This is part of our series highlighting businesses that have been operating for two years or less. In this article Crystal Keet shares her experiences and insights since opening Gregory Consulting.
How did your business get started?
I’ve had the dream for an online business since 2011, but have started this version in 2017 when I was on maternity leave. As a new immigrant mom to the UK, I didn’t want to return to teaching but I ended up trying to start a small business instead. This business was born after I got a business coach and discovered that I best helped people with gaining clarity, systems and working on digital program development. I now have three streams in my business: a small membership site, individual coaching clients, and design projects.
Who do you serve and why?
I help professionals develop a profitable “second act” online business based on their life purpose and passions. I do this through a soon-to-be-launched virtual summit, a course, a community and individual clients.
What makes Gregory Consulting different?
We go deep instead of wide. From my small coaching circle to my 1:1 services, it’s deep and highly personal. It’s a unique blend of coaching/consulting and strategy that gets results for people to build their second acts in order to do more good in the world.
What obstacles did you have to overcome in order to start your business?
The biggest challenge I had to overcome was my internal mindset. I had to shift from employee to a business owner. I also had to shift my own internal perspective by giving myself permission to succeed. Emotionally, I had to overcome the challenges of being a new mom, an immigrant and living in a community and a family that did not support my dream. Living in rural England, friends and family questioned my dream and ability to succeed. And this business actually arose out of the pain of seeing my husband suffering from a chronic pain condition. He’s well for now, but I couldn’t sit by for our family and wait for his health to struggle. And so that is my greater “why” – to be able to provide for our family and also do good in the world.
What has been the most rewarding experience for you since starting your business?
The most rewarding part is seeing my clients gain in confidence as they blossom. Often they’ve worked in jobs that have trained them not to love what they do. It’s so cool to watch people rediscover old gifts and do what they love for a living.
What has been the biggest mistake/lesson you’ve learned?
Focus on one thing to completion. And to be consistent. I waited until Sept 2017 to get a coach to help me on this, and then until November 2017 to find a good mastermind that actually moved me forward more consistently and in a challenging way to greater success.
If you could do it all over again, what one thing would you do differently, and why?
Start in a mastermind right away. Be the smallest player in the room so you can level up.
How do you keep things fun and interesting for yourself and your team?
For myself and my team, I like to make sure we connect over good coffee. I love playing with my toddler. We like to play in the puddles outside, with play dough or visit fun places here in England like castles and old buildings. I also like reading, exploring the English countryside, and going out.
Who do you admire and how has that person helped you to reach your current level of success?
Jennifer Harshman, a lady who’s owned her own business for a decade, been through a lot of hard things and always has a smile on her face. She’s helped me with my writing, but beyond that, with my own mindset to be able to keep things in perspective and keep going.
What is your primary business focus for the next 12 months?
The Profitable Second Acts Community to build it into a thriving team and seeing side gigs launched, books published and passions uncovered to do massive good in the world.
