Today we’d like to introduce you to Janine Gale
Hi Janine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My thought process in starting my own business was two-fold. One of the biggest reasons I took a big leap of faith was because there was a need… an enormous need and a big gap in the system. Since Covid and the introduction of smartphones, kids have been struggling with many issues. Social skills, confidence, resilience, and communication are among the most prevalent I have noted in my conversations as a school counselor for over 20 years.
As the only school counselor in one of my former schools, I had a caseload of over 1200 students with one part-time social worker. Students came shuffling through the counseling doors in droves to seek support for themselves, their friends, and issues between them and their friends. I always used the analogy of there being a revolving door of kids coming in with concerns. I was drowning; often as the solo mental health professional on campus for general education students. I wanted more. I wanted more for those students, and I wanted more for myself.
This was my second reason for starting my business. I have been a proponent of self-care my whole adult life. I yearned to practice what I preached and to set up a system that worked more effectively than the current situation they and I were in. It was in April of 2022 when I jumped into the unknown. I had built multiple school counseling programs, but could I open a business of my very own, I wondered. I took a life coaching class to learn the difference between coaching and counseling and to also learn the basics of how to set up a business. It was my calling. I rigorously took the necessary steps to build my business. I absolutely loved it. It was my passion, my baby, and it was all done within the scope of what is sufficient support for kids. I collaborated with parents, helped with communication between kids and their parents, and watched my clients grow. Working with kids and their families in a way where I could dedicate the necessary time to support them was life-changing for me. My caring nature, ability and desire to follow through, and put my all into each child I worked with were able to come to fruition. I dreamt it, created my vision, and made it come alive. I have never looked back and am truly grateful for each day I get to support kids and their families in a more personal, home-based setting. It is a true honor that parents entrust me with their prized possessions. Coaching kids has provided me with the reinforcement that what I started out to do was the right thing to do. It was a win-win situation for both kids and for me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
How I got to this point surprisingly wasn’t challenging. I put one foot in front of the other in terms of taking bite-sized action steps along the way. I already knew how to connect with kids and how to build rapport. I then just needed to learn how to build a business. Since I had built two school counseling programs previously, I had a feeling it wouldn’t be very challenging. I would say that the biggest challenges I have faced have been marketing myself. This concept was foreign to me as a school counselor, plus I consider myself a pretty humble person, so it felt extremely uncomfortable for me. I found ways to do so that were authentically more comfortable than others, and word of mouth has kept a consistent flow of clients coming in.
Some lessons I’ve learned along the way are the importance of setting and holding firm on boundaries, while simultaneously providing some flexibility along the way. I’ve learned that I will never sacrifice my self-care for a job. In order to live a happy life, you have to put yourself first (AKA – when they tell you on planes to put on your oxygen mask before putting on your child’s). This is not being selfish. It is giving you the tools and strength to be there for yourself and then you can be ready for the loved ones in your life. I want the world to know that if you follow your heart and your dreams, you can create your best life, but only you can find the strength and determination to do so. I like to call myself a realistic dreamer. I dream BIG and turn most of my dreams into reality.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets my business apart from others is that there are not many life coaches out there for kids. There are a plethora of therapists; however, many have full caseloads and some kids may not need that level of support. They might just need someone to talk to, bounce ideas off, of, someone to guide them to follow their intuition, someone to listen, an accountability partner, someone who helps them set goals and make sure they stay on track, and also someone other than their parents for guidance. After all… did you ever want to hear any advice or suggestions from your parents?
I am basically the bridge between kids and their parents, kids and school, and essentially kids and life. I help children identify their barriers, so they can reach their full potential. Each time I read a client’s review, I am humbled and honored that they notice my love and passion for what I do. I truly feel like I was put on this planet to help kids grow.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love to collaborate with others. I’ve helped a few friends and colleagues start coaching businesses of their own. Connection and community is an important aspect to entrepreneurship. Without those relationships, entrepreneurship can be like being on an island. It’s important to find your crew to support you and with whom you can provide support. It not only takes a village to raise a child, but also to start a business helping children.
Pricing:
- $170 per session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.risecoachingservices.com
- Instagram: @risecoachingservices
- Facebook: Rise Coaching Services
Image Credits
Leigh Castelli
