Barker Business Solutions

Blending my legal expertise with entrepreneurial zeal, I've crafted a unique approach to LinkedIn coaching at Barker Business Solutions. Nice words but what does that mean for you?

It means you get the best of all worlds when it comes to coaching. The program includes 
↳ Robust on-demand training library
↳ Daily feedback directly from me via Slack. 
↳ Group Coaching. 
↳ 1:1 Laser Coaching
↳ Accountability

Our Services:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗚𝗣𝗦 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁: Our flagship monthly membership program, designed specifically for solopreneurs and small business leaders. It's more than just a resource; it's your roadmap to LinkedIn mastery.
↳ 50+ Hours of Tailored Training: Dive into our extensive library, crafted for the unique challenges and 
   opportunities faced by businesses like yours.
↳ Exclusive Masterclasses & Office Hours: Each month, join me and other industry leaders 
    for deep dives into LinkedIn strategies that work.
↳ Real-Time Support: Our dedicated Slack channel ensures you're never more than 
   24 hours away from expert advice or peer insights.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁
↳ Get a custom audit of your LinkedIn Profile delivered via video followed up with a 1:1 meeting with Laura to go over the audit and answer any questions Check out the media links below to see all of the a la carte services available to you.

𝙈𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙔𝙤𝙪: 𝙏𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙙𝙄𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨.

LinkedIn Coaching & Training

Navigating the path to business success demands more than just LinkedIn savvy; it requires a holistic approach, one that I've honed through a rich tapestry of experiences across multiple industries. 

𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
From the structured world of insurance to the dynamic realm of law, and extending into the global marketplace of international e-commerce, my journey has been diverse and enlightening.

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵
At Barker Business Solutions, we bring this eclectic background into every aspect of our Business Consulting services. Our approach is not just about addressing immediate challenges; it's about understanding the interconnectedness of business elements.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀: We delve into strategic planning, branding, and marketing with an eye for how each facet influences the other. Our sales funnel optimization and productivity strategies are informed by insights from multiple sectors, ensuring they are robust and adaptable.

This holistic methodology, combined with a deep understanding of diverse business landscapes, empowers us to guide solopreneurs and small business owners not just to succeed on LinkedIn, but to excel in every aspect of their business journey.

Business Consulting

PPLSI

Providing a suite of voluntary benefits for employees including legal and identity theft protection plans.

Voluntary Benefits 

Business Solutions Field Trainer

I help individuals, families, small businesses and employees all WORRY LESS and LIVE MORE! I take the time to learn about each individual situation and match you with the benefits that will best suit your needs.

Independent Associate

Responsible for organizing local events to promote LegalShield and support field agents.  Hosted luncheons and evening business meetings.  Responsible for providing training and support to local agents.

Regional Manager

Zazzy Bandz - The Comfortable Head Band so you can Look Good! Feel Good! Do Good!

Look Good by Doing Good!
We are bringing a new hair accessory to market! Zazzy Bandz completely revolutionizes the concept of the traditional headband! Zazzy Bandz provides style, lift and keeps hair away from face without pressure points that can lead to headaches!
And, a portion of ALL of our proceeds goes to support the Pineil Orphanage in Zimbabwe! 
Please visit our website to see the latest designs by the women at A Hand Up for Women! in Knoxville, TN!

Co-Founder

Premier Solutions International

We offer a  portfolio of benefits and services for families, small businesses, employers of all sizes & employees. 

As a Premier Solutions, Int'l Consultant, I worked with C-Suite Executives, Benefits Brokers, HR Directors, and Insurance Agents to identify solutions to help streamline operations.

Benefits Consultant

Watson, Roach, Batson, Rowell & Lauderback

Areas of practice - Medical Malpractice Defense, Employment Law, Municipalities

Attorney

Webb and Brown, Attorneys at Law

Founding Partner - areas of law included divorce, domestic abuse, criminal defense, juvenile cases, wills. The picture you see is the actual bronze sign that hung outside my office for the time we were there. My name was Laura Webb back then. The firm has been closed for decades. It is such a part of who I am today that I wanted to acknowledge it. When I closed this firm, it was because I went to work with a great litigation boutique, Watson, Hollow & Reeves focusing on medical malpractice. Thank you for being interested!

LinkedIn Success Simplified: 60-90 min Workshops to your custom growth system. From profile to posts, master it all. Get started today ⬇️

Are you a solopreneur struggling to get results on LinkedIn? Feeling lost and overwhelmed in LinkedIn Land? Click "see more" to learn how I can help you navigate LinkedIn like a pro and grow your business.

Hi! I'm Laura and I am your LinkedIn GPS (Growth Positioning Strategist). If you ever feel a bit lost and overwhelmed here in LinkedIn Land, I am here to guide you through the twists and turns to successfully grow your business. 

The results: a pipeline full of qualified leads and meetings on their calendar in 20 minutes a day. Get new clients, close more deals, meet or exceed quotas. Don't take my word for it though...

RESULTS MATTER

🔥 Rita Thomas: "In the first week, I made 12 new connections and 4 of those resulted in 1-2-1 meetings!"

🔥 Gloria Grace Rand: "Laura's lead gen guidance is spot-on. Now I consistently schedule appointments with my ideal client!"

MY MISSION IS SERVING YOU!

Because from the early stages of business to seasoned executives, adaptability is key. Our LinkedIn Training is focused on helping you stay relevant, do quality business with training focused on 3 core areas:

☑️ Maintaining a pipeline of quality leads
☑️ Understanding how to connect and engage
☑️ Converting to an offline conversation

Barker Business Solutions provides tailored LinkedIn Training for sales professionals, sales teams, and business owners.  We have developed a system that yields a pipeline of qualified leads and consistently fills your calendar with 1:1 meetings in just 20 minutes a day.

Join the LinkedIn Insider for monthly strategies to boost your LinkedIn presence. Link: bit.ly/BBSINSIDER

Ready to chat? DM me on LinkedIn or schedule a call here: bit.ly/BBSchat

Laura Barker, JD,

My passion for education combined with my love for adventure has taken me on an incredible journey – across countries and disciplines. With 20+ years of combined experience in business, academia and adult education and I expertly weave these experiences into my coaching practice. 

As a Coach, I love to help my clients explore the limitless possibilities within themselves and motivate them to unleash their real potential through partnership and collaboration. I am an ardent believer of appreciative inquiry and transformative coaching; envisioning success by focusing on strengths rather than weakness and accordingly develop interventions to change, accelerate, construct and nurture people’s way of thinking and help translate their understanding into an action plan. 

My strengths 
Career Coaching  | Success Coaching | Coaching and Facilitation | Strength Identification and Motivation |  Innovative Student-Centred Learning | Learner Engagement | Resource Development | Team Building | Workplace Communication

Pratishtha Purohit

If you could tell international students and migrants three things before they arrive in New Zealand, what would they be?
this will be the final touch before I launch #ThriveinNZ course next week.
 
-Not the brochure version 
-Not the “you’ll figure it out” advice.
-The real things.
-The unwritten rules.
-The cultural nuances.
-The stuff you wish someone had told you earlier.
-Think beyond visas and logistics.
-Think culture, communication, and belonging or anything that comes to mind

And please share — even if it’s uncomfortable (PM me)
Especially if it’s uncomfortable.
Because that usually tells us there’s an even bigger need to talk about it openly.
Mild, medium, or extra spicy 🌶️ —  I’ll add the yoghurt and the ice cream 😉
#InternationalStudents #ThriveInNewZealand #newzealand #studyinnz

🎓 Pratishtha Purohit 🎓

A Pic of Pratishtha standing with an EduventureNZ banner 

It’s hard to stay motivated when the job search drags on. 
Especially when every “Apply” starts to feel like déjà vu.

I see this pattern all the time. 

People hit Apply already thinking: “Here we go… another rejection.” 

And guess what usually follows? 

Exactly that. We tell ourselves we’re being “realistic,” but what we’re actually doing is training our nervous system for disappointment before we’ve even begun.

Here’s the reframe I want to offer you: 👉 Your mindset doesn’t replace effort, it shapes how you show up while making the effort. 

When negativity takes over:
 -curiosity drops
 -confidence shrinks
 -follow-ups don’t happen
 conversations feel forced 

This is the moment to pause and reset. Not by pretending everything is fine, but by intentionally shifting from avoidance to attraction, from autopilot to presence. 

And yes  that also means stopping the endless Netflix, Insta scroll while wondering why work isn’t coming your way. 

Connection doesn’t happen on the couch.

Here are practical ways I built real Kiwi experience, and how you can too:

 🌿 Get outside and explore NZ
Visit the Department of Conservation website. Go for walks. Try day hikes. Plan a camping trip. Your understanding of New Zealand grows when you experience how people live, relax, and connect with nature here. 

🌿 Volunteer — but be intentional Volunteering doesn’t mean “any role anywhere.” If you admire what an organisation does, approach them. Offer your skills. Volunteering is about contribution and visibility,  not working for free without purpose. 

🌿 Listen to local podcasts and radio 
Train your ear to Kiwi accents, humour, pauses, and cultural references. Communication is employability. 

🌿 Join meetup groups and communities. Hobbies are not distractions; they’re relationship accelerators. This is where trust forms, and the hidden job market quietly lives. 

🌿 Build friendships across cultures
 Not just people “like you.” Diverse networks expand perspective and opportunity. 

🌿 Watch your inner dialogue 
Notice when your language turns harsh or defeatist. Sit with the discomfort. Understand where it’s coming from. Then choose how you want to move forward. 

🌿 Try the hobby you never had time for. In New Zealand, I discovered carpentry, hula hooping, African drumming, trekking, and neon painting while studying and working.

These weren’t just hobbies. 

They anchored me. Honestly, if I ever did a PhD, it would be on how hobbies accelerate migrant settlement 

You’re not here to survive. 
You’re here to thrive. 
My first job in New Zealand? It was created for me. I’ll share that story soon.

 For now, pick one thing from this list and do it this week.👇 

2026 is the Year of the Horse, and horses don’t wait to feel confident before they move. 
They build strength by moving, not by overthinking. 
And they don’t walk into freedom they run toward it 🐎

What’s a hobby or activity you’ve always wanted to try but never had the chance? do share 💛

I'm presenting at APCDA 2026 in Malaysia. 🎉

And I am stoked! I get to share this indigenous Māori wisdom with the Asia-Pacific region through a hands-on activity.

The Asia Pacific Career Development Association conference brings together practitioners from across the globe

This year, it's hosted by Universiti Malaya-Wales in Kuala Lumpur.

My session?
International student wellbeing through "Thrive in Aotearoa: Guided by Te Whare Tapa Whā."

Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori wellbeing framework—four walls of a house representing physical, mental, spiritual, and family health. It's how we support international students holistically to truly thrive, not just survive.

This matters because well-being isn't one-size-fits-all. Students don't need another survival checklist—they need frameworks that honour the whole person. Its time!

I'm attending in person, and honestly? I'm buzzing.

Not just for the session, but for the conversations that happen in between. The connections that turn into collaborations.

Here's where I need your help:

Do you know education agents, advisors, or student well-wishers in Malaysia I should meet while I'm there? I would love to organise some in person workshops.

Drop their name or tag them below 🙏 

Who else is heading to Kuala Lumpur? I will be there from 23rd April to 7th May.
#internationaleducation #educationnewzealand #tewharetapawha  #studyinnz

Want to know how I made seven figures?

I haven't. Yet.

But I do know what real wealth feels like.
5 years ago, I stole a dog. 🐕
I asked my manager: "Will I lose my job if I'm caught stealing?"
He said yes.
So I put her back. Offered a cash reward instead.
And still got her.
I got her off the chain!

I was done waiting for someone, waiting for authorities and SPCA to do something. I could no longer see her getting burnt in the sun, getting wet in the rain, shivering in the cold, without any shelter. Breaking some rules feels good to your soul. 

Kara is grey around the muzzle now, but she's still the fastest dog at Friday daycare. Still thriving. Still teaching me what matters.

Yesterday, I got an email from her loving parents. It brought me to tears.

"We can't imagine life without her. We can't imagine what her life would've been without you."
You can read about her here- https://lnkd.in/e2bRNngg 

This is one of my biggest achievements. Bigger than TEDx. Bigger than any title or credential.

We can't change the world. But we can change the world for someone.
Stop waiting for "once I have this, I'll do that."

Make the most of what you have right now.

I've been stressed about vet bills lately with my 11-year-old dog and a foster puppy. But this message reminded me: some investments pay dividends you can't measure in dollars.

The seven figures? I'm working on that too.

But Kara taught me something more valuable: wealth isn't just what you earn. It's what you give when you have nothing to gain.

What's one thing you can do for someone today? You never know that could lead to something you've always wanted. The magic of AROHA❤️

How does it even work? 

School holidays with a six-year-old.
My 11 yr old dog just back from an emergency vet visit. 

A foster puppy who decided 31st Jan was the perfect time to dislocate her hip.

No family support nearby.

Just me, logistics, caregiving, and a lot of deep breaths. 

And in the background — because life doesn’t pause: 
-a website launch 
-a course launch 
-a Master’s assessment due
-cooking 6 meals a day because it's school holidays.

how do you hold, responsibilty, care, deadlines and still be human?

I’ve been quieter than usual. Not disengaged. Just holding a lot. 

Some days I’m sharp and moving things forward. 

Some days success looks like everyone being fed, alive, and mildly regulated. 

This is the part we don’t romanticise enough. 

The invisible labour. 
The mental load. 
The constant switching between roles — parent, carer, professional, student, human. There’s no tidy lesson here.
 No resilience quote.

Just the truth of a season that requires presence more than performance.

So please — for f’s sake — don’t celebrate women for one day.

 It’s every day. Every night. Every quiet moment where things keep moving because someone made them move. 

if this resonated, I see you!
and if you have figured out how it all works, please tell me 

Vent finished.

2026: The Year We Stop Celebrating Numbers and Start Measuring Belonging. Not everything that matters shows up in surveys.

Here's what students & migrants wrote on sticky notes in my workshop:
💭 "I spent $50,000. I still want to go back."
💭 "I was a project lead in 3 countries. I still can't get an entry-level job."
💭 "Did I make the right move?"
💭 "I don't know how to be myself here."
💭 "I'm tired of translating my worth."
💭 "I feel like I'm failing at something no one taught me."
These aren't skill gaps. They're belonging gaps.

And yet, we're still celebrating:
 ✔ Record enrolment numbers
 ✔ Visa processing times
 ✔ Work rights expansions
While not measuring:
 ✖ Belonging
 ✖ Cultural safety
 ✖ Whether students/migrants feel like they made the right choice.

2025 was about naming the problem.
2026 is about responding to it.

Not with more orientation videos.
Not with generic resilience training.
Not with policy tweaks that miss the point.
But with something that actually prepares students for the whole experience—not just the paperwork.

Here's what 9 years and 3,000+ students taught me:
Students don't just need information.
🌱They need cultural translation.

They don't just need job tips.
🌱They need to understand what "Kiwi experience" actually means—and how to navigate it without losing themselves.

They don't just need academic support.
🌱They need wellbeing frameworks that honour their whole selves—mental, physical, spiritual, relational.

They don't just need a visa.
🌱They need a pathway to belonging.

So here's what I'm doing about it with Eduventurenz

This year, I'm launching Thrive in New Zealand—a programme that does what the sector isn't:
✅ Prepares students before they arrive (not after they're struggling)
✅ Teaches the invisible curriculum—the cultural norms and unspoken expectations no one explains
✅ Grounds everything in Te Whare Tapa Whā—a Māori wellbeing framework that sees people as whole, not just productive
✅ Connects students to the community, so they never figure it out alone
✅ Bridges the gap between overseas experience and Kiwi workplace reality

This isn't about fitting in.
It's about thriving as yourself in Aotearoa.
2026 is the year we shift from:

"How many students can we recruit?"
 → "How well are they actually doing?"
"Did they graduate?"
 → "Do they belong?"
"Are they employed?"
 → "Are they thriving?"

The sticky notes told me what's broken. 
Thrive in NZ is my response to what's possible.
Not louder promises.
Not shinier marketing.
Just honest preparation, cultural depth, and community that shows up.
And yes, this is spicier than most sector conversations. 

But if we're serious about change, mild won't cut it.
How spicy are you ready for?
 🌶️ Kiwi mild → Keep naming the gaps 
 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Indian hot → Let's talk about what actually needs to change
I'm done with mild. Comment with your spice level 
P.S.- Meet Maddie, my foster puppy. She will have an intro post of her soon!

Not everything that matters shows up in surveys.
After yesterday’s post, a number of personal messages landed in my inbox.
The screenshots I’m sharing here are just a few of many, anonymised and shared with care (Yes i will be finding and reporting that employer, like I have reported many in the past) 

These messages made me feel deeply sad.
Not because they were shocking, but because they were familiar.
These stories echo what I’ve heard for years from international students and migrants across Aotearoa.

Quietly. Privately. Often, without the language to explain what’s wrong.
When we talk about well-being, surveys and statistics often give us one part of the picture.
We rightly say that education doesn’t promise employment, only employability skills

But here’s the part we don’t say clearly enough:
Not promising a job does not mean we don’t promise well-being.

Wellbeing isn’t a bonus.
It’s a responsibility.

Most surveys do a reasonable job of capturing:

-Taha Tinana (physical wellbeing) — practical arrangements, logistics
-Taha Hinengaro (emotional wellbeing) — general satisfaction

Very few capture:
-Taha Whānau (family wellbeing)— belonging, isolation, relational safety
-Taha Wairua (Spiritual wellbeing)— identity erosion, purpose confusion, “Who am I here?”

These screenshots and the sticky notes I’ve shared before are Taha Whānau and Taha Wairua speaking.
-That’s not anecdotal.
-That’s unmeasured wellbeing.

Here’s what we tend to measure:
 ✔ enrolment numbers
 ✔ course satisfaction
 ✔ visa approvals
Here’s what we rarely measure:
 ✖ belonging
 ✖ safety from exploitation
 ✖ whether “Kiwi experience” is accessible or gatekept
 ✖ whether students feel they made the right choice

This isn’t about whether students are satisfied.
It’s about what happens in the gap:
 -Between satisfaction and safety.
 -Between orientation and belonging.
 -Between a visa and a life.

That’s why #ThriveinNewZealand isn’t about collecting more data or producing another report.
It’s a response to lived experiences,  grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā and centred on the whole person:
-practical navigation
-emotional well-being
-connection and community
-identity and purpose

February will be one of the biggest intakes. So this is my honest question to all of us working in this space:
Are we preparing people for real life here or just giving them information?
-Not generic orientations.
-Not offshore briefings by people who haven’t lived this experience.
-Not static PDFs that don’t evolve with context.

If you work with international students, migrants, employers, or communities, and you believe we can do better, I’d love to collaborate.
Because preparation doesn’t start at the airport.
And wellbeing doesn’t start after something goes wrong.
It starts before people arrive.
#InternationalStudents #migrants  #ThriveInNewZealand #newzealand 
#studyinnz

This made my Monday. Thank you for trusting the process and doing the work Oluwatosin Peter Osifalujo (MBA, PHRi,ACIPM

Communication isn’t about being loud or perfect; it’s about being intentional, human, and clear about the value you bring. When that clicks, confidence follows, and so do better conversations. 
Every time I meet you, I see that shine through the way you talk. 

So proud to see you applying this so consciously. Keep building those relationships, that’s where opportunities live.
Also… happy Monday indeed 😅 back to school traffic + roadworks = a very Kiwi reality check! Can't wait!

Applied Management Student at WINTEC||Business Leadership and Administration|| Actor

Oluwatosin Peter Osifalujo (MBA, PHRi,ACIPM

View Oluwatosin Peter Osifalujo (MBA, PHRi,ACIPM’s profile

Are you job hunting as an international student?

How strong are your communication skills?

This is one skill you must learn — and refine.
But it’s not about reaching out randomly or “just messaging people.”

Effective communication in a job search is intentional, structured, and purpose-driven.

🎓 Pratishtha Purohit 🎓 opened my eyes to this during one of her excellent sessions, and I’ve been consciously applying these principles in my own journey.

The result?
- Better conversations.
- Stronger relationships.
- More clarity and confidence in how I engage employers and professionals.

Communication is not just about speaking well — it’s about building trust, positioning yourself clearly, and creating meaningful connections.

If you’re an international student navigating the job market, this skill can be a game-changer

Happy Monday from here and its sad schools have resumed, traffic increased, road works going on🥲😂

#Monday #Internationalstudents #communication #relationships #Jobhunt

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The Battle

Laura Barker, JD,

Pratishtha Purohit

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The Battle

Laura Barker, JD,

Pratishtha Purohit

Followers

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Pratishtha Purohit's LinkedIn Performance

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