Who is CanDoCanBe?

Hi, my name is Karen Skidmore and I work with coaches, trainers, VAs and other small business owners to show them how to use the right marketing tools to attract the right clients to their business.

Where did it all begin?

Back in the summer of 2004, I left an 11 year career with a large recruitment group. I had, I suppose, a typical corporate career – climbing the career ladder, managing teams, training internal employees and building business for new brands.

But after returning after my second maternity leave, corporate life just didn’t appeal any more. So in September 2004, I became a Corporate Refugee. I became an accredited coach and started up as a self-employed Life Coach with an ambition of running a successful coaching practice on a term-time basis around my two children.

After 5 months, I almost gave up.

Even with my 11 year corporate sales experience behind me, it was a tough transition selling “me”. And after realising how many hours of coaching I had to sell each and every week to make my financial targets and how incredibly challenging it was to achieve this momentum (never mind trying to start it!) I considered for a split second of asking for my job back.

BUT … (thank goodness!) I didn’t.

What has CanDoCanBe grown to be? 

It is now 2009 and over the past four years I have learnt a lot! I have learnt a lot of what-not-to-do such as being everything to everyone and thinking that the only way to get clients was to spend money on advertising.

And I have learnt a lot of what can be done whilst still being a mum to 2 children [and a dog!], working term-times only.

Through my business CanDoCanBe, I now offer practical, no-nonsense marketing help for small business owners who struggle to attract a constant and consistent flow of clients. I help them understand who their clients are, how to productise what they offer and how to use the right marketing tools so they can attract clients naturally, rather than have to chase them and hard-sell.

The opportunities for independent and freelance professionals to create a recognisable brand, both on the web and off, are huge in today’s business world.  It is possible to harness the power of blogs, social media and online networking to create conversations and turn strangers in to clients.

The possibilities are immense but you often need a guiding hand and some short-cuts to understand how it can be done practically and effectively.

And showing you how to use the right marketing tools in your business is what I love to do.

Why CanDoCanBe?

The best bit about what I do is that is it great fun.

I love meeting people from all walks of life and hearing their inspirational stories about what motivated them to work for themselves.

I love working out how different web-based tools can impact our businesses and how they can allow us to work less, yet earn more money.

And, most of all, I love having the flexibility of running a term-time business which allows me to be “Mum”.

It is possible to start up and run your own business on your own terms.  It is possible to work less, earn more and attract the right clients.

With a bit of CanDoCanBe Attitude, anything is possible!

What about you?

CanDoCanBe wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for business owners like you.  I would love to hear your story – how you came about working for yourself and what motivated you to “go it alone”.  Connect in any way you like.  I’m on facebook, twitter and LinkedIn and still use the good old-fashioned methods of communication like email and, of course, the phone!

Get in touch – it would be great to hear from you