“Starting and growing a business is tough, but clarity and focus lead to long-term success.”
Karen Davey is the founder of KDL Coaching, which specialises in leadership and personal development coaching. She believes in the transformative power of coaching and the ripple effect it can have on individuals and their communities. Karen’s mission is to help people build confidence, enhance their careers, and create meaningful, conscious change in their lives and businesses.
Karen’s journey into business ownership began with a successful start-up hairdressing salon, which supported her during the early years of raising her children. “I liked the opportunity for independence, the freedom of creativity, and the lifestyle it could bring,” she shared. Her desire for independence and creativity eventually led her back to business ownership—this time with a focus on coaching and making a larger impact. After years of coaching, training, and leadership roles, Karen returned to her entrepreneurial roots with a mission to empower others. “I’ve always found immense joy in supporting others to build confidence and belief in themselves, develop their career skills, and achieve their dreams and goals,” she said. Karen believes professional coaching offers a unique way to create deep, positive transformations in people’s lives, emphasising, “Through its ripple effect, we not only change the lives of those we coach but also the lives of those they touch.”
KDL Coaching’s mission is to cultivate thriving, harmonious, successful lives, careers, and workplace environments. They offer services focused on leadership, team development, and well-being. Their tailored coaching includes leadership development, advanced communication skills using tools like Extended DISC, and programs in emotional intelligence, stress management, and personal growth. Karen also specialises in relationship coaching to improve workplace dynamics and manage conflict. Services are mainly delivered through live virtual sessions, ensuring easy access for clients regardless of location.
When it comes to building a business, Karen emphasises the importance of personal development. “Be clear on why you’re starting your business, what your vision looks like, how you’ll achieve it, and what rewards it will bring—both spiritually and financially,” she advises. Karen believes in developing confidence, focus, and resilience to overcome challenges and navigate fear, saying, “Train yourself to switch off from the noise and stay focused on your purpose.”
As a new member of the HerBusiness Network, Karen shared, “I immediately felt that I’m in the right place—surrounded by like-minded individuals who genuinely support each other. This is the support and connection I’ve needed all along.” The Network has given her clarity and focus, helping her move forward with confidence in growing her business without distractions. She has enjoyed connecting with other members, listening to their stories, and collaborating to support each other in achieving their goals.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
I admire many amazing entrepreneurs, however there are two favourites that immediately come to mind. One is Richard Branson who never let anyone tell him he’s not good enough, rose above some very tough challenges and made his dreams happen.
The other is Sandra Soden, the founder and Principal Solicitor of Soden Legal in Sydney’s west. Sandra is one of my most admired and respected entrepreneurs. Sandra is the real deal when it comes to personal and professional quality. She always strives to be the best version of herself and to do her best by everyone whose lives she touches. She has the outstanding ability to tackle and rise above any challenges and obstacles that could otherwise stand in the way of growth and success, as well as her amazing scope of vision that enables her to not only make the most of any opportunity that comes her way, but also to look outside the box and create opportunities that support and enhance her dreams. If she feels the fear, she does it anyway. To me, this woman is the epitome of a fabulous modern-day entrepreneur. Someone who recognises the importance of integrating personal development with professional development and business success. All while helping improve the lives of those she loves, those she works with and the clients she serves.
Sandra’s approach to both her personal and professional life, as well as the business she has built, serves as a profound inspiration to me. Her law firm embodies the level of excellence, impact, and professionalism I aspire to achieve in my coaching practice.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I have always been attracted to running my own business and previously ran my own successful start-up hair-dressing salon that was a great support while I raised my kids. I liked the opportunity for independence, the freedom of creativity and the lifestyle it could bring.
As life evolved, I enjoyed a successful career that included coaching, training and teaching in leadership and management roles, and spent quite a few years uplevelling my skills by enrolling in quality professional life and leadership coaching programs and various associated life therapy programs. However, the pull to return to business ownership was still strong. Not just any business, but one that could provide a valuable contribution to improving the quality of lives, businesses, careers and relationships and create positive and conscious change for the greater good. I’ve always found immense joy in supporting others to build confidence and belief in themselves, develop their career skills and help them achieve their dreams and goals.
While there are many great professions and people out there, I believe that no other professional service transforms at a deeper level of consciousness and supports growth quite like professional coaching. Through its ripple effect, we not only change the lives of those we coach but also the lives of those they touch.
Supporting professional and business leaders to experience enriched lives and careers and enhance their ability to positively influence so many lives is at the core of my mission.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
What I love most about running my own business is having the creative freedom to shape my vision and the space to watch it grow and evolve. I value the flexibility in how I design my business, enabling me to connect with people and unite teams regardless of where they’re located—or where I’m located.
While I enjoy working from my office, the ability to work while travelling is something I deeply appreciate. It also means I get to avoid the stress and energy drain of peak-hour traffic, which makes my work days more productive and enjoyable.
Above all, I feel an incredible sense of pride in building a business that creates meaningful change. Whether it’s the lives of the individuals and teams I work with directly, or the broader impact through the ripple effect, knowing I’m contributing to something bigger than myself is truly fulfilling.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Stay focused on your purpose. Always stay in your lane and remain crystal clear on why you started and what you aim to achieve.
- Build a strong support network. Join a reputable business network early on to connect with like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges and occasional isolation of running a business. Surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference.
- Be selective with distractions. When working alone and online, it’s easy to get sidetracked by the endless stream of social media and ‘free’ advice out there. Train yourself to switch off from the noise—unless you are lucky to find the rare gem of value amidst the clutter.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Purpose. Vision. Mission. Rewards.
Starting and growing a business is tough. Be clear on why you’re starting your business, what your vision looks like, how you’ll achieve it, and what rewards it will bring—both spiritually and financially. While your business may evolve over time, keeping your goals simple, clear, focused and actioned is key to long-term success.
Leverage your resources.
Know who you are, stay true to yourself, and operate from your strengths. Invest time in self-awareness and growth to build a solid foundation for your business.
Learn from others.
Seek out successful people whose values align with yours and adopt them as role models. Learn from their experiences and adapt their wisdom to suit your unique journey.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
My number one recommendation is to prioritise your personal development by building skills essential to success. Elevate your consciousness, build genuine confidence, and cultivate a sense of certainty in yourself and your abilities. Many business owners face self-doubt and fear, which can lead to feeling stuck, isolated, and even abandoning potentially amazing ventures. By investing in your personal growth, you can become the strongest, most resilient version of yourself, ready to tackle challenges and navigate any unexpected pitfalls.
Be prepared to be the person who makes a difference! I won’t say it’s easy -many of us face moments of ‘freeze syndrome’ where fear holds us back. But the key is to find your courage and break through to visibility. Step up, stand out, and remain authentic in who you are and what you do. It’s your uniqueness and authenticity that will set you apart and position you for lasting success.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business combines two things I absolutely love: working with my clients and travelling. I’m fortunate to have the flexibility to do both, as long as my destination provides a focused space and is time and internet-friendly.
Currently, I’m a solo operator, but within the next 12 months, I aim to start building a team of professional coaches who share my values and those of my business. It is my goal that together we’ll expand our reach to positively impact more lives, businesses, and careers, helping others grow and thrive through experiencing the transformative power of coaching that consists of a combination of offers from 1:1 private coaching, group work and evergreen programs.
I envision my business as the recognised, trusted go-to for professional coaching—a name synonymous with integrity, trust, and passion. The business that evokes confidence and inspires change, delivering real and sustainable results for our clients, both personally and professionally.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
As a relatively new member of the HerBusiness Network, I immediately felt that I’m in the right place—surrounded by like-minded individuals who genuinely support each other. I’m grateful to Suzi, the HerBusiness team, and the incredible members for creating an environment that fosters real personal and business growth.
As a creative thinker who can easily get distracted, I’ve already benefited from some of the opportunities this network provides, helping me get back on track so I can move forward with more clarity, focus, and direction.
I’m thoroughly enjoying meeting the inspiring women in the HerBusiness Network, hearing their stories, and supporting each other in achieving our goals. I’m excited to continue growing my business in the coming year, knowing I’m alongside such amazing women. This is the support and connection I’ve needed all along.
Learn more about Karen and KDL Coaching.
