Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristin Wade. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kristin , thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
I attribute my communication skills to my time working as a nurse. I was a bedside nurse in the Newborn ICU (NICU) for 8 years. As you can imagine, it was a face-paced job. The first year was a huge learning curve. I worked in a teaching hospital, so there were many professions that provided multi-disciplinary care for our patients. In that environment, you have to get your point across quickly and effectively. In healthcare, we use a tool called the SBAR: situation, background, assessment and recommendation. I still use that same format when talking to clients and other professionals.
Once I made the jump from healthcare to my coaching business, I decided to teach group fitness classes. These high intensity classes not only kept me in shape, but got me out of the house talking to people. It can be incredibly lonely starting a business on your own, especially when my meetings are all virtual. For these classes I am expected to perform the exercises with the class members and talk them through it the entire time. Talk about a workout! This expanded my lung capacity and I was able to whittle down complicated instructions to short, easy to follow steps. The decision to teach group fitness not only improved my communication, but my fear of public speaking. If I can perform intense exercises and talk in front of 20-60 people, I could talk about my business to anyone.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Kristin Wade. I’m an ex-nurse turned financial coach. I loved my nursing career until COVID changed the landscape of that industry permanently. Personal finance was always my hobby on the side. I remember being 16 and checking out the book “Smart Women Finish Rich” by David Bach. I opened my first 401(k) account that year when I was a grocery bagger earning extra spending money. I love the challenge of making money work for the lifestyle you want, and I did exactly that.
As a nurse, I became the go-to person for personal finance questions. Nursing in a hospital presented lots of opportunities to connect with people, so topics like finance would come up naturally. How do I save money for unpaid maternity leave? What’s a credit score? How can I stop working overtime shifts to cover my credit card debt? These are questions that I loved to help answer. One day, a fellow nurse asked me why I’m not charging for advice. I truly brushed that off as “not a real job.” I had my Master’s degree in nursing and planned to work in the NICU until I retired.
The year 2020 was a roller coaster for everyone, For me, it was the year I chose to leave my marriage and become a single mom. I was determined to set an example for my infant daughter. I was my very first financial coaching client. I looked at my solo income and compared it to my expenses. I wanted to keep my home and maintain the lifestyle I had built, but on my income alone. Being able to do that was the most empowering experience, and now I love to help others do the same.
I started Fiscal Bliss Financial Coaching in the summer of 2022. I had worked through COVID and decided that I wanted freedom and flexibility to raise my daughter. My client list slowly grew as I earned the trust of healthcare workers around the country. I taught myself how to build a website, got my Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) designation, and learned about the legal side of running a business. After a year, I started to burn out again.
I realized I had simply changed jobs. I went from one boss in the NICU to 25 bosses: each of my clients. I found myself working more than I had as a nurse for less income and again was in the same predicament. I was being flooded with more and more people who needed help with their money, but could not afford my services. That’s when I joined an innovative budgeting platform called MyBudgetCoach. This app allows me to virtually coach at a reasonable price. Basically I have duplicated my personality and budget philosophy, allowing the client to have affordable access to my services. I get to help more people without spending more of my time, and clients can book time on my schedule as needed. MyBudgetCoach has a 35-day free trial and is only $14.99 per month or $98.99 per year, and my hourly rate for meetings is discounted on this platform. I love that I can offer this and invite you to try it for yourself!
I love coaching because I truly walk the personal finance journey with each client. We bond over numbers, often cry together, and work to find peace in the chaos. My favorite moment is when a client realizes “oh wait, I CAN afford that!” and I get to tell them to go spend their money. At the end of the day, I help people fall in love with budgeting and spending intentionally.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three skills that were most impactful on my journey were communication, flexibility and patience. I would argue that those skills are crucial for all elements of life, but especially on an entrepreneurial path. I had assumed that because I had the practical knowledge of finances that the rest would fall into place. I had to work daily on setting and communicating boundaries with clients, sharing my pricing, and not taking every “no” personally.
I doubted myself often, and still do sometimes. It’s important to get out of your own head and meet other people. You may have an incredible support system, but unless they’ve started a business their advice will be misguided. You will have bad days and good days, but neither are an indicator of your worth. It’s a rollercoaster but I would not change any of the events from my first few years as an entrepreneur.
Being a coach myself, I knew I also needed a coach. I truly believe in hiring a life and/or business coach that you can afford. I started on BetterUp for $150 per month and one hour of coaching per month. You do not have to invest a ton of money, but you should get in the habit of investing for self-improvement.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I will never forget the feelings I had before leaving my healthcare career. I was so unhappy with my profession, and disappointed I had “wasted” so much time and money on that field. Looking back, I am so grateful I had that experience as a nurse. My clinical skills may be rusty, but I use the assessment, delegation and communication skills daily.
When I was envisioning my next career move, I had no idea where to start. I literally searched “how do you know what you want to be when you grow up?” to look for answers. That’s when I found the book that I recommend to anyone I can: “Now What?: 90 Days to a New Life Direction” by Laura Berman Fortgang.
I highly recommend getting this book from the library if you can, otherwise it’s a small price to pay for the answers you will get. I worked through each chapter and answered the questions diligently. This book gave me structure and direction when I needed it most. I still have the questions and love knowing that 90 days from the purchase of that book, I had the courage I needed to make the jump and start my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mybudgetcoach.com/coaches/kristin-wade
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiscalblissllc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-wade/
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