We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Courtney Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Courtney below.

Courtney , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

I’m lucky that I can run my coaching business from anywhere, so I make it a priority to have time away. I feel my best when I’m on the move or out in the world, whether that’s a long road trip or visiting a new country. As a coach, it’s important to me to live my life to the fullest, and remind people what’s possible for themselves. Traveling is an important source of inspiration, learning, and challenge that help me grow. When I’m traveling, seeing new ways of life, and meeting new people, more ideas for myself and my business can come alive. I feel more connected and in my own flow.

This year, I’m traveling to Italy, Switzerland, and Albania for a couple of months. I make this work financially by traveling slowly and on a specific budget. I often spend less money traveling per month than what it costs me to live at home in Colorado. So with the same or reduced costs, plus more inspiration, it’s a great business and personal investment.

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

My name is Courtney Johnson, and I am the founder and coach of Open Hearts Coaching. I support people in getting free, and creating the life of their dreams! I also love helping sensitive women thrive in their leadership roles or in their relationships. I’m passionate about learning and experimenting in my own life, so I can pass those lessons on to others.

I offer 1:1 coaching, and also have an 8-week group engagement specific to women in leadership wanting to feel more empowered and natural in their role. The next group begins in April 2023! And I always have new programs in the works.

I got into the coaching industry because I have had to work through a lot of grief and self-defeating behaviors. After years and years of keeping myself in unhealthy situations, I had to figure out how to get free both from things (beliefs, toxic relationships, jobs, habits) and within things (new jobs, healthy relationships, new anxieties). It’s an ongoing process of uncovering my true self. I want to support other people in doing the same, in their own journey of self-actualization. It’s my passion.

Because I’ve gone deep into my own grief, I’m really able to be with clients in their struggles while simultaneously seeing them as wholly capable to change their own life. I think it’s this combination of being able to truly see someone right where they are, while also holding the vision of their future with them that draws people to my work.

I am most proud of the woman I have become in the last few years. I’ve done things that I never thought would be possible for myself, and continue to dream, believe, and push my own perceived limits.

I want potential clients to know that they can change their life. They are so powerful, no matter how they may feel right now. Often, people just need someone to help see it within themselves, and support them while they make new, brave choices.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Growing up, I was quite shy, and felt most comfortable under the radar or as a wallflower. I definitely felt safest in my own solitude and was fairly private about my dreams and plans. I’ve always been a big dreamer, but my desires were often met with a “that’s unrealistic” attitude. It took me a long time and a lot of practice to develop the confidence to go after what felt right for me no matter what others were saying.

In my business, I’ve had to get comfortable feeling the (sometimes extreme) discomfort of putting myself out there. That means being really open about my business to everyone I know, posting on social media, leading groups of people, and just being really seen in my own humanness – in the ups and downs of building a business.

It’s an ongoing journey, but it’s necessary to my self-expression and my ability to connect with new people and clients. Plus I just refuse to hide myself anymore.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

The way I funded my business was a combo of years of good saving habits, and an unexpected life change. I had been longing to start my coaching practice for a few years, but didn’t know when or how I would begin. I was working as an Engineering Manager for a tech start-up, honing my coaching skills in management, and doing some coaching on the side, but I didn’t have the capacity to juggle that very demanding job with going all-in on my own business.

I got a new boss at that start-up, and within days he decided I wasn’t who he wanted on his team. That was an unexpected and painful outcome, but HR generously provided me with a few paths within the company or the option of severance. I chose the severance, and after a few weeks of space and contemplation, decided to use the rest of it to finally fund my dream business.

As a coach working remotely, my business costs can be kept low. And so during that initial period, I also kept my own living expenses as slim as possible. I stretched the severance for a handful of months, and then I used my own savings to live from while I continued to get things up and running. Again, I kept my monthly expenses as low as possible so I had less to cover before achieving a profit.

Although it was very painful to be unexpectedly ushered out of a job I loved, I ended up getting the space I needed to finally commit to starting my own coaching practice. It took a lot of mental fortitude, emotional support, and belief in myself to live from my savings, trusting that ultimately I’d build an income again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.openheartscoaching.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/open.hearts.coaching/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecourtneyjohnson/