Karin Weiser – The courage to leave the corporate world and follow a new path

Meet Karin Weiser

A storyteller at heart and an international business coach,  Karin is also yogi, fresh air advocate and a woman living with hearing loss in a life transformed by a cochlear implant in 2017.

Tell me a little about yourself – where are you from and who and what is important in your life?

British by birth, global by choice. After living and working in nine countries on four continents, I moved to Copenhagen in 2001 to rediscover my roots. I have a professional background in communications and training, and teaching English around the world.

People are important in my life. I am single but have family in Australia (sister), France (father) and the UK (brother).

Balance and healthy living are also important. I am a yogi, fresh air advocate and strive for a healthy mind, body and spirit.

On a personal level, I live with hearing loss. This has been a challenging journey in itself. Thanks to a cochlear implant in 2017, I hear the world again and haven’t looked back. What a gift technology can be! That’s why I can now enjoy podcasts and TEDex talk – all impossible before.

We all have previous chapters in our stories – Tell me about your working life/business experiences before now?

My career has taken many twists and turns, and I’ve worked across several industries including Executive Search, Market Research and Pharma, as well as taught English as a foreign language around the world. I’ve climbed the corporate ladder, had 20+ managers and experienced numerous organizational changes.

Assuming you are now in “Your Next Chapter”, what led you here? Tell me about your purpose, your why, the difference you want to make, who you are called to serve?

Transition can be tough. I know first-hand how tough transition can be. I’ve lived and worked in 7 different countries across four continents during my adult life. I know what it’s like to be different too. The apple in the bowl of oranges.

I help individuals and teams to rewrite their story and walk their talk. A powerful story helps you to stay true in a world that never stands still, motivate and inspire action in you and others and achieve your goals wherever you play in the world.

My WHY combines my passion for people development and positive psychology, to compassionately evolve others.

What did you find most challenging about getting started/moving in a new direction?

Letting go of my identity and salary in the corporate world (had been at the same company for 17+ years).

What have you found most fulfilling?

Meeting so many other like-minded people virtually and in person.

Working with what I love and believe in. Not wasting my time in silly meetings. Having time to reflect and decide according to my agenda and strategy.

Have you experienced self-doubt? What causes it to flare and how do you work through it when it hits?

YES! Still do. The uncertainty is a killer – but also a resilient builder.

I walk, swim and go to a yoga class. I reach out to my accountability buddy. I journal. I listen to something inspiring and motivating.

How do you feel you have grown since you started?

I am mega proud of my courage and path chosen. It’s still very new (and uncertain) but I am changing my life and that doesn’t happen overnight.

What has been most effective for you when it comes to sharing your message and attracting clients?

Blogging and meeting people in person

Have you developed any particular habits/strategies that facilitate getting things done in your business?

Weekly planner with goals (not fixed on certain days but a weekly aim) and then I check in and share success with my accountability buddy (also a friend and small business owner) every Friday – via messenger – I also document my accomplishments in a diary

This helps me feel like I am moving

Why do you feel women in the 40’s and beyond make fabulous entrepreneurs?

We know ourselves and have amazing life experience and we start listening to those inner whispers and calling.

What would you say to other women who are standing on the edge of their own Next Chapter, not sure if they can take the leap?

  • Don’t let fear stop you!
  • Get (buy if necessary) support – via a mentor, coach, buddy, network
  • Get out of your head – document those ideas
  • Remember baby steps – Rome was not built in a day
  • START

What’s next for you? Share your vision!

  • Freelance work with my communication skills (to keep revenue coming in)
  • Virtual assistant to help with LinkedIn marketing
  • Team coaching course end January and then pitching to companies
  • More networking in person and virtually
 

I know my greatest strengths are…

Perseverance, optimism, have a go attitude
 

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…

To do it my way
 

One of my favourite books is…

Oh, just too many to include here!
 

My favourite Podcast is…

Your Next Chapter actually…
 

My favourite business tool or resource is…

My MAC
 

My favourite quote is…

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
 

Not many people know that I…

Speak four languages, can stand on my head and eat dark chocolate almost every day!

 

You can connect with Karin here.

Angela Raspass

Angela Raspass is Business Strategist and Self-leadership Coach for female business owners.

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