The Dream Catch Series - Featuring Laura Knights

Dream Catchers

By LaTasha West

                

The Dream Catcher series seeks to provide information and real world advice. Over the next few weeks
I will share interviews that I have done with ladies who are successfully chasing, following and living their dreams. These women are wives, mothers and business owners who are willing to share a small piece of their journey with you.


I hope this series encourages, motivates and inspires you to believe.






This week I chat with Laura E. Knights, Owner of Laura E. Knights Coaching and Consulting


Here is what Laura has to say:

LaTasha: So, Laura, What makes a good entrepreneur?

Laura: I think it’s critical for an entrepreneur to take risks and to not give up. The definition of entrepreneurship is risk! You can’t just focus on instant gratification because you will give up quickly. You have to have a plan, do the research, and make space for your market to talk back to you about their pains and desires. You have to have what I call “strategic patience” because it takes time to turn over a profit. It’s a fine balance though, because at the same time, an entrepreneur must be assessing their business and their industry at all times for indications of when it may be time to cut their losses, change directions or end a particular endeavor that could cost more than it has the potential to make.


LaTasha: If you had to pick a skill or trait the each entrepreneur that you know has in common what would it be? Explain.

Laura: They are visionaries. They see possibilities on the blank slate, and they have the courage to put themselves out there and create something new.


LaTasha: Were you a good or bad employee? Tell me why you believe so.


Laura: I think I was a good employee, but that was only because I was what you would call an “intrapreneur” in every job I had. Although I was an employee, my role was really to create new things…programs, systems, processes, etc. I’m a strategist by nature, and as long as I can assess, problem solve, and create, I’ll be happy and able to produce great results. Even as an employee, I had the space to be entrepreneurial in my approach to my work. If that characteristic wasn’t present, I think I would have been a horrible employee because I would have gotten bored really quick!


LaTasha: Who is your business role model? Why did you choose this person?


Laura: I don’t want to be cliché’, but Oprah and Richard Branson are my business role models. They both have a heart for service, and they give back immensely; however, they are not fearful of taking their brands into new markets and industries. Oprah is a media mogul, but she has the magazine, coffee line at Starbucks, film/theater projects, founded a school, etc. Branson is into music, the airline industry, mobile technology, etc. They have done so many diverse things, and yet still made them fit seamlessly under one strong brand. I'm multi-passionate and I have plans to do so many things, that many may perceive as unrelated, so they really inspire me and give me hope to go for it.


LaTasha: One last thing, What is the one piece of advice that you would give to someone who is considering entering your industry today?


Laura: The coaching and consulting industry has blown up in recent years. Part of that is due to low barriers to entry. Anyone can wake up and call himself or herself a coach or consultant these days. Many would say the market is becoming saturated. My advice would be to really do some self-assessment to see what makes your services different from those around you. Try to develop a really defined niche, instead of just “life coach.” Ask yourself, “What specific result do I help people achieve? What is my unique approach to help them achieve that result?” Once you have a clear response that is supported by the outcomes and testimonials of the people you are serving, build your marketing messaging around those specific results. You MUST find a way to make yourself standout.

Where you are vs Where you want to be

The Gap

Written by LaTasha West

I had to step in smack in the middle of The Dream Catchers Series and speak to you all. For those of you who know me, you know that I am an optimist and a glass half full type of girl. If you don’t know me already, then now you know. Lately I have been running across some things that have troubled my spirit and I must address them.

If you are not where you want to be in life, what is stopping you from getting there?  Could it be your outlook on the situation? Do you not believe, I mean really believe that you deserve what you want? Are you afraid to chase your dreams or desires for fear of failure, or worse fear of success? Do you discount yourself and play small?

I want to tell you that you can exceed the limits that you are putting on yourself. You must open your mind and believe that you can. I am a great motivator and inspiration but I cannot make you believe in you. You must do that.

Why do you not believe in yourself? Have you let someone else’s opinion of you tarnish your view of YOU? Something I’ve learned, usually haters are behind you, they are mad because they are not moving forward. Don’t let their lack of self-esteem tear you down. If these people are in your circle, YOU NEED A NEW CIRCLE NOW! Leaders, greatness and successful people, want to see and create other leaders, greatness and successful people. Get around some people who want to go up in life just like you do!

Are you scared? Fear. Now tell me what is fear doing for you except holding you hostage? You are letting fear keep you on the ground when you want to fly? Fear is keeping you in an apartment when you want a house? Fear is keeping you in a bad relationship, when you want to be happy. Fear is keeping you as an employee when you want to be a BOSS. Now tell me who is winning, you or fear?

Maybe you don’t even know what you want. If this is you, then you need to spend some time with your thoughts. You need to learn you. Think about what made you happy before you got to the place where you are now. Think about when you were 5 or 10 or even 16 years old, what did you want your future to hold then? How did you see yourself happy?

For a few minutes, stopping worrying about everything and everyone else, stop worrying about external circumstances and focus on you.

“You cannot be what you cannot see”- get clear on what you want.

My question for you is, what is in the gap between where you are and where you want to be, and what are you going to do about it?

LaTasha West is the CEO of He Business Consulting, The Founder of The Next 100 project, a Success Strategist and a Certified Business Development Coach.

To learn more visit, www.herbusinessmag.com or www.livethedreamtour.com