The opportunities are 'limitless' for one area entrepreneur

Contributor

May 1, 2024

OSHKOSH – In Carrie Rule’s mind, creativity drives innovation and imagination, which she said can help individuals and businesses solve problems and grow.

The Oshkosh entrepreneur said she is using that philosophy in her new consulting business, Carrie Rule Limitless (CRL).

“CRL is an organization helping individuals and businesses grow and transform through consulting, workshops, keynote presentations and retreats,” Rule said.

CRL, she said, officially launches this month.

A new path
Rule said for more than seven years, she worked at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO), serving most recently in alumni relations outreach – a position eliminated last fall as part of the university’s cost-cutting measures.

Instead of jumping right into job hunting, Rule said she decided to take a closer look at what she wanted “for the next part of her journey.”

The first step in that process, Rule said, was switching up her schedule a bit.

She said she started getting up early, began journaling and started reaching out to leaders in her network to bounce ideas off of them.

In a discussion with Dan Shea, owner of Shea Electric and Communications in Oshkosh, Rule said he suggested she start her own consulting business.

“I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur, but as I thought more about my background and experiences, I realized (launching a consulting business) was what I wanted to do,” she said.

Rule said she started by expanding her knowledge base through courses, including ones on creativity and conflict resolution.

She said she also continued looking to mentors for guidance.

“I’ve learned nothing is impossible,” she said. “I decided my mindset would be limitless. I also saw how a lot of my previous work was helping businesses get better. I’ve always been interested in growth and creativity and see CRL as a great way to blend the two.”

It was during that time, Rule said, she recognized how creativity, imagination and innovation work together.

“I saw how I can help people grow and help them build cohesiveness either in a team or in themselves,” she said. “Taking certain steps will help an individual or business be more innovative.”

As for the name of her business, Rule said she included the word “limitless” because “that’s what it’s all about.”

“Life is too short,” she said. “You only have one life so why not go after what you want?”

A collaborative approach
Rule said her approach and philosophy with CRL are based on systems outlined in Peter Senge’s book, “The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization.”

“I enjoy working with teams and individuals to help them become more self-aware, productive and cohesive so they may accomplish great things,” she said.

When people are infused with creativity and innovation, Rule said, it is easier to develop better ideas and complete tasks faster.

As things get underway with CRL, Rule said she’s looking forward to the future – including the company’s pilot retreat planned for September in Green Lake.

For the event, Rule said she is partnering with Vicki Updike – founder and CEO of New Sage Strategies and someone who provided her with some early guidance after she left UWO – and Allison Garner – the owner of Thoughtly.

Rule said the retreat is designed for individuals who are wondering about their next career step or those who have climbed the corporate ladder and think “is this it?”

“It will be an intense experience,” she said.

The retreat, Rule said, will include pre-work, and its leaders will work with individuals one-on-one, in small groups or as a larger group as attendees work on determining their next step and develop a plan on how to reach their goal.

Attendees, she said, will also receive six months of virtual follow-up and support to help attendees as they work toward their goals.

“When people are looking to make a change, it takes time and planning,” she said. “The retreat follow-up is there so we can provide help as they work through those steps.”

Rule said Updike and Garner are two of several other professionals she is working with.

“I am a big believer in partnerships and believe in lifting everyone up,” she said.

Rule said the CRL website (crlimitless.com) will launch this month, but until then, she can be found on LinkedIn.

TBN