We recently connected with Kadine Cooper and have shared our conversation below.

Kadine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

In the beginning, and even now at times, I often say that I’m an accidental entrepreneur. Becoming a business owner wasn’t something I planned for, or even envisioned for myself. I was raised by a single mother who instilled in me the values of hard work, education, and the pursuit of a stable, respectable career. Success, in my eyes, meant going to school, getting a good job, and climbing the corporate ladder. And for a significant part of my life, that’s exactly what I did.

I worked diligently, achieved my academic goals, and landed a well-paying job in the corporate world. But as time went on, I found myself feeling increasingly unfulfilled. Despite having what I thought was the epitome of success, there was a nagging sense of emptiness that I couldn’t shake. It was during this period of dissatisfaction that I embarked on a personal development journey.

I immersed myself in personal development courses, seeking to understand myself better and uncover what truly made me happy. It was an eye-opening experience that led me to realize my passion for helping others. I started sharing my learnings and experiences with friends and colleagues, and before I knew it, people began seeking my advice and guidance.
The craziest, most exhilarating moment in my entrepreneurial journey happened when I hosted my first personal development workshop. I had no formal plan to turn this into a business, but the response was overwhelmingly positive. People were moved, inspired, and motivated to make changes in their own lives. The energy in the room was electric, and I felt an immense sense of purpose and fulfillment that I had never experienced before.

However, this journey hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the most unexpected and difficult situations I encountered was dealing with a lack of alignment in values with a client. It was early in my entrepreneurial journey, and I was still learning the ropes of running a business. This client was unhappy with the progress of our agreement and wanted to make changes that did not align with my values. It was a tense and stressful situation, but it taught me invaluable lessons about client relationship, conflict resolution, and the importance of standing by my values.

On the flip side, there have been incredible highs, like the time I spoke at The National Women’s Show on Self Leadership and Becoming The CEO Of You. The talk went really well and I was asked as a result to speak at future events, and suddenly, my small, accidental business was thrust into the spotlight. Women poured in from all over, asking for my support with their personal development journey. The exposure was a game-changer for my business and validated all the hard work and passion I had poured into it.
The rollercoaster of entrepreneurship has been both exhilarating and exhausting. From dealing with disgruntled clients to basking in unexpected recognition, each experience has shaped me and my business in profound ways. I learned that entrepreneurship is not just about having a business plan; it’s about resilience, adaptability, and embracing the unexpected. It’s about taking control of your journey, much like being the CEO of your own life. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and every success is a reminder of why I chose this path.

My journey from corporate employee to accidental entrepreneur has been filled with twists and turns, but it’s one that I wouldn’t trade for anything. It has taught me the importance of self-belief, the power of perseverance, and the joy of living a life aligned with my true passions.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who may not have read about me before, my name is Kadine Cooper, widely known as ‘Coach K.’ My journey into the world of coaching and personal development has been anything but linear, which is what makes it uniquely fulfilling and rewarding.

My eclectic background began in retail management, where I honed my skills in visual merchandising and market research. Working in retail taught me the importance of understanding customer needs, creating engaging experiences, and the impact of strategic thinking. This experience was invaluable as I transitioned into Human Resources, where I discovered my passion for people development and organizational strategy.

In HR, I found myself deeply invested in helping individuals navigate their careers, develop professionally, and achieve their goals. I realized that my true calling was in coaching – guiding others to find clarity, purpose, and fulfillment in their professional and personal lives. This realization led me to start my own practice as a coach, where I get to spend every day helping others go from the mundane to the magic of showing up as their ideal selves in all aspects of their lives.

As a Certified Coach, Facilitator, and Speaker, I offer a range of services designed to empower professionals and organizations to thrive. My services include career and life transformation coaching, organizational and people strategies, and workshops tailored to foster personal and professional growth. I specialize in helping individuals build confidence, embrace change, and unlock their full potential.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is witnessing my clients solving problems or having aha moment that they often didn’t realize were holding them back. Whether it’s overcoming self-doubt, navigating career transitions, or developing leadership skills, I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve their goals and create meaningful change in their lives.

What sets me apart from others in this field is my ability to draw from a diverse range of experiences and industries, including finance, pharmaceuticals, media, and consumer packaged goods (CPG). I have collaborated with top brands such as PMI, TD, RBC, CIBC, Johnson & Johnson, and ESPN. This diverse background allows me to bring a unique perspective to my coaching practice, combining strategic insights with a deep understanding of human behavior and organizational dynamics.

I am incredibly proud of betting on myself and believing in my ability to make a difference. Starting my own practice was a leap of faith, but it has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. I am now on a mission to help others do the same – to believe in themselves, take bold steps towards their dreams, and live a life that truly reflects their values and aspirations.

In addition to my coaching practice, I am passionate about mental health and am First Aid Certified in mental health. I believe that emotional well-being is a critical component of personal and professional success, and I incorporate this understanding into my coaching approach. I am also dedicated to supporting young adults and serve as a board member with EmpowerHERto, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering young women.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that my work is centered around you and your journey. My goal is to provide you with the tools, support, and guidance you need to achieve your highest potential and live a life that resonates with your deepest passions and purpose. I invite you to explore more about me and my background through my website and LinkedIn profile.

How did you build your audience on social media?

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice is to focus on authenticity, value, and connection.
Be Authentic: Share your true self with your audience. Don’t be afraid to show vulnerability and share your personal story. People connect with real and relatable content.
Provide Value: Focus on creating content that offers something valuable to your audience. Whether it’s educational, inspirational, or entertaining, make sure it adds value to their lives.
Engage with Your Audience: Social media is all about building relationships. Engage with your followers by responding to comments, asking questions, and participating in discussions. Show them that you value their input and appreciate their support.
Be Consistent: Consistency is key to building a loyal audience. Develop a posting schedule and stick to it. Regularly share content that aligns with your brand and message.
Learn and Adapt: Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Use analytics to track your performance and adjust your strategy accordingly. Be open to trying new things and learning from your experiences.
Building a social media audience takes time and effort, but by staying true to yourself and focusing on adding value, you can create a meaningful and impactful presence. Remember, it’s not just about the number of followers, but about building a community that shares your values and vision.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Starting my own business was a leap of faith, filled with both exhilarating highs and challenging lows. One story that stands out to me as a testament to my resilience began during the early days of my entrepreneurial journey.
When I first decided to step away from the corporate world and launch my coaching practice, I was fueled by passion and a desire to make a difference. However, the reality of building a business from the ground up quickly set in. I faced numerous rejections from potential clients who weren’t yet convinced of the value I could offer. Each “no” felt like a personal setback, and there were days when the self-doubt was overwhelming.

Finding the right business model and pricing strategy was another hurdle. I experimented with various approaches, from offering one-on-one coaching sessions to group workshops and online courses. I had to balance making my services accessible while ensuring that I could sustain my business financially. There were many moments of trial and error.

One particularly tough period was when I invested a significant amount of time and resources into a marketing campaign that didn’t yield the expected results. I had high hopes, but the response was lukewarm, and I questioned whether I had made the right decision in leaving my secure corporate job. Financially, it was a strain, and emotionally, it was a blow to my confidence.
Additionally, I made substantial investments in coaching programs led by other coaches at higher levels than me. These programs promised significant returns and growth, but instead, I found them overwhelming and difficult to implement effectively. The anticipated return on investment was minimal, leaving me feeling disheartened and questioning my decisions. I realized that while these programs offered valuable insights, they were not tailored to my specific needs and stage in my entrepreneurial journey.
I found my resilience. I took each rejection and setback as a learning opportunity. I sought feedback, refined my offerings, and continuously improved my approach. I realized that building a business is a marathon, not a sprint, and perseverance is key.

I also learned the importance of identifying my ideal client. Initially, I tried to appeal to everyone, but this diluted my message. Through trial and error, I discovered that my true passion lies in supporting young professionals and women in leadership roles. This clarity helped me tailor my services and marketing efforts, making them more effective and impactful.

One of the most significant turning points came when I decided to share my personal story of struggle and growth more openly. I embraced vulnerability and started to connect with my audience on a deeper level. This authenticity resonated with people, and I began to see a shift in how potential clients perceived me. They saw me not just as a coach, but as someone who had walked the path they were on and had come out stronger on the other side.
The culmination of these efforts was a breakthrough project with a corporate client who saw the value in my unique approach. This opportunity not only validated my work but also provided a platform to showcase the impact of my coaching. From there, my business began to gain momentum, and the referrals started to flow in.

Today, I look back on those early days with a sense of pride. The resilience I developed during those tough times has become one of my greatest strengths. It taught me to embrace challenges, adapt to change, and stay committed to my vision, even when the road ahead seemed uncertain.
For anyone facing similar struggles, my advice is to keep pushing forward. Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Stay true to your passion, keep refining your strategies, and trust that your hard work will pay off. The journey of entrepreneurship is not easy, but the rewards of creating something meaningful and impactful make every challenge worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.careercoachk.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careercoach_k/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Careercoach_k-112398663947910
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kadinecooper/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CareerCoachK1

Image Credits

Marlon Mcleod