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Career Ownership Coach Helps Military Veteran Explore New Career Paths
Edward Lee relied on his military background and Career Ownership CoachingTM to provide him with the tools and education he needed to make his first venture into ownership.
The El Paso, Texas resident was at a crossroads when he began his coaching journey with Lisa Gustafson, a Career Ownership CoachTM with The Entrepreneur’s Source®. Lee spent 17 years in the military working in a variety of roles, including battery commander in South Korea and serving as a project manager in the El Paso area. After leaving the military last year, Lee took a position as a defense travel analyst with PotomacWave, a government contractor specializing in mission-critical consulting. “Lee has really excellent, solid, leadership skills, strategic skills, and financial skills from his experience in the military,” Gustafson said. “He was not being compensated at a level that was appropriate to his incredible experience and skills. He was losing passion for his career.”
The Entrepreneur’s Source® provides personalized Career Ownership CoachingTM for people looking to transition out of their current career and find their path to self-sufficiency. The Entrepreneur’s Source® has over three and a half decades of experience in helping people identify their goals, needs and expectations to reach a point of clarity about their career at no cost.
“Working with The Entrepreneur’s Source® seems almost too good to be true,” Lee said. “Lisa made me feel like we were partners in finding my career path. She made my vision of career ownership happen.”
Lee opened the doors of his staffing franchise in January. His business specializes in helping job seekers find work and connecting businesses with productive employees. “I help keep people’s lights on. I’m in the business of putting people to work. I love working with people and helping people,” Lee added.
To cut start-up costs, Lee made the decision to pursue a proven business model with nationwide recognition from an existing franchisee. Lee’s military tenure gave him the tools he needed to be his own boss, helping him regulate his day, create objectives and place a special emphasis on planning. As the business matures, Lee plans to hire a full-time recruiter and other office staff.
Operating a business with equity will allow Lee to devote some of his energy to pursuing his dream of opening a bar and cigar lounge in the area. “I thought my dream of opening a bar and cigar lounge was far in the future. Here I am only a year out of the military and I’m a business owner. The Entrepreneur’s Source® provided me with the tools to make my dream a reality,” said Lee.
Gustafson admired the dedication Lee gave to his journey of discovery. He paid attention to details and took his time with the process. “Lee was engaged and dedicated during his discovery process. He took it seriously. As a new business owner, Lee is making things happen. He has a solid business plan and is energized,” Gustafson said.
Gustafson began her role as a Career Ownership CoachTM after a 12-year tenure working in Kroger’s corporate office ended. She credits the proven strategy honed over the past 36 years with her decision to join The Entrepreneur’s Source® team and start helping other people find their clarity. The coaching experience allows clients to guide the interaction and uses questions to determine their needs. It provides stepping stones to reach the clients’ vision. “The Entrepreneur’s Source® provided me with a transformational discovery experience. They presented this alternative universe of possibilities allowing me to be my own boss without having to create a business from the ground up,” Gustafson said.
Gustafson’s own discovery experience helped her realize she wanted to build her business as an asset that she can pass down to her children.
One perk of Career Ownership CoachingTM is flexibility. When her mother was in hospice, Gustafson was able to continue working and be with her mother. “When I wasn’t on the phone with clients I was beside my mom. Nothing can compare with having the ability to be with her at the end. I have no regrets about spending time with my mom. The Entrepreneur’s Source® gave me that opportunity,” Gustafson said.
If you’re considering career ownership and need some assistance, contact a Career Ownership CoachTM at The Entrepreneur’s Source® today.