Prospera
Client Success Story:
Prospera helps female entrepreneurs across the state of Montana through no-cost business counseling, business technical training, mentorship, and connection.
The Situation
In 2017, the organization was supporting business owners through training and business counseling but found that many individuals began business counseling without a clear understanding of the basics. This meant the organization’s resources weren’t getting utilized effectively — some individuals were skipping key steps in the training process, showing up to “stage 2” unprepared, and others needed to receive the information more than once.
They were in need of a systematic approach that provided all new business owners with a strong knowledge foundation prior to one-on-one business counseling, ensuring individuals received training that they could immediately apply in a meaningful way so they could maximize every hour they spent with Prospera’s trainers.
“Karen is the go-to facilitator in southwest Montana — she clearly loves what she does, and she loves to help connect business owners with their true potential.”
— Suzi White, Former Director of Business Development
The Approach
K. Lum Consulting entered the scene to streamline and optimize the training process. Karen began with designing the curriculum for Propera’s signature course, Power Up Business Planning, a three-week course specifically designed for individuals who are brand new to business or wanting to start a business, and new business owners looking to start a second business. The new course curriculum gave participants a strong foundation from which to start making progress toward business goals. Describing the impact, MTWBC Program Director Shayna Blaser says, “Karen is so phenomenal at what she does — she knows how to inspire and empower. As entrepreneurs begin the journey of starting a business, she knows how to ask questions that help people discover the answers for themselves.”
After leading the new Power Up workshop with rave reviews, Karen then helped Prospera launch Link Up Accelerator, a program for female entrepreneurs that combines intimate business networking with education, coaching, and accountability. Shayna explains, “In this training, she knows how to build community but also trust in a group setting. She leads each session with such an open mind and open heart that people are able to be truly comfortable sharing, and vulnerable with their pain points and challenges. That allows people to experience real growth. She facilitates a mindset that inspires people to see what they’re capable of accomplishing, and imagine the possibilities of where their business can go.” Karen also brought her own class, Managing with a Coach Approach, to the Prospera training lineup.
K Lum's Training Approach for Prospera
Beginning with a curriculum redesign for Power Up, Karen streamlined the training systems to ensure Prospera’s resources were making the greatest possible impact for each individual.
Karen then launched additional programs to create a full range of training resources for entrepreneurs in all stages of the journey.
She also brought her own class, Managing with a Coach Approach, to the Prospera training lineup. Held multiple times per year, it is consistently sold out and highly rated by participants as an engaging interactive course with practical content.
She continues to lead over a dozen training events on an ongoing annual basis.
“I have been working with Karen since 2017, and in our 5+ years of working together, Karen has been instrumental in producing programming that matters and creates ‘a-ha!’ moments for our clients. She is professional, reliable, and an amazing facilitator and leader.”
— Suzi White, Former Director of Business Development
The Results
K. Lum Consulting is Prospera’s Signature Trainer, offering professional facilitation that’s powerful, value-packed, and gets incredibly high participant ratings because it delivers real results. She teaches Power Up nearly every month, empowering 400-500 individuals per year as they launch into a new chapter of life and career. In addition, she leads Link Up almost quarterly and facilitates the Instagram Training workshop in Prospera’s Social Media Masterclass.
Karen’s expertise and guidance have maximized the impact of Prospera’s training resources and helped thousands of individuals gain clarity, strategy, and a meaningful support network as they make progress toward their goals. As Prospera’s Signature Trainer, K. Lum Consulting continues to transform the potential, possibilities, and lasting success of the Montana business community.
“She will always be such a resource to our organization and to the people taking these trainings. She goes above and beyond. She functions like a true partner to us. In my role as director, I would not be able to do the work I do if I didn’t have someone like Karen that I trusted to lead these programs.”
— Shayna Blaser, MTWBC Program Director
