IAM856- Business Coach Helps High Achievers Build Their Dream Business

Fabienne Raphaël is a business coach, speaker, podcaster, and former elite athlete. She helps high achievers become highly paid experts by building their dream coaching/consulting business, so they can spice up their lives, and live their purpose. She’s a top-ranked podcaster and international speaker, who already shared the stage with John Lee Dumas and spoke at the last New Media Europe conference in London. She has been featured in Forbes, ABC, FOX, CBS, and Inc. and has appeared on over 30 podcasts, such as Entrepreneur on Fire. Fabienne was also an athlete's mentor with Team Canada at the last Pan-American Games.

• CEO Hack: Family time and moments
• CEO Nugget: Don't try to do it all on your own
• CEO Defined: Feeling aligned with who you are and who you serve and coming from a genuine place

Website: https://www.fabienneraphael.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FabiennRaphael/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabienneraphael/

Podcast Interview:

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Transcription

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00:02 – Intro

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

00:30 – Gresham Harkless

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast and I have a very special guest on the show today at Fabienne Raphaël, fabienneraphael.com. Fabienne, it's awesome to have you on the show.

00:38 – Fabienne Raphaël

Yay, me too. I'm happy to be here.

00:41 -Gresham Harkless:

No problem. Super excited to have you on as a contributor before and having you back in the inner circle, so to speak, so we can hear about all the awesome things that you're doing. And some of those awesome things I wanted to read about Fabienne. So Fabienne is a business coach, speaker, podcaster, and former elite athlete. She helps high achievers become highly paid experts by building their dream coaching consulting businesses so they can spice up their lives, and live their purpose.

She's a top-ranked podcaster, and international speaker, who already has shared the stage with John Lee Dumas who's been on the podcast and spoke at the last New Media Europe Conference in London. She has been featured in Forbes, ABC, Fox, CBS, and Inc. And has appeared on over 30 podcasts such as Entrepreneur on Fire. Fabienne was also an athlete's mentor with Team Canada at the last Pan America Games. Fabienne, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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01:29 – Fabienne Raphaël

I guess This is where I have to say, yes,

01:31 – Gresham Harkless

I'm ready. Yes, absolutely. Because you can't go away.

01:34 – Fabienne Raphaël

It's too late now.

01:36 – Gresham Harkless:

Exactly. Can't back off.

01:37 – Fabienne Raphaël

The record button's already hit.

01:38 – Gresham Harkless:

So to kick everything off, I know I read about all the awesome things you're doing. I wanted to hear a little bit more on what I call your CEO story. We'll let you get started with all the awesome things that you've been working on.

01:48 – Fabienne Raphaël :

Oh, God. Well, my path was no straight line. Actually, as a kid, I never imagined I would be an entrepreneur owning my business. Actually, each time people were talking to me about that, I found it was kind of weird. And, you know, because I was brought up by parents who were in the same place for a long time. And they were like, get your diploma, get a nice job, stay there forever, and then retire. Obviously, this is not what happened. I figured along the way that I was a little bit different because when I graduated as a physical therapist, let's say each second, or third year, something needed to happen in my life to spice it up. Like as if I couldn't have like the same, the same type of routine for a long, long time.

So after I started working, after I graduated, 2 years and a half after I left my job. I left home and went to Denmark to play teen handball in a team in Copenhagen because it was 1 of my dreams to play in Europe I just left everything and went there for 2 years and when I came back this was the first time I realized, oh my god, self-growth can happen because when I came back, I had the impression that I had gone forward but the whole world was like behind or something. I was like, I felt really off. And then let's say a few years later, gone by like this, and I met my business and life partner, Reggie, and he was already into personal development, working for himself.

And then we had different conversations about this. He introduced me to some going to conferences and learning and reading. And then the day he's like, what about like, you just switch from employee to consultant, just, just do that switch and see how it goes. I was like, Oh, okay, let's try that out. So I resigned as an employee physical therapist, and then I was hired by the same place as a consultant. And this is where, you know, I was like, oh my God, like I'm working for myself. So this is how it got started. And we got, we had a healthcare agency. I had a home staging business that led me to have my own TV show. And then I went to this huge marketing conference and I heard about online business and all that.

I was like, oh my God, like this is it. As if like I was waiting for that like all my life. I was like, okay, this is what I wanna do. So since things were not very clear when I started the whole online thing I started with my podcast marketing to crush your competitors. I interviewed a ton of people to learn a ton of stuff and this is how I built not only my confidence But my audience, you know my circle, and also like being more clear on what really I wanted to do and who I wanted to help. So that's why now I'm a business coach and I help high achievers, very important to me because these are the people I relate to. I guess it's my past as an elite athlete. I love people who do the work and are goal-oriented and all that stuff. And I help them build their coaching business so they can finally live their mission. So that's my story in, I don't know, 3 minutes.

04:43 – Gresham  Harkless

There you go. Now your story and you're sticking with it, right? And I absolutely love that. And it's so funny. A lot of times when you're just kind of doing your thing in life. And then, as you said, when you heard about online marketing, you're like, oh, my gosh, this is what you kind of been training your entire life for, and that even knowing exactly what it was. But I love that, you know, that you work with these high achievers because often, you know, they'll roll up their sleeves and do the work. It's just a matter of having that direction, having somebody sometimes to bounce ideas off of and do that deeper work that sometimes we can't see because we're so much into what we're doing.

05:12 – Fabienne Raphaël

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, totally right.

05:15 – Gresham Harkless

Nice. So I wanted to dive a little bit deeper and hear a little bit more about how that process works your tribe that you work with and how you serve them. Could you take us through a little bit more about that?

05:24 – Fabienne Raphaël

So the people that I work with are usually in their midlife crisis, if I can call it like that. You know, they realize that you know, they've been, they've been putting everything else in front of their own dreams, and they're wondering how am I supposed to continue living like that, and it hits them. And it's as if all of a sudden, it's urgent for them to do something about it. But 35 years, 40 years before, it was on the high burner. Yeah. So most of the people I work with like this is their situation and are like, I have to do this for myself because this is my purpose. Kids are gone from home or they're grownups.

They don't need me as much anymore. And I have to prioritize myself, my mission, and what I've been on this earth to do. So that gets me really excited because I'm like, yay, One more person. So most of the time we go through, you know, most of the time they know what their expertise is, they know what their gift is, they just don't know how to monetize it, how to attract their audience, how to know where to find them, how to craft their offer, how to do their marketing, and how to show off their best side in front of their audience so they can attract the right people to their businesses. So what I do is I really help them, you know, craft their offer, find their audience, you know, streamline the marketing strategy, and then get their clients in and that whole thing.

So get started with our coaching business. And then what they learn with me actually, if they keep implementing it, well, it could lead them to have more and more clients. So after when they're ready to scale and if they wanna come back and work with me, then, of course, I'm always open to doing so because it's always fun when you have a great experience with a client and then they come back while you're not saying well no go away and you want to help them more so yeah so that's how I work with my clients.

07:13 – Gresham Harkless

Nice absolutely love that And I know you mentioned kind of the handball background that you have too, but I've always heard that when you have a great coach, they get you to that next level. And then often you might come back, but it's usually and sometimes not the same kind of challenge that you're working through. Usually, it's that next-level challenge. So getting that and building that relationship sounds like it's something that's valuable.

07:35 – Fabienne Raphaël

Yeah and again like sports and we haven't touched on that yet but true sports have shown me how important it is to have like a great coach or a great mentor in your progression as a person, but also like as for me as an athlete, for example, or for my clients as business owners and all that stuff. I remember the first coach I had on the national team, his name is Stefan, and we still talk today, he's still my mentor. And there were like 3, I was 3 months in on the team and I went to his office and I said, Steph, I can't do this. And he's like, why? I'm like, well, I'm a full-time physical therapy student. Like we have to train for over 25 hours a week. I have to study, I have to perform at school, I have big goals for my education and I don't have time.

And people are telling me that I'm, you know, losing some important part of my life or I can't make it or I won't make it happen and it's crazy and all that stuff. And he told me that people are going to always criticize you, either you succeed or you don't succeed. You always find people that will say something that it's not right for you or you shouldn't do this, you shouldn't do that, but that's their own opinion. You have your life to control and you have your life to live and there's only 1 life. So what I'm telling you today is if you walk away from this experience, you're going to walk away from a lot of things, not only self-growth but also meeting other cultures, traveling the world, learning to deal with your teammates, facing challenges, and all that stuff.

So he's like, well, it's your decision, but I mean, I would recommend you leave the team. And anyway, practice in 30 minutes. And I'm like, okay, see you at practice. That was it. So to me, like just that, and that's just 1 of the many stories I have with many coaches not only in sports but also in business meaning that I felt that when you're surrounded by the right people and guided by the right person, that person can have such a great influence on who you become, but also how you deal with everything that happens after in life. And I remember that you know, the next challenge that I faced as an athlete, for example, and wanted to give up, always come back to that conversation that puts me back into perspective and say, no, that's my life.

I made that choice. I have to make it work and This is it, you know, so yeah coaching coaches has always been very important to my life Especially when I got started playing for a team in Canada, then I was like, okay Yeah coach for everything So in any aspect of my life, if I need that help and that guidance, I won't hesitate to hire the resource I need.

10:24 – Gresham Harkless

Yeah, that's so huge. And I guess the saying is the way you do 1 thing is the way you do many things. So like you mentioned that experience that you had kind of translated into all the different challenges. Because the challenges don't stop. They just kind of look differently sometimes.

10:38 – Fabienne Raphaël

So you kind of have to make sure you have that kind of tribe around you in that environment.

10:38 – Gresham Harkless:

So would you consider that to be what I call your secret sauce? The thing you feel kind of sets you apart and makes you unique is that ability to also be able to tap into that sports background and be able to remember and have those experiences and be able to call that to yourself but also to the people you work with.

10:57 – Fabienne Raphaël

Yeah, that's actually that's a good thing But that's not what I pointed out. Mostly when people tell me what's different about me, I'm like, there are 2 things. It's my personal approach and the simplicity. So I hate complicated. I hate when we hear that you need complex funnels and all that stuff to make things work. I think things could be very simple. It's just that we complexify our lives for so many reasons and simplicity, not only in business but in all the areas of my life. This is one of the values that I really share, and cherish, because even in relationships, like when it's not simple, when you argue all the time, when the other person doesn't, you know, doesn't understand you, like, why are you staying there?

You know, or when you're at work and it's always complicated with your co-workers and your boss like you're always arguing like why are you saying there? So for me, it's 1 of my key values and then the personal connection because right here right now if you tell me well call that stranger and start a conversation I could do it. Like I've evolved over the years to be able to get out of my cocoon, let's say, and not wanting to talk to anyone and being hidden in a corner to open myself and just asking questions and getting generally interested in talking to everyone. So this is something that I can do easily now. And all the time when I ask my clients why they signed up with me, they always say because of the personal touch.

So if I have this call scheduled with you, and then let's say you're my potential client, and I get on Zoom and you're not there, I have your phone number, and I'll call you, right? And I'll call you and I'll ask what's going on or if you can, whatever. And it's already happened that people, oh my God, like something happened. I forgot to call you and all that stuff. And I sent a personal message or a personal video or something saying, no worries. You know, we just reschedule and it's okay. And most of the time people are like, people don't do that. They don't call back. They don't leave a message. They don't send a video. Like they don't, they don't do that. So, so yeah, I would say it's that. And then now I will add, the sports thing and go back to the conversation I had with Stefan.

13:05 – Gresham Harkless

I wanted to switch gears a little bit and I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO hack. So this could be like an Apple book or habit that you have, but what's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

13:16 – Fabienne Raphaël

Oh, a habit that I have. Well, actually, I just make sure that every day, like I'm a hugger. I hug my little 1 a lot. So I make sure I get my dose of hugging with my partner, with my life partner also. With my teenager, it's a bit like, you know, harder because he's at this age where it's kind of weird but I make sure that every day you know we laugh out loud and we crack jokes and all that stuff so I think that what makes me feel grounded is actually the family time and the family great moments that we can have every day because ultimately this is you know I'm doing this not only because I feel it's my mission but also because I want to show the example to my kids as a parent I feel that the best way to educate them is to show them, you know, to be happy myself or to do something that I love, right? To work for myself.

14:08 – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. So now I want to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. So this could be a word of wisdom or a piece of advice. It might be something you would tell a client or if you happen to be a time machine, you might tell your younger business self.

14:20 – Fabienne Raphaël

Don't try to do it all on your own.

14:23 – Gresham Harkless:

That's huge. And I wanted to ask you now my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on the show. So Fabian, what does being a CEO mean to you?

14:34 – Fabienne Raphaël

Wow. To me, it's like, you know, just feeling aligned with, first of all, who you are and who you serve, but also like coming from a genuine place.

14:45 – Gresham Harkless

Truly appreciate that. I appreciate your time as well too. What I wanted to do is pass you the mic so to speak just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and listeners know and of course how best they can get a hold of you subscribe to the podcast and find out about all the awesome things they work.

14:57 – Fabienne Raphaël

Okay so the first thing that I want to share is my favorite quote from Jim Roon and it's success is something you're attracted by the person you become. So means that you know the work you have to do on yourself before you can get everything that you wish for. If you're not willing to do the inner work, then you're not willing to attract that success that you wish to get. And then the other thing if you want to get in touch with me or know more about me, fabianrafael.com also has a YouTube channel.

15:33 – Gresham Harkless:

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. We will definitely have those links and information in the show notes as well too, so that everybody can follow up with you. But I love that Jim Rung quote, especially that becoming part of because I think so many times we think that where we are is the final part of our lives. But we always have that opportunity to get better, to level up, to progress. And I think when we remind ourselves of that, it gives us kind of power, but also the tools by which we're able to kind of take those steps to be what we wanna see in the world or within ourselves.

16:00 – Fabienne Raphaël

Yeah, absolutely.

16:01 – Gresham Harkless:

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Well, I appreciate that, and I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.

16:22 – Outro

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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