“I first started working for myself for family and lifestyle reasons — and that’s still true more than ten years on.”
Karen O’Connell-Shea of Kingfisher Coaching Services started her business journey when she was invited to take on consulting work and set up an ABN, and discovered how much she valued the flexibility, the variety, and the ability to choose the projects and clients she works with. Over time, that initial opportunity evolved into a company structure offering a mix of services that continues to adapt to her interests and her clients’ needs.
Kingfisher Coaching Services helps leaders, coaches, and organisations thrive through HR consulting, executive coaching, and coach supervision. They deliver executive coaching programs for both organisations and individuals, with a focus on strengthening leadership capability, enhancing wellbeing, and building strategic insight.
“Running your own business can be isolating, especially when most of your work is with clients rather than peers. The HerBusiness Network provides a community of like-minded business owners to share ideas, experiences, and support.”
What Karen enjoys most about running her own business is the variety, the freedom to shape her work, and the chance to collaborate with great people. She values the flexibility that online delivery provides — being able to work from anywhere — and the scope to explore new areas.
Karen has been a HerBusiness Member for almost 4 years. Karen says, “The HerBusiness Network solves that by providing a community of like-minded business owners to share ideas, experiences, and support.”
She takes full advantage of the connections and learning opportunities within the Network. Karen is part of a HerBusiness Growth Group, has participated in our Mastermind Experience program, and regularly attends our online events.
From member events to the support of her Growth Group, Karen says, “It’s a place to connect with people who understand the challenges and wins of running a business, and to keep learning from others who are on a similar journey.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
Two come to mind. Janine Allis, founder of Boost Juice — smart, respectful, and supportive, with an amazing record of success. I’ve read her book, love their orange juice (a weekly favourite), and always enjoy her insights on Shark Tank.
Matt Jones and the team at Four Pillars Gin — I’m reading their book Lessons from Gin at the moment and visited the distillery in Healesville last week. It’s a great example of brand, craft, and culture coming together to create something distinctive and world-class — and it’s a great-tasting gin.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I first started working for myself for family and lifestyle reasons, and that’s still true more than ten years on. It began when I was asked to take on some consulting work, so I set up an ABN — and discovered how much I valued the flexibility, the variety, and the ability to choose the projects and clients I work with. Over time, that grew into a company structure that now incorporates HR consulting, executive coaching, and, more recently, coach supervision.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
The variety of work, the freedom to evolve with my interests and my clients’ needs, and the opportunity to work with great people. I value the flexibility that online delivery now offers — being able to work from anywhere — and the scope to develop and expand into new and interesting areas.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- You’re going to get a lot of things wrong — and that’s okay.
- Keep building your network; it will open more doors than you expect.
- You’re going to have a lot of coffees — make the most of them.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- That it’s a great thing to do — with plenty of twists and turns along the way. Get clear on what you offer and who it’s for, but don’t wait until everything is “perfect” — start, learn, and adjust as you go. Keep building your network, because the right connections can change everything and help keep you sane and on track.
- Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” (You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life 1960) Starting a business often feels like that — stretching yourself into unfamiliar territory. Some days will be exhilarating, others challenging, but if you stay curious, keep learning, and enjoy the journey, you’ll grow in ways you can’t imagine. And remember, don’t be too hard on yourself along the way.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Understand the basics of running a business — Finance, so you get the structure and accounts right; IT, including your computer and hardware; and the business systems and processes that will keep things running smoothly.
And importantly, get comfortable with marketing yourself — clearly explaining what you do and the value you / your product brings.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
It’s a mix of leadership development and executive coaching engagements, coach supervision programs, and meaningful HR consulting projects, with the flexibility to work from anywhere. There would be a steady flow of work from clients I enjoy partnering with, and enough variety to keep things fresh.
The ideal business would also have space for professional growth — exploring new areas, developing new services, and staying connected with a great network of people. And, ideally, there’d always be good coffee involved.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Running your own business can be isolating, especially when most of your work is with clients rather than peers. The HerBusiness Network solves that by providing a community of like-minded business owners to share ideas, experiences, and support.
It’s a place to connect with people who understand the challenges and wins of running a business, and to keep learning from others who are on a similar journey.
And there’s the added bonus of Suzi Dafnis — her passion, expertise, and ongoing support are an incredible asset to the network and to each of us as members.
Learn more about Karen and Kingfisher Coaching Services.
