Yvonne Hilsz is a speaker, trainer and coach for female entrepreneurs. She helps her clients to make breakthroughs and paradigm shifts in their strategies and teams. Yvonne firmly believes that success can be achieved through discovering one’s natural talents and passions and organising teams to suit those talents and passions.
http://www.yvonnehilsz.com/
Tell us about yourself.
I am a speaker, trainer and coach, specialising in working with female entrepreneurs. I have been privileged to work with so many incredible clients, from solo entrepreneurs to some of Australia and New Zealand’s biggest retail companies. Aside from my work, I moved to the Inner West just six weeks ago, I’m a single mum by choice with a gorgeous 3.5-year-old girl.
What are some of the services that you offer?
I offer a range of coaching services for female entrepreneurs. First of all, I provide traditional one-to-one coaching. I also offer several online coaching programs: Ignite, Momentum Mastermind and Dream Up. My online program, Ignite, is intended to help consultants or service-based businesses increase their sales confidence, develop their team and attract more – amazing – clients. Momentum Mastermind is a 12-month program, featuring both online content delivery and group coaching as well as several face-to-face retreats through the year. My newest program, Dream Up, helps female entrepreneurs to visualise and set goals for the year through an online training group.
What did you do prior to launching your speaking, training and coaching business?
I’ve had so many roles over the years! I started out in hospitality and fashion retail when I was fresh out of school. Right from the beginning I found myself loving customer service, loving sales. At 20 years old I was appointed as 2IC at Sportsgirl’s flagship store in New Zealand, where I was living at the time. It was a tremendous opportunity for me and I got such a thrill out of helping my team to excel in customer service. After several years of overseas travel and work, I returned to New Zealand and decided to study performing arts. This ultimately did lead me to work on a stage – although not quite the stage I had imagined. Instead I catapulted into the world of speaking, selling property investment to large audiences. Later I got a role as a co-presenter on the New Zealand television show Your Money Sorted, helping participants to work through financial challenges, set goals and cut through any limiting beliefs they had. From there I became involved in a charity called the stepUP Foundation, which aims to inspire teenagers across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. At 35, I decided it was time to settle down. I moved to Sydney and began focusing on coaching.
What do you enjoy so much about working with female entrepreneurs?
I love helping women figure out their key strengths and interests. Often women will choose to do things they think they should do but which may not draw on their real talents and passions and they end up resenting much of what they do. Sometimes we need permission to let go of the stuff we don’t like doing and instead focus on what we love – and to make good money from it.
What is the most inspiring experience you have heard from your clients?
I have so many amazing client stories! I helped one client to redesign her program. With just two months of coaching, she went from earning $3000 per month to $30,000 per month and halved her work hours. I’ve helped women to launch their businesses with confidence, make bold business decisions and also to take the difficult step of shut down businesses that no longer served them.
Best piece of advice you can offer mums wishing to start their own business?
Get a huge sheet of paper – or my favourite, use whiteboard markers on glass – and put yourself in the middle of the space. Start thinking about and writing down all the things that you’re passionate about, that are easy for you to do. Just free-flow at this point, don’t question it. Then think about the non-negotiables – and also what you do want. From that make a short-list and distil what it is you want to do. Trust that you can add value and back yourself.
Have you ever read a book that has changed your perspective or path in life?
Reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki changed everything for me. When I read it at 27, I immediately realised I needed to do something different. I decided to get involved in property development and it was from there that I became a professional speaker and sales consultant.
As a mother yourself, what is the best piece of advice you have received?
My number one piece of advice would have to be to build a tribe and be sure to ask for help. As a single parent, I knew that forming a village around me would be key to success. I think it’s also really important to acknowledge that you can only do so much. Outsource tasks. Accept that most things are not as urgent as you think they are. And be kind to yourself!
Favourite places in the Inner West?
I’ve recently settled in Rozelle. Some of my favourite local spots include Rozelle Espresso, Corner Bar and Bridgewater Park. I’ve been so impressed with how community oriented Rozelle and, more broadly, the Inner West is. As a single mum with a young child, community is so important to me.
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