Meet Carol Nesbitt of The Blend Centre. Carol, what made you start your own business?
At the very start of my business (there have been a couple of new starts along the way) it was after being made redundant. I had a baby and was pregnant with my second and going back into employment wasn’t going to work so I started my journey of self-employment. That was almost 20 years ago.
My early business years were freelance training which evolved into coaching after becoming slightly obsessed with NLP, and both the difference it made in me managing the work life juggling, and seeing the techniques help others too.
I wanted to work with deep-rooted issues so I further trained as a psychotherapist, started private practice and opened my own wellbeing centre where I and others can work from.
Nothing has stayed the same in the 20 years and that is what I love about doing what I do.
What do you enjoy the most about being an entrepreneur?
Loads of things… The freedom and flexibility. Being my own boss, making my own decisions, space to be creative and take things in any direction I want. Being in control of how, when and with who I want to work. I’d be a terrible employee!
Who or what helps you to stay organised?
Organising client appointments comes easy to me. The working on the business can be more challenging so I get help! Investing in outside support is important to me as I recognise I can’t do it all or grow my business on my own.
The ‘who’ helps me is a number of people from the networking community who help me to feel less alone (too many people to mention), plus outsourcing admin to Clear Day (thanks to Vic Barker my life saver). Helen Calvert keeps me on track and accountable with coaching sessions, Caroline Boardman keeps me on track for accounting.
Rank these 5 business activities in the order that you find them the most enjoyable:
1. Business Planning
2. Putting plans into action
3. Admin
4. Marketing
5. Finances
What do you enjoy most about being a member of The OEC?
The community feel. Everyone is so supportive and I have made friends along the way. For the first 15 years of being self-employed, I had no connections and was going it very much alone. Looking back to how different it is now, I don’t know how I did it!
How has being a member of The OEC helped with your confidence in business?
It’s the shared understanding of the challenges of running our own businesses, and shared experience. Also looking at the joy of it all, time for reflection at what can and has been achieved.
What is your top tip for maintaining a healthy business mindset?
Therapy… the value of talking things through because getting stuck in your own head leads to procrastination and negativity. Looking after yourself when juggling business and family life is not easy so the practical stuff and finding time to look after you is important, and is not to be shoved to the bottom of the to do list. The small stuff that keeps you on track can help with managing stress.
How do you help your clients?
I help people who are feeling a bit stuck in life.
Whether that is things from the past that are still holding them back or something that is happening now that they can’t get past.
I help people untangle thoughts, move past negative thinking, work through feelings and emotions so they feel lighter, more focused and can move forward.
Typically people who come to me find themselves either over-pleasing others or being perfectionists, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and low mood.
I help to create an understanding of boundaries, understanding their own wants and needs, and finding ways to communicate them which increases self-esteem
What have been your biggest business wins over the last 12 months?
My well-being centre – Blend – and my private practice turn 10 this year. When I took the leap of faith to open Blend, I had no idea it would survive, let alone become the thriving centre it now is.
Not only people in the mental health and wellbeing world use the space, but people I have met along the way use the co-working hub, and it makes me very proud to have achieved so much. I’m grateful for both the good and the difficult times which have taught me so much.
How can people get in touch?
Contact me via socials @blendbycarol or email carol@blendcentre.co.uk
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I can whistle very loudly with my fingers. Handy at times you wouldn’t even think about!