Exclusive Trusted Magazine Q&A with Kimberly OHara, Book Coach & Publishing Consultant @Kim O'Hara Coaching
How could you describe your career path in few words?
My career path as a book coach and publishing consultant kind of fell into my lap. It makes sense since I come from storytelling in Hollywood, but I hadn’t ever done any coaching. As a woman coming out of the male driven film industry, I had to learn about women supporting women in business, and spending time networking in women’s groups. I have immersed myself in all aspects of the book business so I can be a well-rounded coach for my clients needs. I have had clients accomplish some amazing goals as first time authors such as having their book on the Today Show or ranking top ten on the Wall Street Journal Top Ten. At the end of the day, a well written book with a strong mission will stand out. Today, after developing 40 books with clients and coaching them through the process from inception to publishing, book coaching feels like the perfect job for me! I don’t imagine I will be moving away from it anytime soon.
What was your most challenging experience and it has changed your mindset?
The coaching industry has taken a little bit of a hit coming out of the pandemic. When everyone was home, they realized it was time to write a book. But when everything started to open up, people were pulled in a bunch of different directions. Rather than get concerned about my business, I leaned more into networking, getting to know people, expanding my coaching education and working on my own writing as an author. Money and business ownership is like a wave - you have to keep riding it to stay afloat. I also moved away from the model of building a funnel. We get blinded sometimes as women entrepreneurs by the shiny objects we see out in the industry - big sales funnels that can send our products out wide into the marketplace. I was sold this system by a company who didn’t deliver well on their promise, and a product I felt very passionate about (and had organic proof of purchase) died on the vine. Instead of being upset I spent tens of thousands of dollars creating a sales system to reach the public on a lower price point than my private coaching, I looked at it as checking off the list a practice I would no longer employ as a coach. I saw social media as a great tool to sell books as an author, but my coaching clients come from organic connections and deep relationships, not fancy ads on Facebook where you are in hustle mode.
When you get surprised by unusual or uncertain context, what do you think?
I wasn’t exactly sure how to answer this question, as “unusual” is so personal to each person. But if I looked at “uncertainty” I would say that when I feel uncertain, I have to unpack that. Am I in fear of taking action because I want the unknown figured out already or do I need to pause before I make a decision. When I work with clients on books, they can come to me with some anxiety and fears that are limiting beliefs. They may cruise along for a while writing no problem until suddenly something gets intense at work, or they experience a personal upheaval. Suddenly the book which was this amazing dream becomes the primary source of uncertainty. Maybe I shouldn’t have done it now in this time? I am investing a lot of money and what if that was a waste? When I can help them weather through this chasm of disbelief, they come out the other side as stronger authors and always so happy they pushed through for their book dream.
Based on your experience, what’s the key success factor for a female leader / manager?
Riding the wave. We have some years that are amazing, spot on, message is on point, and then there are seasons where your products don’t sell as well, or you are on the verge of a re-brand but the vision is not there yet. Staying steady through any kind of fallow period as a leader is important. Don’t focus on what’s not working. Focus on all that you can be creating. Leaders are not always just on stages with their message, or outputting value. Women can compare themselves to other women which is a mistake. You are a unique leader so trust the rhythm of your own success. I also found that I have to trust my gut even if it seems a decision is sudden. Women override their instincts to overthink. It is how we have been conditioned to our detriment. For example, I hired a VA company and the employee they paired me with made a big mistake on some correspondence from the get go. I should have let her go right away, but the company engaged me in a string of discussions about compassion and giving people a second chance. I didn’t trust my instinct to move on - which male leaders will do quicker than women - and ended up having even worse problems and wasting time and money. So I would say as a female leader, you don’t have to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. If in your gut you know someone on your team is not a fit, move on.
