Paul Kiss is transforming workplace culture through Paul Kiss Consulting, helping municipalities, hospitals, and public sector organizations strengthen the human side of leadership. A Starter Company Plus graduate, Paul combines interactive workshops with personalized coaching to create lasting change in interpersonal skills and team dynamics. His training goes beyond professional development—it helps people grow both as employees and individuals. Known as a friendly face at workshops and events across our community, Paul is an eager learner who’s always ready to connect, share ideas, and absorb new knowledge. His approachable nature and commitment to meaningful relationships make him a valued member of our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Read on to learn more about his journey in the Q&A below.
Tell us about your journey as an entrepreneur. What sparked the idea to start your business?
Although Paul Kiss Consulting is a new business, it has been in the making for over 15 years. In 2024, I found myself needing to conclude my role as a Pastor, and through career coaching, I began reflecting on how I could bring my experience into a new context. After 30 years of pastoring and more than 15 years of facilitating workshops, it became clear that these skills could translate well into the marketplace.
Additionally, my passion for seeing individuals and teams thrive through healthy, trust-filled relationships revealed a niche need. As a result, I decided to launch Paul Kiss Consulting to help teams grow and flourish.
What products or services do you offer, and how do they solve a problem or meet a need?
At Paul Kiss Consulting, we help managers sleep better at night by equipping them with the skills they need to effectively lead their teams. Through our work, organizations often experience reduced staff turnover and absenteeism, which in turn lowers the costs associated with hiring and training new employees.
We also help improve communication, leading to fewer mistakes, less confusion, and fewer missed opportunities. To accomplish this, we offer culture assessments, interactive workshops, one-on-one and team coaching, as well as online courses.
Our workshops cover a wide range of topics, including listening skills, developing trust, having hard conversations, managing conflict, managing stress and margin, encouragement, and coaching your team.
Who or what do you turn to for creative ideas and business inspiration?
First and foremost, we listen to our clients, as they are often our greatest source of inspiration and creative ideas. When it comes to interpersonal skills, none of us is as smart as all of us, and our clients’ real-world challenges consistently shape our work. In addition, we turn to others in our industry who are consulting in different areas or offering similar services, as collaboration and shared learning help sharpen our thinking.
What sets your business apart? What do you want people to remember about you?
What truly sets us apart is our focus on the human side of leadership and helping organizations recognize its value. Not only do we offer interactive workshops, but we also provide follow-up coaching to ensure that learning translates into lasting change. Furthermore, we work closely with each client to tailor every training to the specific needs of their team.
Because of this, no two workshops are ever the same, and each experience is designed with the participants in mind.
Why did you apply for the Starter Company Plus program, and what were you hoping to gain from it?
I applied to the Starter Company Plus program because it offered an opportunity to better understand the business side of running a company. While delivering training and coaching comes naturally to me, I wanted to learn more about the strategic thinking behind operating and growing a business. As a lifelong learner who enjoys networking, the program also appealed to me because it creates space for continued learning and the development of new business relationships.
What mindset shift helped you grow your business the most?
One of the most significant mindset shifts I’ve made is learning to see rejection, or hearing “no,” as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. I’ve become more willing to adjust, adapt, and keep moving forward until I reach success. As my sales mindset has grown, I’ve also learned a helpful four-letter word when facing rejection: “Next!”
Describe a moment when you felt really proud of your business.
I feel especially proud during training sessions when I see lightbulbs going off for people as they engage in dialogue together. When participants begin talking openly with one another, learning becomes far more powerful than simply sitting through a lecture.
Additionally, hearing stories about how our training has helped someone navigate challenges at work and apply those same lessons at home is incredibly rewarding.
What tool, app, or habit helps you stay organized?
To stay organized, I use Go High Level as my CRM platform. It has been extremely helpful in keeping everything in one place and allowing me to closely track my sales funnel. If anyone is curious to learn more about GHL, I’m always happy to talk about it.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself since starting your business?
Since starting my business, I’ve learned that I’m not afraid of rejection. While I certainly don’t enjoy it, it doesn’t stop me from trying again or moving forward with confidence.
What’s your favourite product or service that you offer?
One of my favourite services to offer is helping people understand their stress and find creative ways to manage it. Our Navigating Stress and Margin workshop is something I truly enjoy facilitating because of the meaningful impact it has on participants.
If your business had a theme song, what would it be and why?
“Say” by John Mayer. We get a lot of requests for our workshop on Having Hard Conversations and we usually focus on helping people learn to be honest, open and transparent in how they interact with others. This song captures the essence of being who you are and speaking the truth in love. It’s a good theme song for Paul Kiss Consulting.
What’s the most memorable feedback you’ve received from a client?
At the end of each workshop, I ask participants to complete an evaluation that includes an EBI, or “even better if.” This approach invites constructive feedback in a positive way. One of the most memorable responses came from a manager in a local municipality’s Parks and Recreation department, who wrote, “It would be even better if more of my team could have attended the workshop.” That feedback stood out because it showed how valuable he felt the experience was for his entire team.
What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order while working?
My go-to drink while working is a simple espresso made at home. In my opinion, nothing compares.
If you had an extra hour in the day, how would you spend it?
If I had an extra hour in the day, I would spend it with my wife, reflecting on the day and expressing gratitude for what we were able to give and receive.
What quote or mantra keeps you inspired?
A quote that continues to inspire me is, “Great leaders understand that how well you love is more important than how much you know.”
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Photos: Victoria Mae Photography
Connect with Paul:
www.paulkiss.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kiss-consulting/
Phone: 888-577-5532