Kim Houlahan is originally from Brockville, Ontario but lived in Ottawa for 20 years before moving to New Brunswick in 2004. She holds as a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (Photography) from the University of Ottawa.

An entrepreneur since the age of ten, Kim Houlahan is no stranger to running her own business. Pursuing career paths such as a freelance photographer for the Ottawa Citizen, then working for a large advertising and design agency, Kim reconnected with her entrepreneurial spirit and currently owns and operates The Houlahan Group in Quispamsis New Brunswick.

The Houlahan Group provides marketing coaching and consulting to small and medium sized business owners and entrepreneurs. Kim helps her clients strategize, plan and implement their marketing plans based on key objectives. Whether it is by giving advice, preparing strategies or broadcasting electronic newsletters, Kim ensures that each client keeps  their business on track.

Kim is known as a team player. One of her clients, David Veale of Vision Coaching Inc., located in Saint John describes Kim as “high energy, fun, creative and has the ability to execute.” Moreover, Kim has become part of their team. According to Veale, “Kim is excited about everything. In small business, you need collaboration and you need people to work with who are flexible.”

Kim has taken several training sessions hosted and organized by the NB Association of CBDCs which has helped improve her skills and grow her business. According to Kim, “The NB Association of CBDCs has been helpful and supportive of me and my business over the last few years. We are very lucky in New Brunswick to have so much support for women in business.” In addition, Kim also serves as an e-mail marketing facilitator for the NB Association of CBDCs.

When Kim is not working, she enjoys getting out and visiting clients, networking with the KV Women’s Network group in the Kennebecasis Valley, or get on the ice with the Moms in Gear hockey team on Thursdays at noon.

If Kim could give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs she would say, “Being an entrepreneur takes a lot of courage and self control. You have to be motivated and what I call “self propelled”.  Nothing happens for your business if you don’t do anything to make it happen. It’s simple. But you get to decide what you want to do, how you do it, who you work with. If you want to be in charge, here’s your chance. Make sure you know how to manage your finances, and deal with the government, and pay taxes and all the things you’ll need to figure out on top of the actual business that you are in! It’s exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. I love it!