Hi, I'm Tom...
... and for years I have been grinding my way to find a way to combine my creative talents while carving out my own path and be self-employed. With interests in science, art and (graphic) design, I've tried and done a lot of things, but not really to the extent that I was happy with it or knew as 'this is my thing'. And as it turned out, I'm more of a generalist than an expert in one field.
While some people labeled me as 'so brave' for starting out on my own, I never saw myself as a successful entrepreneur. And here's the thing. As a soloist or small business owner a lot depends on the awareness of the person behind the steering wheel. You're the centrepiece of it all and if you like it or not, your business will be a reflection of who you are.
As for me, some personal 'stuff' was holding me back to really live my true potential. Even worse, I was telling myself that I didn't even need to do that. And for a while that was ok, but as time went by I got caught in a smaller and smaller bubble of my own self-protection.
Once I received the insight it was all on me, this breakthrough opened up so much and it let me open up myself and to the world. In my search I encountered a lot of similar people with similar hopes and dreams, no matter where you are on this globe and decided to pay it forward.
Nowadays we're forced upon on a system that is outside ourselves. We're so disconnected to ourselves, our peers and even to nature. Therefor I believe in another direction — inside out — because when you're growing inside, it will start to show on the outside.
It has become my mission to connect with other soloists, solopreneurs, small business owners that go for their passion or craft and make new ideas and perspectives discussable. As a 'solo person' it's so easy to keep it all to yourself, and it speaks from great strength to open up to the challenges we face and being honest and open about it. Being vulnerable is not a sign of weakness, it's courageous.
I believe building a conscious and sustainable business that supports your way of life — and not the other way around — is the future. We are all mixed up with the business and when we take on the responsibility to work on the business, it means we have to work on ourselves.
So what's next? How do we carve out these new paths that we envision?
To make dreams tangible I offer coaching programs and consult on strategy and design with a strong focus on inner works and connection, with yourself and the world.
Let's connect and simply book a call to have a chat.
Tom Verhelst
