Introducing our next featured rising entrepreneur Marianne Korten, the founder of Soul at Work who runs a professional and personal development company for conscious communication through coaching, training, workshops and presentations. Marianne Korten lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands with her boyfriend and cat Knuffel. M. Korten

 

Tell us about why you decided to start your own business? My main reason for starting my own business is that I felt something pulling at me while I was working at my previous company. It was a feeling or kind of soul awareness that said I needed to be in another place. I felt I had gifts to share that I could not express in my job. I could list my talents however there were and are so many qualities still hidden that I felt the only way to discover who I am is to dive into the unknown. So I started my own business in 2005, after graduating as a certified trainer and coach communication skills.

 

What do you consider your greatest challenge so far? The biggest challenge is to stay focused. Once I realised that I broke through the comfortable and relatively ‘safe’ job environment, I noticed that I can create anything I want. This is a great realisation and fear at the same time. I have many ideas and have to stay focused to turn my dreams into reality.

 

Who or what has been a major source of inspiration? A major source of inspiration was reading and talking to people who made the jump in the past from being an employee to becoming self-employed. Nick Williams (www.nick-williams.com) is a source of inspiration, which started after reading his books and attending a workshop with people who also wanted to leave the workforce to create a living out of their passion.

 

Further I find talking to my nearby fellow entrepreneurs in Amsterdam a true inspiration. Knowing we all face the same fears, obstacles and hearing about each other’s unique ways of moving through the frustrations is giving me energy every time! The free newsletter ‘Changing Course’ (www.changingcourse.com) is a true delight to get ideas and mental support to create your own business as well.

 

Do you have any words of wisdom for other female entrepreneurs starting their own business venture? Just start, and then keep on going, you are unique and brilliant. Listen to people who are doing what you do, they will push your inspiration button and avoid the ones that have not made the jump into the unknown themselves, they will push your fear button. Your choice! Enjoy and give expression to all sides of you! We are waiting for you!