Shannah Kennedy: Simplify, Structure, Succeed

I’ve introduced a new section to my blog called Business Profiles. In this category I would like to highlight the businesses I love and the people who inspire me. It’s my pleasure to have Shannah Kennedy as my first business profile.

Shannah Kennedy and I met recently at the Melbourne Writers Group where Shannah was the guest speaker. She has recently published her first book “simplify, structure, succeed” and it was inspirational to hear her talk about the process. I’ve got 4 books in my mind and with Shannah as an example pathing the way, I may actually get them out there one day.

Shannah has a lot to say about life, business, and the world and she shares this through her life coaching business and now her book. Read about how she runs her business and what’s important to make it successful.

1. Name: Shannah Kennedy

2. Occupation/ business: Professional Life Strategist

3. Position: Owner

4. Country of Residence;  Australia

5. Email: shannah@shannahkennedy.com,

Website: www.shannahkennedy.com

6. Twitter: https://twitter.com/shannahkennedy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShannahKennedyCoaching

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/shannah-kennedy/1/98b/8a8

6. Give us your elevator pitch. What does your business do?

I consult to business’ and people on their personal and professional strategies.  The outcome is living life optimally both personally and professionally

1. When did you start your business?

2002

1. What’s your passion?

My job, I love it!  I love structure that has purpose that leads to results. I am passionate about people not wasting life, passionate about my health both physical and mental, about my family (married with 2 kids), about my business and my future.

9. What do you love most about running your business?

Flexibility, control, profitability and choice.

10. What are three difficulties you face in running your business?

1. Becoming insular is very easy to do, when you work at home for yourself you need to set yourself goals to get out and keep getting out of your comfort zone or you don’t grow.

2. Self motivating the whole time, to do all parts of the business – there is no team around you to have the ‘water cooler’ talk.
3. No accountability – so you have to be honest with yourself. I employ a coach so I am accountable and just have to be 100% authentic. I believe as a coach you need to be 100% authentic and doing it yourself before you can assist others.

11. What are three pieces of advice you would give to someone starting their own business?
    1. Clarity clarity clarity – why are you doing what you do, what is the real purpose.
    2. Foundation and systems and structures to make it easy for yourself, you need to really invest in the setting it up like a real business not a hobby.
    3. You need a champion/coach/mentor to call upon. You need support, doing it alone is a long touch road and not much fun!

12. Tell us, with an anecdote, why your business has changed your life?

My business definitely changed my life. I never dreamed it would be this big, go this well and take me to where it has, but I believed totally in what I was doing and where I was going. I always focus on what is critical in the business and feel the rest will follow.  The business has made me grow, challenge myself as the buck stops with me and no one else! There is more responsibility, which makes me feel like I am really living!

13. How do you manage a work/life balance?

I love to challenge this all the time. Work life balance I think is partly time, and partly a state of mind. We can be busy, but if we understand the purpose, the clarity and the vision and have a good structure, we should be able to breathe through it all. Busy does not equal stress.  I book in my diary time to work on my diary – sounds strange but I do. I spend at least an hour preparing the next 4-6 weeks – thinking through the days and preparing myself to be organised enough that there is minimal stress. I book in some fun, exercise, time for finances, friends and family. I book in the date night with my husband and some kids activities, I book in the massage and all I need for the next 6 weeks…..once I am covered then where is the stress – then it is down to state of mind…..  work life balance is about knowing what you need to feel good and in control and making it happen and that is entirely our responsibility. We can get curve balls thrown at us, but ultimately we choose how to handle it all.

14. The best book to read before starting a business or when running a business?

The E Myth by Michael Gerber

15. Your favourite inspiration/ motivation/ business quote?

“It is not so much what you get from achieving your goals, but who you become in the process.”

16. The 4 words that best describe your business?

Inspiring, structured for results, a process for optimal living, clarity about you.

For more business profiles stay tuned.