Hello, my name is Kristy Swanson. For lack of a better title, I call myself a coach. Never did like that term–these days, it’s such an overused buzz word, and people equate it to therapy, which it’s not. Here’s what I am: I’m a catalyst.
A velvet hammer. A keeper of dreams. A truth-as-I-see-it teller. A perspective detective. A mirror. Mostly, I’m an eternal optimist who gets a charge out of helping people on their unique quest for growth.
Why should you work with me?
I’ve been an entrepreneur for over twenty years, so I am able to relate in a very clear way to those people on an entrepreneurial path. I’ve started businesses, hired and fired, strategized, planned, worked my tail off, learned the hard way, and experienced both amazing successes as well as epic failures. Through it all, I’ve had a passion for creating businesses based on core values and worth beyond bottom-line profit. I believe in growing work that embraces both success AND significance–what’s the point if it doesn’t create and support what is truly important to you?
And most of all, I LOVE COACHING. It comes naturally to me, and I’m great at it. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than when one of my clients has an “aha!” moment that shifts something, opens a new door, and makes room for meaningful change. It’s thrilling to see people tap into their own greatness and live from that place–what amazing things can happen! I love it.
My Official Credentials:
- Master’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from the Leadership Institute of Seattle at Bastyr University
- Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaches Federation
- Certified Co-Active Coach through the Coaches Training Institute
- Member of the International Coaches Federation
- Member of the Puget Sound Coaches Association
My Unofficial Credentials:
- I created and ran a fairly good-sized, successful business for many years, so I have personal understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur.
- I worked as a hairdresser for many, many years, which, trust me, was great training for being a coach. It’s made me uniquely gifted in working with and understanding people.
- I’ve traveled a bunch, mostly by myself, mostly in foreign countries. So dealing with things that are unknown and unfamiliar doesn’t scare me. Usually.
- I can be pretty direct when I need to. With me, you can trust that I’ll call it like I see it.
- I’m also fairly irreverent. I find humor and irony everywhere, and while I can take anything seriously, I tend to hold things pretty lightly.
- I’m completely human. Which means I have blind spots along with strengths just like anyone else. This gives me compassion and empathy for people–as well as utter confidence in their own gifts and abilities.
I can help you.
If you are a struggling, self-employed woman who wants a bigger, better, more balanced life, contact me. I will help you get a handle on your priorities, regain a healthy work-life balance, be more effective, set goals, create action plans, help you expand on your unique skills and strengths, and hold you accountable in the service of your personal vision for your best life.
