Welcome And The Big Question

Announcer 0:06

Welcome to Aging with Purpose and Passion, the podcast designed to inspire your greatness and thrive through life. Get ready to conquer your fears. Here's your host, psychotherapist, coach, and empowerment expert, Beverley Glazer.

Beverley Glazer 0:33

How much longer do you want to wait to do what you know you really want to do? Welcome to Aging with Purpose and Passion. I'm Beverly Glazer, a work and life transition coach and reinvention strategist for women over 50, helping you bridge the gap between the life you've built and where you want to go next. And you can find me and this podcast at reinventimpossible.com. These conversations share powerful stories from accomplished women who face life's challenges and use their wisdom, resilience, and experience to create meaningful new chapters. We don't sugarcoat our struggles here. We learn from them, grow through them, and discover what's possible on the other side. So I want you to meet Kim Baudreau Smith, a business growth strategist and founder of Her Bold Voice. When Kim left corporate America, she built a successful fitness business and pioneered internet radio before podcasting even went mainstream. She's published three best-selling anthologies and has spent three decades helping women increase their visibility and lead with confidence and expertise. So if you've ever estimated yourself and thought, hmm, this is really not good, you've underestimated yourself. And if you've ever stayed quiet and you needed something to say, this conversation will give you the confidence. So stay with us to the end, and I'll share key takeaways and simple actions that you can put into practice right now. And while you're listening, if you find yourself thinking that's me too, well, let's have a conversation about what's next for you. You'll find that link in the show notes

Kim’s Working Class Roots

Beverley Glazer 2:32

as well. So welcome, Kim. Good to see you today.

Kim B Smith 2:36

Beverly, thank you for having me this morning. I couldn't wait. I was excited to see you this morning. This is great.

Beverley Glazer 2:43

So tell us before you went into business, you grew up in a working class family. And that's not a family of entrepreneurs. That's like really steady work. So what was that like growing up in that family?

Kim B Smith 3:00

You know, it's interesting. I look back my age now, and I look back. So my parents were both uneducated hard workers. You know, you don't live above and beyond your means, type of mentality of you don't miss a day of work. And if they offer you overtime, you stay, you stay, you work, you work. So I really have a strong workhorse mentality, you know, and and totally in a different day and age, of course, you know, being in this 21st century. Um, but you know, I saw how my parents, it's like there, I don't ever recall stress or overwhelm or illnesses or anything like that. In fact, I seriously don't think my father missed. I don't ever remember my dad being sick. I mean, maybe a common cold, but not so sick. He stayed home in bed. I mean, he came home. I remember one time he came early home early from work one day because he was a welder and something flew in his eye. And yeah, and was and went back to work the next day. My father would walk to work in the early 70s snowstorms and go to work. I mean, you know, so it there, they my parents taught me a lot, but being that I'm an entrepreneur, uh it was like I walked the route of corporate, but there was always something missing for me. I wanted to have more freedom of choice being an entrepreneur. So, you know, it's still to this day. My parents have passed on, they've aged and passed on. I don't think they really understood what I did.

Beverley Glazer 4:36

No, no, no, I don't think they could get it. Not at all. No, so what attracted you to corporate in the first place?

When Success Becomes Proof Of Your Worth

Kim B Smith 4:45

Well, my parents, blue-collar worker. I wanted to go on to corporate, be the white-collar worker. I'm the first to be educated in my family out of four. And um, I just I titles and money. I I have a very, I have a very uh a very, I walk a thin ice, a uh thin ice that runs through my DNA of my confidence is all around title and money. And in fact, as we are uh going through this this conversation today, Beverly, I'm in the midst of being able to unravel that at this point in my life. I'm I'm very transactional. I I look at people and I don't look at them as dollar signs because relationships are very important to me, but I look at things of transactional. I was reflecting this morning on my first fitness business. Everything I did had to turn into money, and and like I killed myself over it, you know.

Beverley Glazer 5:46

It's so I'm unraveling in the second half of my life of how learning how to let go, and everything is not always about having to make money, exactly, exactly, particularly in today's age, yeah, where we reach also a certain stage in our lives where we've reached also a certain level that there's more than money, there's also purpose, there's also being allowed to enjoy ourselves, and in our parents' generation, that was something also. I mean, my father was a doctor, but I never felt that we really had money, and we did when I look in comparison, but I never felt it. Everything had to be earned, you had to work really hard. It wasn't, oh, doctors can do this and doctors can do that, and you can make money here. My dad really worked as medicine a profession. And he also never missed a day, it was a responsibility. And being a corporate, you know, being in corporate as well, you do get a steady income, unless you don't, but you do, and you decided to be an entrepreneur, and that is not a steady paycheck at all. No, and you were just saying it's about the money. How were you able to separate that?

Kim B Smith 7:18

Uh well, well, I'm in in well, for many, many years I didn't. I I didn't. I I could show up and say to you, I have separated, I've done this work, but I didn't. I didn't. Um so I my corporate career um positions were very, very successful. I mean, I was put in positions, I had no idea what I was doing, but I could work and figure it out and and rise up to be the star of the organization. My thing was um the my last position, I was the only woman down that C-suite hall. The men hired me because the other women and the other women in the company, they were complaining that there was nothing down that management hall. So I was brought in, and boy, was I stuck between a rock and a hard place because the women didn't want to have lunch with me and the men didn't want to have lunch with me. So, you know, I so I eventually just decided that corporate I needed out, I needed out and stepped in with no game plan. I don't advise anybody to do that. Um, I ran my fitness business, which was my first business part-time while I worked full-time, and then took the plunge. And my first husband, I was the breadwinner when I took that plunge. So it I it worked, it flowed, but then as I evolved into other, I'll tell, I'll say, outfits of my business, things changed in doing business, Beverly. As you know, things have changed over the years. And it plays on me personally when we ebb and flow the peaks and valleys in business. When the when when when I'm down in the valley, I'm down in the valley. When when the bank account is up, I'm up. And it's one of the things being in my 60s, that I am really, I'm in the eye of the storm. I'm navigating through a lot of that right now.

Beverley Glazer 9:16

Right.

Leaving Corporate Life For Entrepreneurship

Beverley Glazer 9:17

And so, what would some of the challenges of entrepreneurial journey, the journey you're on now, what would that be?

Kim B Smith 9:28

Well, you know, I always say, um, and the majority of my clientele are women. I do, I do have a couple men that have come through my business, but I always say to especially if you're within um the first uh, I'd say about the first five years uh in business is make sure you've got a padding. And you get to determine what that padding looks like. Maybe it was a corporate buyout and you've got money to go launch this business now, or maybe it's a significant other who can carry the weight until you get the business up and going. Or maybe it's maybe you're a coffee breeze straw at Starbucks or the local coffee, and you're mark you're networking and marketing while you're getting paid and building the business. But that's the first thing I say is have a little bit of padding because in order to grow, we have to invest. One and two, find yourself at a specific level, wherever season you are in in your business, find yourself a coach. Yeah, don't waste the time. Do not waste the time. I got this myself, I'm gonna do it yourself. Don't wait, it could be so painful wasting that time. And again, and when I say at different levels and seasons of your business, there are very high-end coaches. Evolve and grow to that. And I'm not, you know, and I'm not saying there are low-end coaches, but you know, there are coaches that work with women that are just starting their businesses and they're not charging, you know, the big dollars. Evolve, find what season you are in and get that help, get that help.

When Your Business Results Define Your Worth

Beverley Glazer 11:10

Yeah. One of the things that stood out for me when we talked was you said your biggest challenge wasn't finding clients, it was finding yourself. What do you mean by that?

Kim B Smith 11:23

Well, you know, it's interesting. I feel I'm still doing that just at different seasons and chapters in my life. Is I'm a big I'm a big believer that when we step in and we own the business, we're the founders, we're the CEOs, we are the face, we're the owners of the business, it really shows up in our internal selves. The esteem, the second guessing, the comparison. Um, she's actually right behind me, the hag in the attic, the uh the I call it the you know, the critical dialogue, the hag in the attic. And someone said this to me many years ago, and I still use these words is as owners and entrepreneurs of businesses, we are asked by the universe every single day to go step out in that backyard and clean that dog doo-doo up, whether you have a dog or not, because it comes at us. And that is what I mean by finding ourselves, you know. We as women, and men can do this too. It just shows up differently because gender, um, and and so I'm not separating, but we as women, you know, we have estrogen guilt, I call it. You know, so if you're raising young kids, you know, there's that mommy guilt, and then and then we raise the kids, and then we've got women guilt, and we put ourselves, I think we put ourselves six feet under when it comes to taking care of ourselves, and that has to be above six feet, above the ground, number one of caring for ourselves and handling all that internal dialogue that can go on where we have a tendency to lose ourselves because we're not good enough.

Beverley Glazer 13:06

Right.

Kim B Smith 13:07

Or I'm too thick, I'm not thin enough, or you know, or you know, Beverley down the street is making far more money than I, and then we've got the comparison garbage going on. Right. That's what I mean by we have a tendency to lose ourselves, you know, and we are we women are uh, you know, not to minimize us. I mean, we're super women. I mean, boy, look, I mean, we can uh here I'm gonna now date myself that Angolie commercial um teen years ago. You know, we can go out, bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, manage the house, run businesses, but we can't burn out and forget about ourselves. We have to stay top of all of that.

Running Versus Leading Your Business

Beverley Glazer 13:48

Yeah, you talk about the difference between running a business and leading a business. Explain that.

Kim B Smith 13:58

So I see we all do this. We can, it's my baby, I'm going to control, I'm going to micromanage, and I'm gonna grow, and you know, and I shouldn't bring people on, a team, an assistant, or whatever they may, because they can't do it as good as I am, and it's my responsibility, and you know, all of that. Well, that is that is um that is not growing or being into your true leadership. That really is you are in that business. And some of us, depending upon what the business is, there are days we have to be in that business, but we also have to be able to come out to build the business. That's what I mean about leading, being able to delegate. How effective is that communication when you are leading or people second guessing, and then they're not feeling empowered and confident to do their positions within the business. So that's the difference of what I mean by that. And it takes practice, it takes time, and it takes learning and skills.

Why Women Undervalue Themselves

Beverley Glazer 15:03

And why do you think that so many women underestimate themselves and their own value? They say they want to do it, but maybe later, or maybe not, or I'm too old, or why do they underestimate themselves, in your opinion?

Kim B Smith 15:20

I think it's um society that has the pressure that we've all bought into society, that society has said to us, you know, don't ruffle feathers. Um one of my, you just said it, Beverly. One of my it's worse, it's worse than nails on a chalkboard is I'm too old. I'm too, it's too late. It yes, you know what? There is a time that if you don't step in and find that passion and embrace what it is that you want to do, and not just do, but embrace your being. It is too late when we step out of this physical human suit when we pass on. You're it is too late. Up until then, it is never too late. Up until then, we're never too old. I mean, Louise Hay, I mean, uh look at what she was doing up with the days she was. I mean, there are so many women that have come before you and I that are well into the early 90s still going at it, you know. Exactly. So I think it's societal pressures that we take on, and they're not ours to take on. There are men that have made that up since the inception of time. There are other women that have made that up about us. Yes, they're not ours, they're not ours. That's

Thought Leadership And Owning Your Lane

Kim B Smith 16:36

it.

Beverley Glazer 16:36

And what do you mean by becoming a thought leader rather than only just staying busy in your business?

Kim B Smith 16:44

So a thought leader is um so here's how my brain works analogy. So a thought leader, we become that expert and thought leader when we stay in our avenue, stay, stay on our road, stay on our path, as opposed to being something of everything. And then when we're out networking and we meet people, we walk for me personally. I walk away and go, I scratch my head and go, okay, I'm not quite clear, I'm not quite sure what this person does. It seems like there's multiple, and and again, then we're not looking serious. And then if I'm out and about and someone needs A, B, or C, my antennas are not going up to that person. So we want to be that thought leader, whether we're a holistic veterinary medicine or you know, the woman like yourself who has had a phenomenal career and helping women above over 50 really embrace our passion. And by the way, you know, I sometimes say, Beverly, why is it that once we hit to that 50 mark, we really start embracing our passion? I think it's because of wisdom and time of us walking this planet Earth. But for those coming up behind us, the 30s and the 40s, you don't have to wait to go embrace that passion. You really don't.

Beverley Glazer 18:07

But you have to overcome that feeling that I can't. Oh I don't I'll never do it, and that I'm too old, I'm not pretty enough, all that stuff that has been pre-programmed, that is now our own program, that you have to just say, forget it. This is me, this is what I want to do. I have to go out there and I have to do it. And why do I have to? Because it's inside of me, and there's something inside of me that says, if I don't do it, I will feel terrible. So we have to own it, and that's what I'm hearing you say, you know. If you love what you do, like for me, it's helping women make transitions, and for you, it's helping women own who they are in their businesses and claim it. And how much better is that than to be at a certain stage in life? And it's not when you're young, it's only when you're older that you can claim it and say, This is who I am, and why? Because we've evolved.

Kim B Smith 19:16

Yes, exactly. And we do it on our terms, and even in it, and I just want to get really clear, and I keep pointing to her behind me because my little thing, she's my critical dialogue. This is gonna be they don't go away. We can't kick to the curb, we can't silence because they're gonna come back 50 times bigger on steroids. That critical dialogue. We have to learn how to get comfortable with being comfortable with those all those sensations.

Beverley Glazer 19:42

That's right, and always live with that little bit of anxiety that maybe I am not good enough, but so what? I'm doing it anyway. Anyways, exactly, exactly.

What Are You Still Waiting To Do?

Beverley Glazer 19:56

Yeah, so what's one final word that you'd like to leave us with about leading with confidence and not playing small Kim?

Kim B Smith 20:06

Oh, I you know, I don't want to be like Nike and say just do it. I mean, it works for Nike, I'm not Nike, you know, but you know, I you know it it's it's I would love every single person listening to this episode to just be bold, but on their terms, because bold for me is different than bold for you, Beverly, and that's different from Susie and stuff. Is and do it and get support, get around a bunch of like-minded women and and and really, I mean, where you're safe, where you can have a good cry or have a good celebration, you know. I mean, those are my last words to everybody listening.

Beverley Glazer 20:44

Awesome. Thank you, Kim. Kim Bodreau Smith is a business growth strategist and the founder of Her Bold Voice. She's published three Amazon best-selling anthologies, and she uses more than three decades of business and entrepreneurial experience to help women own their expertise, increase their visibility, and lead with confidence in their industries.

Key Takeaways And Simple Next Steps

Beverley Glazer 21:10

Here are a few takeaways from this episode. You already know what you want to do, so follow your heart. You don't need to have it all figured out, just take the first step. And your age is an advantage. Don't undermine your years of experience. And if you've been relating to this episode, here are some things for years to do right now for yourself. Designate responsibility. There's no need to do everything yourself. And notice one area where you've been playing small and just do the opposite and do one action you've been postponing. And yes, I will go to Nike and I will tell you to just do it. So for similar episodes on owning your power, check out When Success No Longer. That's episode 182 and success, burnout, and what really matters. That's episode 184 of Aging with Purpose and Passion. And if you're looking for a podcast about retirement that goes beyond money and traditional retirement advice, beyond retirement with Jacquie Ducette explores how to build a retirement that feels meaningful, intentional, and truly your own. That's beyondretirement.ca/s reset. And so, Kim, where can

Where To Find Kim And Work Together

Beverley Glazer 22:32

people find you? Please share your links.

Kim B Smith 22:34

yes,u you can go to my website at Kimbaudreausmith.com or come on over to uh LinkedIn at Kim BoudreauxSmith. You can find me over there. And I am now starting to have a little bit more fun with Instagram, and that is of course under Her voice over on Instagram. Perfect.

Beverley Glazer 22:54

And all Kim's links are in the show notes and they're on my site too. That's reinventtimpossible.com. And so, my friends, what's next for you? If you've been wondering what's possible for yourself too, let's map that out together. And you'll find that link in the show notes and on reinventimpossible.com. And if this conversation spoke to you, please add this to your playlist, share it with a friend who may need it right now. And remember, you only have one life, so live it with her and passion.

Share Subscribe And Closing

Announcer 23:35

Thank you for joining us. You can connect with Beth on her website, reInventimpossible.com. And while you're there, join our newsletter. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Until next time, keep aging with purpose and passion. And celebrate life.