From Corporate Breakaway to Turbulent Start to Launching a Career Coaching Business
Hi,
I’m Yvette Weekes!
As I take you through a summarized version of my journey to a fulfilling independent career, I hope to use my story to inspire others to believe in themselves and in Proverbs 18:16 that says “your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men.”
My mission is to draw upon my 25 plus years experience in human resource management, leadership development, and career consulting to help corporate female professionals transition their expertise and skills into successful and profitable careers so they rise and shine with confidence and grace!
As a career transition and business coach who works with solopreneurs and aspiring solopreneurs, consultants as well as small business owners, I teach my clients how to transition and leverage their their expertise into lucrative careers or businesses — on their own terms.
My Life in the Corporate Space
In 2003, I launched her first business as a part-time HR consultant, mentor and coach. It started as a “side hustle” where I ended up making an extra $27k in the first year while working 8 am to 10 pm as a Human Resource Manager at a state-owned company. However, I kept my clientele at a manageable level so that it would not compete with my day job. Although I enjoyed the job and its financial rewards, the long and often extended hours with endless unproductive meetings began to take a toll on my health and my time with family. Additionally, I found greater satisfaction from my side hustle helping others grow their careers and businesses.
Most of my clients came as a result of the corporate soft skills and HR training I conducted for a private university on Saturday afternoons for about 3 hours in 10 week cycles. Five years later, I was able to replace my income and quit my stressful, health-threatening HR job and transition to a full-time HR solopreneur!
The Journey to Location-Independence Turned Upside Down
By 2007, I was making the necessary preparations to step out on my own with the stable income coming from my husband, as an Accountant at a company in the telecommunications industry. Then, in February 2008, the excitement of going on my own and avoiding the corporate stress quickly turned into a turbulent start. Ten days after I started my full-time HR Consultancy, I suddenly became a widow. At that time four of my five children were still at school while the eldest had just completed university. Despite the setback of suddenly becoming a widow, I purposed in my heart not to make an about turn into the corporate world as it was a move supported by my late husband.
Go Bold and Confident or Go Broke
My motto became “Go bold and confident or go broke”. I chose to go bold but the journey was nowhere smooth as I had to allow my consultancy to take a backseat for the greater part of a year while I sought out matters pertaining to my husband’s estate. As a family we survived on the Survivors’ benefit offered by the state, my savings and the part-time income I amassed over the years. My existing clients were very understanding when I had to refer them to other consultants while I took time off with my children to heal. But, press on I did.
Finally…The Location-Independence I Seek
Fast forward to today, I have been able to go from $0 to a multiple 6-figure coaching, consulting and training business working from anywhere, be it at home, at the Public Library to the Park. I have been able to work with hundreds of adult students, mid-to-senior female career professionals and solopreneurs as they transform their careers and businesses. Most importantly, I have been able to use my personal and professional story to make people believe in themselves and their abilities. I have done this by showing them that their story matters and their gifts and talents can make room for them, whether within or outside the corporate space.
How My Gifts Began to Make Room For Me
Among my credentials I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Management, a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, an Advanced Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Executive Coaching, and Professional Image Consulting.
I have been recognized as an HR Contributor in the IITTI Global Soft Skills Training & Testing’s Media Kit July, 2015. For 2020, IITTI Global Soft Skills Training & Testing has partnered with UNDP; I was approved as an Ambassador of the Caribbean six years after I became the first Associate Member of IITTI in Trinidad & Tobago and the wider Caribbean.
Life Has Shown That Self-Care Is So Important
Over the years, I have learned to appreciate self-care and how important it is to “be the difference I want to see.” I continue to live by that motto as I share my experiences with my clients.
My Life Outside of Coaching
Outside of career transition and small business coaching, I enjoy baking and cooking for family; interior home decorating; listening to gospel, 70s and 80s music and watching a good Hallmark or suspense movie.
So for now, I hope my story will inspire someone to leverage their expertise to become a better version of themselves every day.
I look forward to sharing more with you!
With much love and appreciation,
Yvette