Dream Weaver My dream job is helping other people find their dream jobs. So . . . how do I do it?
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Q: Ileft a $100,000-a-year sales job to start a company with a partner.The partnership didn't work out, and I've spent all mysavings and need an immediate income. I've wanted to be apublic speaker since I was 14. Now at 40, I want to help peoplefind their perfect work, but I need to know how to transition intothat myself. Do you have any suggestions?
Name withheld
A: Wealways hate to hear about failed partnerships, but unfortunately,they're more common than divorces. The damage they can do topeople's self-esteem and the obstacles they place betweenbudding entrepreneurs and their dreams inspired us to writeTeaming Up: The Small Business Guide toCollaborating With Others to Boost Your Earnings and Expand YourHorizons (JP Tarcher).
Consider coaching as you grow your speaking business. Coachingis a growing field and has a number of specialties, such as career,life-purpose and business coaching. These organizations offertraining in coaching, though it's not a legal prerequisite:
(800) 897-8707, www.coachtraining.com;
(800) 48-COACH, www.coachu.com;
(619) 287-1186, www.coachforlife.com;
(858) 573-0888, workuluv@aol.com;
(415) 274-7551, www.thecoaches.com.
In the meantime, get out there and give all the speeches youcan, even if they pay no or low fees. A good speech can spawnothers. Consider participating in speaker showcases. And readSpeak and Grow Rich (Prentice Hall Press)by Dottie and Lilly Walters, or visit their site at www.walters-intl.com.
Paul and Sarah Edwards' most recent book is Changing Directions Without Losing Your Way.You can send them your start-up questions at www.workingfromhome.com orthrough us at Entrepreneur.
