Do Something: How Clarity and Coaching Helped a Creative Founder Step Into Her CEO Role

❓ Who is Laurel, and what is Do Something?

Laurel is the creative founder behind Do Something, a Kalamazoo-based business offering interactive patch bars and creative workshops. Her company helps small business teams and small groups connect, collaborate, and build stronger cultures through hands-on creative experiences.

When Laurel came to me for business coaching, she had already built a brand, but behind the scenes, she felt overwhelmed. The business was running her instead of the other way around, and she wasn’t achieving the financial success she desired.

“I feel like my business is running me instead of me running it.”

❓ What challenges did Laurel face before coaching?

Like many creative entrepreneurs, Laurel wore every hat: marketing, client delivery, operations, and finances.

She often said yes to every opportunity, unsure when or how to say no. She wanted to grow Do Something into a sustainable, family-supporting business but wasn’t sure how to scale confidently or profitably.

She told me during one of our first conversations:

“I don’t always feel confident saying no, and I’m afraid of missing opportunities if I do.”

That vulnerability became the foundation of our work together.

❓ How did business coaching help her find clarity and confidence?

We started with the numbers, pricing, profit margins, and cash flow clarity. Laurel learned how to track revenue and expenses using a simple system that revealed which events were most profitable. That gave her the confidence to make data-driven decisions rather than emotional ones.

Then, we refined her messaging and visibility strategy. Laurel built a one-page sell sheet, clarified her value proposition, and began introducing herself with confidence: We focused on corporate clients to sustain her long-term growth.

“I help small business teams connect, collaborate, and problem-solve through creative experiences that build stronger communication and culture.”

We also built systems for delegation and time management. She trained her employee, Billie, onboarded an intern, and implemented tools for scheduling, process documentation, and follow-up systems. This freed her up to lead strategically and have time to be creative, instead.

❓ What marketing shifts created real results?

We focused on authentic relationship marketing instead of chasing trends. Laurel developed consistent email newsletters and began creating LinkedIn content around monthly themes, such as “Events that don’t suck,” to showcase how she helps and her fun side. She also started making in-person networking a priority to build relationships with other business owners.

This approach strengthened her local network in West Michigan while building visibility with corporate clients.

“Once I stopped trying to do it all, I finally had space to grow.”

❓ What results did Laurel achieve after coaching?

Her results were measurable and meaningful.

• ✅ Revenue Growth:Revenue was on the way up but more importantly were her net profits grew 22%.

• ✅ Client Wins: Landed corporate pop-ups with Western Michigan University and the corporation Stryker

• ✅ Visibility: Presented to 100+ women at the Women’s Connected Chamber

• ✅ CEO Confidence: She now leads her team with structure, purpose, and boundaries

Most importantly, Laurel says she finally feels in control of her time, clients, and future.

“It’s not just about more clients, it’s about showing up like the leader my business needs.”

❓ What can other creative entrepreneurs learn from Laurel’s story?

Clarity, structure, and accountability change everything. You don’t need to overhaul your business overnight you just need a framework that helps you make confident, profitable decisions.

That’s exactly what we do at Next Wave: help creative entrepreneurs earn more, stress less, and build a business that supports both your family and your future with my 9 Pillar Framework to Build a Profitable Business.

🌊 Ready to find your own clarity and growth?

If you’re a creative service based business owner in Grand Rapids, West Michigan, or anywhere in the U.S., and you’re ready to feel like the CEO again, let’s talk.

👉 Book a Discovery Call to explore if coaching is the right next step for your business.

About Jennifer Kok

Jennifer Kok, founder of Next Wave Business Coaching, is a Grand Rapids business coach with over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience. She helps creative, women-led small businesses grow profitably through her Earn More…Stress Less Framework, a 9 Pillar System focusing on revenue clarity, systems, and sustainable success.

From owning and selling a national franchise to coaching local entrepreneurs, Jennifer brings both real-world strategy and empathy to every client partnership.

I help service-based women entrepreneurs double profit without doubling hours.

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