Kemi Nekvapil - RAW & REAL

From an acting career, to raw food, to empowering women globally to take their lives to the next level, Kemi Nekvapil has been one of the biggest influencers in my life and career over the past 5 years.

I first met Kemi when I had a fascination (or obsession) with raw food and growing my own, which went along with having a toddler at the time. I had a uni assignment to create a photo documentary book and choose Kemi as my subject as she was teaching raw food "making" classes at the time. Our values aligned and I shared her story and knowledge of healthy nutritious eating and the sustainability of growing your own and buying locally. 

Since then both our careers have flourished and have shared the journey by capturing Kemi's personal branding portraits over the years. I have also been coached by Kemi, taking my life to the next level by selling my business and overcoming emotional obstacles that have held me back. I have shared my story of moving to Melbourne and starting my life all over again with a new career and a bun in the oven.  I hope it inspires other's to ask for anything they need. Kemi's book 'The Gift of Asking.  A Woman's Guide to Creating Personal Power' launches on Tuesday 25th July 2017.

What is your secrets to creating balance in business and life?

I have always had a sense of my own personal well-being and how I am responsible for taking care of my needs. Well-being for me includes spending quality time with my children but not all my time with my children.

Well-being for me involves being authentically connected with my husband by communicating our needs to each other and actively working on nourishing and building our marriage.

I need to move my body, a lot. I need to spend time in nature, I need inspirational media and I need the love and support of my close friends.

I manage to get most of these needs met most of the time because I ask for what I need to make all this happen. I am then my best version of me which means I can serve better. This also means that I support the wellness of others and ask about their needs so they can also be the best person they can be.

what have you put in place as a reminder to nourish your body and take time out for yourself?

I have my foundation schedule, and that involves spending solo time with each of my children each week, a weekly date night with my husband, I train my body and mind 6 days a week and I make sure I connect with my friends on a regular basis.

How did you attract your first good clients?

I think we attract clients that represent where we are at the time. I was very blessed when I started my coaching practice, because the women I worked with were incredibly brave and generous. They knew they needed support to get to where they wanted to go and they were brave enough to ask for it. Once they had safe and non- judgemental support, they were generous in  sharing their challenges, their heartbreak, their joys and their dreams. Working with these first clients allowed me to build a business where connection and trust sit under everything I do.

What do you love most about what you do?

As a coach I love the fact that I get to create a space for women to feel safe to explore what they want for themselves and their lives. As a speaker, I love being able to connect with an audience and play with energy and ideas, and as a writer I love to expand and explore those ideas, I also love the craft of writing.

Tell us something we may not know about you already?

I am a big country and western fan.

What's next for you and your business?  

My second book "The Gift of Asking" - A woman’s guide to creating personal power has just been born into the world.

I am excited about this book because it has opened up a whole new angle to why women do not always feel fulfilled, supported or acknowledged. I have worked with enough women over the years and spoken to enough female audiences to know that our ability to ask improves every area of our lives.  I believe that women do not have to settle for what is given to us. We are allowed to ask for more, for different for better.

How has working with Prue as your photographer contributed to your business?

Prue and I have been working together for a number of years now. We know each other well and so we communicate and create in a clear, fun and authentic way.

What are you listening to right now?

An incredible pianist called Joep Beving and my eleven year old daughters playlist - Girl Power!

Favourite movie?

I love movies. The last few movies I have seen have been incredible. Don’t Tell, Fences and The Arrival.

What are your values?

I value life. It is a gift.