What’s better than one Health Coach working to help professionals and veterans find time to bring health back into their lives? Two! Michelle Kramer, a 2010 graduate of the Health Coach Training Program, teamed up with her business partner Odette Worrell to coach busy men and women in their mid 40’s. Together they run Find Your Organic Soul out of Delray Beach, Florida, and have found a successful balance by listening to and supporting each other.
A career in health coaching had been a long time in the making for Michelle, who first learned of Integrative Nutrition over ten years ago. Years later, she’s following the career path she always desired, and has acquired a fantastic business partner. This interview highlights Michelle’s successful journey, and the unforeseen joys of working with someone who shares her passion for health coaching.
How has your life changed since enrolling in Integrative Nutrition’s program?
Since I enrolled in Integrative Nutrition I have had my seat belt fastened, and boy it's been an AMAZING ride! I have a clear sense of who I am and allow something new to unfold each moment! I have opened my heart to seven incredible women, the South Florida Health Coaches, and I am no longer a lone ranger. I no longer struggle with binge eating or IBS, and I’ve given myself permission to play!
What were some important things you took away from your time at Integrative Nutrition?
I learned at Integrative Nutrition that happiness lies in every choice that I make in my life. I learned that only I know what I need, and if I take a moment and slow down, the answers are within me.
Studying with an international Health Coach Training Program has been highly beneficial, as it has built a global community on this planet! I have so many wonderful friends that are IIN Health Coaches all over the world. I get to understand different cultures and backgrounds, and yet we all speak the same IIN language! It's magical.
How did your training at IIN provide you with the newfound confidence and business skills?
I felt a very strong sense of community attending IIN and that supported my vision. Robert Notter played a huge role for me during my training. I learned many tools from Robert and they were easy enough to incorporate in my own practice.
A specific element from the program that I always use is, “ask high mileage questions” and then just listen.
How has your business grown into what it is now?
My business partner Odette started Find Your Organic Soul and I merged with her company. I was truly inspired by who she was and what she was putting out into the world. Odette is the yin to my yang. We have the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional element together. I have heard along the way that when you look at the person in front of you, you see yourself. That is what I see when I look at Odette. We both come from our hearts each day and our business together naturally unfolded.
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of working with a business partner?
One advantages of working with Odette is that I get to be with my friend and work at the same time. Also, she feeds me lunch on our workdays! We bring a beautiful balance to our clients with our own unique personalities.
A disadvantage of working with a business partner is that we are always “dancing” with our company. It’s an ebb and flow, and we are often going back to the drawing board together. We put in a lot of time and energy into our company. When I worked on my own, I called the shots and wasn’t open to hearing other opinions. I am humble in this experience with Odette, yet at times it is uncomfortable. It requires a lot of patience, and a high level of listening to one another.
Do you share responsibilities evenly or does each person perform specific duties?
We both perform specific duties. As Odette would say, “I work and Michelle stands to the side looking pretty!” Odette is the beautiful writer and I am the voice by phone or in person. After a year and a half, we are starting to create a lovely rhythm.
How do you support and balance each other as partners?
I can speak for myself and say that Odette supports me by allowing me to be who I am at any given moment. We both communicate to each other when something isn’t working, and we work through it. We both have two feet (high heels) in the door. To other Health Coaches that are considering partnering up with another Health Coach, I would say jump in! It’s one of the best things I ever did in my life!
What do you love about your work?
I get to wake up each morning excited to jump out of bed, knowing that there are twenty emails before 5 a.m. from Odette. I get to watch people transform their health daily, right in front of my eyes, and work along side my dearest friend. Working with Odette was unexpected, as I always had to do everything on my own. The day we became business partners, I truly got to know myself and who I am with clients. There is power in numbers, and we are not only changing lives individually, we are changing communities!
Connect with Michelle
Michelle@findyourorganicsoul.com
On Facebook: Find Your Organic Soul
On Twitter: @fyOrganicSoul
On YouTube: Organic Soul’s Channel