Small-Business Success Story: The BattleAxe
This retired Navy pilot teaches her civilian clients how to take command.
Kiplinger's spoke with Karen Baetzel, an Arlington, Tenn.-based leadership development consultant, about what led her to entrepreneurship after a successful career as a Navy pilot. Read on for an excerpt from our interview:
What exactly do you do? I teach and speak about leadership development and consult with clients in the corporate, government and nonprofit worlds. My clients have included Microsoft, Domino Sugar, AmeriCorps and the departments of Defense and State.
You were a career Navy pilot? I retired as a captain in 2008 after 16 years of active duty and 14 years in the reserves while I was raising my two children. I qualified to fly helicopters and propeller and jet aircraft.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
What inspired your second act? I did a lot of community and nonprofit work while I was raising my family, and I realized that the civilian world was desperate for the management, leadership and "followership" principles that I had spent 30 years learning. That is, in the military, we're groomed to lead but expected to follow, too, and we're taught how.
Why is BattleAxe your brand? As I became more senior and in charge of training initiatives, my colleagues called me, with great reverence, the Old BattleAxe -- meaning an older (check), married (check), protective (check), sharp-tongued woman (check). I didn't see anything about that description I didn't love, so I embraced it. My motto is "Sharpening leaders."
What lessons do you teach? People come to me and say, "I want to develop more confidence." I say, "Stop trying to develop confidence and work on developing competence." Confidence is a lagging indicator of competence. Get good and you will feel good. There's no hack to this.
How did you launch the business? I knew I wanted to build a solo practice with complete control over my time, travel and client list. I took a job as a subcontractor for a couple of years, read a lot of books and joined Toastmasters to refine my speaking ability and presentation. I also joined a speakers bureau, Women Veteran Speakers. I spent between $15,000 and $20,000, which included the cost of my website [www.truebattleaxe.com], promotional materials, 21st-century equipment to replace my old PC and dial-up modem, and a business coach.
Any missteps? I built a horrible website and a terrible one-page promotional fact sheet to market myself. Then I hired a marketing and graphic design firm, which took my money and didn't do a good job. What I needed was a competent coach with a proven track record who knew my business. Once I hired the right one, he helped me improve my marketing materials and price myself properly.
You were charging too little? Yes. My coach said, "Are you crazy? People with far fewer credentials than you are making 10 times what you're charging." Now I charge $5,500 for a one-hour keynote speech. But I also do pro bono work for veterans' groups.
Do you foresee a third act? My husband, Bernie, and I were just blessed with our first grandchild. I want to be an exceptional, if not extraordinary, matriarch.
To continue reading this article
please register for free
This is different from signing in to your print subscription
Why am I seeing this? Find out more here
-
Stock Market Today: Nasdaq Soars Ahead of Tesla Earnings
The EV stock rose nearly 2% ahead of its highly anticipated Q1 earnings report, due after tonight's close.
By Karee Venema Published
-
GM Stock Accelerates After Earnings Beat
General Motors beat expectations for the first quarter and raised its outlook for the year. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties
Making Your Money Last Wondering how to find foreclosed homes for sale for your next residence or to flip for a profit? These websites will guide you to foreclosures and real estate-owned properties to buy.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
By Miriam Cross Published
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute Vacation
Travel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
By Vaishali Varu Last updated
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
insurance Instead of relying on rules of thumb, you’re better off taking a systematic approach to figuring your life-insurance needs.
By Kimberly Lankford Published
-
When Is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime In 2023 Amazon had two Prime Day events — one in July and another, called Big Deal Days, in October. We expect 2024 to follow the same schedule.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Steps
insurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
By Kaitlin Pitsker Published