Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pamela King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Pamela, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I decided to leave teaching after 15 years, I was equal parts terrified and exhilarated. Teaching had been my comfort zone, my identity, and honestly, my safety net. But I reached a point where I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that I wanted something… more. I didn’t know what “more” was, but I knew it wasn’t in my classroom.

So, I took the leap. No job lined up. No business plan. Just a lot of faith in myself, a good dose of curiosity, and a side order of panic. At first, I convinced myself it was temporary. “I’ll just do some ‘helping’ projects while I wait for my big idea to show up,” I thought.

I had spent 15 years as an educator, crafting systems to help people succeed (and earning leadership credentials from the state of Ohio along the way). I knew I could bring that same focus, empathy, and adaptability to small business operations. Friends, realtors, and overwhelmed entrepreneurs began reaching out to ask for help organizing their workflows, setting up systems, or streamlining operations. I said yes because, well, it felt good to help. Beyond that, I discovered something surprising: I loved this work. Optimizing and organizing businesses felt like solving a puzzle, and I couldn’t get enough of it. About a year into these projects, it finally hit me: helping people optimize their businesses wasn’t just something to do while I figured things out—it was the thing.
Of course, realizing that and embracing it as a career were two very different things. I’d never considered myself an entrepreneur. In my head, entrepreneurs were big, bold risk-takers with groundbreaking ideas, not a former teacher with a knack for organizing other people’s chaos. But then I read Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani, and something clicked. It reminded me that I didn’t need to have all the answers or be flawless—I just needed to be bold enough to try.
So I did. I called myself a Small Business Optimizer, focused on helping entrepreneurs build systems to grow without chaos. Fast-forward a few years, and I’ve built a thriving career that’s meaningful, rewarding, and uniquely mine.
Looking back, leaving teaching without a clear plan felt like the scariest thing I’d ever done. But now? It’s the best risk I’ve ever taken. Sometimes, the “big idea” isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you uncover when you let go of what’s no longer serving you and lean into what lights you up.

Pamela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who may not know me, I’m Pamela King, and I’m a Small Business Optimizer. My work focuses on helping busy entrepreneurs transform their homegrown systems into scalable, streamlined operations that support growth. But what truly sets me apart is how I approach each client as a unique individual with a unique business—I listen carefully, tailor solutions to fit their specific needs, and create systems that align with the way their mind works, not the other way around.
My journey into this work began during my 15 years as a public school teacher. Teaching gave me an incredible foundation in working with diverse learners, including those who are neurodivergent. This skill set naturally carried over into my business, as many of my clients are entrepreneurs with ADHD or other neurodivergent conditions. They often feel overwhelmed by traditional methods of organizing or managing tasks, and the thought of “buckling down” to learn someone else’s system feels impossible. That’s where I come in.
It all started a few years ago when a close friend, a solo realtor, was struggling to take the next step in her business. Her business coach told her she needed to hire an assistant and host client appreciation events, but she felt completely underwater and unsure how to even begin. I offered to help her for the summer, thinking it would be a short-term project not realizing how this would ultimately change my life. I organized her workflows, created templates and checklists, documented her processes into easy-to-follow SOPs, and implemented a few automations to simplify her operations.
What we created together changed the game for her. She was able to make her first hire, and the systems I built gave her confidence and the tools to grow. Today, she leads a thriving real estate team that consistently earns Keller Williams Platinum recognition. That experience planted the seed for my business, and it’s been growing ever since.
Now, I work with entrepreneurs at a specific stage in their journey. I am a best fit for:
1. Solopreneurs looking to build the systems they need to confidently make their first hire.
2. Small business owners with teams of up to 5 people who feel their homemade systems can’t keep up. They’re tired of constantly checking in on their employees and want a better way to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Regardless of the industry, I focus on creating customized, done-for-you systems that match the unique needs of my clients and their businesses. My clients tell me that when we work together, they “feel heard and seen,” and that’s one of the things I’m most proud of. I hold space for them to share their frustrations and challenges, and then I get to work designing solutions that fit them.
I’m not a long-term hire—my mom likes to call me Mary Poppins. I come in, help for a few months, and when the metaphorical closet is cleaned out, my clients are ready to fly on their own. My work often helps them unlock the full potential of their team. For example, the right systems can transform a capable employee into someone who operates with the efficiency and confidence of a seasoned pro.
Many of my clients choose to stay connected through a light maintenance plan with occasional check-ins. They appreciate having me as a resource to fine-tune systems, troubleshoot challenges, or provide guidance as their business evolves. It’s a wonderful testament to the trust and partnership we build together.
At the heart of it, my work is about empowerment. I love giving entrepreneurs the clarity and confidence to step into the next chapter of their business, whether that’s scaling up, reclaiming their time, or simply reducing the stress of day-to-day operations.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Books have always been a cornerstone of my personal and professional development—book recommendations are my love language, after all. There are so many titles that have shaped my thinking, but one that really stands out recently is No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy.
This book is such a breath of fresh air. It challenges the old-school notion that emotions have no place in the workplace and instead advocates for finding balance and learning to thrive with your emotions. It’s especially relevant for women who are often told to “tone it down” or “not take things personally.” No Hard Feelings acknowledges the reality of emotions while giving practical, often hilarious advice on navigating them.
What I loved most is how concise and relatable it is—it doesn’t drone on or repeat itself like so many other personal development books. Even if you’re not a big reader, this book is approachable, engaging, and packed with insights you can actually use. Plus, the quirky illustrations make it fun to flip through.
I find it resonates with my work as a Small Business Optimizer because it ties into the human side of systems. It reminds us that we’re building businesses for people—ourselves, our teams, and our clients. If we can understand and embrace emotions in a balanced way, we can create systems and workplaces where everyone feels heard, seen, and empowered to do their best work.
I highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of your role or industry—it’s one of those books that leaves a lasting impression.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

My social media presence is very much a work in progress—currently under construction, if you will—and I think it’s important to share that. I don’t have a massive following, but what I’m doing is working, and I want to encourage others to take that first step. For me, LinkedIn has been a game-changer, and I’m practically begging you to get on there (or whatever platform aligns with your business).
The beauty of LinkedIn is that you don’t have to dance, you don’t have to be artistic, and you don’t even have to show your face on camera if you’re not comfortable. But you do need to show up in some way. If you’re not ready to post—and honestly, you really should start—then at least get active in the comments.
Here’s a pro tip: Ask questions. Thoughtful, engaging questions show creators that you’ve actually read their content and are thinking critically about it. This simple step can set you apart because it gives people something to respond to, and it’s a win-win: the algorithm loves dialogue in the comments, and creators love meaningful engagement.
I can’t tell you how many connections I’ve built just from being active in the comments. I’ve had people reach out saying, “We’ve been chatting in the comments enough that I wanted to make it official!” Those small, consistent actions add up, and before you know it, you’ve built a genuine network of people who value your insights.
So, if you’re just starting out, my best advice is this: Start showing up, even in small ways. Post, comment, engage thoughtfully, and above all, stay authentic. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pamelakingconsulting.com
• Instagram: @pamelakingconsulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-king/