Self-employment Career Explorers Group

Especially for Introverts and HSPs

The Self-employment Career Explorers Group is a community of those who are exploring their career direction and they know self-employment is likely to be a part of it.

It’s designed especially for introverts and highly sensitive people (HSPs), from small group size, to meeting style, and to the kinds of career/business guidance. I get it from personal experience.

If you are in that in-between space and trying to balance a lot, having practical guidance, moral support, and community can help bring clarity and calm.

Learn the details below. If interested, we can have a free call to discuss it

Do any of these feel familiar?

  • Feeling alone and spinning with your career or self-employment questions and decisions.
  • Wondering how to move forward and have a balanced life at the same time.
  • Dreading “putting yourself out there” in the world.
  • Trying to make decisions with a constricted feeling, instead of from a clear plan.
  • Feeling like a misfit sometimes when it comes to work options or self-employment.
  • Or just wanting to be part of a community of others who care about living and working from their purpose.

I’ve rarely felt a sense of community. I joined the Explorers group and it became an incredibly nourishing part of my life. Introverts are wired to seek solitude, so it can feel like a lot of work to create new meaningful connections. Val finds incredible people and then folds you into a group that creates an intimate structure for sharing, learning, and support. It feels magical. I recently felt able to take a leap of faith in my career, to try on self-employment, because I know I’m not alone: I have friends who see my gifts and will remind me if I forget.” 

~ Jessye

Explorers group members experience:

  • restorative energy,
  • life-changing mindset shifts on how fulfilling work can be,
  • deeper clarity and confidence about what they have to offer,
  • better and easier results than going it alone,
  • acceptance of whatever pace is realistic for you,
  • easier decision-making and reduced self-doubt and overthinking,
  • the rare and powerful experience of being in a space with women who really get it (“I don’t have to explain myself here”),
  • practical help for new technology and writing feedback,
  • new networking connections,
  • occasional collaborations, and
  • overall more fun and ease in pursuing their mission-driven work.

From the beginning, Explorers has felt like a safe and sacred heart centered space where I’m able to connect to others who accept and understand my true self. I’m so grateful for the generosity of spirit and pillar of support the group has continuously offered in working through where I am presently and next steps in my journey.”

~ Lillian, an HSP who is now launching a new business

Is this for you? Let's see about the fit:

It’s likely a fit if you relate to all of these:

  1. You are exploring self-employment career options, or a blend of employment and self-employment directions.
  2. You like the idea of having a sense of genuine community with your kindred spirits.
  3. A desire to have a positive impact in the world.
  4. You enjoy learning and growing.
  5. You are drawn to things like mindfulness and work/life balance (even if you struggle to fit it in).
  6. You’re able to get things done, at your own pace, when you know what to do.
  7. You lean towards introversion and/or high sensitivity or you at least want to make sure your work is balanced with your energy needs.
  8. You’re a woman, or non-binary or trans person who is comfortable in a women-centered space.
  9. You actively embrace diversity and inclusion of all kinds and are committed to treating each other with respect and humility when you don’t understand someone else’s views.
  10. You don’t expect the group program alone to address everything you need.
  11. You’re a good listener when others are speaking.

If you relate to all of those, I’d love to hear from you so we can discuss and decide together. (Send inquiries and/or apply here.)

Details and cost are all below.

To be held with such care in times of difficulty is such a gift.”

~ M.H., sensitive introvert

Group Logistics and Frequent Questions

Community

  1. Monthly small group gatherings (90 minutes, up to 6 members) with Val’s facilitation. We use a meeting format and an approach to business and marketing that appeals to introverts, HSPs, and extroverts too.
  2. A second monthly gathering (optional) for setting priorities and action steps, with loving support.
  3. Regular opportunities (most weeks) for co-working sessions that open with a guided grounding to jumpstart a block of concentrated work on your goals. (10:30 am–12 pm Eastern time, Wednesdays.) 
  4. Buddy matches between meetings for keeping the community connection strong.

2. Private Access to Val – to smooth out the rough spots, go deeper with your planning and action items, etc.

  1. You get one or two private sessions per month (45 minutes each) with Val, depending on your plan. 
  2. Access to ask Val questions between meetings.

3. Guidance and Learning

  1. An easy-to-follow map that breaks things down in a way that calms the mind and heart.
  2. Learning modules to help support you with whatever step you’re on. (Modules include both inner and outer work, from fear busting to career clarity tools.)

4. Support and Networking

  1. Opportunities for other connections between meetings. This is a meaningful community of support.
  2. Connection to Val’s large network for help with new connections.

This program, with all the support described above, has these tiers available:

  1. Includes 1 private session per month: 417/month USD.
  2. Includes 2 private sessions per month: 627/month USD.
    (When new to working with me, this is a better starting place for moving forward more easily.)

I’m including private sessions because it makes such a dramatic difference for your progress and confidence.

Combining individual and group coaching is a perfect blend for me, where I benefit from the unique value each can offer me. A powerful combination! I’m so glad I have this one-on-one time to explore more deeply.” ~N.F.

If you answered yes to all the questions in the “Is this for you?” checklist (earlier on this page), it’s likely a fit, but we will chat about it in a free call and decide together.

Explorers members are usually in or creating a “for now” income source and are wanting to move towards something more aligned with their true values and strengths.

Members are at various stages and have various amounts of time to devote to their explorations. There’s no judgment on your stage or pace. I won’t push you to do anything, but I will reflect your own truth to you, and call you forth to take meaningful step-by-step action, as feasible in your circumstances.

Everyone has something valuable to offer, from listening and relating, to sharing ideas (if asked for).

If you’re not sure if it’s a fit for you, but you find yourself drawn to it, send me a note in the group inquiry form.

Val Nelson photoMuch of my career has included leading groups in some form, and I’ve had formal training in group facilitation and adult learning. I’ve developed my facilitation and teaching skills into a core strength. I’ve been leading groups and classes like this one since 2010.

Also, I’ve learned how to make my own work life sustainable for my wallet, my heart, and my energy needs as an introvert and highly sensitive person. I’ve been living it for over a decade and helping others do the same as my core business. This is what I’m about.

We walk through some relevant steps and topics together, and you can bring whatever topics or challenges are most current for you. Here are the kinds of topics we discuss:

  • How to explore your ideas.
  • How to manage this phase without running out of steam.
  • How to try on new territory without freaking out or going broke.
  • Stages of career or business development and where are you on the map.
  • What does it take to be self-employed?
  • What kind of support do you need and how to let it in.
  • Checking in with your values, purpose, and positive impact.
  • How networking and client attraction can work best for introverts and HSPs.
  • Understanding fair exchange for your work and building confidence for seeking fair pay.

The Explorers group meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 pm Eastern time/ 10:00 am Pacific. Meetings are 90 minutes.

Meeting dates and times are subject to change during holidays or by unanimous consent among participants.

There are also co-working/ co-creating times on Wednesdays at 10:30 am – 12 pm Eastern (7:30–9:00 am Pacific), which I also encourage you to attend.

We’re keeping it simple, because wouldn’t simple be nice?

People often describe the meetings as their place to pause and breathe, and find their footing amidst it all.

It’s a peer connecting environment that I host and facilitate so that connection and learning is maximized.

I bring my career and business expertise as part of it, and I also help to draw out the wisdom of the group.

I bring coaching and facilitation methods and tools that support a balance of being and doing. Nothing is forced. Everything is introvert-friendly. Everything is held in confidence.

I’m amazed what we cover in just 90 mins. You do a good job of managing time, covering a lot of ground, and giving space to everyone. Not an easy task! You do it well and with heart!” ~D.N.

As space allows, new members can join at any month.

All members will have done at least two private sessions with me. Or they have participated in my Career Clarity Course and/or Bridge to Self-employment Course and done at least one private session with me.

That way all members will be get caught up with a common mindset and structure, and I can make sure you have all that you need to get the most out of working together. I want to make sure this is a good investment for you. Questions welcome.

New members begin with a six-month commitment to the group so we can form strong connections. It’s not a drop-in group.

If however you realize after the first meeting that it isn’t for you, you can certainly stop then.

After your initial 6-month commitment, you can end at any time, with notice of one month so you can attend at least one more meeting in support of you and the group having a sense of completion.

The group is ongoing and incorporates a 12-month curriculum that is updated annually.

When you combine individual coaching and a group, you can make faster progress and have solid support for your decision-making, planning, and getting real with money and making practical progress.

I also notice that the combination keeps that inner critic quieter too.

“Combining individual and group coaching is a perfect blend for me, where I benefit from the unique value each can offer me. A powerful combination! I’m so glad I have this one-on-one time to explore more deeply.” ~N.F.

The group meets using Zoom, a video conference platform. You can be anywhere in the world.

We are pack animals, just like wolves. The lone wolf success story is a myth.

The “lone wolf” idea is a false and harmful notion. We are not built for self-sufficiency, no matter what you’ve been told.

We are built for understanding and restoring ourselves within community.

That is our true nature. Coming together “around the fire” for stories and connection is our heritage.

Over and over I’ve seen my clients come into groups and find the mental and soulful rest they need, as well as the renewed energy and clarity for next steps. It works, just as it has throughout human history.

Next Step: Apply or Inquire Here

If you feel the group might be a good step for you, please apply or inquire here.

We would talk by phone before we decide about joining.

Learn how introverts and HSPs make self‑employment work... without the hustle.

Get Self-employment INsights for Caring INtroverts and Highly Sensitive People (HSPs).

Get Self-employment tips for INtroverts & HSPs.

No time to read this right now?

Send it to yourself to read later! 

(Your email is not used for anything else.)

Search

Top Articles

my work is too draining

Is your career too draining?

It might not feel like it right now, but work can be energizing and fulfilling, even for introverts and HSPs. There is a way. Here are 3 paths to find your way to your right career path.

Read More »