Kind Words

‘Kate’s energy, flow and knowledge helps calm the overwhelm of starting a business. She acknowledges where you are, asks all the right questions, and provides resources to get your business off on the right foot. All this while enjoying and sharing the experience with a group of like-hearted supportive women. Completing the small business mentoring program has given me clarity around my business, where I want it to go, and how I intend to get it there. Kate really has created something super special.’ Misty Johnson, The Gratitude Bike

‘I have known Kate for almost ten years. She is remarkable in many ways, but to my mind she is almost alone in one regard. I know many teachers and speakers, but amongst the many I know, Kate is distinctive in that she truly embodies what she teaches — not just in front of the room or on stage, but all the time. I told Kate the other day that she always makes me stop and pay attention, whenever I encounter anything she produces. I cannot rush past Kate or anything she does. She is too impeccable. She demands that I stop, become awake, alert, and aware. That’s why I trust her, without reservation, as a teacher. And, if you’re lucky like I am, you’ll get to call her your friend.’ Robert Rabbin

‘It feels as though Kate is wrapping her arms around you and gently equipping you with the tools to unlock your innate ability to be truly calm. Guided meditation, breathing styles and practical exercises get you thinking about how small changes can make a big difference to your life. The Calm Collection is not about ‘checking out’ of the modern world, but embracing it by being more mindful and kinder to your ‘self’. I love the eBook and the guided meditations ~ I wish she’d published them sooner!’

‘Kate is an amazing life coach who I have known for over 10 years. She has helped me on several occasions get back on track and find my direction when I have needed it. I would definitely recommend her for anyone who runs or wants to run their own business. She is particularly good with people wanting a creative path.’ Jane Reiseger, Illustrator

‘The Calm Collection is a precious guide that should have permanent residency on your bedside table or on your iPod, iPad, laptop or Kindle! Kate reminds us, challenges us and gently guides us through the madness to a place we are all longing to reach. Love it.’

Kate’s words in Be Mindful & Simplify Your Life so perfectly capture what every creative entrepreneur needs to hear, all packaged up in a beautiful keepsake to treasure. Her words are authentic, honest and advice the kind I keep referring back to again and again. An absolute must read.  Jaclyn Carlson, Blog Society

Be Mindful & Simplify Your Life is a beautiful and very practical book. It will open your heart and your life in unexpected ways.  Jono Fisher, Founder of the Wake Up Project and Mindful Leadership Forum 

Reading Be Mindful & Simplify Your Life was like a meditation. Written in Kate’s signature style, there is no judgement; no exhortations that you MUST do this or that. Rather, it is an invitation to make room for mindfulness in your life backed by generous tips for how to do just that. For anyone who is finding life a bit too overwhelming at the moment, this book will centre you, inspire you and equip you to make room in your life for less ‘doing’ and more ‘being’. Kelly Exeter, Editor of flyingsolo.com.au and author of Your Best Year Ever

“The Boost Your Business workshop, provided me with a time-out from the consuming thoughts of my business for a moment of self-reflection and a review of my operations. We analysed our results from the Personality Test which I found reinforced belief in my skills and the natural fit of my business. Small business owners often feel fear, fear of failing, fear of the wrong approach, etc. We worked on our “Strong Business Self”, networked with a bunch of truly lovely ladies and had an inspiring morning! Thank you to Kate of Total Balance and Kate of BBB events.”
Mel Leeson, Mettle + Grace

‘Like many small businesses, our growth was rapid and exciting. Working with Kate as our business coach enabled us to put much-needed systems and processes in place to effectively streamline and manage our business. Kate worked with us to clarify our business focus and the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. Sometimes I couldn’t see the forest for the trees, but Kate had a knack for giving things clarity and putting things into perspective in a succinct and professional way. Meeting with Kate was always an enjoyable experience and we hope to continue our relationship with her as we take the business to another level.’

‘I first engaged the services of Kate James as a business coach back during the initial stages of starting my business. Running a small business was still an unknown for me, and I felt alone and unsure of what I needed to do to make my business a success. Working with Kate really helped me clarify what I wanted to do and how I should go about doing it. She always gave me practical and achievable advice that worked well for my business and, importantly, aligned with my business ethics. Even many years after my initial meetings with Kate, I still regularly draw upon much of the advice she gave me. I credit a large part of my success to the advice and guidance she gave to me in the early days of my business, and the support she gives me to this day.’

‘Kate showed me how to plan towards goals and activities that match my vision and strengths. Change is not scary or unsettling, it’s reinvigorating and natural. It just makes sense. These are life-long skills taught with such grace, logic and empathy. I’ll always be grateful for Kate’s insight and support.’ Cressida Bradley, Director of Explosure’

‘I first met with Kate when I was at a real career crossroads. Kate helped me to nut out my values and aspirations, recognise my natural talents and then identify opportunities and pathways for me to put that all together so that I could actually make stuff happen. I love the way that Kate was able to calmly and pragmatically break things down to the basics. Put simply, working with Kate helped me to get clear – which has been nothing short of life changing.’ Leanne Clancey, Food & Travel Writer

‘What has been true with your approach right from the beginning is that you’re not like any other coach. You listened to my personal/business challenges, and provided tools and insights to enable me to understand ways I could overcome the challenges I was faced with. You understood me and what I wanted from the coaching. I could not have envisaged the benefits that your coaching has made, or the results I’ve achieved after such a short period of time. The investment has paid for itself well over: in my new efficiencies, and releasing my focus on the one thing that had me frozen – unable to make progress. I now approach the future with excitement, anticipation, and empowerment. I would not hesitate to recommend Kate James of Total Balance to anyone who has goals and dreams, be it for life or business, that they want to achieve and don’t know where to begin, or how to get there.’

‘I loved my coaching sessions with Kate and miss them now we’re done! In a very friendly and positive manner Kate helped me to pinpoint exactly what I was looking for in my career. We identified my passions, my strengths, ultimate job criteria and a whole lot more, including balancing career and family life. As a result of our sessions, I am about to launch my own business – something Kate helped me realise I’d been wanting to do for years and that if I didn’t give it a go, I’d likely have regrets. Her supportive and no-nonsense approach, including a wealth of experience and professional network were invaluable in assisting me to take the first very exciting steps.’

‘Kate has a real gift for helping her clients stabilise when they’re going through challenges, or a time of growth. She has a wonderfully calm presence. Her advice is practical, grounded and strategic and she expertly guides you to seek your own solutions. In working with me on my kinesiology business during a time of expansion, Kate was able to help me formalise plans, work through many decisions and provide strategic guidance. Kate is generous in her nature and wonderfully affirming and encouraging. I have also seen the highly positive effects working with Kate has had on some of my clients, who always speak of her with the greatest respect.’

‘I absolutely adore Kate. She is a highly skilled, generous and enormously gifted business coach, especially for those who don’t traditionally consider themselves “business people”. I discovered her through sheer luck (thanks Google), and I remain sincerely grateful for the counsel she offered me back in 2010 when I was first fleshing out the bones for what would become Big Hearted Business. Thanks Kate!’

Like everything that the gifted Kate James does, this delightful book is full of gentle, thoughtful and poignant messages that do as the very name says, it inspires the reader to Believe in Yourself & Do What You Love. This gorgeous book simplifies what can be a particularly overwhelming process of finding our true purpose; encouraging us to take time in this journey, to embrace vulnerability, to ask the deep seated questions of ourselves without judgement – but with self compassion and kindness. Gently directing our self discovery through her gorgeously positive words, Kate’s book is the perfect accompaniment to a comfy couch, countless cups of tea, scrap books and pencils. It is a must read for anyone questioning their journey and in need of further clarity and encouragement.’ Amy Crawford, The Holistic Ingredient

Kate’s approach in her coaching sessions is relaxed and friendly while being efficient and results driven. She very quickly understood where my business was at and as such was able to provide me actionable tasks that resulted in increased profit at a time when it was much needed. I will see Kate again and continue to recommend her to other business owners.’ Angus Wurth, Bonsai Media

I had some coaching sessions with Kate to help me in becoming clearer about a project that I dreamt of running. Kate is authentic, professional, sparkling with creativity and truly inspiring. She provided generous ideas and helped me to develop this idea into a reality. I had been to other career counsellors in the past but this was an entirely different experience for me. Kate’s practice is grounded in the wisdom of meditation and you can certainly feel her clarity in the room. I felt absolutely blessed that although I found her through a random web search, she proved herself to be so helpful. I have already spread the word to my friends and would highly recommend seeing her if you are needing inspiration and support to reach your goals.’ Elise Bialylew, Founder, Mindful in May