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Name: Beth Freschi
Business: A Time for Expression, LLC, a provider of relaxation training for wellness
Industry: Coaching and Consulting
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Reason for starting: After working in mental health for many years, I began working with a life coach to explore possibilities. Soon I realized that I wanted to become a coach, too! So my life coach became my mentor, and she helped me fine-tune the skills I developed during my training in psychology and mental health to transition to a life coaching practice. I added relaxation training to my practice because I had learned so much about the importance of relaxation techniques for health and wellness, and wanted to share them with as many people as possible. I started my business with 3 life coaching clients and a weekly relaxation training class. Over the last eight years, I have worked with over 40 life coaching clients, and my relaxation training practice has grown to include special events, relaxation training for the workplace, guided relaxation recordings and custom sessions for individuals and groups.
How do you define success? For me success is finding this perfect fit for my career, enjoying the work I do, and helping more people than I could have ever imagined. In the beginning, I was affiliated with other organizations that did not necessarily align with my goals and values. I learned that I need to focus on my own business, and use my time, energy and resources to build something that reflects my vision of helping others to feel more relaxed and open to possibilities.
Related: Read about another female entrepreneur and the power of working on your own.
Biggest Success: Every time one of my guided relaxation recordings hits number one in my category on Amazon or iTunes—it is such an honor! One of my goals is to become one of the top five guided relaxation recording artists worldwide.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? My top challenge is the huge increase of streaming services and how little they pay recording artists. I haven’t fully addressed this challenge yet, but I have a plan: 1. Offer high volume discounts for my MP3 download cards and CDs to large companies with employee wellness programs, and 2. Market to those who still want to actually own recordings, in either MP3 or CD form, instead of just streaming songs from a service.
Related: Other women are using MP3’s for their business goals.
Who is your most important role model? My mentor Marie Thielen is my most important role model for my career. She is a life coach, psychologist, teacher and artist, and she has helped me focus on what I really want for my career and has encouraged me every step of the way.
[box_light]Website: www.atimeforexpression.com
Twitter: @bethfreschi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/atimeforexpression[/box_light]
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Edited by The Story Exchange