Karen Poole, Montgomery, TX
The Dragonfly Society LLC
Are you ready to be your best self?
Karen Poole is a full-time high school special education teacher, corporate trainer for Kitcheneez, and lifelong learner. She lives in Texas with her husband, high school-age daughter, two dogs, and three cats. In Spring 2023 she opened her coaching business, The Dragonfly Society LLC in which she has already served 15 clients regarding their direct sales businesses. Through mindset workshops and one-on-one coaching, Karen focuses on helping clients understand the connection between their mindset and their success in both life and business. After her daughter graduates high school in three years, Karen would like to take her coaching business full time.
What is your niche (coaching focus) and how did you choose it?
I am a Mindset and Business Coach with a focus on women in direct sales. I didn’t really choose to be in this niche. The niche chose me!
My planned niche was confidence with women and youth. As a high school teacher, I see a growing need for youth to develop their confidence. While I still work with clients on confidence, many doors started opening for me in direct sales coaching. I’ve been in direct sales off and on for over 30 years and have made a lot of connections in the industry. In May, I was asked to be the corporate trainer for a direct sales company. In this role, I’m able to be a coach, teacher, and mentor and can use what I’ve learned in the Tranformation Academy courses I’ve taken.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal client is women who are in direct sales or who own a small business. I work with women who are trying to analyze their mindset so they can determine next steps and where to focus. I especially enjoy working with women who are having a difficult time getting to the next level.
What inspired you to become a life coach?
As a high school teacher, students often come to me with questions or concerns and ask my opinion. I usually try to help them find their own solutions rather than giving them the answers. After helping, they are so grateful and many have told me I need to help others for a living. While I was home with knee surgery in January 2023, I had time to enroll in courses and was ready to go for it! I love helping others!
How long have you been coaching?
I started my courses in January 2023 and officially opened my coaching business on March 1, 2023. So, I haven’t officially been coaching long, but I feel like I’ve been unofficially coaching for 30 years!
How did you get your first client?
One day I was browsing Facebook groups, and I happened to see a post from a local mom who was looking for someone for her son to connect with. I offered to meet with her and her son for 30 minutes to see if I was a good fit and she agreed. After our meeting, she said her son was very comfortable with me, and I was exactly what she was looking for. I had my first client before I even opened!
How has your coaching journey changed your life?
My coaching journey has opened many doors for me. The direct sales company that I represent saw my coaching posts and asked if I would be their corporate trainer! I had been doing training for them off and on for several years, but not in an official capacity. With this new title brought new training responsibilities in which I tie in coaching.
I think I’ve also been taken more seriously in regards to the coaching I do. I have conducted an in-person workshop and several online workshops, which have helped me grow as a person and have helped my business grow.
What is the most challenging part of being a life coach?
Time is probably my biggest challenge right now. I wish I had more time to focus on growing my coaching business. I need to keep teaching for at least the next 3 years, so during the school year, I know I’ll be limited to how many clients I can serve and the times and days I’m available. I already have people asking me when my next mindset workshop will be, and it’s difficult to give an answer when I don’t know what the school year will hold for me.
What is the most fulfilling part of being a life coach?
The ah-ha moments are the best feeling! I love knowing that I have guided someone to realize something that can change their life or their business for the better. That is so fulfilling.
What has been your most inspirational coaching moment, with a client?
I have two inspirational moments. My first client was an elementary school-age boy. It was so inspiring to see that he listened to things we talked about and then applied them during the next couple weeks until I saw him again. He was excited to tell me all about how our tools worked! My second inspirational moment was when someone who had not been successful in direct sales used tools we discussed to make her first sale and get more interaction on her Facebook group than she had ever had.
What is your favorite coaching activity or exercise to do with clients?
In my workshops, I have two forms that I’ve created or modified to work with those in the direct sales industry. Both forms are visuals that help with self-discovery. Any time a client can see where they can improve is powerful. I’ve had several ask me to do my workshop again so they can see if they’ve improved.
What has been the most effective strategy for finding clients and/or growing your business?
I make connections with others and share what I do. That leads them to my free workshops. From the workshops, I am able to grow my business. While I’m not looking for many clients due to school, I know this will be effective when I’m able to take my business full time.
What advice would you give YOURSELF back when you first dreamed of becoming a coach?
Do it now! Don’t wait! I had wanted to help others for so long and put it off. I should have never waited.
What is the impact you want to make in this world?
I want people to feel good about themselves and the success they are able to achieve. Mindset is the root of success. With a growth mindset, anyone can achieve what they deserve!
Never being one to limit myself, I’m currently developing a four-step system that I hope to share with those in the direct sales industry by the end of 2023. It is my hope this system will encourage others to work toward their version of success.
I also will be releasing courses and other materials to go along with the current freebies I already offer on my website. I am confident that these resources will help others grow their mindsets and grow their businesses!
Is there anything else you would like to share with Transformation Coaching Magazine readers?
I encourage everyone to share their passions through life coaching. There is a niche out there for everyone, and there is someone out there waiting to hear what you have to share. Your mindset is the root of your success. And it should be YOUR definition of success. Not someone else’s. If you struggle to find your version of success, find a coach to talk to. You are worth it!