Case Study with Brian Milauskas, Owner and Creative Director at Kidstock
Meet Brain Milauskas, Owner & Creative Director at Kidstock.
He’s one of my longest-term clients, and the changes in his business and mindset during the time we’ve worked together have been remarkable.
Brian took some time to share with me his thoughts on working with me as a business coach.
First, a bit of background about Brian himself:
Brian is the founding creative director of Kidstock! Creative Theater.
He is a lifelong resident of Winchester, a graduate of Tufts University, and occasionally a florist/special events designer. His past directing and design credits include work with the Boston Children’s Theatre, the Winchester Cooperative Theater, and the Lyric Stage Company in Boston where he produced the family theater series “Once Upon A Time with Kidstock!”
Brian directed 15 productions at Winchester High School over more than 10 years including an award-winning production of Taming of the Shrew. His Director/Designer credits at NDT include You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Little Shop of Horrors, Lettice & Lovage, Into the Woods, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (IRNE nomination), Lend Me A Tenor, Steel Magnolias, 9-5, Sunset Blvd, The Cemetery Club, Next to Normal, Gypsy, God of Carnage & A Little Night Music.
Why did you decide to start working with a business coach? How were things before working with Hanneke?
Brian was getting stuck in the day-to-day of running a business and had very little bandwidth to effectively manage and lead his team.
Why did you decide to hire a business coach?
When faced with a team who required guidance, I would often prioritize "getting them started" before finalizing my own thoughts on "where I wanted to go". I led the team in circles to "keep them moving" while I determined where we were going to go, ultimately tiring them out and leaving them unconfident in what direction they were expected to lead themselves.
During the pandemic, I harnessed a new vision for Kidstock!, and hired Hanneke to help with this:
gain clarity about his vision
effectively step into his role as visionary and business strategist
lead (and structure) his team by inspiring them.
What changes have you experienced as a result of working with Hanneke?
My professional world has grown, matured, stabilized, and literally exudes joy. I am indebted to Hanneke for pushing me, understanding me, contradicting me, supporting me, laughing with me, and not accepting any BS from me. I am so excited about what's next! The "clarity" of the past year's journey has been rewarding, to say the least. You did not change who I was, but you changed how I saw myself, which changes what I can and will do moving forward.
What changed in the way the business was managed as a result of working with Hanneke?
Focusing on stepping out of the day-to-day tasks and focusing on profit-driving tasks
Clear organizational structure and role definement of the entire team
Systems and structures to support the business at any size
What was the end result?
Increased revenue, breaking the million-dollar mark (pre-pandemic, full recovery with projections for an even higher grossing year in 2022.)
A more proactive and independent team.
More focused business without losing the breadth and variety of the experience the business provides to customers.
A sustainable strategy to protect the business from future economic downturns.
Expanding into an additional location to increase the productivity (and satisfaction) of his team.
Brian is more joyful, and he’s excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
Uncover your full potential as a satisfied and inspired business leader who can spot opportunities beyond your team's wildest dreams.
"Today is a day to pause and reflect on the past two years, and to acknowledge, with debt and gratitude, the endless and consistent guidance, vision, and faith you contributed to Kidstock! staying in business. I sincerely credit you with us coming out of the pandemic stronger than we went in! Thank you, Hanneke."
-Brain Milauskas
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If you’re in Boston yourself, you might also enjoy this: Wanted: Business coach, Boston.