Kim O’Neill
Kim O’Neill, an Authentic Confidence & Interview Coach, hosts the Every Day is a New Day podcast and live show. She is a twice-certified coach, often working with strong, heart-centered women who are ready to reclaim their authentic self; feel empowered again; and self-lovingly move forward. She is a 3x Amazon bestselling author, Reiki Master, former Crime Analyst and creator of the Let Your Light Shine Movement. She lives in southern California, and is passionate about helping others to heal and believe themselves.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I was a creative, bubbly kid who loved singing, dancing and acting. I knew at a young age I wanted to have a profession that allowed me to be creative, but also help people heal and move forward. As I grew up, there were a series of heartbreaks that really led me to feeling like I lost myself. In my early 30s I started to make bigger strides towards my own healing and professional goals, and over time was able to reclaim my authentic self. There have been many twists and turns, and it was not easy, but I’m grateful for the journey.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
When I was ready to start moving towards fulfilling my life purpose of helping people, I was surprised at the curveballs that showed up. What I thought was supposed to work and be easy, wasn’t. So I found myself at one point with no clue where to start other than to do a personal inventory of what my strengths are; what I like to do; and how I can help other people. Two things emerged from that, and that was youth mentoring and helping people prepare for job interviews. When you become more cognizant of your life-clock ticking and you don’t yet feel like you’ve accomplished the difference you can make here on this earth, that’s plenty internal motivation to help get you going! That’s what did it for me. I just knew I had to start somewhere in helping people, and these were the areas where I could start.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
When I was focused on employment interview confidence coaching, I started to notice a pattern of people not really knowing who they are and not fully believing in themselves. They had a hard time articulating what they’re good at and owning their innate skills and positive attributes. A lot of people have the limiting belief that if they actually say who they are and what they are good at doing, that it implies they are bragging or pretentious in some way. They fear how other people will view them. This is one way so many people hold themselves back from what they truly desire. Eventually I started to provide more holistic 1:1 personal coaching and custom meditations for my clients. In 2021, I felt inspired to launch the Let Your Light Shine Movement which aims to inspire and empower everyone on the planet to be their authentic, beautiful self.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
In the last five years, I’ve become a published author in 3 books. Two are #1 Amazon bestsellers, and one became a #1 International bestseller. I’m also grateful to have my blog and YouTube channel recognized by Feedspot.com and for all opportunities I’ve ever had to be featured on someone else’s podcast, show or blog, such as this one. Thank you, Fuzia. 🙂
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would love to see every human, men and women, know how amazing they are and feel uninhibited in pursuing the unique passions they have that light them up. Oftentimes that requires some degree of healing and releasing what no longer serves a person, so they can see all the beauty that remains inside them after they do. When one person’s light is shining, it’s a beautiful, empowering inspiration to all those around them.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I think female leadership is awesome! I also know that women around the world encounter different, but often similar, challenges when it comes to being seen as the powerful leader they are. My advice is to spend more time focused on what you’re passionate about and the steps to get there, as opposed to focusing on any supposed “ceiling.” Don’t allow yourself to think that you can only go so far, or that other people have the capacity to hold you back in any way. Regardless of circumstances, everything is always still possible. Focus on what lights you up because your energy spent there will be what helps light your pathway forward. Are there initial steps you need to take first so that you can focus on more of what lights you up? How can you make your vision a reality? If you are seeing and feeling it, then it is possible. Not everyone will be able to see your vision until it’s manifested into reality. You are having the vision in the first place because YOU are the perfect person to birth that vision into reality. Believe. I’m not saying there won’t be challenges along the way. Sometimes you’ll have to get extra creative and think outside the box; but you can do anything. It’s all about you believing in you and taking the actions that will support you in moving forward.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
There will never be another You in this world. Not everyone will be able to see the gift that you are, and that’s okay. Your job is to make sure that YOU see and love you first and foremost. Then spread that loving light that you are, because you being you, is enough to make a huge, beautiful and positive difference in the world. You are enough.