A Facilitator's Journey: Real Life Stories

This episode is all about the importance of having your business processes streamlined and documented, whatever your size!Sneha Morjaria is the founder of The Growth Chain and School of Operations. She helps founders stop doing it all ie she shows us how to operationalise our businesses so that we have time and space to do the work we love - facilitate, train or coach.In this conversation, Kirsty and Sneha delve into the importance of operations in business, particularly for solopreneurs. Sneha shares her expertise in helping small business owners streamline their operations, emphasizing the need for a solid operational infrastructure. They discuss the significance of documenting processes through SOPs and how this can enhance efficiency and client experience.The conversation touches on the use of AI tools to aid in business operations and creative tasks, showcasing how technology can support growth and efficiency in a business setting. They discuss various project management and CRM tools, the necessity of pre-qualifying clients, and the value of regular therapy for entrepreneurs - yes we cover it all in this conversation!Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:46 Understanding Operations in Business05:53 Building Operational Infrastructure08:52 Client Success Pathway12:03 Documenting Processes and SOPs15:06 Leveraging AI Tools for Efficiency17:56 Creative Tools and Their Impact23:55 Understanding Client Language and Pain Points27:41 Tools for Business Efficiency36:10 Mapping Workflows for Success40:12 Quickfire Questions and Final InsightsI invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:Visit the School of Facilitation website HEREDiscover SOFest HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREFollow Sneha on Instagram HEREConnect with Sneha on Linkedin HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me, Kirsty, as I share insights into the planning and financial aspects of SoFest.I share the exact costs of running the festival, how much money we have raised to date (4th April 2025) and how much of a financial hole there is.I also share my excitement for the festival, the success of the impact tickets, who some of the sponsors are and the importance of community support.I talk about value of attending SoFest for networking and personal growth, while also inviting listeners to join the inaugural festival.If you are listening to this before 30th April 2025 there is still time to buy a ticket!!SOFest headlines80 people are coming to SoFest, which is exciting.The 'spreadsheet of greatness' helps track costs and revenue.73,000 pounds have been raised so far for the festival.7 Impact tickets have been funded.The total cost of the festival is around 90,000 pounds, excluding my teams costsNetworking opportunities at SoFest can lead to valuable connections.Chapters00:00 Introduction to SoFest02:48 Funding and Financial Insights06:08 Cost Breakdown and Financial Challenges09:00 Community Support and Sponsorships11:46 The Value of Attending SoFest14:52 Final Thoughts and Invitation to SoFestI invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:Book your tickets for SOFest HEREVisit the School of Facilitation website HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREcontact@schooloffacilitation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As business owners there are many common challenges we encounter, such as time management, financial planning, and the importance of having a clear vision and strategy. Working these out on our own can be lonely and quite frankly boring, with little fun.Enter Ed Reid the MD of The Alternative Board, UK. This is a community aimed at alleviating the loneliness faced by SME owners and is in over 20 countries worldwide! Ed has wide-ranging knowledge from working with small businesses and supporting the owners, to helping them develop, grow, and stay sane.Kirsty and Ed discuss the significance of accountability in business, the benefits of peer support, and the importance of planning for transitions. We also cover the significance of professionalizing a business and the various structures one can choose when starting a business. These are some of the topics we discussedCommon Challenges Faced by Business OwnersProfessionalizing Your BusinessSetting Up a Business: Key ConsiderationsThe Power of an External BoardThe Importance of Accountability in BusinessCombating Loneliness and Business GrowthI invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.__A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As facilitators, trainers, and business owners, we often find ourselves saying “yes” too much, overworking, and stretching our own boundaries—sometimes to the point of burnout. In this episode, I sit down with Beth Cougler Blom, learning designer, facilitator, and podcast host, to have an honest conversation about what it means to run a business without running ourselves into the ground.We discuss the epiphanies that come with decades in business, how turning 50 shifts your perspective, and the ongoing challenge of setting and maintaining boundaries. From pricing our work with confidence to learning when to say no (even to past clients), this episode is full of insights for anyone navigating the world of facilitation and training.In this conversation, we cover:The hidden challenges of growing a facilitation businessWhy boundaries matter—and how to hold them firmRecognizing the early signs of burnout (and what to do about it)How to shape your business your way, at any stage of lifeWhether you’re just starting out or decades into your facilitation journey, this conversation will leave you reflecting on what truly matters in your work and life.I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____Beth Cougler Blom brings over 25 years of experience in the field of education, spanning roles in non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipal government, and as an entrepreneur. She began designing online learning in 2005 with the Canadian Red Cross and further honed her facilitation expertise during her years with Volunteer Victoria. In 2011, Beth founded her company, originally called Beth Cougler Blom Facilitation, which has since evolved into BCB Learning Inc. When she’s not facilitating, designing learning, or podcasting, you can find her spending time with family and friends, walking in nature, reading, doing yoga, or dreaming up new ideas.__A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:Visit the School of Facilitation website HEREDiscover SOFest HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREConnect with Beth on Instagram HEREConnect with Beth on Linkedin HEREListen to Facilitating on Purpose HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a live getting to know you session. Faris and I didn't meet until I hit record and this is very much a raw conversation as we talk about our businesses, the challenges of loneliness in facilitation, the impact of social media, and the importance of emotional intelligence in business.Faris Aranki is a consultant, a facilitator, a strategist, an economist and the founder of Shiatego.The conversation highlights the significance of building connections and the evolving nature of the facilitation and consulting industry. In this engaging conversation, Kirsty and Faris delve into the intricacies of managing finances, acquiring clients, and the importance of networking in business. They discuss the emotional challenges that come with financial management and the strategies for building a client base through consistent outreach. Faris shares his unique approach to networking, emphasising the significance of maintaining relationships and the three A's of selling: activate, advocate, and approachability.Introduction and BackgroundThe Journey of EntrepreneurshipNavigating Loneliness in FacilitationThe Impact of Social MediaThe Importance of Emotional IntelligenceStrategic Insights from Consulting ExperienceCurrent Business Landscape and AdaptationThe Future of Facilitation and ConsultingNavigating Financial ChallengesClient Acquisition StrategiesThe Power of NetworkingScaling Up Your BusinessDefining Your Goals and AspirationsI invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:Connect with Faris on Linkedin HEREConnect on Medium HEREFollow Faris on Instagram HEREVisit the School of Facilitation website HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREcontact@schooloffacilitation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is all about money and pricing. Listen if you want to stretch your thinking!Laura Payne-Stanley is a Success Management Consultant and a Coach. She works with private individuals as well as corporates and small businesses to enable them to create and live the life they want.In this conversation, Kirsty and Laura delve into the intricacies of business success management, focusing on the importance of pricing strategies, the value of personal branding, and the inner work required for entrepreneurs to confidently present their worth. They discuss how to define success, the significance of naming a business, and the realities of financial management, emphasising that pricing should reflect the outcomes delivered rather than just time spent.Laura shares insights on constructing a desired lifestyle through pricing and the necessity of believing in one's value to communicate it to clients effectively.Kirsty's Key TakeawaysPricing is the difference between a successful business and a hobby.Construct your life parameters before setting prices.Understanding your value is crucial for pricing confidence.Raising rates is a choice that should be made with confidence.B2E is a new model that combines elements of B2B and B2C.Understanding client needs is crucial for effective pricing strategies.I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:Visit Laura's website HEREConnect with Laura on Instagram HEREConnect with Laura on Linkedin HEREVisit the School of Facilitation website HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREcontact@schooloffacilitation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is about the pro's and con's of being an associate/sub-contractor vs having your own clients, pricing, and the power of niching.Murray Cowell is a man on a mission to support facilitators, trainers, and coaches in developing themselves and their businesses. He has years of real-life experience of running training and facilitation businesses, accidentally created an email marketing business that ran for 10 years and now hosts monthly free learning sessions, coaches and has a membership.In this conversation, Kirsty and Murray explore the intricacies of running a business as a facilitator and trainer. They discuss the challenges of pricing, the dynamics between associate and direct client work, and the importance of demonstrating value in training programs. The conversation delves into personal experiences, insights on marketing, and strategies for enhancing learning outcomes through blended learning approaches. They discuss the concept of viewing training as an investment rather than a cost, and the significance of niching in the coaching and training industry. Murray shares practical advice for new facilitators, highlighting the importance of leveraging personal networks and building long-term connections.Navigating the Business of FacilitationThe Associate vs. Direct Client Dilemma - it depends on what you want out of life!Understanding Pricing StrategiesDemonstrating Value in Training Programs - talk investment vs price or costAligning Training with Strategic Priorities - help clients connect the learning to the bigger organisational pictureThe Importance of Niching - what is your unique value that you bring to clients?Advice for New FacilitatorsI invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:Visit the Accelerando website HEREConnect with Murray on Linkedin HERESign up for the FREE ClientFind membership HEREVisit the School of Facilitation website HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREcontact@schooloffacilitation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Taylor is a serial entrepreneur, who in his own words, is not known as a facilitator or a trainer, yet finds himself working with this community time and again.He is the founder of Actionable.co which supports training companies with the tools to prove their impact on behaviour change and stand out in a crowded market.In this conversation, Kirsty and Chris delve into the intricacies of habit formation, they explore the nuances of language in consulting versus facilitation, the challenges faced in client interactions, and the common hurdles in growing a service-based business.WARNING: The recording of this episode was fraught with technical gremlins.....we chose to leave some of the moments of 'urgh' on the recording. Go with me on this one team.takeawaysUnderstanding Triggers and building new habitsNew habits should be laughably small to ensure consistency.Defining your 'why' enhances intrinsic motivation.Consultant vs. Facilitator: Language and PerceptionNavigating Client Conversations and ProposalsConnecting learner goals to organizational priorities aids in securing budgets.Client conversations should focus on both participant and organizational benefits.Understanding the dynamics of buying committees is vital for proposals.Challenges in Growing a Service-Based BusinessSaying no to bad clients can lead to better opportunities.Investing in high-caliber mastermind groups can foster growth.Imposter syndrome can indicate you're in the right environment.I invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:chris@actionable.coConnect with Chris on Linkedin HEREFollow Chris on X HEREVisit the School of Facilitation website HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREcontact@schooloffacilitation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is about Annette's journey from being a corporate trainer to establishing her own business in facilitation and training during the pandemic. We talk about the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic, the importance of networking, and the personal growth that comes from stepping out of one's comfort zone.Annette is a trainer facilitator, lover of Insights Discovery, wearing bright colours and working from her Green Shed.Annette shares her insights on persistence, the value of providing more than expected, and the lessons learned from her experiences in the training industry. We discuss the challenges of self-promotion, the importance of authenticity, and the impact of inner work on personal and professional growth. Annette reflects on her experiences with interim roles, the transition from associate work to direct clients, and the significance of investing in both personal development and business branding. The conversation emphasises the value of persistence and being true to oneself in the journey of building a successful career.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene02:59 The Journey to Becoming a Trainer05:59 Navigating the Transition to Self-Employment08:55 Overcoming Age-Related Doubts11:46 The Impact of 2020 on Business14:49 Learning and Growth During Lockdown17:52 Building Persistence and Networking20:59 The Importance of Providing Value23:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections26:17 The Impact of Sales Background on Training28:04 Challenges of Self-Promotion30:20 Disassociating Self from Service32:31 The Importance of Inner Work34:58 Rebranding and Authenticity36:57 Navigating Interim Roles40:47 Transitioning from Associate to Direct Clients45:00 Investing in Personal and Business GrowthI invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:Visit Annette's website HEREConnect with Annette on Linkedin HEREVisit the School of Facilitation website HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREcontact@schooloffacilitation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode covers a multitude of topics from being self-employed to doing business in America, highlighting the importance of setting clear expectations and boundaries with clients.Zita Tulyahikayo is a hypnotherapist, Systemic Constellator, coach, and facilitator. She has always been self-employed which I found fascinating as so many of us start in an organisation. Zita openly talks about her experiences of working in America, the UK, the different ways of working within the world of business.We dive into the topic of identity and the impact ancestry has on how we view the world, our personal and professional development. Zita mentions her upcoming book on migration and immigration and her plans to make a documentary in Barbados.Dive into:The cultural differences in business approachesManaging expectations and unseen costsThe power of referrals and recommendationsThe importance of investing in oneselfI invite you to grab a cuppa, join me on the pink seat, and tune in your ears.____A Facilitator's Journey is the podcast that looks at how you run your business as a facilitator or trainer.You started this work because you have a passion that you want to share with organisations. However, there is the small detail that you are now running a business and this requires a whole other set of skills and knowledge.Join me, Kirsty Lewis, Founder of School of Facilitation, as I interview trainers and facilitators about how they manage their businesses. I will explore how people run their finances, price their work, scale up, scale down, decide to retire, market themselves, manage clients, and much much more.Key Links:Connect with Zita on Instagram HEREVisit Life Therapy with Zita website HEREVisit the School of Facilitation website HEREConnect with me on Instagram HEREConnect with me on Linkedin HEREcontact@schooloffacilitation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.