The Case Study of Janet 1
The Case Study of Janet
Laura D. Williams
Liberty University
LIFC604: Leadership Professional Life Coaching
Dr. Castellani
September 22, 2023
The Case Study of Janet
In the case study given, Janet is an office manager at a paper supply company who makes
$45,000 a year. She is a young professional who wants more out of life. She is currently seeking
coaching due to wanting to start a new business of stationery sets and greeting cards but is
skeptical of the financial risk. Janet is also comfortable with the consistency that is given with
her job and pay but she is still eager to follow her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.
The Case Study of Janet 2
Janet can benefit from coaching in various ways. One way she can benefit from coaching
is gaining confidence or being empowered by the coach to start this business. In an article by
Linkedin, it supported the view that “ Through coaching, you can empower your employees to
find their own answers and develop their skills, confidence, and creativity.”(Linkedin, 2013).
Coaching may give Janet the motivation she needs. By setting SMART goals Janet may realize
this goal is more achievable than she believes it to be.
The second way she can benefit from coaching is getting tips to plan accordingly to be
financially prepared to take a leap into entrepreneurship. With the proper financial management,
Janet could reduce her fear of being financially able to pursue her dream. Before leaving any job
you should make sure you have a plan and your finances can handle it. Coaching can definitely
help Janet prepare properly for this transition.
Another way Janet could benefit from coaching is learning Leadership skills. Coaching
can help increase Janet’s leadership skills so she can properly run her company and have some
type of structure even if it is only her in the company. In Proverbs 11:14 NIV, “For lack of
guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”(NIV, 2011). It is very
important for Janet to be able to get some type of leadership skills or guidance before starting her
company.
Strengths and Challenges of Janet
Janet has a few strengths and challenges in this case. One strength Janet has is that she is
currently working and is earning some type of income. Due to her receiving some type of
consistent income, she will be able to save money and invest in her business quicker. She is also
a single young professional, assuming this I believe she does not have any dependents or anyone
The Case Study of Janet 3
else to take care of who might not benefit from this decision. Janet's job puts her in an advantage
and she seems to be doing well financially at the moment as it stated she was financially secure.
The second strength Janet possesses is ambition and drive. Even though she faces some
fear of taking this risk, her drive to start her own business seems to overpower the fear. In
addition to this, Janet already has the business in mind. Janet seems very detailed and direct
about what she wants to do with her business. This makes a great client and a more collaborative
team due to her being more hopeful and showing some enthusiasm with receiving help.
I believe the one and only weakness Janet has is her fear of taking this chance. In Isaiah
41:10 NIV, it states “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I
will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”(NIV, 2011).
Fear can hold Janet back from a great opportunity and something that may be great for her. If she
does not give over this fear she may live to regret not living out her dream and/or stay at a job
doing something that she really has little interest in. Looking to God to give her this confidence
may help very much.
SMART Goals
With Janet’s case study I would create 3 SMART goals for her. The first set of SMART
goals are centered on her assisting her with her business plan. Janet already has her business
idea, now it is time to create a plan so she is able to realize her goal is more achievable than she
thinks. The Specific goal would be to get Janet to start selling her stationery and greeting cards
on online platforms. Her Measurable goal will be that she will be able to take orders in the next
upcoming weeks and she will sell a minimum of six cards weekly. This is attainable by her
setting up the account on different selling platforms such as amazon, etsy, ebay and Instagram
shop. She will then create an inventory of 50 cards to sell. Followed by Janet protoming her
The Case Study of Janet 4
business locally, on social media platforms and asking friends and family to spread the word.
This goal is relevant so that way she is able to start off small before fully quitting her job
completely. Her time based goal is that she will have all selling platforms active by the end of
the month and she will have an inventory of 50 cards within four weeks or less. (Gregory, 2022)
The next set of SMART goals I would like to work on with Janet is setting a financial
plan to prepare her if she wants to quit her job and focus on business full-time. I would advise
that Janet is not quick to leave her job without being financially ready. The specific goal would
be to create a savings that will act as an emergency fund for when she decides to leave. This
would be measured by her saving $7,000 by making a new budget. This goal will be achievable
if she is able to put aside $250-300 each paycheck, which can be around $600 a month . This
goal can be realistic if it is actually a priority to Janet and depending on if the amount can fit in
her budget. If Janet saves $600 a month she may be able to save $7000 within the next 11-12
months. (Lazar, 2023)
The last set of SMART goals I think that can benefit Janet are goals that are centered
around her confidence and leadership skills. Janet has mentioned she has a fear of taking this risk
of starting her business and leaving her job. One thing that can help with this is becoming more
adaptable to change. The specific goal would be more adaptable as different situations may occur
within the first few months of the business. This can be measured by having Janet taking a
course in Adaptability. This is attainable by having Janet take the course and putting what she
learned in practice in her current job and everyday life. This goal is relevant as Janet can learn to
be prepared for challenging situations and be able to solve unexpected challenges. The goal has a
deadline for three months and checking back in within six months. (Anderson, 2023)
Coaching Strategies and Ideas
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Some overall ideas and strategies that I found to be beneficial for Janet are geared
towards her finances. The first thing to pray and incorporate God in any plans in her quitting her
job and blessing her business plans. God can provide Janet with the strength, confidence and
reassurance she may need to take this leap of faith. In Psalm 34:5 NIV it says, “Those who look
to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” (NIV, 2011). God can deliver
Janet through all fears and negative thoughts that are stopping her from pursuing her dream.
The next thing I would suggest is for her to pay attention to her finances, any type of debt
she may have and to focus on what her budget will be for her living expenses if she quits her job.
This is very important due to her not having a consistent income once she makes the decision to
quit. Doing this will also get her to reflect on when she actually is able to quit and focus on her
business full time. Another suggestion to Janet would be to work at her current job part-time so
that way she is able to focus on her business and have another consistent income.
The next idea would be to highly stick to her savings goals for her emergency fund. In
order for her SMART goal to work she has to make saving a priority. She can also put it in a
savings account that accrues interest. Her savings may give her a sense of safety and make her
feel more confident once she sees she has saved enough money to leave her job.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Janet has what it takes to take this leap in starting her business. However,
she should not jump so quickly and plan properly to prevent major setbacks. Even if there are
setbacks, she will be more equipped to these due to proper planning and attending adaptability
training. I believe in Janet and as a Life Coach, I would definitely pray over her business and
willingness to succeed.
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References
Anderson, C. (2023, July 21). 5 leadership smart goals for leadership capability: Acorn.
Acorn PLMS. https://acornlms.com/enterprise-learning-management/leadership-smart-
goals
Gregory, A. (2022, October 14). Here are some business goals that follow the smart
criteria. The Balance. https://www.thebalancemoney.com/smart-goal-examples-2951827
Lazar, A. (2023, January 31). How to set S.M.A.R.T. financial goals (with examples).
FinMasters. https://finmasters.com/smart-financial-goals/#gref
Linkedin. (2023, July 27). How do you use coaching skills to empower and develop your
employees?. Coaching Skills: How to Empower and Develop Your Employees.
https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-do-you-use-coaching-skills-empower-
develop#:~:text=Through%20coaching%2C%20you%20can%20empower,to%20boost
%20performance%20and%20productivity.
New International Version. 2011. Isaiah 41:10
New International Version. 2011. Proverbs 11:14
New International Version. 2011. Psalm 34:5
Taylor, K. (2022, February 22). 5 steps to financially prepare for quitting your job.
Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-much-money-do-
i-need-to-quit-my-job#:~:text=Having%20a%20full%20and%20realistic,your%20budget
%20for%20best%20results.
Zavvy (Ed.). (2023, September 13). 15 smart leadership goals examples to inspire and
motivate growth: zavvy. RSS. https://www.zavvy.io/blog/leadership-smart-goals-examples
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