EP10: The Courage to Move from Corporate to Creative

Is it possible for your business to be a true reflection of your values? That's the question at the heart of this episode of "The Conscious Entrepreneur," where host Alex Raymond and Kayleigh O'Keefe, founder of Soul Excellence Ventures, delve into the intersection of personal growth and entrepreneurship. Kayleigh recounts her significant shift from a decade-long corporate career to launching her own venture—a move that resonates with many entrepreneurs seeking less hustle and more meaning in their work. In February 2020, Kayleigh took the leap into the entrepreneurial world, a space where a significant portion of startups struggle to find their footing. She shares how the concept of "soul excellence" became her guiding principle, steering her through the common challenges of self-doubt and the pressure to conform. Soul Excellence Ventures has been a tremendous success under her leadership, creating and publishing 17 books, with 450 people who have come together to express soulful excellence leadership. She candidly discusses the lessons learned in this experience, real challenges she faced with issues like pricing services and aligning and managing talent — key factors in the sustainability of any new business. Kayleigh also touches on the shift from a corporate to a creative mindset, a change that has helped her and many entrepreneurs find their authentic voice and vision. The episode wraps with Kayleigh's advice to entrepreneurs, which is grounded in the reality of running a business: trust your intuition, surround yourself with the right people, and prioritize your soul's work. This conversation offers listeners a blend of practical advice and inspiring personal insight. Key Takeaways: The shift from corporate to creative involves moving from a linear path to a spiraling path of growth and learning. The motivation in the corporate world is often external, driven by societal expectations, while in the creative world, the motivation is aligned with personal fulfillment and making the soul proud. Shifting from a focus on identity to essence and energy allows for greater self-expression and the exploration of different aspects of oneself. Building self-belief and finding one's voice through writing, reflection, and sharing can unlock potential and pave the way for a successful transition from corporate to creative. Surrounding oneself with a supportive tribe of like-minded individuals who understand and support the journey can provide the necessary encouragement and inspiration to make the leap. Quotes: "This episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur is all about awakening. Awakening to your purpose, living in your zone of genius, and finding your tribe." (1:00 | Alex Raymond) “I just like waited a really long time to even believe that I could attract someone to the vision or to the model, or that this is what I wanted to do. So that was another mistake of like, just like going it alone and having you know, advisors and constantly people who are helping me with stuff, but not to the level that's required to really push an idea or a movement forward.” (24:09 Kayleigh O’Keefe) "When I am reminded of the phrase, I approve of myself, it just makes life easier because so much of our self-talk can still be so negative, even when we're on this conscious path." (55:19 | Kayleigh O'Keefe) Links Connect with Kayleigh O'Keefe: Soul Excellence Ventures: https://soulexcellence.com/ Website: https://kayleighokeefe.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleighokeefe/ Connect with Alex Raymond: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/ Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast. Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm