Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Barker.
Hi Kara, it’s an honor to have you back on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Thanks again for inviting me back to share my story on this amazing platform. There is an old Chinese saying that goes: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” For centuries, the greatest thinkers have suggested the same thing: Happiness is found in helping others. Despite all of the self-help messages so prevalent today, life is not all about your happiness. Life is about serving others. In April 2021, I decided to become a life coach. I didn’t become a life coach for any of the noble reasons others often say, such as changing lives or making a difference in the world. (I wish!) I initially became a life coach because I wanted to get my act together, I was stressed. Truth of the matter was I misplaced my faith in people, places, and things, lost my identity, and lowered my self worth due to the lack of my career’s progression because I was more focused on receiving the title bump or salary increase than trusting God and relying on His promises.
It was at that pivotal moment, I was reminded of an old hymn we used to sing in my grandparent’s church called, In Christ Alone” the beautiful lyrics are:
In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song; This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled when strivings cease! My comforter, my all in all—Here in the love of Christ I stand.
During the summer of 2021, I decided to “bet on myself” and enrolled in a few classes to become a certified life coach and subsequently launched my own Christian-based life coaching company called EmpowHER Consulting. EmpowHer is an organization centered on women empowering other women by creating a safe space to accelerate one’s leadership potential, maximize one’s mindset and become empowered to create new winning strategies for all aspects of one’s life. Through this blind faith effort, I not only realized that helping people made me happy and fulfilled but allowed me to help others discover their purpose and increase one’s self-awareness while igniting the fire from within. While I was launching my new company, I started to journal my experiences which turned into my latest 100 day devotional journal called, Breakthroughs and Bless You’s, which can be purchased on Amazon, Book Baby or through my website www.karabarker.net. In my new book, I share with readers the concept of experiencing a breakthrough moment. Breakthroughs are blessings that show up when we least expect them to. It is in these moments in life when you experience a breakthrough that suddenly changes the course of your life while others provide the necessary assurance that things will never be the same again. In every setback, comeback, and even level up I’ve learned many life lessons but three of them have stuck with me:
1.) No experience is ever wasted. Everything has meaning.
2.) Make it your intention to serve your life with purpose.
3.) Be the spark that ignites the fire in others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I was one of those many women who used their weaknesses as an excuse to remain within one’s comfort zone. Unknowing to me, the more attention I gave to my weaknesses, the more it damaged my self-esteem. I allowed my inner critic to have dominion over my life by listening to the voice that said,“You’re not good enough, you’re a failure, and you don’t belong.” Those were the words that kept ringing in my mind each time I attempted to break forth from my past mistakes. No second went by without a negative self-thought. I felt less of myself because of my weaknesses. That is when I began to examine my Christian beliefs and later realized that just as I give grace to others, I need to give myself grace by accepting my own vulnerabilities, face fear head on and most importantly embrace my discomfort while growing from my mistakes.
The well-known author and motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant once said, “Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself. We cannot outperform our level of self-esteem. We cannot draw to ourselves more than we think we are worth.” My heart was filled with fear, intimidated by everything and everyone. I was heading towards depression when I bumped back into a “man” that I knew from my past, His name was Jesus Christ. He reminded me that whenever I think less of myself, to refocus my attention on who He said I was. God’s way of helping us build up our self-esteem is showing us Jesus. Sorry, that calls for a quick praise break! Hallelujah and Thank you Jesus!
Thanks for sharing that, you’re inspiring. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the CEO and founder of EmpowHER Consulting, Fortune 50 senior leader, co-founder of REALationships, host of The Hello MaximizHer Podcast, global influencer, and known maximizer. My debut book, Hallelujahs, and Hiccups, 100 Day Devotional Journal was an instant success and received stellar reviews internationally. I am also a Content Creator and featured writer for YouVersion, the Bible App with several devotional reading plans, Hallelujahs and Hiccups, Queen Moves and my latest 7 Day Plan Hello Beautiful.
I am a wife, mother, and life coach who married my college sweetheart, Lonnie and we’re the proud parents of three young adults Marika, Maiya, and Micah. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Human Relations and Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. As a certified life coach and motivational speaker, I enjoy empowering women to help them recognize their value while discovering their strengths and purpose. My greatest passion is helping people and businesses to perform at the highest level they can. There are a few different things I’m interested in, but lately, I’ve been focusing on writing, hosting my favorite podcast called The Hello Maximizer on Spotify and Apple Podcast, and serving side by side with my husband mentoring couples.
I’ve been in this industry for a very long time, and I have over 20 years experience mentoring, coaching, and leading leaders which has given me insight into the biggest and smallest aspects of how a company in this industry operates and succeeds. Having the benefit of working with various levels of leaders and executives, I am able to provide a different and unique perspective to help one discover one’s purpose and aspirations. Lastly, what makes me unique as an individual is my authenticity and transparency. I write from a place of experience and lead and coach from a place of humility. I’ve learned to step aside so others can run by and seize the prize of their own greatness. I am not perfect by any means. I have made many mistakes in my lifetime that I am not proud of, but by the grace of God, I’m still here which means I still have an opportunity to learn and grow.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
As I mentioned before, my new book Breakthroughs and Bless You’s is now available on Amazon and Book Baby for purchase today. Trust me, this daily journal is the perfect gift for oneself, your bestie, your life group leader or even co-worker! This devotional journal invites women from all ages, cultures, and stages to experience 100 days of devotion, prayer and journaling. Each day is filled with life lessons, scripture, and motivational insight. This is the perfect journal for the holiday season to create new habits of seeking God through scripture and prayer. As I tell my readers, you were made for more and you have untapped potential and greatness within you! No matter what season of life you’re in, this book will encourage you. Now is the time to position yourself for your next breakthrough. I would be honored by your support of my newest creative project.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karabarker.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowher_consulting/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowHERconsulting
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC1i05HyGDnL49lh0eupwJZw
- Join me in reading Hello Beautiful, 7-Day Reading Plan on YouVersion, The Bible App: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/32911
Image Credits
Jaren Collins
