Empowering Women: The Key to Breaking Free from Entrepreneurial Isolation

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s time for High Velocity Radio.

Stone Payton: Welcome to the High Velocity Radio show, where we celebrate top performers producing better results in less time. Stone Payton here with you this afternoon. You guys are in for a real treat. Please join me in welcoming to the broadcast with Fulfillment Coaching and Consulting, Evgenia Baikova. How are you?

Evgenia Baikova: I am doing great. You know it is cold outside, but sun is shining. That means everything is fine.

Stone Payton: What a delight to have you on the broadcast. I’ve really been looking forward to this conversation. I think maybe let’s start with if we could, for the benefit of me and our listeners. Mission. Purpose? What? Are you really out there trying to do for folks?

Evgenia Baikova: Oh, and that’s the nice beginning. So my mission and the purpose that’s that’s the interesting thing because, well, when we were talking, uh, previously, I shared with you that my background is purely human resources. But one day I decided that, well, I have something to do in this world. And now I’m on the mission to bring resources for female entrepreneurs to help them grow and to help them stop overthinking and feel in control of their businesses. And by resources, I mean the tools that are, um, um, available for those who are working for fortune 500 organizations. But now I’m bringing that resources to small organizations, for solopreneurs, for entrepreneurs making that accessible.

Stone Payton: So what compelled the decision to focus primarily on on female Entrepreneurs.

Evgenia Baikova: Um, well, I used to work, uh, well, my, uh, initial packages, my initial services was about leadership, because that was kind of a natural thing for me to continue what I was doing in corporate. But then I realized that female entrepreneurs, um, fellow coaches, for example, they don’t have that support because entrepreneurship is lonely and you’re just by yourself doing all the things, and there is no help that you can rely on. So and I when I quit my corporate, um, job that 9 to 5, my network has expanded significantly and I felt that loneliness in the community. That’s why I decided to switch.

Stone Payton: So you mentioned the corporate 9 to 5. Uh, tell us a little bit more about your journey to get here. What’s the backstory? I bet it wasn’t a direct path.

Evgenia Baikova: Well, uh, I was always passionate about people’s development, and I help them to grow. And, you know, so many people describing me as gifted person who see the little talent and know that I can, you know, help you to discover the talent, to discover your strengths and help you nurture and maintain that. So it’s a kind of a gift that I had through all my life. And that’s, um, why I made a decision to join, to get actually a degree in human resources. And then I was working in human resources function for different organizations. And, well, 20 plus years, this is my career, and I build my way up, um, to director, HR, director position. And I led teams, I coach teams and leaders and in place. So it was everything about helping them to be better at what they do. And to me, coaching and establishing my coaching practice was kind of a natural path to continue. But I also feel that in my organization being just, you know, um, the owner and the CEO who, who is making decisions, who is deciding what’s mission, a vision and strategy, that’s, um, something which is bigger than I was before. And I also used to work with coach, who many, many times told me, well, Evgenia, you are bigger than just a coach. Uh, because you are also a supporter. You are a connector. You are a great networker too.

Stone Payton: So I want to hear a little bit more about the work itself. Are you working largely one on one? Are you working with groups or a little bit of both? What what does it look like when you actually begin in engaging with someone to help them?

Evgenia Baikova: And that’s a great question because just, uh, in the morning before our call, I had another call and we were talking about workshop and that actually, that workshop can lead to group coaching. I like working with groups, too. And this is, um, an opportunity to work with me because, you know that before I used to work with teams. Right? And it’s all about team dynamics. And I like that. It’s a kind of a I don’t know, you are bringing magic to people. And when they when you see how they are working together, that one person ask one question. And that that started like, um, the chain reaction in the group of people. And before that, I was primarily focusing on one on one coaching because I really like to be, um, in close connection with whom I work, to learn about the person, to know the person, to feel and sense what’s going on there. But also, you know, working with teams, it’s a bit different, but it’s also it’s also can bring that deep connections and deep relationships. So yes, I do both. I work one on one and I also do a team coaching a group coaching.

Stone Payton: So I as I’m hearing you talk, I’m trying to envision that environment. I suspect there’s a great deal of, um, what would you call it, peer to peer learning. I bet they learn a lot from each other as well.

Evgenia Baikova: Yes yes yes yes yes. And, you know, that’s why I think that. Well I’m not I didn’t invent something new, but what I do with my group coaching or team coaching, I provide them with bits and pieces of information, a kind of a theory or sharing something with them, teaching them. And then I do a kind of a guided learning so that they are paired or they are working in small groups because, you know, that lecture is not the format when you learn, right? You can understand what person is talking about, but there is no learning there, right? That’s why I make my, um, sessions very interactive where they can practice. So I give them something, then they practice and they reflect on what just happened to them, and they report this is the best format that. Well, and this is my opinion, I like this format a lot.

Stone Payton: So at this point in your career, what do you what are you enjoying the most? What’s the what’s the most fun about it these days for you?

Evgenia Baikova: Well, I, uh, as I mentioned before, I like one on one because this is about deep connections. I like group sessions because it’s fun. And I also like to be on the stage because, you know, I also think that this is a part of my mission to share what I learn. And I have, uh, my experience, I have my background in education, too, so I really do. I really have something to share, especially that. You know, I believe that this is a kind of a magical combination of my experience and my education. And you know that while I have a couple of certifications and one of them is Co-active coaching, which is actually considered to be the most transformational coaching on the market, and Gallup Strengthsfinder that allows me to bring to my clients strengths based coaching. And my experience allows me to wear an additional hat being a mentor, right? So I was in corporate now when I am entrepreneur. So that’s the shift, right? I’ve been an employee and then I become a director. That’s another shift. So I know all the things I know ins and outs, and I can help my clients to navigate if they are experiencing something similar or they are preparing themselves for the next chapter, for the next step.

Stone Payton: So are you finding yourself working with a lot of females or a critical mass of females who are transitioning, much like you did at one time, from a more traditional environment to now an entrepreneurial environment. And if so, are you seeing some patterns, some common challenges that you just about always know you’re going to try to help them work through?

Evgenia Baikova: Yeah. Well thank you, stone, this is an interesting question because, you know, when I was in my certification program, so many instructors told us, okay, guys, you will definitely attract clients as you are with the same experience, with the same beliefs. And yes, this is working. This is true. So I do attract female, um, uh, clients who are transitioning or who are thinking about this transition. And yes, they all have something in common. And this is, you know, um, how to name it, like, not the obstacle. But this is a challenge and I help them to learn how to trust themselves. Because you know that the biggest shift from being in corporate environment or being in a 9 to 5, and then when you are transitioning in entrepreneurship, it’s about trusting yourself because you are alone, right? You are the person who is making decisions. You are the person who are defining success for yourself. Because in corporate world, how you define your success, who define that for you, your promotions, right? Your performance reviews are, I don’t know, feedback from your leader, feedback from your colleagues. But now you’re alone, so you just need to make yourself comfortable making decisions without constant, um, um, constant reassurance. And this is the biggest shift, right? Because we are waiting. Because in corporate, when you were in, uh, 9 to 5 environment. Everything was already decided, right? Everything was validated. Okay, now you’re good to go. Well, yes, you are on the right track. But what to do now? You just. You. Right. So many questions. That’s why we experiencing overthinking. That’s why we are waiting for perfect moments. Right?

Stone Payton: Right. So for you personally, when you made the transition, I’m sure you’re well beyond this. Now if it was a challenge, but did you have any any trouble with just the business side of things like, like getting the new business and running? Yeah, speak to that. Of course.

Evgenia Baikova: Yes. And, um, this is a great, you know, moment to share this. Of course I was there too, right? Because, well, I, uh, I knew how to be a leader, right? I knew how to be a good employee. I knew that I am a good coach because I was trained, I was certified, I pass numbers of exams, right? But being a coach is the skill and being the business owner is another one. And to be successful, you need both. And that’s the thing that what I’m observing, especially um, within coaching community, those who are new to coaching, those who are just graduating their school just got their certifications, they think, and I was the same. Well, I’m a great coach. I will attract so many clients and actually it’s not working like that, right? It is not. So that was a huge learning curve for me.

Stone Payton: So when, uh, when people are at least considering engaging you or just thinking about maybe engaging a coach or early in the process if they’ve pulled the trigger and decided to do that, do you find that sometimes they have some preconceived notions or maybe even myths about what coaching is and what it isn’t. And is that a challenge at all from time to time?

Evgenia Baikova: It is. And you know, this is our job. I mean, this is coach’s job to explain what coaching is and what it is not. Right. And I like this analogy like I’m the if you are trying to learn how to ride the bike, you need to maintain balance. And to maintain balance, you need a person who will hold the bike for you. So the coach’s job is to hold the bike for you while you are learning to maintain the balance. And when you are in the balance, you can write on your own.

Stone Payton: So did I know the answer to this is yes, but I’m going to ask anyway so that maybe you can expand on it. But my question is, did you have the benefit of one or more mentors along the way as you were navigating that new terrain? Or maybe you’re even to this day tapping into, uh, mentors or maybe even serving as a mentor yourself. But talk about that a little bit. This idea of mentoring.

Evgenia Baikova: Of course, I was an I am big fan of mentoring and I was a part of mentoring, um, initiative when when I was working in corporate and after that I decided, okay, so I have a coach who helped me with my mindset, but I need someone who, um, who can teach me how to do business or at least be my sounding board, or at least to be a person who can connect me with other people. And the biggest learning for me was that it’s okay to have more than one mentor. And now I have two. Well, uh, they are from absolutely different industries. Nothing to do with coaching, but I enjoy having them both as my sounding board. And yes, I am also a mentor for, uh, for those who are new to coaching. And for example, I’m also serving at one nonprofit organization where we provide free coaching for women in need. And we have volunteers who are coaching people. So we teach the basics how to coach, what to do, what’s not allowed, and I help them to be better at what they do because they have that calling. So yes, I can consider myself being a mentor too.

Stone Payton: So I’m going to switch gears on you for a moment, if I may. I am genuinely interested to know what you might find yourself doing if you’re not coaching. Speaking. Mentoring. Writing. Hobbies. Interests. Pursuits outside the the scope of the work?

Evgenia Baikova: Mm, I don’t know. I don’t know, that’s, um. It seems like I cannot survive without coaching or helping people. You know, I’m a big helper. So if coaching is not the thing, probably I will find myself helping in other, different ways. Um, Mean? Well, I used to serve as a board member of one nonprofit. Well, definitely will do that more. I will definitely volunteer. And of course, travel. I like traveling a lot. And for example, last week that was an interesting experience for me. Um, that was a kind of workation. So I just joined my husband, who was, um, on the trip, and he was working. I was working, but also we, um, carved some time for us to explore the area, and we went to Arizona, and that was the first time for us.

Stone Payton: Oh, neat. Well, I wonder if you have this experience. My listeners know that I like to hunt, fish and travel, and I like to be on the water or in the in the woods, but I genuinely believe with all my heart, Evgenia, that when I take time to do that and invest in myself a little bit, I really feel like I come back that much better equipped to to serve and maybe that much better a practitioner. Has that been your experience?

Evgenia Baikova: I would agree, and I also will add that being outside, uh, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go somewhere far. Just being outside of your house some time can bring you new perspectives. Like you can, um, be thinking about something, but just getting outside of your office, you see it, uh, in a new light in. But when you travel with all the experiences of being on a plane, being in a taxi, or living in a hotel, it also brings you ideas and perspectives and sometimes even change your mind. And especially if you have an opportunity to meet people while you are traveling. And I did it. I met a friend of mine. Um, actually, that was the first time we were meeting in person because, well, our friendship starts. That’s just started online. And that was an interesting conversation, you know, and that’s absolutely a different flavor of being, um, just close to each other in half similar conversations that we used to have online. But yeah, it’s changed some. It’s not changed, but it brought me some ideas and even I, um, created some posts for my social media after that journey.

Stone Payton: I am so glad I asked. I think that’s that’s marvelous. Hey, listen, before we wrap, I would love to leave our listeners with a couple of ideas. Pieces of advice, maybe, uh, pro tips. Sometimes I call them, uh, any, anywhere from, you know, if someone’s feeling stuck, they’ve hit a plateau. Uh, they’re they’re really wrestling with this, uh, genuine role shift from, you know, high performing contributor in an organizational environment. Now they’re out there trying to do their their own thing. And look, guys, the number one pro tip for you, if any of this is striking a chord with you, reach out and have a conversation with Evgenia. But, uh, between now and then, let’s leave them with a little something to chew on, something to, to think about.

Evgenia Baikova: Um, and that’s a wonderful question. And it’s so aligned with what I am, uh, preparing for these days. On Monday, I will be leading an, uh, an interesting workshop being and doing because I so, um, I believe that we are missing that being part. We are doing right. We are high achievers, we are doing things, and sometimes we are doing that on autopilot. And that being peace. It’s like one of my, our instructors, when I was in certification program, told us, well, we are human beings. We are not human doings. That makes sense, right? So just, you know, be present in the moment. And this is not just words, right? When you are in the middle of something and you feel that, well, something is missed, just try to be present and try to feel feel yourself. Okay. I’m sitting in this chair. Is it comfortable? What’s about my back? What’s about my legs? Um, what about the temperature in the room? What I’m drinking. Is it tea or coffee? Because sometimes we’re drinking something just on autopilot. Right. Again. And another thing is that when you try to do something which is challenging, usually we think, okay, am I ready? Is it the perfect moment? Well, do the thing before you’re ready because you will never be right. And, um, because clarity and confidence, they are coming from action. And this is another workshop that actually I do uh, confidence is, uh, forged in fire or confidence is embodied in action. Right. So act do little steps every day. Right. And you will see that you are progressing faster than when you are thinking about, I don’t know, making a giant leap.

Stone Payton: What marvelous advice. Thank you for that. All right. What’s the best way for our listeners to connect with you? Have a conversation with you about any of these topics. Start to tap into your work. Let’s give them some coordinates. A good way to to connect.

Evgenia Baikova: Well, I have a an interesting, very, um, creative email address. And it’s fda@fcc.com. But coach and also uh, this is the same address for my website, FCC code. You can find me there. Uh, let’s connect let’s chat. I have different resources, and you can, um, Um, think about what’s what fits you, right? So we can just chat. We can be part of my program. You can join my workshop. Some of them are free. So, yeah, a lot of tools.

Stone Payton: Evgenia, this has been a fantastic conversation. Thank you for your insight, your perspective. You’re clearly doing incredibly important work for so many and we sure appreciate you.

Evgenia Baikova: Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Stone Payton: My pleasure. All right. Until next time. This is Stone Payton for our guest today. Evgenia Baykova and everyone here at the Business RadioX family saying we’ll see you in the fast lane.