We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Murray and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kim, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
For the last ten years, I worked as a school counselor. I have a passion for helping kids and families with a wide array of needs. Throughout COVID and remote learning, I was able to tap into and really utilize my project management skills. Switching to an online format from an in-person one forced us to change our processes in serving families. In that, For example, I created an online system for registering 2000+ kids for classes and really enjoyed that process. I am a do-er and details person. Those tasks helped balance out the taxing emotional piece of the job. When I decided to leave school counseling last spring, I brainstormed what jobs I can do that utilize my strengths while giving me flexibility in my schedule for my family. I landed on virtual assistant, business support, and bookkeeping. I can help small business owners and utilize my strengths.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a trained and experienced school counselor, I was humbled by how scared and unsure I was when I entertained the idea of leaving this profession that I dedicated the past decade of my life to and went to graduate school for. A common lesson I share with the students I work with is you don’t need to know at 18 what you want to do for the rest of your life and even if you do, it may change. And that’s ok. Boy, it’s a lot easier to say than it is to live it.
If anything, the thing I am most proud of in this journey and starting this new venture was the courage I had to leave something I was burned out on and bet on myself. I have great support around me, which helps, and I trusted that I have the skills and ambition to be successful in whatever that was going to be. I chose chapter ii as my business name because this really is the next chapter in my professional career, the turning of the page.
A major lesson I have learned along the way is, despite my meticulous planning, you are not immune to things outside of your control changing your plan. Over the past three years, I have experienced significant changes in my personal life, which lead to me re-considering my profession. A career change certainly wasn’t in my well laid out plan and I am now experiencing life in a way that I couldn’t have imagined.
What I would like the world to know about me and my business is I am type A helper. I really enjoy supporting others and am excited to utilize my communication, organization, and task management skills to do that!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a Colorado native and feel lucky to grow up and raise my family in such a beautiful, friendly place. While I am a homebody, if I had a friend come to visit who had never been here before, hiking around Red Rocks would be the first on my list. Concerts and events there are great and just spending the morning hiking around and in the amphitheater is fun too! I would also like to spend the afternoon and evening out and about in Old Town Fort Collins. All of the shops and restaurants are great and within walking distance.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am really blessed to have a supportive network. When you tell people you are quitting your job without a next step in place, you get a wide range of reactions because it goes against the message we grew up with: Don’t quit without having the next thing lined up! My partner, Mark, has been the most reassuring and supportive person on this journey. He has been through this process himself and understands the fears, excitement, and wide range of emotions. In addition, my friend, Cristina Schutz, has coached me through the whole process of building a small business. Her expertise and willingness to help me gave me the final push to make the leap. I am very grateful for her.
Website: chapteriiconsulting.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chapteriiconsulting/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlysmurray/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084292928555
Image Credits
Leah Kapral Photography Cristina Schutz