We were lucky to catch up with Briar Dougherty recently and have shared our conversation below.
Briar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
The Influence of Motherhood on My Business Journey: Finding Success and Balance
In today’s age of social media, where young and accomplished entrepreneurs are celebrated, I have found myself wondering what could have been if I had taken the leap into entrepreneurship before becoming a parent.
After the birth of my son in 2013, I made the decision to leave my corporate job. Prior to his arrival, I had already started working with career coaching and resume writing clients on the side, in addition to my 9 to 5 job. With the support of my husband, we agreed that I would not return to work and instead pursue my own “side hustle” or “solopreneurship” while raising our family.
Bit by bit, my business began to grow. Within the first 5 years of juggling my small business and raising my son (and later my daughter), we reached a point where I needed to expand and officially incorporate. However, balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and running a business meant that my attention could never be fully dedicated to just one.
Being a homeschooling parent has its demands, with a schedule that requires me to juggle work calls, school lessons, and various commitments outside of my own organization. Comparing myself to other non-parent business owners, I’ve come to realize that I cannot measure my progress at the same pace. As parents who are also entrepreneurs, we have a unique set of priorities that must be acknowledged and managed differently.
While I sometimes ponder how my business would have evolved had I started earlier, I now understand that these experiences have shaped me into a more compassionate leader, an empathetic coach, and a strong advocate for establishing boundaries in all areas of life.
Although my business may have achieved success at a faster rate had I started before becoming a parent, the impact I have made would not be the same. The desire to lead an integrated life, where work, family, and community intersect, has been inspired by the guiding light of my children. It would have been a shame to miss out on that. These experiences have profoundly influenced my coaching approach and how I operate Career Organic.
Today, I am proud to employ fellow parents who value flexibility in their schedules. I have also developed processes to help professionals integrate all aspects of their lives. It is my mission to ensure that others do not feel guilty for prioritizing their families and to remind them of their worth both before and after having children.
The timing of my business launch has allowed me to become the person I aspire to be for everyone in my life. And while I occasionally indulge in the “what if” game, I would never change a thing if given the chance to go back in time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My early career was a resounding success. Starting in NYC, I quickly rose through the ranks at Crunch Fitness and became one of the youngest General Managers in the company, overseeing a Manhattan location. I later transitioned to The Salon and Spa at Saks Fifth Avenue, where I went from General Manager to Regional Director in just two years.
In this role, I handled executive relationships, pursued acquisitions, managed projects and teams, and worked with diverse groups across different states. These experiences were vital in shaping my career, teaching me about communication, team growth, and financial management. They also made coaching professionals second nature to me.
This foundation laid the groundwork for Career Organic. My guiding principle has always been community first. I strive to simplify complex and overwhelming processes, and what’s more complex than finding a job, negotiating contracts, and starting new employment? It can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. I am dedicated to shedding light on the process and supporting professionals every step of the way.
That’s why I launched the Job Seeker Membership, our comprehensive Job Search Support Program. This program offers live coaching, personalized support, and a wealth of resources to guide professionals in their job search. It caters to individuals at all stages of their careers, including students transitioning to the workforce, those returning from leaves of absence, military personnel separating from service, professionals seeking their next move, and those looking to grow and develop in their current roles.
I am incredibly proud to have successfully launched this program, especially in a world where self-paced courses leave individuals to navigate on their own. We provide real-time support with real people who are ready to answer questions.
In addition to our Job Seeker Membership, we also offer tailored, one-on-one services such as resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career transition coaching, and interview prep coaching. We have various price points and additional support options to meet the needs of any professional. This has been a game changer for individuals going through career transitions.
What sets us apart from other resume writing and career transition support companies is our unwavering focus on our clients and community. Every member of our team is fully invested in making a positive impact. We find fulfillment in supporting others, and that remains our top priority. I am incredibly proud of the team we have, and the amazing impact we have in the lives of those we serve.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Life’s twists and turns have shaped me in profound ways. As a General Manager at Crunch Fitness in NYC, I faced a physical assault while trying to diffuse a tense situation involving a member and my Assistant Manager. This traumatic incident resulted in serious injuries, multiple surgeries, and a long period of disability. Ultimately, it pushed me to reconsider my career path in the health and fitness industry.
Another life-altering event occurred just weeks before my son’s first birthday. Discovering a large lump in my neck led to a diagnosis of aggressive cancer and the urgent need for surgery. I underwent a procedure to remove a lemon-sized tumor from my throat, but sadly, my vocal cord was completely paralyzed. Despite the bleak prognosis from doctors, I remained determined to reclaim my voice.
And I did. I defied the odds and completely restored my voice, gaining a renewed appreciation for the precious gift of communication.
These trials have given me a unique perspective on the darker aspects of life – fear, overwhelm, and the sensation of everything falling apart. Through these experiences and blessings, I have developed a deeper level of empathy and understanding, allowing me to connect with others on a profoundly compassionate level.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
From the very beginning, I understood the importance of providing top-notch communication and outstanding service, regardless of the cost. This dedication to excellence, in turn, fueled the growth of my business. In fact, I received so many referrals that I had no choice but to expand and serve more clients.
Moving forward, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to prioritizing effective communication and delivering exceptional service. These values set us apart from our competitors and continue to be the guiding principles of our organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.careerorganic.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.briardougherty.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briardougherty.co
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briardougherty
- Youtube: @careerorganic
- Twitter: @BD_CareerCoach