Practically anywhere you look, you can find a trace of Kimberly Moffit’s work. Whether passing by her therapy business office at Yonge and Eglinton, watching her give relationship advice on Global News or reading her publications as the national spokesperson for Match.com, Kim’s got a lot that any young professional can learn from in today’s YEDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
As a psychotherapist and Canadian spokesperson for Match.com. I help fellow YPs with career, relationship issues, and mental health concerns. I own and operate a health clinic employing 12 young professionals at Yonge and Eglinton, and last year, I made over 100 television and radio appearances including Global News, City TV, Slice, and Canada AM speaking about dating and relationships, and I also write a monthly column for Postmedia.
Why did you decide to work in this field? What was the inspiration for this career route?
Most people don’t know this, but when I was a teen I spent 3 years singing as part of the Canadian girl pop-group called Untamed. During this time, I wrote music to be creative, express my feelings, and almost used it as ‘therapy.’ I became interested in understanding how music interacts with the brain, and how we can use music for psychological healing. I enrolled in the Master of Music Therapy program at Wilfrid Laurier University, where I completed an internship at CAMH, Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. I was lucky enough to gain ethics approval to conduct my Master’s research in a high school, examining how songwriting in therapy can help adolescents explore their feelings in a safe and positive environment. I’m currently in my final year of my doctoral program in counseling psychology, where I am conducting research on the benefits of online therapy programs.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
There are so many aspects of my career that I LOVE! First off, it’s amazing to know that not only am I providing direct help to my one-on-one clients, but to the hundreds of amazing clients who attend my clinic, and the many people who watch my relationship advice on TV. It’s so inspiring to know that a business can grow to this size in only 4 years. I also love giving advice to magazines such as Flare, Elle Canada, Chatelaine and Canadian Living and my column for PostMedia – it means that I can share what I’ve learned in practice with YPs like you and me! I also enjoy acting as the signature relationship expert for many respected international brands such as Microsoft, Kit Kat, Amex, LG Electronics, and Match.com. The thrill of appearing on live television and pulling it off is exciting and addictive!
What people don’t always realize is the amount of hard work and dedication that goes into starting a business from scratch. I’ve worked extremely hard and sacrificed a lot of fun and personal things to build my practice to where it is, and that’s involved sleepless nights and working a lot more than a 9-5 job for a long time! There’s a flipside to this, however, that now a lot of the hard setting-up work is done, I can afford to have a little time off, and amazing, professional staff are always helping me on a daily basis!
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
When I was approached to be the national spokesperson for Match.com. It was such an honour to be asked to fill this position on a permanent basis! To be representing such a great brand that matched so many of my professional values was truly life changing. And, it’s led to a wide array of media experiences that have helped to increase my media profile on the national level.
The other most memorable turning point in my career was saving enough money to move my business into my “dream clinic,” at Yonge and Eglinton. I hired a designer to come in and make the space look absolutely gorgeous, and hired more professionals that were young and enthusiastic. It was so satisfying to know that I had created jobs for fellow YPs to develop their careers, and as a result, more people could access the relationship and career counseling that they needed.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I see myself developing my therapy business (KMA Therapy) even further, to allow busy and travelling Canadian YPs to access our therapy services online. I’d also love to write a book for fellow young female entrepreneurs based on my experiences working with other YPs in private practice. My goal is to maintain a healthy and balanced life – something we all need! I’m a newlywed, so family and kids would be a welcome part of my future. It’s just great to know that my business allows me lots of time in my personal life: and the potential for a great income without having to work the traditional 9-5 hours!
What does success look like to you?
To me success is doing what you love, getting paid well for it, and having a wonderful balance of family and friendships.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Absolutely –Write down your goals! Studies have shown that the people who write down their goals end up achieving remarkably more than those who don’t, and I’ve found it immensely true in my own life. I write my goals every January in categories: Education, Career, Financial, Relationship, and Personal. The sheer power of writing down a goal can help you to visualize what’s next in your life: and stick to achieving it!
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I’ve always believed that in order to fully appreciate and enjoy success, it’s important to help people whose shoes you were once in. I’ve been a volunteer speaker and mentor for the Youth Entrepreneurship programs Summer Company, Bizboot, and Bizstart, for the last 3 years. These programs help young entrepreneurs develop business plans, gain mentorship, and financial aid to get a kick-start on their new businesses. When I first started out as an entrepreneur, the Summer Company program gave me the tools I needed to get started. Now, helping enthusiastic young people achieve their dreams is nothing short of incredible.
What is Notable to you?
To me, notable is not just about having material or career success. It’s about breaking through boundaries to get to your dreams and having the courage to do it. People are going to tell you it’s not possible, but you do it anyway. Your competitors are going to try and bring you down, but you keep going! You don’t have to follow the same path as someone else – why not create your own? When you’re doing something original, specific to your talents, and inspiring, you will eventually find success in your own way. Sticking to it without letting anyone else get in the way is truly Notable.