In 2007, Karen Mertes was hit by a drunk driver as she was driving on the highway.  That driver was going 100 mph. She was an Active Duty Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and as she saw her life flash before her eyes that night, she knew life would never be the same.

Her near fatal car crash became a turning point for her.  She was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and knew that she was going to have to re-learn who she was and who she was going to be in the world.  She had made a promise to herself that night that if she survived, she would spend her life in service to others.

And all these years later, that’s exactly what she’s doing.  In 2010, she created Fulfill Your Destiny, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit program that helps entrepreneurs get the leg up they need during a difficult time or after a life-altering event.  She does this through her signature program called Business Builder Grants that awards business owners in the Tampa Bay area $1,000 scholarships that allows them to purchase or invest in items they desperately need to move to the next level of their companies.  

During this incredible conversation, Karen shares…

• How and why she’s structured her Non-Profit in a way that is very entrepreneurial; with little to no administrative costs so that her donors know that their monies are going directly to the recipients of the grants. 
• How she manages scaling herself by leveraging community members and organizations! 
• How she dealt with the emotional impacts early on after her accident where who she was and who she was now going to be clashed. 
• Her philosophy that every business owner can work in some sort of give-back programming into their business model!  And why her scholarships are having a ripple effect in the community because of it! 
• Her view of life balance…and her unapologetic ways of living and breathing her mission!

Karen is absolutely incredible and I know you’re going to take away so much more than the practical parts of business we discuss…I promised you’ll leave this interview feeling inspired!

Check out more about Fulfill Your Destiny here → http://fulfillyourdestiny.org

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The end of the year is upon us and most likely it has you thinking very intentionally about what you want to create for yourself and your business in the year ahead! And if those thoughts are leading you to visualizing a business that is making you more money, with more harmony and happiness while doing it, then I would encourage you to apply for my 1 Year Private Coaching Program.

You know me…you know I practice and preach creating a business you love – one that is profitable, productive and enjoyable for you! And in the years that I have worked privately with incredible women entrepreneurs just like you, I’ve had the privilege of seeing just how powerful it is to put the right clarity, focus and intentional actions into our businesses…and, most importantly…how doing so brings results well beyond our own visions!  

This is why I’m opening up 9 more spots for my 1 Year Private Coaching Program.  And if you are done feeling the pain of financially struggling in your business, feeling confused about what you should be focusing on, or just flat out not doing what you love every day, then go apply today!

“I’m committing to Katie’s 1 Year Private Coaching Program because I’ve been trying to grow the business on my own for years and haven’t gotten anywhere. I’ve failed numerous times and have felt defeated over and over again. And it’s not that I lack the drive, ambition or passion…most of us women have a lot of that to offer. It’s just that I don’t have that business mindset. So, this next year I am so excited to finally be making an investment in myself as a woman who wants to run her own business and one I truly believe to be my life’s work and passion. I’m looking forward to gaining clarity with my all-over-the-place ideas, having Katie’s guidance and accountability along the way, and creating actionable steps that help me achieve my goals. I want to start laying a solid foundation for my business that will ultimately set me up for success, which I really feel like will in turn help me better serve my target community.  I cannot wait for this upcoming year! Katie has such a contagious, motivating spirit and she’s a wealth of knowledge. I have a feeling I am going to be amazed at what I can create with Katie’s expertise along the way. ~ Ashley, Plant Centered Prep

To find out more about my 1 Year Private Coaching Program and apply, go to BizWomenRock.com/mybigyear.  Applications are being reviewed as they come in and spots will fill on a first come, first serve basis. Let’s make some BIG MOVES together next year, girl!

http://BizWomenRock.com/mybigyear

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