Meet Kristen Chimack

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Chimack. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.

Kristen, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

You know, it’s funny – my purpose was hiding in plain sight all along. Looking back at my childhood, I was always the one organizing things, creating experiences, and helping others. But somewhere along the way, I got caught up in what success was ‘supposed’ to look like – climbing the corporate ladder, chasing titles, checking all those boxes society tells us matter.

I spent 30 years in corporate America, working my way up to an executive role, and from the outside, it probably looked like I had it all figured out. But there was this persistent whisper inside saying, ‘There has to be more than this.’ It took a particularly challenging situation with toxic leadership to finally make me listen to that voice.

The real turning point came when I invested in myself and hired a coach – not one the company provided, but one I chose. Through that work, I started reconnecting with who I really was, not just who I’d become to fit into the corporate world. What emerged wasn’t actually new – it was a return to those core elements that had always been part of me: creating experiences, helping others grow, and building genuine connections.

Today, I run two businesses that perfectly align with those elements. As a coach, I help others navigate their own journeys of choosing themselves and living authentically. And through my hotel sourcing business, I help people create meaningful experiences by finding the perfect venues for their events worldwide. I’m also writing a book about growth through grief – because every significant moment of growth in my life has come with its own form of grief, and I want to help others navigate that journey.

The irony isn’t lost on me that after decades of collecting impressive titles and roles, my purpose turned out to be exactly what that five-year-old girl loved doing – bringing people together, creating experiences, and helping others thrive. Sometimes, finding your purpose isn’t about discovering something new; it’s about coming home to who you’ve always been.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I love that I get to combine two of my absolute passions! On one side, I run an independent HelmsBriscoe business, where I help people and organizations find and contract the perfect hotels for their events anywhere in the world. After spending years planning events in the corporate world, I know firsthand how overwhelming and time-consuming venue searching can be. I take that stress off my clients’ plates – and the best part? My services are completely free to them since I am compensated by the hotels.

The other side of my world is coaching, where I help people navigate significant life and career transitions. You know that voice inside that whispers ‘there has to be more than this’? I help people listen to that voice and find their path forward. Having left a 30-year corporate career myself, including an executive role, I understand the fears, doubts, and challenges that come with making big changes. But I also know the joy and freedom waiting on the other side when you choose to be authentically you.

What excites me most is that these two paths complement each other perfectly. Whether I’m sourcing a hotel or coaching a client, it’s all about creating meaningful experiences and helping people thrive. Speaking of new things, I’m currently writing a book about growth through grief—exploring how every significant moment of growth in our lives often comes with its own form of grief, and that’s okay. It’s actually part of the journey. My goal is to begin offering retreats in mid to late 2025 where women can come together, learn from one another and lean into their values.

The coolest part? I have zero negativity in my day now. Coming from a corporate environment full of politics and drama, that feels like absolute freedom. I get to choose who I work with, when I work, and how I work – and I’m having an absolute blast! No more walking on eggshells or dealing with passive-aggressive workplace dynamics. Just genuine connections and meaningful work.

I’d love to connect with anyone interested in hotel sourcing or just starting their own journey of change. You can find me on LinkedIn or visit my website. And keep an eye out for my book—I share lots of raw, honest stories about my own journey that I hope will help others feel less alone in theirs.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First and foremost – courage. Not the flashy, superhero kind, but the quiet kind that helps you choose yourself even when it feels terrifying. I had to find the courage to leave a 30-year corporate career, an executive position, and the security that came with it. But here’s the thing about courage – it’s like a muscle. You build it through small choices first. Start with tiny acts of bravery, like speaking up in a meeting when you disagree, or setting one small boundary. Each time you choose yourself, even in small ways, you’re building that courage muscle.

Second would be self-awareness. You know that little voice inside that whispers ‘there has to be more than this’? Learning to really listen to that voice was game-changing for me. The best investment I made was hiring my own coach – not one the company provided, but one I chose myself. It helped me get crystal clear on my values and what truly mattered to me. If you’re early in your journey, start journaling or find someone objective to talk with. Sometimes we need that outside perspective to see ourselves clearly.

Third, and this might surprise people – the ability to embrace grief as part of growth. Every significant moment of growth in my life has come with its own form of grief, whether it was leaving my corporate identity behind, watching certain relationships fade, or letting go of who I thought I was supposed to be. Understanding that this grief is normal and actually part of the growth process was huge. My advice? Don’t rush past the uncomfortable feelings. They’re teaching you something important about yourself.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me earlier: you don’t need to have it all figured out to start. I couldn’t have predicted I’d end up running a hotel sourcing business AND a coaching practice when I first started this journey. Just take that first step toward what feels authentic to you. The path creates itself as you walk it.

Oh, and one more thing – surround yourself with positive, uplifting people who support your growth. I was amazed by how many people were willing to help once I started looking outside my usual circle. Sometimes the best teachers and supporters come from unexpected places!

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

For my coaching practice, I absolutely light up working with women who are where I once was – successful in their careers but feeling that persistent whisper of ‘there has to be more than this.’ Maybe they’re in a leadership role feeling stuck in a toxic environment, or they’ve achieved everything they thought they wanted but still aren’t fulfilled. Often, they’re high-achievers who’ve spent years climbing the corporate ladder only to realize they’ve outgrown the very success they worked so hard to achieve.

The women I work best with are ready for change – they might be scared (who isn’t?), but they’re tired of playing small or pretending to be someone they’re not. They’re done with walking on eggshells in toxic work environments or compromising their authenticity to keep the peace. What’s beautiful is watching them discover, like I did, that choosing yourself isn’t selfish – it’s necessary.

For my hotel sourcing business, I love working with folks who are planning conferences, business meetings, or incentive trips and are feeling overwhelmed by the venue search process. Maybe they’re juggling this responsibility on top of their regular job, or they’re an independent planner who needs a trusted partner. My ideal clients here are people who value efficiency and expertise – they understand that trying to do everything themselves isn’t always the best use of their time.

The perfect hotel sourcing client might be someone who’s been tasked with finding the ideal location for their company’s annual sales meeting, or they’re planning an incentive trip to reward their top performers, or they are planning their association’s annual conference.. They need someone who understands both the corporate world and the hospitality industry, who can negotiate contracts and know what to look out for. The best part? Since hotels pay the me, my clients get all this expertise at no cost to them.

In both areas of my business, I particularly enjoy working with people who are open to building genuine relationships. Whether we’re finding the perfect venue or navigating a career transition, it’s about creating a partnership based on trust and authenticity.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-chimack
• Other: Coaching Business Website – https://paperbell.me/kristen-chimack

  HelmsBriscoe Hotel Sourcing Website – https://www.helmsbriscoe.com/associates/kchimack