Jennifer Collins and Intrinsic SOULutions, a Park OffiCenter client, is our Innovator this month! Jennifer is a Heal-The-DRAMA Coach. Jennifer coaches in the area of Health and Wellness for employees at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis and also has experience in counseling for addictions at the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center. Find out more at www.intrinsicsoulutions.com.
1) What would you like people to know about you and your business? I work with people who grew up with divorce, family alcoholism, and/or parents with personality disorders who are ready to break the cycles of drama in their adult lives. For me, I define drama with the acronym: Distorted Reactive Assumption-based Maladaptive Addiction. I think people develop drama patterns and use them in such a way that it becomes addictive, in the sense that they don’t know how to stop. Drama can be linked to perfectionism, people-pleasing, self-doubt, feeling intimidated by authority figures, to name a few patterns. I think fundamentally, it is an attempt to be seen and heard and to feel understood, although it usually has a negative impact. I know this intimately, as I grew up in drama households and learned the drama patterns myself. Having worked at the Mayo Clinic in the Nicotine Dependence Center, I have a strong background in thinking about addiction and creating solutions to begin living another way. I know that a drama-free life is possible.
2) Where did you get the idea for your business? I’ve always wanted to help people by talking with them, and as a teenager and college student I thought that meant becoming a therapist. As I traveled down that road, someone introduced me to the concept of coaching and it was an immediate click. And drama, well, it’s what I know best.
3) What makes your business unique? The coaching I do is thought-management coaching, specifically to help my clients reduce the drama in their lives and improve their relationships and career success. I work with them on the level of effectiveness/consciousness they are operating in, understanding how the brain works when they are triggered into drama, and then, of course, how to make the necessary shifts to recover and act from a place of peace and kindness.
4) What is your ‘elevator speech’? “I help people who are overwhelmed with too much drama in their lives, who are ready to break the cycles of drama, and live with greater peace and joy.” Just mentioning the word drama, people seem to know what I’m talking about and exactly who in their lives operates that way. And this is about all I seem to squeeze in on an elevator… I may need to find some taller buildings.
5) What are the keys to your success? In the helping professions, I find self-care to be essential to success. If I’m not well-balanced, I can’t offer my clients the best of me. Additionally, I invest a lot in continuing education, and I continuously strive to “walk the talk.”
6) What is the one piece of advice you’d like to give to others about running a business? I think the best advice (on most things in life) is GET HELP. We are not in it alone and we aren’t supposed to do it alone. We need each other. Ask for the help you need, and establish relationships you can lean in to.
7) How long have you been at OffiCenters? Which location? I just had my 1-year anniversary with OffiCenters in April. I’m really enjoying the Park Place location.
8) How has your relationship with OffiCenters changed your business? Having a relationship with OffiCenters has allowed me to open up my coaching practice to see clients in-person, rather than just meeting over the phone. And I LOVE working with people face-to-face. I’ve also been able to use the training room to run groups and classes, which has been a huge advantage. And finally, the ambiance and supportive staff have really added to my own joy and pride as a business owner.
9) If you could work from anywhere under the sun, where would you choose? I would have a variety of offices… one in Palm Beach, Florida, one on the Minnesota North Shore, and possibly one in Europe, like Paris or Amsterdam.
10) Tweet, Blog, LinkedIn, Facebook? I have a Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Intrinsic-Soulutions, and a LinkedIn profile. I’ve blogged on occasion. In fact, I started with a Quit Smoking blog for MayoClinic.com. I also had a business blog for a while. I tend to find it tedious and not always the best use of my time. I prefer to write curriculum and design programs. Right now, I’m focusing on writing my first book! And as for Twitter, well, I’ve always been nervous about mis-tweeting, so I just haven’t gone there yet.
11) What piece of technology can you not live without? My car, my coffee maker, and my curling iron. Probably my smart phone too, but sometimes I feel like throwing it in the lake. We have more of a love-hate relationship going on.
12) What is one of your favorite quotes? As a solopreneur, I would go with “No one would have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in a storm.” – Charles Kettering.
13) Who has been an inspiration in your life? My Dutch grandmother, “Bepa”. She remembers the boat ride to America, not long after her older brother died of quinsy, which came from tonsillitis. Among many things, she survived the loss of her first child to a brain tumor when he was 6-years-old. Then went on to raise 4 more kids. She is the family storyteller, and has an incredible amount of knowledge in her 89-year-old brain. She is devoted and tenacious, kindhearted and wise. She has been a real model of love and courage throughout my whole life.
14) When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you use it? I love using my free time to simply cuddle my dog and look out the window. I also paint, dance and sing whenever I can. My husband bought me a piano keyboard for Christmas, so I tinker around on that a bit. Sometimes I’ll randomly call up someone I’m thinking about, a friend or family member, just for a quick chat to stay connected.
15) If you had a long weekend with unlimited funds, where would you go? I would take a jaunt over to Ireland or Scotland. I’ve never been and it’s on my wish list. I might also head to the Balearic Islands or even to St. Kitts or St. Thomas. I do love the beach and some good dancing in the tropical air!
16) If you could be any fictional character, whom would you choose and why? Any strong, female character who is able to teleport. I’m not sure who that is, but it’s a super power I’ve always dreamed of having.
17) What is your favorite restaurant in Minnesota? LOVE LOVE LOVE Cave Vin.
18) What songs are included on the soundtrack to your life? “Tomorrow” from Annie. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. “Strength, Courage and Wisdom” by India Arie. “Time to Move On” by Tom Petty.
19) If you could paint a picture what would you paint and why? Oh, I paint abstract “art”, for sure. I simply like colors and shapes.
20) What is the best way for people to find out more about you and your business? I’d love to talk to you about what I do, and better yet, let you experience me and the skills I offer. A sample session (or a presentation) is a great way to do that. Call me today at 612.787.SOUL to schedule a time!