The Enterprising Moms

See this Enterprising Mom in action on Tuesday, January 12th at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington where she’ll be co-leading a workshop on Setting Goals and Intentions for 20009. Get details and register at The Enterprising Moms.

Name: Suzanne Couming Caldwell
Title: Executive Coach and Consultant
Business: Vital Coaching and Consulting, LLC

Type of Business: (B2B, B2C, B2G): All Three!
Industry: Professional Services
Product/Service: Executive Coaching, Organization Development, and Instructional Design.
Years in Business: One year as Vital C & C, 7 years as an entrepreneur.

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
People and organizations going through transitions. I help when systems and processes need to be developed or improved. I also work with managers who are technically gifted, but in need of support in managing people and processes.

Motivation for starting your business:
After my daughter was born I couldn’t imagine going back to work for someone else. I worked 60 hours the week before I delivered her and I was supposed to be cutting back to part-time hours! I needed and wanted to be active professionally, but on my own terms.

Greatest challenge you faced in starting your business?
Describing what I do and getting people to appreciate the benefit enough to pay for my services. If a business needs a new computer, they’ll make the investment. It’s much more difficult to get business owners and organizations to invest in their human resources in the same way.

How you overcame it:
I’m still working on it! I recently realized that I have to ask more for what I need. Just putting the word out to my networks that I’m looking for more clients or leads has resulted in a lot of activity.

Greatest learning (as relates to business) to share with others?
Never stop learning and never be afraid to ask for what you need.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
The flexibility it affords me to work when and how I want to. I also love the opportunity to learn new things and work on a variety of projects.

Personally speaking …

Home life:
I’m a single mom to two wonderful children (ages 8 and 5). We adopted two beautiful cats who have really come out of their shells since they joined our family. We live in the Del Ray community in Alexandria, VA. It feels more like home than anyplace I’ve ever lived.

Childcare situation:
I share custody with my ex-husband. The kids hop between our houses – one week with me, one with dad; and they’re with me every day after school regardless of which house they’re staying at. I realized recently that I’ve only paid a babysitter once or twice in the past year.

Greatest challenge in managing home, business, family, self?
Well, that would have to be… managing all of those things as a single mom. The financial realities of self-employment have been very difficult since the divorce. But, I’m committed to being involved in my children’s lives as much as possible so I’m working very hard to find a way to do that.

How do you handle it?
I’ve been focusing on developing meaningful connections. Most of my work comes through referrals because people who know me understand the value I offer. I’m also developing a lot of partnerships. It’s just impossible to do all of the business development and meet client needs part-time. Staying centered and focused on the values that are important to me helps a lot. And I try to do yoga as often as possible… it’s like a drug for me!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated:
I recently connected with the most amazing, supportive and successful business woman. She was in my situation 30 years ago and she is thriving as a very successful coach and consultant now. Her advice was priceless. That very same day, I bought myself a beautiful “touchstone” necklace at The Enterprising Moms‘ Holiday Bizarre. I wear it almost every day to keep me centered.

Best advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
Hang in there, it will happen! There is an incredible power in setting your intentions and expressing them out loud. Of course, you’re the only one who can really make it happen, but I do think there’s a lot of power out there in the Universe that we can harness as well.

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My Google phone. My ex and I have all four calendars color-coded on Google Calendar so I always know where everyone is with the click of a button.

What’s the most effective thing you do on a daily basis to make it all work?
I dress my son for school the night before and serve him breakfast in the car. He’s just not a morning person and we were having such battles every morning to get out the door. It has changed my life to really step back and let go of some of the silly “rules” think we’re supposed to follow.

On your nightstand:
Wow, I didn’t realize how cluttered it is! There’s Greg Mortenson’s second book, Stones into Schools; New Moon (book #2 in the Twilight series) and Transitions by William Bridges (I finally bought a copy for myself); also a large glass of water, various lotions, and pictures and notes from my kids.

Last purchase for self:
A sweater for Christmas.

Favorite way to unwind:
A glass of wine, knitting, and friends – preferably all at the same time.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
I have met some of the most wonderful women. In just a short time, I have made friends, collaborated with colleagues and discovered wonderful local resources. Community is very important to me and TEM represents one of my favorite places for connection.

Connect and learn more:
Web Site |  LinkedIn |  Facebook |  Blog:  coming soon! |  Twitter: dare I say, coming soon!