Karen M. Heck, Give Yourself Power, The Story Exchange
Your Name: Karen M. Heck

Business Name: Give Yourself Power, LLC, a creative career advising service

Type of Business: Coaching & Consulting

Business Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

Website www.giveyourselfpower.com
Twitter @KarenMHeck
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GiveYourselfPower

Reason for starting
One day I received that dreaded “six months to live” diagnosis from my doctor and he put me on disability since I was no longer able to continue to work. After outliving the diagnosis and getting healthier, I realized I have to prepare to start living again. I was aware that I didn’t want to go back into the cubical world, but I wanted and needed the choice of flexibility and a not as stressful environment in order to take better care of myself. So my journey started to find my true passion and how to turn that passion into income that would allow me to love what I did, to take care of myself, and create income I could live off of.

How do you define success?
Is having a happy and solid marriage, it’s when I helping a client and the light bulb go off for them and they make the connection from “I have no clue what I want to do” to “I have a clear picture of what I want to do and I’m motivate to take the next step toward achieving my goal.” It’s when I have a waiting list of clients that require my services and can pay without hesitation or cost. It’s when in spite of fear I push on toward my goals of having a thriving and successful speaking engagements and writing career. It’s when my career side lines up with my spiritual side, because then I know I won’t go too far off my path. It’s when I’m able to support the charities that are important to me financially and time. It’s when I have reached my financial goals that allows my husband to retire early, work part-time doing what he loves and able to do enjoy his passions. It’s we can travel without financial concerns.

Biggest Success
Creating and starting Give yourself Power, LLC

What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
Marketing my business on a limited budget has been my top challenge. I’ve hired successful marketing coaches and following marketing experts, and done my own research on marketing to understand the process that I need to get my message out there about my business.

Who is your most important role model?
My mother, because, I learned about entrepreneurship, the value of hard work, never quitting, and going after my dreams and giving it 110% from her. Because she has always and still supports and encourages me even if she don’t always understand what I’m doing or why I was doing it. She’s instilled and still does the value of living my life to the fullest, but making sure I don’t forget to give back. To be true to who God made me and continue to have faith and belief in what I’m doing.