Note: This interview was originally conducted in German. The following is a translation that preserves the authentic conversation between Melanie and Karolin König-Baykan.
The scariest moment isn’t starting from zero. It’s letting go when you’ve already built something successful – but you’ve outgrown it.
Caroline, how did you notice this in yourself? You’ve talked a bit about your journey… But were there specific things you did, outside of your work, where you wanted to feel more into this new path? What helped you gain clarity? So tell me, where are you going? What’s next? What’s next, Mama? What’s next for you, Mama?
When Evolution Knocks on Your Door
Most people think business transformation means launching a new product or updating your website. But what Karolin is talking about is something completely different. It’s a soul-level recalibration that touches everything.
So, my theme is and remains realignment. That’s just what it is. The new focus is the topic of business. Because even when we run a business, there comes a moment when we realize we might need to realign it, and that’s where I want to put my focus – supporting women in building a business, running a business that feels truly aligned, that feels like me, that fits, even in these cycles when we change.
And what I’m bringing into this work is basically everything I’ve done over the last, I’d say, two years that helped me gain clarity. Because it wasn’t like I suddenly… I mean, I did have this moment where I was lying in bed with my daughter and realized, wow, this whole corporate world, that’s not it anymore. That’s simply not where I want to work. But I didn’t know what the new thing was. And that was such a vacuum that emerges. That’s intense. That’s really, really intense.
Because of course you keep doing what already exists. My clients, everything was already built up, they kept coming to me. That means I continued with it, and then I noticed it needs some kind of softer component in my coaching, and I opened up a new space in my coaching offering where these deeper, softer themes got room. And I thought, that’s the solution. That felt like running both in parallel.
But the more I worked on myself, went inward, the clearer it became, okay, this thing with the two different spaces, that’s not what works. I need to let go of one space and really give the other one room, because otherwise it’s just like a stepchild or someone running alongside, but this theme needs to get space.
The Tools That Open Portals
When you’re in the void between the old and new, you need anchors. Not business strategies – actual tools that help you feel instead of think. Here’s what Karolin used.
And until I was at the point where I could admit this to myself and allow it, to be able to let go of the other thing, I really had to go deep within myself. And what I did was, I worked with the feminine archetypes. I mentioned the Queen earlier and the Huntress, and that was really a journey for me, working with these archetypes, to also feel and use these different parts within me. Because there are other parts like the Wise Woman, for example. And if we share the video, you can see my beautiful white streak here, it’s like my Wise Woman coming out.
It’s really beautiful.
And it’s not dyed, it just is, and I honestly love it. That’s exactly this sign – we have this wisdom within us, and each archetype has a certain power, and I activated them, and that was such a real blossoming moment.
I then used tools like Breathwork, for example, which helped me a lot to let go of the old, to feel these emotions, everything that had accumulated. But I also use, for example, ceremonial cacao. I like to drink cacao to really have heart-opening effects, to open my thoughts and really connect with myself. And that was the game-changer. Creating spaces for myself in the crazy mama-business everyday life where I have time to feel inward, not to hear what the mind says, because the mind has so much it tells you all the time, but to really feel in and give all of that room.
I then also engaged with my Human Design, understood what my authority is, so from which area of my body my intuition speaks, really connected with that. That was also something that helped me tremendously. I used Identity Work, so really working out a new vision of myself, creating this version of myself, and that’s how I also created my new branding. An archetype for my branding that is the guiding figure for what’s now coming into the world.
When the Universe Sends You a Wink
Sometimes the signs are so obvious, you can’t ignore them. But we often do anyway, because acknowledging them means we have to act.
And that’s when a fire emerged, an energy. And it was like, wow, okay, you dipped your toe in and you notice, wow, okay, that’s good. And it was like, wow, I get to follow that energy. And even if the market isn’t screaming for it right now, and even if other things might sell better. I stopped telling myself these stories and letting them guide me. Where is this fire, where do I feel it? And I focused on that.
So those were, I’d say, the work with the archetypes, Identity Work, Breathwork, and then I came across Kundalini Yoga, and since I’ve been practicing that, wow, I mean, anyone who hasn’t done it yet, I can really recommend it – activating this power, that’s really the pure connection with this feminine energy, and then everything gets going, in motion, and then we’re at this point where we get into feeling, and that’s what it’s about.
And when we then connect this, what feels good and what is a good strategy, a strategy that comes from something more. When we match that together, whew, then it gets good. Then it gets good.
Yeah, wonderful. With Kundalini, do you do Kundalini Yoga or do you also do Kundalini Activation?
Both. I was at a Kundalini Activation Process, participated several times and love it. We have a really great trainer here in Frankfurt who’s regularly in Frankfurt, I love it. I can really recommend doing that, you can look it up under KAP. I did it with Lina, found it “Oh my God, that was beautiful.” But also really with weekly Kundalini Yoga. I also found a Kundalini Yoga teacher right where we live, nearby. And Melanie, I just freaked out. It’s really like, wow, she gets you, she’s right by me. Not far. And that was also so, as it should be. When we start to open up, these possibilities come.
The Fear Everyone Has But Nobody Talks About
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Opening to this kind of work terrifies people. And Melanie nails exactly why.
And those are all things that have ensured that I’m really doing well, that I’m coming back into my power, into connection with myself. And then this feeling was clear, where it gets to go. And but that’s exactly this work that I also want to do in the future, how I want to support my clients. Not just to look at what makes sense, but also what feels good, and to support us in getting back into this feeling.
Because we’re often so disconnected from that. That’s something that can happen especially in being a mama. We have so many emotions and feelings that we regulate, that we’re regulating ourselves down all the time, that we don’t even perceive ourselves because so much is just crazy around us. But that’s where we want to go back to. We want to feel that. We want to allow it.
Yeah, I believe, you say now we want to go back there, we want to feel that. I believe many people are afraid of exactly this feeling and allowing it. Because exactly what you just described, that’s like “The Opening of Pandora’s Box.”
Yeah, yeah. So, I went through exactly the same as you. And for me, I believe that also arose through Kundalini work, right? I also started with that. I don’t even know if it was already 2022… So already for over two years now. And that… I believe that’s like… It’s like awakening the snake. Awakening the snake. And this life force energy. And when you start, I believe the power of your energy, which we can’t see. These are things we feel but can’t see. That’s why we can’t grasp them. That’s why all of this doesn’t even exist. But when you allow yourself for the first time and feel, there is so much more than meets the eye.
So yeah, just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. And when you allow that, then as you say, completely new spaces open up suddenly. And I hear this quite often, especially when you talk about Kundalini work, that many people are like, I don’t know, when I see that, I don’t know if I want to get into that.
The Two Types of People
Not everyone is ready for deep transformation work. And that’s okay. But understanding where you are – and who you’re meant to work with – changes everything.
Yeah, I believe exactly. So one thing is the fear of Kundalini energy, and the other is also this fear of change. And I do believe that I trigger people through my work to some extent. And there are definitely people who say, nah, I don’t want that. I don’t want to become aware that I’m dissatisfied. I don’t want to become aware of what’s actually not fitting right now, because if I really looked at that honestly, then I might realize I have to change something here. And actually I don’t want to at all, because it’s actually quite comfortable. And that’s okay too, that can be.
And at the same time, I sense such a massive change, where we as women just can’t stand not doing it anymore. And certainly there are those who suppress it, you can also just completely suppress it. You can completely cut yourself off from your emotions and just totally suppress it. But that’s exactly what leads to burnout.
I’m a stress management trainer. Burnout is something that has always accompanied me. I believe I had my first burnout symptoms in my early 20s, burnout experiences, so many clients who are affected by it. And I believe it’s exactly this point – we cut ourselves off from our emotions, we don’t go there, we don’t follow that, we just blindly do what’s expected of us, we just blindly follow this path. And there are very, very many people who do that, who tell themselves, yeah, but no, I can’t make money with passion. I can’t live from that. The market says something completely different. Not everyone can have fun at work.
And I say, let’s find the way. Let’s find the way to get joy into it. And the easy way isn’t the simplest way. Maybe it won’t be easy, that doesn’t mean it will be simple. And yet it gets to feel good.
And I’m there for those who say, I want to look at that.
Understanding Your Zone of Genius
Not every coach is meant to work with every client. And that’s not just okay, it’s essential. Karolin is getting clear on who she’s NOT for, which finally reveals who she IS for.
And I believe, yeah, and I believe that’s just one level further, right? So there are, everyone has, I’ve always said, I love working in the coaching field and also support people who work spiritually, go out there, do coaching, and to give them certain tools, also in marketing. And I love that. And I just believe everyone has their position. And there are coaches, mentors, guides who work with people who are just at the beginning, who are very slowly, carefully, it’s like a flower that opens. And we’re also not, I believe not every soul in every life is ready for everything, and you go as far as you want to go. And that’s completely okay, and nobody should be pushed anywhere either.
But everyone has their sphere of influence, I believe. And with you, I believe, maybe it’s also like this, that’s just my perception, because I’m also reflecting on what you’re telling me. And I believe you’ll maybe also intentionally be drawn through this energy, I feel that when I talk with you now, what energy, what force you have.
And maybe it’s just being pulled to a different area. Because you should work with the people, I’m getting goosebumps, who are standing at the edge, they are ready, who are ready for the step, and you should work with them so they can take off, right? Because I believe our world is also changing, our energy is changing so much, there are so many big transformation processes. And it needs this feminine energy now that you spoke about. It needs it, it needs a big shift, and of course you’re now also being pushed to where you simply need to stand so you can also carry this transformation, I believe.
Yeah, absolutely. And that’s also exactly what my Human Design told me, and what was the eye-opener from Human Design. It was like, ah, okay, yeah, yeah, I get to go deep there. And that’s exactly all these signs. When I pay attention to all the signs, then it’s so directed toward the new. When I really look honestly, for example, inquiries through my website are going down.
Now I could say, yeah, maybe AI plays into that or whatever, or I just see it for what it is – it can also simply be a sign that I get to go in a new direction. And at the same time, that’s exactly what scared me so damn much. Because this new direction, it’s softer and somewhat less concrete, and the business world still functions a bit differently, and to position myself for that now. Wow, that was really… But have I made the decision now? And I’m going for that now. And that gives me goosebumps too. That gives me goosebumps.
The Mom Question Nobody Asks
Here’s the question that stops most women: How do you take a massive business risk when you have a child depending on you?
How do you do that as a mom right now? I think that’s a really important question. You have a certain responsibility in professional life as a mother. Not just for yourself, but also for the child. So then you take… I believe that’s an even much, much more difficult step, to say, I’m really taking this risk, right? And doing it now, right? How did you manage that?
So I was really honest with myself and looked at the facts, and there are really clear signs telling me I need to change something. And the question is in which direction do I want to change? I could work on what’s functioning, or I give space to the new, and I decided to give space to the new.
That means I set an end date for my coaching – and that was a really intense moment – for my coaching, which I do in a group format, so we have individual and group sessions. That means I announced a last group. Last round. There’s an end date. And we’re still in the middle of it. And that’s the crux. I’m still in the middle of the work I’m doing there. I’m still in the middle of it.
And at the same time, that has also created space for me. And space is coming now that gets to be filled anew. And I’m going into trust for myself. I go into trust and tell myself, the space is there, it gets to be filled now, but if I don’t open it, nothing comes either, if I always hold on to the old.
And yeah, it’s super scary, but it’s also something I discussed with my husband, so what we’ve also opened that space for as a family. And I just want to give myself this year to go into that and follow it.
The Sign You Can’t Ignore
Sometimes the universe doesn’t just knock – it sends you your very first client from nine years ago, standing at the exact same crossroads you are.
And for me, a really, really intense sign was that the very first client I had, who I worked with nine years ago, I’m working with her again right now. And it’s so fascinating because back then I accompanied her to Google. It was a super intensive application process that I guided her through. And she was really happy there for many years. And now she’s with me at this point of realignment. So it’s coming up for her again, and it’s coming up for me. And she reflects back to me that she celebrates my changes so much. She’s so on board. And that shows me that the women are also evolving with me, which you mentioned earlier, and it just gives me this trust to say, I’m giving myself to this now.
And if it doesn’t work, then I can still do something else. I try to always remind myself of the first founding, what I told myself back then. I didn’t know with the first founding either. I didn’t know how it works. I didn’t know how to run a coaching business, how to build it. I told myself, I’ll figure this out. And this attitude is serving me here too, and I believe that’s the risk we as entrepreneurs also get to carry.
And I believe when we do something we’re really convinced of, and like you say, you feel this energy, and my clients feel it too. And then it will work. And I’m simply in this trust now. And this might sound a bit strange. But I’m giving myself this time now.
Why Personal Brand Transformation Is the Hardest
Changing a product is one thing. Changing your entire domain, your name, your brand that’s been ranking on Google for 8 years? That’s something else entirely.
But it’s also good, this feeling and this knowledge to pass on from your side, because there are many who are perhaps at a similar point right now and are afraid of this jump and stepping into this new chapter, into this What’s Next.
Yeah, and we need to have done it once to be able to accompany people on this path. We don’t have to have experienced everything to accompany someone. But when we’ve done it once, we handle it completely differently, to tell someone, then end your product, end your signature coaching program that you’ve built up over eight years. And do something new. That’s so easily said. But doing it, it’s not so easily done as said, right? I’m experiencing that right now.
And that’s exactly this competence that I want to pass on in the future and empower, because it’s not about saying, yeah, I need a new product now. We’re talking about a realignment here when you feel the old doesn’t fit anymore. It’s not just about a new product – as entrepreneurs we can constantly throw out a new product, that’s not the issue at all.
But what is an issue is when you suddenly feel, my company name doesn’t fit anymore. That means my domain, my website, all lead magnets, all freebies on it, the whole funnel, all the paths. That’s basically everything, Melanie, where something is in it that doesn’t fit anymore. And I asked myself, do I want to adjust all of that? And it felt so heavy, and I feel my website, the loading times aren’t so good, the images should be updated. And I could do that now, but then I said, hey, crazy, but what if I do this new, if I start with a blank sheet of paper now? What if I just take a blank sheet of paper now?
Scary?
But we can talk again in a few months.
Yeah, definitely, and then I’m so curious what happened.
When Someone Steals Your Brand Name (And It’s Actually a Gift)
Here’s something wild: Someone started a new company in Germany using Karolin’s old business name. Under normal circumstances, that would be terrifying. But in this context…
I give myself a six-month window too, and where you just said that with this website, that’s so fascinating, because I also had certain processes where I actually wanted to launch a completely different program, and then a bunch of websites came to me in recent months. And I think it’s somehow strange, but it’s so fascinating, because I see that for others, so what I feel there, others often can’t feel, where you go in and I, a website, you can say, that’s just a website, but a website can also be, as you just said, like a portal somehow, right?
Total. Yeah? And I find it so crazy. I find it so crazy because the women I’ve attracted now in this last round, Melanie, they’re so wonderful, they all want their own business. And it’s so fascinating that exactly these women are coming together now because they really also fit with my realignment. This energy is totally funny.
I talked with one first. Then I told her, yeah, and what we also do, you didn’t even see that because it’s not even on my website yet. We let Human Design flow in, and then she flipped out, and that was the reason she booked it. And it was so funny because she came to me, she also has training as a medium. She’s also already so, with the philatelic open roof, so funny, when you go to the old website, you don’t recognize it at all. But somehow the stamp, this feeling, this energy, this vibration is somehow there on the site.
Yeah, yeah. And that’s what I believe people underestimate. Because you can overdo it by saying, oh, I need the perfect brand now, you don’t need that. I think you can do that sometime when you’ve earned a lot of money, it’s great when you can do all that nice and fancy, but what’s important is that what’s inside you, this feeling, that you try to communicate that, and then you can really open a portal with that, like you’re doing now, because of course that’s also an energetic field, right?
Yeah. And that attracts the right people. And through your words that you use, through what you communicate, your imagery – and this is so great, it’s like a rebirth for you now.
Total, total. And if you haven’t engaged with it yet, then you might not even be clear what it means to set up a new website. For example, my domain is super ranked on Google for SEO, it’s been there for eight years. It has super great backlinks and all the things you need, it has accountability that’s there, and letting go of that.
And it’s also so funny. I got a message yesterday that someone is using my old domain, so my old company name, and has gone to market with a new company, but it’s basically my old company name.
So you should sell your domains to them and say, look, I’ll give you my domains, you give me this much money for it, and then you can build your marketing with that.
Yeah, they just added a twist. And I mean, I’ve been doing this for eight years. So Google is full of, if you search for Career Catalyst, you end up with me. And I know under normal circumstances, that would have scared me. When someone takes your company name, even in Germany, it’s different that similar terms are used worldwide. Multiple people can have the same ideas. An idea can come up multiple times somewhere.
But when someone founds a company with a company name in Germany, they Google it briefly to see if it exists somehow. And that would have really scared me under normal circumstances. But in this context, I could just say, that’s another sign. Isn’t that funny? Isn’t it funny that I want to change my company name? So that’s all still in process, but it’s coming, and it’s funny that then someone else comes with the company, or isn’t that, so there we have another sign, another sign that says, exactly, and I don’t need to get annoyed or stressed about it, but rather, exactly, it’s coming, it’s simply, it’s really time for something new, and now someone comes who does something with consulting and so on with that name.
Yeah, but you see, that showed exactly the energy that this name carried, right? That’s important too. These names, they carry a certain energy. Words, just like in music, that’s energetic communication taking place.
From T-Shirt to Red Lips- The External Mirrors the Internal
Sometimes transformation shows up in the smallest details. A change of outfit isn’t superficial – it’s a declaration.
Total. And you can now just, you can, and that’s so fascinating what you also said, with the personal branding that you naturally do in business. When you, companies often reinvent themselves by bringing innovations in their products and services and so on, but the house number is completely different when it’s a personal brand that you have to rebuild or get to or want to.
Yeah, because you’re starting at the very top, you’re starting at the very top and it releases so much, and it’s done so much with me, and I’ve gone so much into allowing. And there are facets like an outfit, for example, that might seem superficial at first, but that are such an empowerment for me. I notice, for example, I used to wear T-shirts. If you look at my old website now, I’m wearing a T-shirt, maybe you’ve seen it.
I saw it, yeah.
That’s not my thing now. Now I show a bit of décolleté. And even that is, the sporty T-shirt, the masculine with the blazer over it, those big shoulders, that’s totally masculine. I don’t see this masculine world. And now to go into allowing and say, I’ll make my lips red. And I allow myself the neckline. And it’s not about being sexy, not at all, but it’s this feeling that I have when I wear this. I’m here all alone at home, nobody could care what I’m wearing, but for me, and this feeling alone, and that’s only a mini-facet of this personal brand that’s in this whole change.
And I tell you, the biggest milestone was changing my Instagram name. All the links, everything, that was, wow, and that was such a liberating blow. Liberation, really. The space is open for something new, and I can really feel the joy and this awakening somehow. And it’s beautiful.
I have the water and waves on my website too, and I believe that’s it, that the people who are on the same wavelength as you, they’ll automatically find you. They’re simply in the same vibrational range, and that’s going to be great.
Connect with Karolin:
Website: feminine-evolution.de
Business Mentoring & Evolution Program: Details on website
