We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Krista Hawkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Krista below.
Krista, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
The first part of my professional career was spent as a counselor. First, in outpatient addictions, helping young adults recover from addiction, and later, in the field of adoption, guiding prospective families and birth mothers through the adoption process.
I transitioned to the business world and for over 22 years, I worked with a Fortune Top 50 company providing guidance, coaching, and training to business leaders and teams, helping them to build effective systems and enhance their performance. I traveled across the United States as a leadership and sales coach helping thousands of business leaders and professionals maximize their potential and become their best selves through one on one sessions, small group sessions, and large workshops.
I really loved the work I did with the company, but found myself in a bit of internal conflict. I did not care for all of the travel. The company dictated my coaching schedule so I did not have control over where I traveled or when I traveled. Being gone 6-7 days per month was taking a toll on me. And, when I learned that the company was going to start requiring me to travel to Atlanta weekly, that was a deal breaker for me.
My husband, a Nashville State Farm Agent, and I talked about it and prayed over my decision to walk away from a six-figure salary, benefit package, and 22 year career. The timing of this decision was coming just two years before sending our first daughter off to college and our second daughter would soon follow.
At the time all of this was happening, a colleague of mine was contemplating the same thing. She was in a similar situation. The more we talked, the more we realized that we could walk away and start our own company with a focus on the coaching services that were so needed but lacking in the industry we were in. After multiple brainstorming sessions, lots of prayer, and a lot of work, we decided to create our company Future Legacy Partners.
On October 31, 2018 I walked away from the company, the salary, and the benefits to start a from scratch company with my business partner, Wendy Smith. We launched Future Legacy Partners on November 1, 2018 and just celebrated our five year anniversary! Our coaching programs have been extremely successful and we are continuing to grow the company. I give all the glory to God and am so thankful for taking this risk that truly turned into a blessing. I travel where I want, when I want, and have full control over the company decisions that impact me and my family.
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.
I understand the importance of priorities and balance in work and in life. While on a 4-year scholarship and as co-captain of the Illinois State University Swimming Team, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development with academic honors followed by a Master’s Degree in Counseling Education. I am also a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a Holistic Health Coach. I am married to Chad, a State Farm Agent, and we have two daughters -a senior at the University of Alabama and a freshman at Samford University.
I’ve invested my career in helping others to create new beginnings and live productive, purposeful lives. The first part of my professional career was spent as a counselor. First, in outpatient addictions, helping young adults recover from addiction, and later, in the field of adoption, guiding prospective families and birth mothers through the adoption process.
I transitioned to the business world and for 22 years, I worked with a Fortune Top 50 company providing guidance, coaching, and training to business leaders and teams, helping them to build effective systems and enhance their performance. Traveling the United States as a leadership and sales coach, I helped thousands of business leaders and professionals to maximize their potential and become their best selves through her one on one sessions, small group sessions, and large workshops.
Today, my business partner, Wendy Smith, and I lead Future Legacies, LLC and its affiliates and continue to coach business owners, leaders and teams across the United States. We provide personal and professional development coaching through private coaching, the Team Series, the Leader Series, the Aspiring Leader Series, Performance Planning Workshops, and public speaking events.
I believe in being a role model for healthy living, as I have been active in the area of fitness, holistic wellness, and positively investing in our community. In earlier years, my younger daughter and I produced and hosted an elementary school television newscast, Hawkins Health Tips, inspiring teachers and kids to live healthier lifestyles. I was an active board member for Special Kids Therapy and Nursing Center, including one year as president of that board. I have been a high school swim team Character Coach for Fellowship for Christian Athletes the past 8 years. And, my husband and I lead a small group Bible study each week. Since 2011, I have loved sharing the benefits of healthy living through my holistic health coaching practice.
I believe everyone should be equipped to make healthy choices, I endorse a holistic lifestyle – relying on faith, enjoying real and unprocessed foods, drinking water, exercising, maintaining life balance, quality rest, choosing fulfilling work, serving others, and living in joy.
I acknowledge both in the fields of business and wellness that change does not happen overnight. The keys to success are education, applied knowledge, a commitment with emotional connection, preparation, consistent action, and accountability. Taking small steps can be the best way to create lasting change and new beginnings. These new beginnings become the foundation for building Future Legacies for ourselves and others.
Our website: https://www.ourfuturelegacy.com
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
1. Identify Individual Strengths and Interests Every team member possesses unique talents and interests. By recognizing and harnessing these strengths, you can create a more engaged and motivated workforce. Regularly assess your team’s skills, experience, and areas of interest. Assign tasks and projects that align with their strengths, allowing them to shine and contribute to the team’s success. Encourage open communication and provide opportunities for team members to express their career aspirations, fostering a sense of purpose and personal growth. Help individuals connect with their strengths and apply them in their meaningful work.
2. Provide Ongoing Training and Education
To keep your team members at the forefront of industry knowledge, provide them with ongoing training and educational opportunities. Arrange workshops, seminars, or webinars conducted by industry experts. Encourage team members to pursue relevant certifications or designations and self-development. By investing in their professional development, you not only enhance their skills but also equip them to provide exceptional service to clients.
3. Foster a Culture of Collaboration and Mentorship
A collaborative work environment not only enhances teamwork but also facilitates the transfer of knowledge and skills. Encourage team members to work together on projects, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collective success. Implement mentorship programs where experienced team members can guide and support new or junior colleagues. By nurturing a culture of collaboration and mentorship, you promote continuous learning and development within the business. And, don’t forget to have fun. It’s important to create a culture that provides opportunities to have fun during work hours. Part of that fun can include providing team incentives and rewards for hitting big goals and the smaller ones too. Allow the team to help brainstorm what the incentives and rewards will be. When the team helps create the goals and the incentives, there is always more buy-in.
4. Provide Regular Feedback and Performance Reviews
Feedback is a powerful and necessary tool for growth and improvement. Regularly provide constructive feedback to team members on their performance, highlighting their strengths and areas for development. Conduct performance reviews at regular intervals to discuss their progress, set goals, and identify opportunities for growth. Ensure that feedback is specific, timely, and focused on actionable steps for improvement. By providing a supportive feedback mechanism, you empower team members to take ownership of their development and strive for excellence.
After working with leader and teams for over two decades, this is the area that is the most inconsistent for leaders and their teams. Often the intention is there yet the follow through is not.
5. Encourage Networking and Industry Involvement
Encourage team members to expand their professional networks and engage with the industry at large. Encourage participation in industry conferences, seminars, and networking events. Support their involvement in professional associations or committees. By connecting with industry peers, team members gain valuable insights, stay updated with industry trends, and broaden their perspectives. This involvement can lead to new opportunities, partnerships, and a deeper understanding of the industry.
Developing team members is a continuous process that requires time, effort, and dedication. By identifying individual strengths, providing ongoing training, fostering collaboration, offering regular feedback, and encouraging industry involvement, you can cultivate a high-performing and motivated team. Remember, investing in your team’s development not only benefits the individuals but also contributes to the long-term success of the business. Embrace these strategies, and watch your team members thrive and achieve their full potential.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My dad always taught me to put your head down, work hard, and try never to burn any bridges. I’ve kept his words in mind as I’ve spent over two decades coaching, training, and developing business owners and their teams, specifically in the insurance arena. I love what I do in that space and I have such a passion for holistic wellness and working in that arena as well. The interesting thing is that with many of my business clients there’s a cross over from business coaching to wellness coaching, providing me the opportunity to coach and empower in both arenas.
In both the business world and the wellness world I believe it’s important to focus on some key areas to help build your reputation… being genuine, staying sincerely curious, being an active listener, focusing on having needs-based conversations, and being solution-oriented. I also believe it’s really important to know your responsibilities and to be accountable to them. Delivering results is very important when it comes to building your reputation, yet more important than that is being a good human AND delivering strong results. When you focus on these areas, it helps build a positive reputation.
When I transitioned from the company I worked for to being a business owner, I relied heavily on the relationships and the reputation I had already built doing what I mentioned above. I reached out to my warm market of business owners who hired our company. After receiving the coaching services with Future Legacy Partners, they sent referrals. By us taking care of those who were referred to our company, we created more raving fans and that has kept the momentum going.
I also cannot answer this question without mentioning the power of going into business with an equally yolked partner. Wendy was highly respected and holds similar values and a stellar work ethic. I trust her and believe she is one of the most talented people I know. I believe our relationship is easily seen by our clients and that absolutely helps build a strong reputation in our field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ourfuturelegacy.com
- Instagram: futurelegacypartners
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FUTURELEGACYPARTNERS
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-hawkins-967945190/
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Carla Lynn Photography