In October 2019 I was beginning a new life in Austin, Texas. Through the dating app known as Bumble I met Karen. We became friends, but not a relationship. Karen is a life coach, and I subscribed to a course of coaching with her. At the time I was looking to start up a business in order to gain the status to live in the USA. I had found an excellent business advisor called Monica, and she had discovered a very promising plumbing company that I was considering. On telling this to Karen my coach, she commented that financially this looked very worthwhile. but that my non verbal language lacked positivity.

I had doubts of my own, and had discussed it with Richard, my best friend in England. When I asked what business he would choose for me, he said that we should run a joint car dealership, trading classic cars between the USA and the UK. On telling Karen about this idea, she remarked that now she could see some excitement in my expression – but a sparkle in only one eye. She probed deeper and asked what would I like to wake up to every day, that I would feel passionate about?

Well, I said, followed by a thoughtful pause, it would have to be something sexy. Her immediate response was that my face now revealed some inner energy, and that we must explore this further. I didn’t have a plan – only some ideas that I might like to be an entertainer or performer of some sort. I like being expressive and colourful. I have a body that I am proud of. I have often been told that I should be a model. Karen offered to do further work on the topic and link me up with people in the world of entertainment.

At my next appointment with Monica, my business advisor, I told her that I had had a change of heart and to cancel the proceedings for the plumbing company. She was very understanding and promptly turned to the computer monitor. There she accessed a page with details of an opportunity to take up a franchise with Adam and Eve, the leading company in the USA for adult pleasure products. Now that sounded sexy! A couple of months later I had a signed franchise agreement in my hand, and the search for a suitable property began.

Further life coaching led to another exciting venture. Karen introduced me to the Austin Academy of Burlesque. Following six sessions of training, I and eighteen other neophytes did individual performances on stage at the Vortex Theatre in Austin. I received a standing ovation, with rapturous clapping and cheering! Wow! I think that this was the most sensational experience of my life. So thank you Karen.