Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Imabayashi

Hi Kathy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

Born into a family of eight, all female except for two, Kathy grew up as a member of the baby boomer generation. She envisioned and created a series of life’s adventures often based on intuition, or more often, on a feeling inspired from a book.

Little did she know that reading Shogun by James Clavell would propel her into an international journey and nomad lifestyle that would start in Japan and take her through six very distinct countries and cultures.

Kathy had a rich and diverse career in education for more than four decades. Her heart is with the youngest of children and most of her teaching years were within the area of Early Years Education. Kathy also possesses expertise in guiding and nurturing children throughout their elementary years. She taught in both national and international schools, founded her own preschool in Japan and for the last decade of her career worked leading teachers and supporting families in school leadership roles. Whether in the role of teacher, coordinator, vice principal or principal, for every decision ever made, and continues to make, the guiding influence is always, ‘Is this in the best interest of the child?’

That mantra directed Kathy, with the birth of their son, to understand more deeply about the inner emotional world of boys and begin a movement to challenge how our society is doing a dis-service to our boys in particular, but to all males. Today she continues to advocate for all boys and support their parents and teachers to help raise these boys to become remarkable men. Through workshops, private coaching, and online courses, Kathy helps parents navigate these challenges, offering strategies to foster their sons’ emotional well-being and healthy development.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

It’s been an interesting road! Like many others, I’ve faced my share of obstacles, especially in the areas of technology, social media, and marketing. Starting a business from scratch with no prior experience in digital platforms was a steep learning curve. From building a website to creating online courses, marketing on social media, and managing technical issues, I had to continuously learn and adapt. It was both a challenge and a gift.

Balancing work and life was another challenge. Working long hours to get the business off the ground, while trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, left me feeling stretched thin. There were moments of isolation, especially in the early stages, when I questioned if my efforts would lead to success.

Trusting the process is key. I have to believe that consistency and hard work will eventually pay off, and those who need my services will find me. The challenges have been instrumental to my growth and resilience.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

My business, Sonhood Coaching, is dedicated to supporting parents of boys, helping them navigate the unique challenges of raising emotionally healthy sons in today’s world. I specialize in providing resources, workshops, and personalized coaching that focus on the emotional development of boys—an area often overlooked in traditional parenting advice.

What sets me apart is my decades of experience in education and leadership, combined with a deep understanding of boys’ emotional worlds. I’m not just offering parenting tips; I’m helping parents transform their relationships with their sons by addressing the underlying emotional dynamics that influence behavior.

One of the most impactful offerings I provide is private coaching. Through personalized one-on-one sessions, I help parents unlock new insights into their son’s emotions and behavior, offering tailored strategies that lead to lasting change. This individualized support allows parents to develop a deeper bond with their sons, fostering an environment of trust, understanding, and growth. The transformation that happens during these coaching sessions is powerful—parents leave with greater confidence and clarity, and their sons benefit from the emotional connection and guidance they’ve always needed.

One of the strengths of Sonhood Coaching is the variety of resources available to meet parents where they are, whatever their needs may be. Whether it’s through private coaching, online courses, or our membership community, there’s a solution for every parent. Private coaching offers personalized guidance to address specific challenges, while the courses provide structured learning on key parenting strategies. The membership community creates a supportive space for ongoing learning, connection, and growth. No matter the path you choose, each option is designed to help parents foster deeper relationships with their sons and support their emotional well-being, leading to lasting, positive change.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?

I was fortunate to have a very imaginative father growing up. I don’t quite remember how it all started, but one day I wrote a letter to the Tooth Fairy—probably asking for an advance on a wiggly tooth—and to my surprise, the Dirty Rotten Tooth Fairy wrote back. My dad, of course, was behind the mischief, but it sparked a series of letters that went back and forth for a very long time, even well after I knew it was him. What stood out most was how these exchanges became a way for me to communicate things I wanted to share with my dad but, for some reason, found hard to say directly. Those letters created a space where imagination and connection blended, giving us a special bond that I fondly remember.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sonhoodcoaching.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonhoodcoaching/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonhoodcoaching
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sonhoodcoaching