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I own a small landscaping business for the last 20 plus years. Something I have noticed over the years is that a lot of employees tend to open up to me about stuff they are dealing with in life. I've gotten very good at helping them navigate through their issues. I've had more than one employee describe working for me feels like they are in a "life group" where everyone helps each other navigate life's challenges.

My best friend, who used to work for me, has told me a number of times that although I'm very good a my job, I'm wasting my talents. I'm too good at helping people figure their stuff out to be wasting it landscaping. She says I need a bigger "stage" to reach more people.

She's not the only one that has hinted at that. I can't tell you how many employees over the years have asked me to talk to their friend because they think that I can help them.

It's not just employees or friends of employees that I've been able to help. Last year a client that I had for many years but never actually talked to, started texting me. Long story short, he had gone through some tragedy in his life a few years ago and became an alcoholic. I talked him into going to rehab and he just celebrated 6 months sobriety. My neighbor, who I never talked to until recently, lost his dad last year. I did too so he texts me nearly every day. Mostly about his motorcycle or guns but will also talk about how hard it has been without his Dad. He is the last guy you'd expect to talk about his feelings.

I used to work in youth group at my church (teenagers) and I did very well with that as well. I do feel like I'm more geared for the 20-30 year old age group.

Some of you know my story or at least part of it and, like most of us here, I've been through some stuff. Which is probably why I'm good at helping people walk through life's mess. I don't want to waste my talents if I can help people. I just don't know what to do to reach more people. I'm not looking to necessarily switch careers, but I'm not opposed to it. I'm okay with this being something that I can do in addition to my business.

Any ideas on direction for this?

[This message edited by Myname at 3:22 AM, Monday, April 18th]

Consider starting a side hustle as a mentor or life coach.

I help people with business strategies and help them qualify for funding/loans. I have helped formerly incarcerated people, recently divorced people and people from all walks of life who have faced adversity and need a "re-boot".

Look up certifications in your area or partner with someone has the required certifications. Working together will give you some idea of what you need to do to become certified.

Keep volunteering and build a following. Start with some daily posts in social media or podcasts.

Blessings to you!

Doesn't sound to me like you're 'wasting your talents' at all being right where you're at.

That said, do you want to do something else or something more?

do something else or something more?

Ultimately I want to sell my business but that’s 5-10 years down the road. When I am out of landscaping my plan is to buy rental properties and work a simple 9-5 job 40 hours a week.

So in the short term I just want to do something more. But in the long term I’m not opposed to it becoming something that takes up more of my time. Not necessarily my full time job but it could be.

Are you still working very long days, seven days a week?

One of my best therapists (I moved a lot in earlier years) was a physicist who got certified as a licensed counselor after retiring from physics. (He never got an AB or MS - went straight from sophomore in college to the Manhattan Project and got his Ph.D. for work he did there.)

My reco is to look for a social worker and licensed counselor and talk to them about their work to get a sense of whether you'd like it or not.

Are you still working very long days, seven days a week?

Yes.

Like I said, I have a few more years in me but that's it.

Look up certifications in your area or partner with someone has the required certifications. Working together will give you some idea of what you need to do to become certified.

My SO is a certified health coach which is similar to a life coach with similar requirements. She got certified about 6 months ago so she's still somewhat new to it. She's said that I should consider being a life coach.

My reco is to look for a social worker and licensed counselor and talk to them about their work to get a sense of whether you'd like it or not.

SO has a friend that is a social worker. I know her fairly well. I'm sure she wouldn't mind talking to me about that. I really don't know if that would be a good fit for me but she would be a good one to talk to. Weird side note, I've gone with her (and a few other of SO's friends) to a haunted house overnight twice.