The Pathfinder Founder Chelsey Brooke: 'Listen to your intuition'

Chelsey Brooke is a professional counselor and Pathfinder Coach specializing in helping introverts build self-trust and self-confidence to create healthy relationships and a purposeful career.

Q: What inspired you to found The Pathfinder and what were the main challenges you faced?

As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to help people. So becoming a coach and a counselor were very natural career paths for me. I’m grateful and honored to help people in both my coaching and counseling practice to find ways to create a clear direction for their lives. In short, as The Pathfinder I help introverts build self-trust and self-confidence to create healthy relationships and a purposeful career. As far as specific challenges, I think that has to do with overcoming my own negative self-talk and inner critic about who I am and what I can do. Through my own life and through working with many highly successful people, no matter the level of outward success we achieve, we are all susceptible to getting in our own way. Overcoming my own self-doubts and learning to own who I am were my biggest challenges, but also my biggest areas of growth. And because of this, I can relate to my clients and say “I get it, I’ve been there. Now, here’s what to do.” So I’m grateful even for the challenges, because they make me a better person for myself and better coach and counselor for my clients. 

Q: Did you start the venture alone?

Yes, I am the sole owner of The Pathfinder, LLC. However, I quickly hired help. As with any business, it takes a highly skilled and qualified team to keep it running and moving forward with new and innovative ideas!

Q: In your opinion, what are some key opportunities in the HR space going forward?

Now more than ever, we are beginning to acknowledge introverts and realize their value in the workplace. Working environments are not (or shouldn’t be) a “one size fits all” place. HR plays a key role in many ways to help improve morale, increase profitability and create powerful insights for business owners and leaders.  

Three key opportunities or roles of HR now and in the future are:

1. Focus on the employees: Learning the personality types of your employees and what environment they need to succeed is key not only to your staff’s personal growth, but to the growth of the company as well. Turnover and disengagement are costly issues that could easily be addressed by learning what works and what doesn’t to motivate and lead employees of all personality styles. 

2. Improve leadership: Offering trainings about how to become effective leaders of both introverted and extroverted employees is one of the most vital, yet often overlooked need in our companies today. Leaders have a responsibility to know how to properly motivate and encourage their employees and risk alienating up to half of their staff by only effectively communicating with their extroverted employees. HR can bring to light the costly issues that arise from introvert neglect and should provide opportunities for leaders to improve their diversity learning in regards to personalities.

3. Utilize virtual/remote work: Not only can offering remote work positions save the company money – but it can also allow you to get the most productivity and engagement from your introverted staff in particular. Introverts often struggle to work most effectively in the office due to the busy environment, interruptions, lack of solitude and personal space and “last minute” meetings. Virtual positions allow introverts to largely be responsible for keeping themselves motivated and organized, which introverts are already gifted at doing. 

Q: What's your business model, and how have you grown your revenue?

I have a client-valued based business. First, I identified the services (counseling/coaching). Then, I created an avatar of my ideal client to get really clear on his/her specific needs, wants and goals. Finally, I learned specific ways in which to relate to my niche and made sure my messaging was clear and directly spoke to my ideal client. 

Q: Do you think luck played a role in the success of your company?

Of course, luck and chance can happen to everyone. But, overall, I believe it’s your work ethic and mindset that get you where you want to go.

Q: What are your goals for the future?

My goals for 2021 include creating more content, writing an e-book (or two!) and continuing to grow my services and network to help more people. 

Q: If you had to start over, what would you do differently?

I would tell myself to give more grace and self-compassion. Being an entrepreneur is not always easy. It takes a lot of your time and if you’re not passionate about your business, you can burn out quickly. Especially since I tend to be a ‘perfectionist’ I have to be really conscious to engage in self-care and not to push myself to overwhelm. Ultimately, learning to trust myself and meet my own needs has changed not only my personal life, but my professional life as well.

Q: Can you talk about one woman who has impacted your life?

The woman who has had the biggest impact on my life would definitely be my mom. Regardless of her struggles, she keeps a smile on her face and continues to be the most caring and compassionate person I know. Her sensitivity to and awareness of others’ needs is incomparable and it’s this type of kindness that truly heals all. 

Q: What are your favorite books?

I always have a growing and evolving list! Right now, it’s Matthew Pollard’s The Introvert’s Edge and Holley Gerth’s The Powerful Purpose of Introverts.  

Q: What's your advice for female founders who are just starting out?

To listen to your intuition. You know your passion and you know the direction you need to go if you will just sit quietly with yourself and listen to that inner voice. Believe in yourself. Each individual has overcome things and we all have lessons and gifts that others need. Never be afraid to share your story - it’s exactly what your audience needs to hear.