Note from Karen

It was September 11, 2001, and I was attending a Socially Responsible Investment Conference here in Tucson, Arizona, fully immersed in discussions about creating a better future through finance.

When we found out that planes had hit the towers in New York, the weight of the day’s events outside the conference room hung heavily in the air. As the world seemed to shift overnight, I found myself reflecting on the life I had built—a successful, demanding career that left little room for freedom, spontaneity, or connection.

On the drive home, I knew something had to change. I didn’t just want to live to work; I wanted to work to live. I had to find a way to create more free time and bring fun and fulfillment back into my days. That moment was the catalyst for a journey I didn’t fully understand yet but knew I had to take.

This was a point in my life when I knew things had to change.

I’d been working as an investment advisor, clocking in 60-70 hours a week. On paper, everything seemed great—excellent income and a lifestyle others admired. I made the Million Dollar Round Table in my second year, which was almost unheard of. I was a success.

But inside, I felt the strain. The long hours, the pressure, the constant push. I was good at what I did, but it felt unsustainable. I’d wake up to a blaring alarm clock, hit the snooze button a few times, dash out to the office, and by the time I got home, there was barely enough energy left to enjoy the life I was working so hard to maintain.

The real tug on my heart came when I realized what I was giving up. My boss would call me when I was having brunch with my parents on Sunday, asking me about clients. I was too exhausted to go out with friends in the evening. And I didn’t have a relationship – I had no time for that. My work demanded everything. And it took everything. I didn’t just miss a few activities—I was missing my life.

Yet, the idea of stepping away terrified me. How would I support the lifestyle I’d worked so hard to build? What if I traded financial security for something I couldn’t make work?

But seeing the towers go up in flames had a sobering effect on me. And I asked myself: What if there was a way to do work I truly loved, without giving up the life I’d built? What if I could have success without burnout, but with ease and joy? These questions set me on a path that would change everything.

That pivotal realization didn’t just change the way I worked—it changed the way I lived. I decided to pursue coaching, focusing on what I loved most: empowering others to thrive. Because I already had a strong business background, I got my business going quickly, pouring my energy into building something meaningful and sustainable.

Nine months in, I attended my first ICF conference at the Westin Peachtree in Atlanta. I had just received my ACC credential. In those days, it took 250 hours. And most of the others from my coaching class were still looking for clients. Sitting at the bar with a colleague, she asked me a question that became a turning point: “If I bring together a group of new coaches, could you help us get our businesses going like you have?” Without hesitation, I said yes. I wanted to help. That group was the beginning of something extraordinary.

From that moment on, I realized I had a gift for helping coaches not only develop their skills but also build thriving businesses. I started creating programs specifically for business development for coaches, focusing on strategies that worked—no complex marketing techniques, just practical steps to create consistent results.

Eventually, this journey led me to create the Quick-Start Business School, a program designed to make business development accessible for every coach, regardless of where they were financially. I want coaches to feel confident about joining, even if they don’t have the cash flow yet in their business. My mission was clear: to ensure every coaching business could grow sustainably while allowing coaches to do what they loved most—helping others transform their businesses and lives.

If you are looking for a good place to create the business and life that you envision, I’d be honored to have you join us!

Who is This Membership For?

The Quick-Start Business School is perfect for:

• Corporate leaders who are building their coaching business as a side hustle while planning to transition to full-time coaching, or
• New business, executive, or leadership coaches seeking consistent $10K months, or
• Credentialed coaches who feel lost piecing together random strategies and want a clear roadmap.

This isn’t a coaching program or a mastermind. It’s an authentic business education resource that equips you with the fundamentals to succeed.

Coaches Who Have Benefited from the Quick-Start Formula: