Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Bubb.
Toni, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was a kid…. yes, we are going back that far, I used to always come up with inventions, ideas and little businesses so you could say I always had the “entrepreneurial spirit,” even though I had no idea what that meant back then. I was determined as hell. I taught myself how to ride a bike without training wheels, how to shuffle a deck of cards, and even made my tongue do that roll thing everyone says you are either born with or not. One day, I even thought I could race and beat a moving vehicle while riding my bicycle!
In high school, my first “real” job was a ski instructor at Sundown Ski Resort in a small Iowa town; I’d like to say that’s where I developed my passion for teaching and inspiring others. My motto was and still is, “I can have fun and make money at the same time!” From working at the Tastee Freez to Pizza Hut, if I wasn’t enjoying it, I didn’t stay.
Fast forward to my adult years when I vowed to never have a job I didn’t enjoy, I slowly learned that was going to be a nearly impossible feat. After graduating in 2008, with the recession and not many options, I started the corporate 9-5 life which I absolutely hated. I would experience sexual harassment, unethical behavior, poor leadership, backstabbing, gossiping and more throughout my journey.
In 2014, I hit a brick wall or as I refer to it now, I was burned out. Barely even 30, I had severe anxiety, bouts of depression, back issues, acne, stomach problems, and I was working over 80 hours a week. My driver’s licence got suspended for six months, my love life was going down the drain and work was an absolute mess! After watching several episodes of “How to Buy an Island” on HGTV, I was convinced that’s what I needed to do… just move to an island and get away from life. It honestly felt like the perfect solution at the time, and a dream come true.
Moving to an island is exactly what I ended up doing. I walked into work one day and without planning anything decided to book a one-way flight to St. Thomas, USVI. I drove to the airport, purchased a suitcase and some clothes at my layover in Miami and found myself 10 hours later in a place where I had never been and didn’t know a soul. I had given myself seven days to find a place to live and work; I ended up accomplishing both goals in six days.
During my journey and rediscovery of myself, I realized a big problem in the self-help industry. First, it costs a lot of money and time trying to find the best solution, second, it’s not personalized at all and feels like a huge guessing game half of the time, and third, referrals and recommendations only work half of the time.
That’s when I came up with Kizen Life, a personalized solution for the professional and personal development industry. Kizen Life makes change fun, personalized and matches people up with an exclusive group of coaches and business consultants!
The journey has been fun, exhilarating and frustrating all at the same time. I’ve had several people try to steal my idea and take advantage of me, but I keep on trucking. I know one day the right investors and people will come my way!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes, it has been smooth at times, almost magical. But at other times, it has just been plain hard, and I’ve even had thoughts of calling it quits. The biggest challenge is the pressure that comes from the people who are counting on me and relying on me to see this through to the end. What keeps me going is that fact that I’ve made my health my main priority and always will moving forward. I blend personal and professional development into my every day life by meditating, working out and practicing self-care. With regards to being an entrepreneur, I’m able to bounce back quickly, make difficult decisions and press forward.
The most difficult part recently has been the stress it has caused my parents. I know it’s difficult for them to see me go through the ups and downs, but I just just have remind them and myself that it’s part of the game.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kizen Life – what should we know?
Kizenaizen – was derived from two words; Kaizen which means continuous improvement and Zen, finding your intended path in life. Kizen Life is technology platform that focuses on both personal and professional development that matches people with the ideal coach or business consultant. Making large life changes is often difficult, so it is important for us to create a personalized and fun experience for our clients.
Kizen Life is taking a holistic approach to self-help by building a community that believes in collaborating with professionals who specialize in different core areas of life in order to help people achieve their life goals.
Although we work hard and believe in what we are building, our health, wellness and relationships come first, and always will. If we are going to promote health and wellness in the workplace and in our personal lives then we need to be living and breathing it.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Resilience. Without a doubt.
Before, I might have said faith or hard work, but now I truly believe it’s the ability to act, resolve issues, feel the emotions, and then keep going in times of adversity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kizenlife.com
- Phone: 5632190373
- Email: tbubb@kizenlife.com
- Instagram: tonimarie_loveroflife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009746343374
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonibubb/
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
