowcasing Your Strengths Through NichingThe Importance of Clear Communication and MarketingBuilding a Network of Niche ExpertsThe Role of Timing in Niching and Offer DevelopmentInvesting in Yourself and Your BusinessMy invitation to you is to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

In today's episode, Kirsty and Claire Vintiner discuss various aspects of freelancing, including valuing oneself and one's work, reframing budgets, setting boundaries, and having great client conversations.Claire Vintiner is a coach, a facilitator, and someone who isn't afraid to bring leaders and organisations together to play a transformative role in addressing people, planetary and systems challenges. Claire has experienced being an associate as well as working with her own clients.As the conversation unfolds, Kirsty and Claire emphasize the importance of evolving and continuously working on one's relationship with money. They also highlight the significance of trust, both in oneself and in the process, and the power of saying no when necessary. They discuss the process of client conversations and how to effectively engage with clients through open questions, deep listening, summaries, and probing questions to understand the clients' needs and objectives.Here are some of this episodes themesHow We Value Ourselves and Our WorkUnderstanding the Worth of Your WorkBuilding Comfort with the Reframing of BudgetsSetting Boundaries and Saying Yes or NoHaving Great Client ConversationsThe Client Conversation ProcessAsking QuestionsSummarizing and ParaphrasingProbing on AnswersBuilding Rapport and Small TalkAsking the Next Logical StepBudget DiscussionsProposal vs Concept NoteWinning Work on QualityAbout the School of Facilitation Podcast, A Facilitator's Journey: Real Life StoriesA Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

In this conversation, Ged shares with me his journey of leaving the world of retail and starting his own business. We discuss the challenges he faced in his early years and how he managed to overcome them. Ged emphasizes the importance of accountability and external motivation in driving his success. He also talks about his strategies to expand his reach and find new opportunities. Ged's story highlights the resilience and determination required to build a successful business Ged is a Negotiation skills trainer and GSCOP specialist. He can be found commentating on the world of Retail on the BBC, writing in the Grocer or the UK papers.We discuss a myriad of topicsLeaving the World of RetailYear One: Starting the BusinessYear Two: Getting ByYear Three: Financial StrugglesThe power of external Motivation and AccountabilityHow Finding New Contacts and Opportunities is EssentialBuilding Relationships and Staying RelevantThe Power of PR and Using Media to Build CredibilityUtilizing Introductions and LinkedIn for NetworkingThe Power of LinkedIn for Business GrowthResilience and Adaptability in BusinessGrab a cup of tea and take a seat on the pink chair, enjoy!__A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

This episode is about moving from working in-house to becoming a B:Corp business, how associate relationships benefit from transparency and communication and how niching is beneficial.Phil Walsh is a man with a big heart who works with purpose-led organisations as a facilitator.The conversation in todays podcast follows the natural curve of Phil's career. We cover a multitude of topics:How to grow your facilitator or trainer skills in a corporateOur love of NLPLeaving the corporate world and finding those initial gigsThe world in 2007!A Kirsty rantAssociate green and red flagsWhy niche and the benefitsFinding direct clients and professional persistenceGrab a cup of tea, tune in your ears and take a seat on the pink chair__A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.

Kate Jones was a consultant with PA Consulting until she realised she needed to make a change and get out. For the last 11 years she has run Neon a boutique consultancy which aims to help leaders create more deeply human organisations.In this episode, Kate and I discuss why she chose to leave the corporate world and how she thought she had associate work lined up, but it was retracted. What to do? Resign or Stay?The conversation continues and we dive into these topics:Leaving the corporate worldThe serendipity of finding the first piece of workExperiencing loneliness as a freelancerWhy community is important to elevate lonelinessThe need for professional developmentThe benefits of having a supervisorHow do you find work now?What happens when client work is quiet?Come on in and have a listen.If you enjoy this conversation let us know, hit subscribe, leave a rating or review____ About the School of Facilitation Podcast, A Facilitator's Journey: Real Life StoriesA Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your businesses as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.