We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
It’s common knowledge that stress is rampant in our modern world. While stress is something that will always be a part of our lives to some extent, it isn’t something trivial or something to be dismissed. Our world has been in a mental health pandemic for decades, and one of the root causes is stress. My mission is to help people unsubscribe from “hustle” culture and effectively manage their stress so they can focus on what is truly important, and truly flourish personally and professionally. You do not have to do it all or burn yourself out to be successful. By helping others understand the damaging effects of a chronically stressed lifestyle, and teaching them how to change their circumstances to reduce and mindfully manage stress, I am helping them live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. When people have less stress they think clearer, make better choices and decisions, treat others with respect and kindness, are more productive at work and at home, and have healthier relationships.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a Mindset & Resilience Life Coach. Basically, I help people stop stressing and focus so they can flourish within their career, family, business, relationships, and personal life. Many people reach a point in their adult life where they feel lost, stagnant, and unfulfilled. They want to feel passionate about life, their work, their families and relationships, but the stress of it all can be so overwhelming that they don’t see how to improve their situation.

As a society, we are told that we need to figure it out alone. There is a stigma attached to asking for help or seeking mental health support. The truth is we are not meant to do it alone or figure it all out by ourselves. When we don’t use our resources we actually make things harder on ourselves.

I work specifically with my clients to reduce stress, overwhelm, and anxiety by teaching them how to manage their mindset, energy and daily success strategies. These are tools for life that my clients carry on with them forever. My clients develop a positive and resilient mindset, increase energy and confidence, while accomplishing their personal goals. The knowledge they take away from our time working together helps them continue to effectively manage stress, while feeling happier, more fulfilled, excelling personally and professionally, and crossing things off their bucket list.

Prior to becoming a Life Coach I spent over 10 years in corporate talent acquisition, recruiting and staffing for a variety of industries. While I loved helping people into new career opportunities, I let stress and the fast paced nature of my career get the best of me. I went through a very tumultuous time in life where I needed to find a better way to live. My career, health and marriage were all suffering due to my inability to manage stress. I saw this same pattern all around me with friends, family, colleagues and even candidates I had helped in my job.

After my own personal reckoning with stress and discovering the combination of tools and strategies that helped me, I decided to pivot my career into life coaching. I am super passionate about what I do, but becoming an entrepreneur has not been easy. Being a business owner comes with a whole new kind of stress, a lot of moving parts, and a lot of disappointments. Learning how to deal with disappointment has probably been one of the biggest lessons on my entrepreneurial journey. The fact is that sometimes even when we do everything right or the best we can, things still don’t work out. I’ve learned to see these disappointments as just another experience, not a reflection of my work or worth. Regardless of the outcome, there is always something to learn from an experience. Even amongst disappointment, it is still possible to move forward.

As a business owner I continue to consciously prioritize and manage my stress levels. With lower stress, and the proper mindset, energy, and strategy, I can maintain clarity around what I truly want, and easily see the steps I need to take to get there.

My business, Encompass Coaching Services (www.encompasscoachingservices.com) was born during a time where I felt extremely lost. My old life, career, and relationship were all fading away and I had no idea what the future held for me. By staying curious and befriending fear, I was led to my purpose and starting a business that I absolutely love. Alchemizing your dream life into reality is easier than you think. If I can do it, you absolutely can too!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I absolutely love Houston! I am originally from upstate New York and moved to Houston in 2009. What I love most about Houston is that there is always something new to do. If I had a friend come to town for a week long visit, we would explore all the exciting neighborhoods in Houston. I would take them to see the Water Wall, and have lunch at Bloom & Bee in the Post Oak Hotel. We would explore the Arboretum and The Glades in Memorial City Park, and enjoy some casual dining and beers with a view at Saint Arnold Brewery. Houston has an incredible Museum District so of course we would check out either The Natural Museum of Science, or The Houston Museum of Fine Arts followed by a late lunch and afternoon glass of wine or cocktail at City Cellars HTX. With all it’s history and posh atmosphere, I’d have to show them The C. Baldwin Hotel and grab a drink at their incredible lobby bar. Maybe a show or Astros game downtown and I feel like they would have an unforgettable Houston experience!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has been instrumental throughout my personal evolution. While they have been there for me when I’ve needed their support, they have also given me room to make my own mistakes and find my way as an individual. My therapist Courtney Ajiodo from Soul Purpose Counseling, has also been a fantastic mental health resource for me, as well as a wellness mentor. I can honestly say I would not be the person and Coach I am today without her guidance.

Website: https://www.encompasscoachingservices.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberly.brooke.smith/ (@Kimberly.Brooke.Smith)

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybrookesmith/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encompasscoachingservices

Youtube: Coming Soon!

Image Credits
All photos taken by Barbara Lipohar

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.