We were lucky to catch up with Brooke Schnittman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Brooke thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?
Scaling up for many entrepreneurs is the ultimate goal in “making it.” Along with many of my clients, I thought you bring on more people, do less work, and make more money! Ehh not quite…
Scaling is not easy! Although you can make more, and impact more, it requires a different type of work.
When I started Coaching With Brooke, it was just me and my 1:1 clients. I started at one, 1:1 client and at one point took on 25, 1:1 clients per week. This was not ideal. I moved over to group and individual coaching and brought on two new coaches to help with some of the overflow. This definitely helped me to step back and focus more “on the business” rather than “in the business.” I also brought on a Virtual Assistant at this time as well.
What I didn’t know at the time, was that the coaches and staff were not going to be “in my head.” I thought that they would work how I worked and would just “understand” what was going on in my brain.
I started working with a business coach as I was frustrated and knew I needed help scaling. I quickly learned I needed processes in place. I needed to understand the unique strengths of my contractors, their core values, and their experience. Additionally, over time I learned to hire slow and fire fast. When first bringing on staff, I thought to myself they “seem” like the right fit and I need someone, “They’re hired!” Boy, was I wrong!
Once I put hiring processes for new staff members in place and got clear on what I REALLY WANTED in a coach and virtual assistant, it was then that I found what I needed.
I currently have a total of 8 coaches, 4 Virtual Assistants, and a Sales Manager, and am bringing on another Virtual Assistant.
Things were going really well for me and my business… and then I had a baby. I stopped looking as closely at KPIs and things started to slip. I currently sit in the Visionary and Integrator seats of my company. When seats of the company are not being attended to, business is not going to go as well. I am quickly learning that I need to step back into both roles or hire someone to fill one or both seats.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
As an adult with ADHD, diagnosed at age 35, I struggled with my unknown and untreated ADHD diagnosis. I felt the shame and chaos of my unmanaged ADHD. I knew I was smart and qualified for the life I was living, and blessed in many ways, but for some reason, I never felt fulfilled and truly confident. Throughout my professional life, I moved up in my rankings. I was a special education teacher for many years and turned special education administrator in the number one school district in the country, however, my work was never-ending. Many days I would go to sleep dreaming about work and woke up in the mornings thinking about work. I felt like it was Groundhogs Day, daily, and was on this never-ending treadmill of responsibilities and tasks. I thought this lifestyle was the way life was supposed to be for me, that my gift to the world was having a hard work ethic, which ultimately meant more responsibilities, helping individuals with ADHD, promotions, long work hours, and feeling exhausted. Any romantic relationship I was in at the time failed because I wasn’t attracting the right partner because I wasn’t showing up as my true, capable, and happy self. I wasn’t able to spend the time doing the things I loved (tennis, working out, spending time with friends and family in a meaningful and present way).
While my friends were developing deep and meaningful relationships, which ultimately led to marriage for many, I was working. After many years, I finally enrolled in a group coaching program by the recommendation of a very close friend of mine. After a year of different coaching phases, I saw a version of myself that I never even realized was possible. I understood who I was for the first time, my strengths, my weaknesses, how I showed up for other people, how I was showing up for myself, and what was truly possible. Shortly after seeing the benefits of coaching, I became a Coach!
I wanted to give back what I received, to other individuals with ADHD because I truly knew the power of coaching. After being a product of coaching and an ADHD Coach who has partnered with thousands of adults with ADHD including (doctors, lawyers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, employees, creatives, students, moms, and dads), I have taken my best practices and framework and developed a “12 Week 3C Activation Adult ADHD Group Coaching ” which includes 3, 4-week phases which allow for adults with ADHD to live a happier and more fulfilled life while moving through the 3 Phases “Control, Consistency, and Confidence.”
I also created a free ebook titled “How to Focus By Focusing Your Time: 13 Ways to Be Productive.” which can be accessed through her website https://www.
Today, Coaching with Brooke has partnered with thousands of individuals since 2006 who are struggling with the daily chaos of their ADHD in their personal, professional, and or academic lives. Coaching With Brooke provides individuals with ADHD and executive functioning challenges the tools and accountability to lead an empowered life. It’s the goal of Coaching with Brooke to empower the lives of 10,000 individuals with ADHD over the next 5 years through coaching services, public speaking engagements, and yearly ADHDEdCamp events.
Fellow ADHDer Albert Einstein says it best, “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Everyone deserves to create the life they want. I feel blessed every day that I wake up doing what I love, helping individuals with ADHD understand how to gain control of their lives and become more confident, fulfilled, and empowered.
Have you ever had to pivot?
For over 12 years, I worked hard to move up through the rankings in the public school system. I received multiple degrees, was a special education teacher for 7 years, and moved into administration for 4 years as an Assistant Director of Special Education. I had renovated my house and paid it off on Long Island, New York, and had the “golden handcuffs” of a tenured job in the school system making a living that was more than I needed, but knew something was missing.
I was ready to take the next step and become an entrepreneur so that I could continue to help individuals with ADHD but in a different way. That is when I gave up my career in NY, sold my house, and moved to Florida to start over. Although it was definitely a risk, and something I contemplated even after the move many times, I couldn’t be happier with the decision.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Growing up I was bullied beginning in 4th grade all the way through my professional adult life. I always thought there was something wrong with me. My self-esteem was extremely low which led to me making some bad choices in relationships (friendships and significant others), along with seeking external approval.
When I started being coached 5 years ago, I realized that I did not need to live in my past anymore, that I was able to create the life I want and continue to move forward. Shortly after, I started my business, met my now-husband, and lead a happy life on my terms which I’m proud of. I have two beautiful stepsons, a 3 1/2-month-old daughter, a thriving business, a house, and am extremely fulfilled.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coachingwithbrooke.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachingwithbrooke/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachingwithbrooke/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachingwithbrooke/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BSchnittman
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFx0kXKGVWB_qPfeweGLs_A?
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/coaching-with-brooke-boca-raton
Image Credits
Peter Wald Photography
Suggest a Story: CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.