Inspiring Conversations with Kate Peabody of KaptivateMe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Peabody.

Hi Kate, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I considered myself an author and artist from day one. A born creative, I happily played with all mediums, learning to express myself and what I was experiencing in the world. A born entrepreneur, I made and sold friendship bracelets and pet rocks in elementary school and sewed one-of-a-kind bags and purses for extra cash in college. In fact, I started college focused on earning a degree in art and graphic design and ended up majoring in communications after understanding how powerful a well-crafted message can be. An MBA followed, and I quickly found myself using up all of my creative energy on-the-job. Then much of the hands-on aspect disappeared altogether as I grew into management. Any personal passion projects, even small crafts, weren’t a priority. And her anxiety and depression grew.

In 2016 after a decade of climbing the Fortune 500 Career ladder to the top and becoming a Communications Director, my anxiety and depression were also high — a result of wearing a facade, showing up to meet expectations that didn’t align with my values or the life I really wanted (but I wasn’t aware of that at the time). I was a perfectionist and over-achiever and totally burned out.

I left my job with no plan to do some soul searching, to get back to the authentic Kate. I picked up my art supplies and my journal and started feeling better. After starting a marketing/UX consulting business didn’t feel good either, I went and saw a career coach (Danielle, Inner Compass Coach) who helped me realize my unique expertise – helping people unpack and reimagine their present and future for a sparkling new perspective and path forward. Coaching!

I quickly worked to become an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach with a positive-psychology coaching-based education and integrated my love of arts, writing, human-centered design and creativity immediately into my coaching program (finding lots of scientific studies explaining why the tools worked, with mindfulness, emotional integration and sensemaking a key feature!).

Today, I coach my own clients on the power of creativity in terms of brainstorming, problem-solving, envisioning and scenario planning (in addition to the wonders of doodling, journaling and expressing yourself artistically) to be able to determine many positive paths forward to multiple positive outcomes. The power to cultivate your own hope and dreams and make a plan to get there on your own, authentic terms.

As George Bernard Shaw said, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.”

Six years after taking a chance on myself and leaving the corporate world, I am happier than ever and truly feel I have found my calling. It is so rewarding to hear and see people have their “ahas” and then take action to make their mindset and lives better – because they create a butterfly effect of goodness in other people’s lives too. Not only do I get to help others, I also spend time doing personal creative projects, getting outside, enjoying music and deepening relationships with those who matter most.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Because I chose to leave my job before having a business built (or even knowing what I was going to do with myself, which I don’t recommend), cash flow did eventually become a pain point when my savings ran low. While I did some consulting gigs, what I ended up doing was becoming a dog walker/sitter with Rover. I was able to use my marketing skills in combination with the platform to build myself a $$$$ rent-paying business in just a month or so. Not only did it make sure my bills were getting paid, but it also ended up creating referral business for my coaching business and being great for my mental and physical health to regularly get away from the computer, get active and be greeted by happy doggos!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about KaptivateMe?
I believe the business world has the greatest influence on our future. Vulnerable, creative, smart humans – and a lot more women – are required to make our progress, our humanity, our lives sustainable. These superhumans exist – they are just in hiding (I know because I was one of them). I provide the support they need to thrive, not just survive, through creative life, career and business coaching. Through one-on-one coaching and group workshops, KaptivateMe helps frustrated, stuck or “knows it can be better” professionals get back to living happily in their unique genius by:

• Tackling the inner critic and redefining success to live it every day
• Re-discovering, creating, loving and acting as their authentic self in all areas of life
• Practicing creative confidence to envision and get moving on big goals and dreams
• Gaining no-willpower-required positive psychology-based tools and habits to navigate work and life

I also like to support executives, directors, managers, leaders and business owners who are faced with unique challenges and extra stressors as they make big things happen (I know from personal experience). Coaching provides extra, non-biased support, guidance and best practice tools to help my clients feel and lead at their best, at work and in their personal life.

In addition to creativity, I think multi-sensory listening and synthesization is my superpower. I provide a trusting, courageous space and act as a creative sounding board so you feel seen and heard and get support and perspective on a specific project, event or topic in a way that engages and inspires motivated action. I’ve got the personal and professional experience to not only be an effective guide but also to make sure you have the right resources at the right time in your journey.

“One of the things I value about Kate is just how vast her expertise is – meaning she can help with anything from executive career coaching to self-discovery to work-life balance to life coaching to quieting the inner critic and building a life of peace and fulfillment. I am amazed by the vast amount of resources and support she can provide across so many areas. Not to mention her amazing compassion and empathy – she’s a tireless cheerleader for her clients.” — ILEANA, AVP, MARKETING, FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE COMPANY

In addition to feeling happier and more satisfied with life, The International Coach Federation research has found companies report a $4-8 return on every dollar invested in coaching, seeing improvements across the board in:
-Improved communication skills
-Increased self-esteem/self-confidence
-Improved work/life balance
-Increased productivity
-Increased well-being/reduced burn out
-Optimized individual/team work performance
-Expanded professional career opportunities
-Improved business management strategies
-Accelerated onboarding into a new professional role

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Action creates confidence! There are so many ways to do things, and in the first few months of starting my business and thinking about marketing, my program, etc., it was easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis. I’m also a recovering overachiever and perfectionist. So embracing minimum viable product experimentation mode – just doing it and collecting feedback and tweaking as I go – ended up going well for me. At the end of the day sometimes it doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as you choose something and keep moving with open ears and eyes.

Also, sometimes the people who love you the most are the most risk-averse on your behalf and might not be able to support your big hairy audacious goals the way you’d like. Let their opinions go, and know it’s okay to keep some dreams close to your heart and build a new community that does see and supports your goal.

Pricing:

• Standard coaching – $175/hour or bundle 4 hours for $500; Cornerstone grads get a discount to $125/hour or 5 hours for $500
• Executive coaching – Services range from $200/hr to $3-5k for a tailored, three-month intensive program.
• 3-Month Life Coaching Cornerstone – move from stress to satisfACTION while dreaming big and creating a five-year roadmap – $1000 or 3 payments of $400.
• 3-Month New Career Coaching Cornerstone – figure out “what I want to do with my life” and start making it happen – $1,500-$5,000, flexing based on where you are in your career.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.kaptivateme.com/
• Instagram: instagram.com/kaptivateme
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaptivatemenow/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXHkSSbwX01KerH9ywLvrw