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"From Career Change to Coaching: The Story Behind Peak Potential Coaching Co." - Debb's Version

Writer's picture: DebbDebb

I don't know about you, but I love a backstory! I love the 'About Us' page on a website, the 'Our Story' in a marketing email, or an Authors bio at the beginning of a great book. So what better place to start than with our own 'backstory'. The making of Peak Potential Coaching Co.


'A backstory is like an iceberg - most of it is hidden beneath the surface, but it's the unseen depths that shape what can be seen' - Debb Stevens


Yep, created my own quote! Who knows, one day it might very well be reused?!

Fitting that our Logo has a sneaky little shadow reflection of the mountain peaks (iceberg...).


So let's start at the beginning, when two rowdy teenagers were employed to work in a big green hardware store in the Main Street of a little town called Warwick 17 years ago. Both Dan and I were given 'a go' by one very trusting and highly experienced retail leader, Rossco, who retired after 50 years managing a range of businesses and acquisitions. He had great fore site (or so we say) when he employed us all those years ago and we were lucky enough to have him come and celebrate our launch of PPCC last week.


Debb, Rossco and Dan


Whilst Dan and I worked our way through different roles and channels in the business and Dan going off to Uni to get a Business & HR degree, we were always in contact. After both landing leadership roles, we then worked alongside each other again and have spent the last 5 years as close colleagues working across a range of stores and areas in South West Queensland.


In 2023 we both saw huge change. I was in my second year of maternity leave with my daughter and Dan had decided to take a great opportunity to travel overseas for a year with his hubby (his gap year as we like to call it). Whilst life was ticking away and my maternity leave was quickly coming to an end a huge curveball came out of left of field and after some structure changes, I took a redundancy and finished up my career with the big green shed. 17 years I had spent in a red shirt - half my life (I'm 34). I made the best of friends in that time, overcome challenges I never thought I could, had huge wins with my teams and gained experiences I will be able to use for the rest of my life. So grateful for my time in Red!


Then the emotions came - it was like breaking up with a boyfriend who didn't love you anymore. I went through all of the stages of grief and finally landed back on my feet after a life changing coaching session with my cousin Karen, who too is a Gallup Coach. She had flown up from Melbourne to help me in my 'crisis' moment of life and as we sat around the dinner table she asked me the most simple question - 'What did you love most about your job?'. Simple - the people! I loved working with my team to be the best they could possibly be. Helping them to develop their teams and build confidence and performance that they could sustain for years to come. She responded - 'well why don't you just do that?'.... Why don't I? Hmmm....


Then it was on! She flicked a switch in me and off went my 'activator' brain. I researched multiple companies to partner with and kept coming back to Gallup whom she had coached me with. I explained to my gorgeous hubby what my crazy dream was and he just nodded along. Always going ahead with whatever I desired. Then I got on the phone to Dan in the UK and asked him to join me. As I kept picturing my new found passion, I saw him alongside me, doing this together. The call went, 'Hey Dan, I have this idea and you should quit your job and come do it with me'. Thankfully he said yes!! And so began Peak Potential Coaching Co.


We started our business from opposite sides of the world, at all hours of the morning and night, writing business plans, setting up the financials, creating pitch videos for grants, it was an incredible time. When Dan made it back to Aus in February we put the foot down and got into the nitty gritty of the biz. Wow, we had so much more work to do! All whilst I navigated two little kiddies under 5, my hubby's business and my daughter's complex, medical needs (you'll get to meet my babies soon - they're pure sunshine). But do you know another huge reason I chose this path - it gives me the flexibility I need!

I work Part-time in the biz whilst Dan is Full-time. I navigate our medical appointments around work scheduling, still prioritise family time and holidays, and time with friends. All whilst supported by Dan. It truly is a dream come true.


During this crazy startup time we have become Gallup Certified Strengths Coaches and set up our website and all the bits and pieces we need to get started. And whilst we have huge dreams for this biz, we had to get started. I once heard someone say, 'a plans only a plan, you need to take action to actually get it done'. So here we are, 6 months of planning and 17 years in the making, Peak Potential Coaching Co. where we offer personal and professional coaching for individuals and teams. We can help you to maximise your strengths and the things you do best, drive engagement in your teams, boost productivity and build confidence, just to name a few. We also love to have fun so we promise you'll have fun with us too!!


If you want to reach your Peak Potential, come and join us! We'd love to work with you!

And if you prefer to just read my ramblings, then subscribe to the Blog and you'll get to hear plenty from me!





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