July 21, 2015
Kate James, Total Balance
Bio The path that led her to this point
When I was in my late 30's, with two young daughters, I realised my work wasn't making me happy - I wanted to do something more meaningful with my life.
I was working as a business manager for filmmakers (I'm married to one too) and all of our friends are creative but I didn't feel that I had a creative talent of my own that I wanted to turn into a business.
I'd been meditating for 8 years and I loved reading books about psychology, so I decided to pursue coaching.
In 2002, I found a way to bring together my business experience, my interest in creativity and my love of meditation.
I started Total Balance and worked with creative business owners to help them balance creativity with business.
I added mindfulness into my offering and became know as a mindfulness coach who specialises in working with creative people.
Over the next 10 years my business flourished.
I moved into a city office, hired a handful of contractors and from the outside at least, everything looked great.
Eventually I realised that I wanted something smaller and simpler than all of that so I followed my heart and scaled my business back.
These days I work with clients three days a week.
I run Discover Your Potential and A Pathway to Calm workshops in Melbourne a few times each year and occasionally in Byron Bay.
I also run meditation and creativity retreats in Byron Bay, Bali and the Yarra Valley and the Dream. Discover. Do. eCourse twice each year.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
Getting a book contract (it's due to be released in January 2015). It was a life-long dream so I'm very excited!
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
A couple of years ago I realised I had lost my way in my business. I had taken on work that I was less passionate about and while I was making good money, I'd stopped loving my business.
I simplified things and came back to the work that I have always loved and I'm happier than I've ever been.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
Trust your gut instinct. People kept telling me to expand my business, but it wasn't what I wanted.
Do what feels right to you and don't be afraid not to follow the crowd.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
TED - I love Brene Brown's talk on vulnerability, Simon Sinek's on the 'why' of being in business and Shawn Achor's talk on being happy at work.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
I'm not much of a shopper but I love nothing more than the ritual of making a pot of tea so I'd have to say T2 is a favourite brand.
The product is beautiful and I love going into the store - the staff are truly lovely.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Be yourself.
Whatever path you choose, do things your way. Don't compare yourself to other people and be brave enough to be original.
Trust your gut instinct about how you can do things a little bit differently to everyone else and stay true to that. Don't doubt yourself.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I trusted my instincts.
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