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What if the most important career decision you ever make is refusing to play by rules that don’t help people? I share the unvarnished path from a shaky start in college to a high-achieving grad career, then straight into the harsh reality of public mental health—where stabilization trumped healing and paperwork stood in for progress. Leaving that system a few hundred hours short of licensure felt reckless, but it opened the door to a different kind of impact: entrepreneurship with a mission.

A mentor’s blunt truth steered me away from corporate consulting and into pediatric sleep coaching, a nascent niche that blended science, psychology, and coaching. I went all in—certification, hundreds of families, and the unsexy backbone of business growth: a hand-coded website, SEO, and 323 research-driven blog posts. The work was intense and deeply human, meeting parents at the edge of exhaustion and guiding them toward steadier routines and calmer minds. And then a single blog post changed everything.

After writing about a baby named Owen who died due to unsafe daycare practices, I connected with his mother and helped mobilize consultants to push for change. Missouri passed safe sleep legislation the following year. That moment reframed my purpose: yes, sleep matters—but safety, advocacy, and parental regulation matter just as much. Today, I teach as faculty with the Family Sleep Institute and direct safe sleep education, turning updated AAP guidance into practical training for consultants and practical protection for families.

This episode is for anyone who wants to build something real without a safety net. We talk mentorship that tells you the truth, niche selection that actually differentiates you, marketing that compounds over time, and why your nervous system is your most important business tool. If this story resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who’s on the edge of a pivot, and leave a review to help others find it. What rule are you ready to stop following?

You can reach us here:

Katie:

Website:
KatieKovaleski.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/coach_katiek/

Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekovaleski/


Wavier & Release of Liability and Disclaimer: The information provided by the therapist(s) is not intended, nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. The listener is advised to always seek the advice of their health care practitioner or other qualified health care provider with questions regarding medical conditions, or the mental health and welfare of the listener. I (listener) accept that Kathryn Kovaleski is not liable for any injury, or damages, to person or property, resulting from listening to this podcast.