Stay Passionate and Persistent with Natane Boudreau
Natane Boudreau is the Founder and Interior Designer at Studio Boudreau, a design firm known for creating beautiful and functional spaces that reflect clients' unique styles. With over a decade of experience, Natane has transformed numerous homes and commercial properties through innovative design solutions.
Natane Boudreau is the Founder and Interior Designer at Studio Boudreau, a design firm known for creating beautiful and functional spaces that reflect clients' unique styles. With over a decade of experience, Natane has transformed numerous homes and commercial properties through innovative design solutions. Her passion for art, architecture, and personalized design drives her to deliver exceptional results that enhance the quality of life for her clients.
1. Can you tell our readers about your background?
I’m Natane Boudreau, Founder and Interior Designer at Studio Boudreau. With over 10 years in the industry, I specialize in creating spaces that blend beauty and functionality. My journey began with a passion for art and architecture, which led me to establish Studio Boudreau.
2. What inspired you to start your business?
My desire to create personalized and transformative spaces inspired me to start Studio Boudreau. I wanted to offer a design experience that truly reflects the unique needs and styles of each client.
3. Where is your business based?
Studio Boudreau is based in Andover, Massachusetts, where we serve a diverse clientele, transforming both residential and commercial spaces.
4. How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
I started by building a strong portfolio through freelance projects and networking within the industry. The first steps included setting up a professional website, securing initial clients, and establishing a clear brand identity for Studio Boudreau.
5. What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Leveraging social media platforms, particularly Instagram, has been highly effective. Sharing our design projects and engaging with followers helps us reach a broader audience. Additionally, word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients have been invaluable.
6. What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Balancing creativity with business management has been a significant challenge. Overcoming this involved learning essential business skills and delegating administrative tasks to focus on design.
7. How do you stay focused?
I stay focused by setting clear goals and maintaining a structured schedule. Regularly reviewing my progress and staying organized helps me manage my time effectively.
8. How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
We differentiate Studio Boudreau by offering highly personalized design solutions and focusing on sustainable and innovative practices. Our commitment to understanding each client's vision sets us apart.
9. What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Our most effective strategy has been showcasing our projects on social media and collaborating with influencers in the design community. This approach has helped us build a strong online presence and attract new clients.
10. What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
My advice is to stay passionate and persistent. Build a solid foundation of skills, network with industry professionals, and always listen to your clients' needs.
11. What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
App: Pinterest, for endless design inspiration.
Blog: Design*Sponge, for its diverse and creative design ideas.
Book: "The Art of Simple Living" by Shunmyo Masuno, for its insights on creating peaceful and functional spaces.
12. What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Trello is my favorite business tool because it helps me organize projects, collaborate with my team, and manage tasks efficiently.
13. Who is your business role model? Why?
My role model is Kelly Wearstler, for her bold and innovative design approach. She has inspired me to push creative boundaries and develop a distinctive style.
14. How do you balance work and life?
I balance work and life by setting clear boundaries and dedicating time to personal activities. Prioritizing self-care and family time helps me stay refreshed and focused.
15. What’s your favorite way to decompress?
My favorite way to decompress is by spending time in nature. Whether it’s a walk in the park or a weekend getaway, being outdoors helps me relax and recharge.
16. What do you have planned for the next six months?
In the next six months, I plan to expand Studio Boudreau's services, take on new and diverse projects, and launch a line of home decor products that reflect our design philosophy.
17. How can our readers connect with you?
Readers can connect with me through our website Studio Boudreau or by emailing me at studio@studioboudreau.com. Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and design inspiration.
"Stay true to your passion and be persistent" with Rachel Lake of Rachel Beth Jewellery
We had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Beth, the talented jewelry designer and entrepreneur behind Rachel Beth Jewellery, to hear about her background and journey. Here’s what she shared with us.
Photo credit: Rachel Lake of Rachel Beth Jewellery
We had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Beth, the talented jewelry designer and entrepreneur behind Rachel Beth Jewellery, to hear about her background and journey. Here’s what she shared with us.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I’m Rachel Lake, the founder and owner of Rachel Beth Jewellery. My journey into the world of jewellery design started in a quaint town near the Blue Mountains in New South Wales and took me through various esteemed jewellery establishments across Sydney, including the eastern suburbs & historic Strand Arcade in the CBD.
Over the years, I’ve honed my craft and developed a passion for creating custom, meaningful jewellery pieces that celebrate life's significant moments. In addition to being an entrepreneur, I’m also a mother to our wonderful 18-month-old son, who brings immense joy and balance to our life.
What inspired you to start your business?
My inspiration stemmed from a deep-seated love for crafting jewellery that tells a story. Working in various jewellers, I saw the joy and significance that a custom piece can bring to someone's life. This realisation ignited my desire to create a brand where every piece is tailored to capture the essence of my clients' style and most cherished life moments.
Where is your business based?
Rachel Beth Jewellery is based in Sydney. We understand that life can be busy, and that’s why we also offer virtual consultations, allowing you to bring your dream jewellery to life from the comfort of your own home. This flexible approach ensures that no matter where you are, you can still have a personalised and engaging experience with us.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
Starting Rachel Beth Jewellery five years ago involved a combination of planning, skill development, and a leap of faith. I began by investing in the necessary tools and materials to create my own designs. Then, I reached out to my network of clients and colleagues in the jewellery industry, letting them know about my new venture. The initial phase also included setting up a website and social media presence to showcase my work and attract potential clients.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
The most effective way to raise awareness has been through a combination of social media engagement and word of mouth. Instagram, in particular, has been a powerful platform for showcasing my jewellery creations and the story behind each piece.
Additionally, past customers have been wonderful ambassadors, showing their new jewellery piece to their family and friends.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges has been establishing a distinctive presence in a competitive market. Overcoming this required a strong focus on personalisation and exceptional customer service. Building trust and maintaining open, honest communication with clients has been crucial. We also strive to continually innovate and offer unique designs that resonate with our clients' personal stories.
How do you stay focused?
Staying focused involves setting clear goals and maintaining a deep connection to my passion for jewellery design. Additionally, I balance my creative and business responsibilities by allocating specific times for design work, client meetings, administrative tasks and family time. My husband Damien and our son are also great motivators, as they inspires me to stay disciplined and organised so I can maximise both work and family time.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
Rachel Beth Jewellery stands out by offering unique Gemstones and diamonds with custom designs that reflects of our clients' vision and style. This commitment to personalisation, along with our dedication to exceptional craftsmanship, sets us apart from others in the industry.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Our most effective marketing strategy has been leveraging the power of social media, particularly Instagram, to showcase our custom pieces and engage with our audience. High-quality visuals and storytelling help highlight our designs. Additionally, we focus on building strong relationships with our clients, encouraging them to share their experiences and refer us to their friends and family.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to stay true to your passion and be persistent. Building a business is a journey with many ups and downs, but maintaining your focus on what truly drives you will help navigate challenges. Also, don't be afraid to seek advice and learn from others in your field. Networking and building a supportive community can provide invaluable insights and opportunities.
What's your favourite app? Why?
My favourite app is Trello. It’s an incredibly versatile tool for project management and keeping my creative process organised. I use it to track client orders, manage design ideas, and streamline day-to-day operations. With the demands of running a business and being a mother, Trello helps keep everything on track seamlessly.
What's your favourite business tool or resource? Why?
Aside from Trello, which I use for managing projects and keeping track of client work, Canva is another favourite tool. It’s fantastic for creating visually appealing marketing materials and social media posts without needing extensive graphic design skills. It helps me maintain a professional and cohesive brand presence online.
Who is your business role model? Why?
I don’t have a single business role model. Instead, I take inspiration from a variety of people, each offering unique insights and strengths depending on the task at hand.
How do you balance work and life?
Balancing work and life is always a challenge, especially with an 18-month-old at home. I prioritise setting boundaries and ensuring that I make time for activities that rejuvenate me. I schedule regular breaks and make sure to spend quality time with Joshua and my family helps maintain a healthy balance and keeps my creativity flowing. It's about finding a rhythm that allows me to give my best both at work and at home.
What’s your favourite way to decompress?
My favourite way to decompress is to go for walk in the park with my family, being in nature helps clear my mind and provides a fresh perspective and allow me to relax and recharge, which is essential for maintaining creativity and focus.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
Every piece we create is a unique reflection of our clients' vision, style, and life milestones.
One of our key differentiators is our focus on using ethically sourced diamonds and Australian Sapphires . The gemstones are not only stunning in their beauty but also possess unique qualities that make them highly desirable. Beyond the classic deep blue, Australian sapphires come in a diverse spectrum of colours, including lush greens, warm yellows, and fiery oranges, mirroring the vibrant landscapes and breathtaking sunsets of Australia. Some sapphires even exhibit enchanting colour zones, blending blues and greens or transitioning between different hues, making each stone a distinctive masterpiece.
Sapphires rank second only to diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale, making them incredibly durable and perfect for everyday wear. Their hardness ensures they retain their brilliance and beauty over time, offering both aesthetic appeal and practicality for those seeking a lasting piece of jewellery. This durability, combined with their captivating range of colours, makes sapphires an excellent choice for clients looking for a resilient and unique gemstones.
We are also deeply committed to ethical and sustainable practices, which is another significant aspect that sets Rachel Beth Jewellery apart. All our diamonds and sapphires are ethically sourced, supporting sustainable mining practices and contributing to local communities. Ethical sourcing is integral to our brand values and resonates with clients who are conscious of the impact their purchases have on the environment and society. We take great care in ensuring that our gemstones are obtained through responsible and fair practices, providing our clients with the confidence that their jewellery is not only beautiful but also ethically produced.
In addition to our use of ethically sourced stones, we incorporate recycled gold in our designs whenever possible. Using recycled gold reduces the demand for newly mined gold, which can have significant environmental and social impacts. Recycled gold offers the same quality and durability as newly mined gold but with a smaller carbon footprint. By repurposing gold from existing sources, we help minimise the negative effects of gold mining, such as habitat destruction and pollution. This makes our jewellery a more sustainable and eco-friendly choice.
Our clients appreciate that they are not only receiving a beautifully crafted piece of jewellery but also supporting practices that align with their values of sustainability and ethical responsibility.
How can our readers connect with you?
Readers can connect with us through our website at RachelBethJewellery.com.au and follow us on Instagram @Rachelbethjewellery for the latest updates and designs. We love engaging with our community and are always available to discuss custom design ideas or answer any questions about our pieces.
Rachel Lake
Rachel Beth Jewellery
M: 0425 221 528
E: Rachel@RachelBethJewellery.com.au
Connect with us: IG: @Rachelbethjewellery
Building a Design Business with Liz Toombs
We were privileged to have an insightful conversation with Liz Toombs, a prominent figure in the field of interior decoration. During our discussion, we dove into various aspects of her expertise and explored her innovative approach to transforming spaces into captivating works of art. Liz Toombs shared her invaluable insights into how she built her business Her wealth of experience and passion for her craft shone through in our conversation, leaving us inspired and eager to incorporate her creative ideas and vision into our own projects and designs.
We were privileged to have an insightful conversation with Liz Toombs, a prominent figure in the field of interior decoration. During our discussion, we dove into various aspects of her expertise and explored her innovative approach to transforming spaces into captivating works of art. Liz Toombs shared her invaluable insights into how she built her business Her wealth of experience and passion for her craft shone through in our conversation, leaving us inspired and eager to incorporate her creative ideas and vision into our own projects and designs.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I am a Certified Interior Decorator as well as Owner & Lead Decorator of PDR Interiors, a firm I founded 14 years ago that focuses on the decor of sorority interiors for projects such as expansions and renovations. To date my team has worked on more than 100 campuses across 25 states.
Mentoring women is a keystone of my firm, something I’ve learned to value throughout my fraternity experience. Helping to preserve that experience for current and future members of women’s organizations is what drives me to focus on sorority housing projects. In addition to PDR’s work in Greek housing, we also offer comprehensive services for private residences.
What inspired you to start your business?
My grandad was a realtor when I was a kid and he exposed me to houses. That sparked my initial interest, and then shows like “Trading Spaces” fed the fire. I studied textiles in college, which had more of a fashion focus, but I always knew I wanted to use that knowledge in the realm of home interiors. My path post-college involved sales for a countertop manufacturer then going to work for a residential design firm. After the recession, that firm closed up and I took the leap to go out on my own. The niche of sorority interiors materialized in 2010 and I slowly built that customer base over the years.
Where is your business based?
My company is based in Lexington, Kentucky, a place I’ve called home since August 2001. I’m also a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky and an alumna of Alpha Gamma Delta.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
I was already working in the industry, so it was an easy transition to open my own business since people already knew what I did professionally. I had to do some clerical things like file business paperwork with the state, open a bank account, etc. Beyond that, I began accepting clients under my new business, and networking as often as I could. I chose to run my company out of my home, which meant I didn’t need to find office space or employees.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
I preach to everyone starting a business that networking is the key to building a strong, solid business foundation. The more people you know and that know you, the better. Having a diverse, deep arsenal of contacts serves two purposes for me: 1. It makes me a dependable resource for my clients when they had a need outside of my expertise, and 2. It raises awareness of my professional services which often leads to referrals from my network. Originally when I started out, all of my networking was locally focused. Now that my client base is spread across the country, I network in other ways nationally. But the fundamentals are the same.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
When I started my company, I was young…only 25. People tend to discount your knowledge at that age because you haven’t had a ton of life experience yet. I had to learn how to navigate the potential nay-sayers. I chose to focus on continual learning so I was knowledgeable on the subjects in my field. I also leaned on my network - are you seeing a theme, here? - to sing my praises to people who may not know me. A testimonial or word of praise from other trusted professionals goes a very long way in building your reputation.
How do you stay focused?
I am strict about managing my time. I schedule everything- including my down time. Each day I keep a running list of tasks (professional and personal) and time-block for how and when I am going to accomplish those things. I live and die by my lists and calendar. That allows me to stay focused on the task at hand. I will usually put on a business podcast or some fun music in the background while working in the office, too. Listening to something helps me keep a sense of how much time is passing.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
My team is small, which means we are nimble. We have our processes that we have established and follow, but we also can adjust easily when the economic climate changes. A lot of big firms can’t say the same. Additionally, I try to keep my team tapped-in to what our target market of sorority women are loving. This is fairly easy because we almost always have one to two college students working with us as interns or shadowing. As I stated earlier, mentoring is a huge cornerstone of our work, and that makes us stand out, as well.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Bet you’ll never guess…it’s networking. When I was just starting out, I would invest any marketing dollars into professional association memberships to get in front of as many people as possible. Meeting people face-to-face and forming a connection had a much higher ROI than me placing an ad in a publication or online. That has allowed us to grow via word of mouth very steadily and successfully over the years.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Get started! Do your research so you know the hole in the market you are going to fill, understand your parameters for your business (ie- financials, business model, etc.), and then jump in. Don’t kill your entrepreneurial spirit by overthinking the business idea. You’ll never act if you stay in your head about it. And it’s okay when you hit a setback- we all have!
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
My favorite app is the Closet+ app- it is how I catalogue my clothes, shoes, and accessories. You can build outfits in there and keep track of when you wore them. It has streamlined my packing so much, and limits how long I stand in my closet deciding what to wear. And for you 90’s kids- it’s the closest thing to Cher Horowitz’s closet I have ever found.
I read A LOT, so choosing a favorite book is tough. From a business standpoint, my favorite is “Great on the Job” and I share it with every intern I have. The book outlines simple, actionable things to do in the workplace that employers appreciate, but are often forgotten by employees. If you can master the skills in that book, you will soar professionally.
I’m not a blog reader, but love listening to podcasts. My favorite is Smartless, hosted by Jason Batmeman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes. Listening to it makes me laugh so loud, and helps pass the time when I am traveling or running.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Slack changed my life. It keeps our team conversations about client projects organized and easily accessible from my desktop, phone or iPad. It works so much better than communicating via email and text and then trying to remember where the conversation is housed.
Who is your business role model? Why?
That’s another difficult one to answer- honestly so hard to narrow to just one person. The best way to sum it up: I admire a lot of strong female founders. Women like Beyonce, Reese Witherspoon, and Taylor Swift are in the forefront of my mind quite often. I appreciate that they are talented at their craft, I am amazed at their business acumen, and I love the way they continue to level-up in their careers while remaining simultaneously feminine and strong. I recently saw the Beyonce movie documenting her Renaissance tour. They tell a story about one of her back-up dancers landing on the tour as her FIRST JOB. Beyonce saw her on social and hired her immediately. Any founder that takes time to support the next generation - especially those unknown in their field - is golden to me. That’s what I strive to do.
How do you balance work and life?
It’s a delicate dance to maneuver, but I have figured out what works for me. Time-blocking plays into this a lot. I don’t like to work in the evenings or on weekends because that is my personal time. I can’t always avoid it, so if work creeps into my personal life, I try to carve out some work time to take back for myself. On the flip side, I can’t be successful if I’m not putting in the time at work, so I try not to let personal things eat up my workday. I have a reminder that pops up on my phone every Friday asking me questions about how I balanced my life during the week and secondly, did the choices I made support the life I want. That’s a reassuring gut check to receive each week. And helps me get back on course, if I fell off.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Reading a book. I love getting away from all the screens: my phone, computer, and tv and just holding a book in my hand. I let my imagination soak in the story. My favorite genre is thriller so it’s very easy to get sucked into the plot.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
I have been chasing the next big goal in my business, and even personally to an extent, for the last 15 plus years. Right now, my plan is to stay the course and enjoy how far I have come without pushing hard towards anything new just yet. I have some potential projects in mind and want to see how things unfold. This is a new approach for me, so please wish me luck!
How can our readers connect with you?
Website - http://pdr-interiors.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pdrinteriors/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-toombs-c-i-d-68b3176/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8__u0zXvnk
"Look at your business plan now because things change" with Christine Blanchette
Christine Blanchette is a nationally published health and fitness/lifestyle writer. She writes a weekly column in Quebec’s second largest English language newspaper, The Sherbrooke Record, and freelances for other notable publications. In addition, Christine is the creator, producer, and host of Run With It, which is Canada’s only running, fitness and health show, airing on Novus (TELUS) TV and YouTube channel. Christine’s other show on Novus (TELUS) TV and YouTube channel is The Closing Act, which profiles musicians, and other movers and shakers in the entertainment industry.
Christine Blanchette is a nationally published health and fitness/lifestyle writer. She writes a weekly column in Quebec’s second largest English language newspaper, The Sherbrooke Record, and freelances for other notable publications. In addition, Christine is the creator, producer, and host of Run With It, which is Canada’s only running, fitness and health show, airing on Novus (TELUS) TV and YouTube channel. Christine’s other show on Novus (TELUS) TV and YouTube channel is The Closing Act, which profiles musicians, and other movers and shakers in the entertainment industry.
She is a regular contributor for Livid Magazine, NY City, and has written stories for The Seattle Times, The Vancouver Sun, Snowshoe Magazine, Canadian Running Magazine, Huffington Post, Women’s National Post, Optimize Magazine, iRun Magazine, and Get Out There Magazine. When she isn’t busy hosting and writing, she is a running instructor at the University of British Columbia.
So, can you please tell me one or two life experiences that shaped who you are and ultimately how you got on your professional path today?
I’ve always had an interest and a passion for writing. Although I wasn’t the best writer when I was younger, I learned how to improve my craft despite never being fully satisfied with writing. I always keep working on it though. But I do have a love-hate relationship with it because I look back and there’s always something I love and another thing I want to change. But I suppose writing is really revising and revising more?
And as a natural extension of writing, I pivoted to broadcast media and started to interview others. I always had an interest in television. I remember watching David Letterman thinking, “Wow, how does he do that? How is he so funny, entertaining, and charismatic?” That’s where I drew my inspiration and learned all about hosting and being on television. As a result, I’ve been lucky enough to have worked for CBC TV News and was introduced to the right people ultimately landing my own television show.
But before I started writing and working in broadcast media, I had worked in forensic accounting. It was interesting and where I learned about law firms, lawyers, and the media. It was a good primer for me.
We all have myths and misconceptions about success. What are some myths or misconceptions that you used to believe?
There are quite a few but here are some of the ones I used to hold:
‘No is always a no.’ Just because someone says ‘no’ to you now doesn't mean they're going say ‘no’ to you again in six months' time. It may be ‘no’ as I said for now but try again in a few months or a year. It must be the right time. You must have the confidence and courage to believe in yourself.
And another myth just, that it doesn’t take a team. I think you can't do everything alone. You need a team and don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help because I think you'll be surprised because if you don't ask, you won't know, and those are my, you know, and it's worked every time.
How has your definition of success changed over time?
I used to attach a monetary amount to it as a business owner but now I think it's really knowing your product and your target market. Being successful in business is also about building relationships, as those relationships can open doors and provide a range of opportunities. Once you build those relationships, you start networking.
The pandemic, in many ways, was a time of collective self-reflection. What changes do you believe we need to make as a society to access success post-pandemic?
I think that what we need is to reinvent ourselves. I think we need to adapt because for me, I was doing a lot of in-person interviews. I thought “How am I going to adapt to zoom?” I had no idea what I was doing at the time. And I was just doing it all on my own, but that's how you learn. That's how you must help yourself to help others. Change is constant so embrace it.
What do you see as the unexpected positives in the pandemic? We would love to hear a few of your stories or examples.
Technology as I get to interview everyone all over the world. It's exciting. I get to also do virtual speaking engagements. I don't have to go into a classroom. I have more time to myself, to run, and to spend time with friends and family. But the only issue is that it can feel like an obligation at times because the host or coordinator may say that I am home and have the time. Technology has also enabled me to do everything from home such as buying groceries, paying bills, and talking on the phone.
We’re all looking for answers about how to be successful now. Could you please share "5 Ways To Redefine Success Now?” (Please share a story or example for each.)
This relates to founders and entrepreneurs; I would have to say:
1). Look at your business plan now because things change. Look at your short-term and long-range goals. See what has changed and adjust them accordingly.
2). Find a mentor. Find someone that you can trust. You may think, well, this mentor was great two years ago, but you've grown them. So, finding the right fit can bring your business big success.
3). Follow your passion. If you are passionate about something, then you will be able to work hard and put in the time to make it happen. It’s easy to get discouraged when you don’t see the results of your hard work right away. But if you are passionate about what you are doing, then it won’t matter how long it takes for success to come.
You need to find a way that works for you and your personality. If someone is not a “morning person,” then they should not try to force themselves into waking up at 5 am every day. Find what works for you and stick with it.
4). Learn time management skills.
The first thing that you need to do is to set up a schedule for yourself. This will help you manage your time effectively and efficiently. The schedule should include time for relaxation, study, work, and sleep.
It is also important to plan beforehand what you are going to do during each of these periods. For example, if you are studying, then it is a good idea to plan out your study schedule in advance so that you can allocate enough time for it and make sure that there are no gaps in between.
When it comes to managing your work-life balance, the most important thing is to prioritize the things that matter most in life such as family and friends over work. If possible, try not to overwork yourself because this will lead to burnout.
5). Never stop learning. Join different groups, meet different people, and strive to experience different things.
The world is changing at a rapid pace. The only way to keep up with it is to always be learning and adapting. When you learn new skills, you are more likely to find a job that is more fulfilling and pays better. You will also make new friends who are interested in what you like doing. When you learn about new things, you will get a better understanding of how the world works as well as what is happening in your own city or country.
How would our lives improve if we changed our definition of success?
To be successful means to succeed in some endeavor. It's long been the goal for success for many people. Yet, the meaning of success should not be narrowly defined by one metric or goal. Successful living is a journey where one can define their own successes and figure out how one wants to live their life.
What’s the biggest obstacle that stands in the way of our redefined success? And what advice would you offer about overcoming those obstacles?
Most people are of the opinion that success is only achieved when one reaches a certain monetary goal. For example, some feel like they haven't really made it until they've reached a figure that would make them comfortable. However, there are other aspects of business that should be taken into consideration that are equally important. These include work-life balance, doing something that you love and that makes a positive impact, as well as working with good people.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He, she or they might just see this if we tag them.
I’d say, Sir Anthony Hopkins. To me, he represents someone who is so talented. He’s great on stage. He plays music and he reads a lot. He’s so well-rounded. He's more than an actor. He's a humanitarian. I mean, that's whom I would pick. I just admire him so much.
How can our readers get in touch with you?
My website www.runwithit.ca and socials Instagram christineblanchette_tv and Twitter: @christineruns.
"Define your target audience from the beginning" with Kenya Adams
Photo credit: Kenya Adams
Kenya Adams is here to change the way women use public restrooms. She is the CEO and inventor of the PantyBuddy. She started her business in March of 2020 and used the COVID-19 quarantine period to focus on perfecting her invention and getting it manufactured. Kenya is a woman who is always on the go but was forced to stop and be still during that time. Finding herself in quarantine, she discovered that it was time to manifest her innovative idea and started her dream of entrepreneurship.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I am a wife and a busy mom of three boys. I am always on the go whether traveling across the country or across town, but I really despise nasty public restrooms. I don't typically consider myself to be a germaphobe, but whenever I use a public restroom, I become completely obsessed with avoiding germs. I do not want to make any contact with the toilet or anything else in there. I want to get in and get out as safely as possible, but I often find that I am struggling to do so. Over the years, I have often wished I had an extra hand to help me in the restroom.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired to invent the PantyBuddy out of personal necessity. I was traveling for work a lot which required me to be in and out of airport and airplane restrooms. I was having a hard time keeping it all together in those small spaces and started looking for something to help me out. I created the PantyBuddy to be that solution.
Where is your business based?
My business is based in Tennessee, and we are an eCommerce business that is available online.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
I used the COVID-19 quarantine time to get my business started. My invention is an idea that went undeveloped for several years because I was always too busy to figure out how to make my invention a reality. When the country shut down, I was suddenly gifted with time. Time to gather my thoughts, time to find a mentor, time to design my logo, time to write my business plan, time to conduct market research, time to find a manufacturer, and time to launch my product to the world.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Social media has been very effective in raising awareness about the PantyBuddy. It has helped educate my target audience about the PantyBuddy and teach them about the usefulness of the product.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge has been launching a product that is dependent on the use of public restrooms during a time when people are still very cautious about being out in public places.
That challenge is slowly being overcome as people return to normal activities. Plus, ladies are purchasing their PantyBuddy in anticipation of being able to be very social soon.
How do you stay focused?
I stay focused by keeping my goals in front of me, literally. I have a large dry erase board where I list my monthly tasks out in 3-month intervals. This helps me to have a clear vision of my goals and the steps I need to take to accomplish them.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
PantyBuddy is an invention that is new to the market. There is no direct competition because there is nothing out there like it. The PantyBuddy is a public restroom kit for women that functions as a fashionable wristlet. PantyBuddy is the ideal travel companion for using public restrooms, whether you are traveling across town, across the country, or across the world. It improves personal hygiene in public restrooms and ensures that you are never without the essentials to quickly get in and out of small, cramped, and germ-filled public facilities. It comes with an emergency supply of toilet paper, toilet seat covers, and our patent-pending panty protecting strap.
The panty protecting strap wraps around the crotch of underwear and garments and enables the user to easily pull everything away from gross surfaces when using public toilets. The PantyBuddy is perfect for those women who use public restrooms whether in corporate offices, airports, airplanes, concert venues, or even gas stations. It makes sure that women always have the essentials regardless of the conditions found in the restroom.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Networking with women’s groups has been my most effective marketing strategy. I am a member of several professional women’s organizations and use those connections to get the word out about PantyBuddy.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Define your target audience from the beginning and everything you do needs to cater to your target audience.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
My favorite app right now is Clubhouse. It is a great way to network with people from all industries. I have used the app to learn from mom-and-pop shops to millionaires. My favorite book right now is Uncloned Marketing by Audria Richmond. It is a no-nonsense, non-traditional guide to marketing.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Canva Pro is my favorite business tool. It allows me to quickly develop visual content and gives everything a professional look.
Who is your business role model? Why?
Lori Greiner is my business role model because she is the product queen! She is my ideal Shark Tank partner.
How do you balance work and life?
As an entrepreneur, there are often many long nights and I work hard every day to make my business a success. I spend time with my family to take a break from work. Whether it is playing a board game or just sitting to talk over dinner for an hour, it is important to me to take the time to strike a balance.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
My favorite way to decompress is to take a walk. Nothing beats a good walk around the neighborhood to clear my mind.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
Over the next 6 months, I am focused on increasing my marketing efforts around the PantyBuddy.
I will be intentional about seeking out publicity and media attention for the product.
How can our readers connect with you?
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @pantybuddy
Twitter: @pantybuddy
Facebook: @pantybuddy
TikTok: @pantybuddy
Website: pantybuddy.com
Email: info@pantybuddy.com
"Write a book. It will make you an expert in your field and will open doors," with Khristee Rich
Photo Credit: Ken Rich
Khristee Rich is a holistic health expert, researcher, and writer who advocates for women's health and wellness. With over twenty years as a researcher and seventeen years as a holistic expert, she empowers women to heal their mind, body, and spirit using the sacred medicine of the Earth and to overcome trauma, so that they become healthy, joyful, confident women and make the impact they desire in their lives. She also specializes in holistic childbirth. She is currently writing a three-book series on childbirth around the world through a holistic perspective.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
Khristee: I never imagined that I would become an entrepreneur. I always wanted to be an actress. I wanted to be a famous actress on Broadway or on a sitcom like I Love Lucy with Lucille Ball. I loved to perform and make people laugh. But I developed a debilitating, chronic illness in college and I was too sick to continue on that path, even though I tried… It wasn’t until many years later, that I had the vision of becoming an entrepreneur. It was completely inspired. It was not something I planned or even dreamed of. I turned my hobby into my business.
In 2008, during the height of the recession, I was downsized and suddenly, I went from being a workaholic, always working, to someone who had all free time in the beautiful summertime. I went swimming at the pool during the day. I even took a water aerobics class outside in the sun while listening to the Beach Boys. I thought that was hysterical. My former co-workers were in the office stressing away and I was doing something fun outside every day. I went to the beach. I went out for tea in the afternoon. It was so much fun.
Through my joy, I saw my world as comedy and started writing sketch comedy skits. It was all I wanted to do all day. After months of writing comedy all day, I was inspired to create a comedy business. That is how my business began. It actually started off as a comedy business, not a health and wellness business. I wanted to heal the community through laughter during the recession.
What inspired you to start your business?
Khristee: After months of writing comedy and laughing all day, I realized I still needed an income. They say “if you love your job you will never work a day in your life” so I decided to turn my hobby into a business. I became an LLC. It was now official. I didn’t know anything about business, but writing comedy was all I wanted to do, so I knew it would lead to something great.
Where is your business based?
Khristee: My business is based in Ridgefield, Connecticut, but all of my services are virtual now, so I can work with anyone anywhere in the world. For a while, my business was bi-coastal when I lived in California.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
Khristee: First, I decided on a business name. I wanted to be remembered by being unique. Since it was sketch comedy, I had to tie it into the performance. I thought about the musical, Gypsy. There was a song that was a showstopper called, “You Gotta Have A Gimmick.” It was about developing a gimmick to stand out from the rest of the crowd. I decided to be called The Dancing Curtain because we would end all of our shows with a dancing curtain call. I envisioned myself and the other actors dancing as we took our final bow. The audience would be up on their feet dancing and feeling good; that feeling would continue for them after the show and they would be eager to come again. I wanted the show to create joy, so this felt right.
After deciding on a business name, I did research and registered my business with the state and became an LLC.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Khristee: I love publicity. I started my business by writing press releases and being interviewed by the media and now after trying many other ways, I have returned to publicity. I believe it is the best approach for raising awareness for my business, my books, and the topics I teach. I have been a guest on many podcasts. I have been a guest blogger and I have written articles for online magazines and print magazines. My big dream is to be interviewed on TV.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Khristee: My biggest challenge was overcoming my chronic illness. I had a debilitating chronic illness for 15 years which was misdiagnosed.
It was such a challenging time. I had been healthy all of my life so it was very surprising when I became ill and couldn’t get better. I went to doctor after doctor and they couldn’t find anything wrong with me. They labeled me as depressed, but I knew that there was something physically wrong with me. They labeled me as stressed, but that didn’t fit either. I had been through stress and never got that sick before.
I realized that I had to become my health advocate. I went to the best doctors in Connecticut and New York City. I asked tough questions. I requested more tests. My blood didn’t find any abnormalities. Doctors began to think that I was a hypochondriac. They didn’t take me seriously. This was so hard to take.
I changed my diet. I took supplements and vitamins. I went to yoga class. I studied Reiki and shamanism to try to heal. This helped me a little bit, but I didn’t get back to my old self. I knew there had to be a reason why I got sick, a root cause, why a girl who had always been healthy was suddenly so ill.
Finally, after fifteen years of struggling, I found a doctor who was willing to do further testing. He discovered the root cause. I had extremely high levels of heavy metals in my blood. Both lead and mercury. The highest he had ever seen.
He recommended that I do chelation therapy in New York City. He predicted it would take a full year of chelation therapy, if not longer since my levels were so high.
I was so shocked that I had heavy metals, but I was relieved that he did the further testing and found out the reasoning
I went home and immediately started researching heavy metals and chelation therapy. But I found out that chelation therapy is controversial. It is the only therapy that modern medicine recommends for heavy metals, but it can cause paralysis, brain damage, and even death.
At this time, I had been a healer for many years, so I decided to heal myself and do it naturally.
I went online and learned that there was natural food and supplements that I could take to extract the heavy metals out of my blood without any side effects. I took them for a month and at the end of the month, my blood was checked and my levels were zero. My health had been restored! 100% naturally and in only one month.
That was my biggest challenge. I overcame my illness a year after starting my business.
How do you stay focused?
Khristee: My business is my passion. I am very driven. I have big dreams. I have always been resilient. I know that my books and my services are meant to empower and heal women around the world.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
Khristee: Well, in the beginning it was through my name and “my gimmick”. Then, I stopped doing comedy and became a health and wellness business when I began adding personal Reiki and shamanism healing sessions. I helped women to overcome chronic illness and chronic conditions. I had so much empathy for others who had been in my shoes and were told that there was nothing else they could do to help them. I wanted to empower them that no matter what their doctors had said that they could improve and do it naturally. Helping people overcome chronic illnesses and chronic conditionally naturally was my niche. Then in 2019, I began interviewing and writing my book, so transitioned into becoming an expert in holistic childbirth. I have taken all of my knowledge and skills as a holistic healer and holistic health expert and funneled it into helping mothers to heal naturally and have empowered childbirth experiences.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Khristee: Write a book. It will make you an expert in your field and will open doors. Write a book, write a book, write a book!
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
Khristee: That’s a tough one. I have so many apps and so many books! I would say Otter is my favorite app since it has made interviewing for my book series so much easier. It transcribes and records.
Right now, I am reading so many books on childbirth for my book series on childbirth around the world, so I would have to say Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin is my favorite book right now. The book describes honestly what childbirth is like and takes away the fear. It shows how natural it is to give birth at home and the spiritual connection women feel while giving birth.
My favorite blog is Tiny Buddha. It is so positive and inspiring. I love the stories that people share and the inspirational quotes that they all contain. One of my stories was featured on Tiny Buddha recently. I was so delighted.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Khristee: Again, I love Otter. Without it as a tool, I would probably not be as far along with writing my books. Another resource that has become invaluable is Zoom. That is how I do my interviews and my virtual healing sessions and workshops. It has made it easy to have an online business with a personal touch.
Who is your business role model? Why?
Khristee: I have had many role models, but I don’t have one now. I don’t want to look up to anyone right now. I want to empower myself to know that I have the answers inside; I can trust myself and that I am always guided.
How do you balance work and life?
Khristee: I think balance is doing the things you love to do and knowing when to take breaks. I love to travel; I have a morning routine to center me which is really important to me. I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, going for drives, reading fiction, and writing which allows me to delve into my imagination and get lost in another world.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Khristee: I love to meditate, walk in nature, listen to music, dance, lie on my hammock in the summer or take a warm bath in the winter.
I think it is very important for entrepreneurs to decompress. We live in a hustle culture and as an entrepreneur we can work 24/7. We have to try to balance ourselves and our lives and realize that there is more to life than working all the time.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
Khristee: I am writing book one of my three-book series on childbirth around the world and I will be launching a digital course based on book one for moms and moms-to-be.
I am very excited for the next few months. I have a very strong feeling that I will be signing with a traditional publisher within six months and of course, when the book comes out there will be a book tour.
It’s fun to see how my business has come full circle from healing through comedy to helping people to heal mind, body, and spirit by working with me 1:1 to healing through storytelling in my book series and doing book tours as a speaker on the stage.
How can our readers connect with you?
Khristee: Readers can connect with me on Instagram @khristeerich or https://www.instagram.com/khristeerich, Facebook: The Dancing Curtain or https://www.facebook.com/thedancingcurtain, YouTube: Dancing Curtain, through email at khristee@thedancingcurtain.com and my Web site www.thedancingcurtain.com You can also join my list and receive a free gift at https://www.thedancingcurtain.com/free-health-gift
I would love to connect with you!
“Know your value and success will follow” with Alli Hill
Alli Hill is a writer, speaker, blogger, and influencer in freelancing. The founder and director of FreelanceSpeak and a five-star Fiverr Top Seller, Alli coaches aspiring freelancers and solopreneurs in the art of personal branding, marketing, and solo business operations. Her extensive client portfolio includes Fortune 500 and Inc 5000 companies, SMEs in tech, e-commerce, finance, and marketing, and international boutique brands.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I knew I wanted to be a writer by the time I turned 4 (childhood dreams DO come true!). Throughout school I took initiative to hone my skills: writing for the school paper and yearbook, entering writing competitions (and winning!), doing a one-story internship with the local city newspaper, etc. In college, I fell into some paid event marketing work on a gig basis, working with some popular Fortune 100 brands that needed brand ambassadors for events.
I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, but I never felt like any of the jobs I found in my field suited me. So, I created my own, and I’ve never been happier.
What inspired you to start your business?
Looking back, I feel like freelance writing (and now coaching and influencing) has been in the stars for me all along. I knew I wanted to write, but came to believe I needed to work for someone else first so I could learn, grow, and build credibility. I thought that getting experience through an employer would be a low-risk way to build on my skills. But I am very much a DIY-er. I’ve always carved my own path, taught myself things, and done things my way. I realized that seeking a a traditional, ready-made career with a salary and schedule determined by someone else didn’t allow me to be true to myself. That was my A-ha! moment.
Oddly enough, my last boss approached me one day to enroll me in a content marketing course. That was really the catalyst that showed me new potential for a freelance writing career. Once that ball started rolling, it only picked up speed. Within a few months, I had replaced my full-time income with all my writing side work and decided to hand in my notice.
Where is your business based?
I work from home in Georgia (USA) in a small town nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
Quitting the safely net of my day job was a big leap. Before I felt confident in making that jump, I focused on getting clients. I didn’t have a website or a brand, so to speak, but I did create a few writing samples so I could show clients what I was capable of. I landed a pretty big name for my first assignment, then collected a few more clients from that. I would work on writing after I put in 8-9 hours at my day job, and I did this for several months to see how sustainable it would be.
Some days, I would stay up until midnight or later to balance both jobs (and being a mom to two children under 2 years of age). Eventually I started getting so much work I had to make a choice. It was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Two things have worked wonders for me as a writer: Fiverr and referrals.
In my first couple of years, I was doing a lot of pitching. I had signed up for some weekly newsletters that would share companies looking for freelance writers. But pitching is hard work, and you could send 100 pitches with no work to show for it. I had also taken some low-paying clients as I was ramping up my business just to build some credibility. But I knew my writing was worth more, so I created a Fiverr Seller profile (an online marketplace for freelancers) so I could set my own rates and take more control over my work.
To date, I’ve had more than 2,000 Fiverr orders from clients in 30+ countries. This was also a big win in building up my portfolio of popular brands and clients in a range of industries. It’s helped me land more clients on and off Fiverr, and I’ve gotten tons of referrals from both sides of this coin.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Learning to say no to work was a big challenge, especially in my first few years of business. I was so focused on growing my client base and keeping a full schedule that it was hard to break away and take time off. Even on vacation.
Now, I value my time so much more and am more particular about the projects I take.
How do you stay focused?
Being more ruthless about my time has helped me to not feel so overwhelmed. I take more breaks, I take a walk every morning to clear my head and get some sunshine, and I don’t overload my schedule like I used to.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
In truth, I don’t, at least consciously. When I first started freelancing, especially in a competitive marketplace like Fiverr, I thought I really needed to “sell” my services. But now, I’m just transparent and honest with clients that reach out to me. I tell them what they get and what they can expect from my process. I’m not a hard seller.
If they want to negotiate on price or ask for more than I can give, I simply tell them we might not be a good fit for each other. They either appreciate the honesty and decide to work with me, or they move on.
Know your value, and success will follow.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Reviews, hands down. People trust them. But hiring a great freelancer can be hit or miss. You never know what you’re getting. That’s why I leaned heavily on getting good reviews early in my freelance career. I feel like my reviews on Fiverr sell for me.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Ask for help. Find a mentor, take a course, figure out what you don’t know. Be honest about the skills and knowledge you lack, then take initiative to fill in those gaps. When you make learning an everyday goal, you’ll move lightyears ahead of those who don’t.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
I’ve recently jumped on the Wordle trend, where you try to guess a five-letter word in six attempts. It’s my morning brain booster, and naturally I’m a lover of words.
Lunden Souza’s Self-Love and Sweat blog is truly inspiring. She is a fitness and life coach, which has nothing to do with freelancing, but her tips help me make positive changes in my life that carry over to my career.
I grew up a bookworm and I read all kinds of books. One of my favorite books to date is House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski. The creativity of the story, not to mention the typography in the book, have me hooked for life.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Networking is one of the single most important business “tools” that people don’t advantage of enough. I treat everyone I meet as a potential follower, client, or mentee. You never know who you’re going to inspire, and you never know who is in their network that you might be able to help.
Who is your business role model? Why?
My dad owned a business (and is now retired). I learned so much about the lifestyle and demands of a business owner starting at an early age and knew I wanted the same for myself. He made a comfortable living. He built up a strong referral network and spent very little on marketing. Most importantly, he was always available to take off work to join me on school field trips or events.
I copied a lot of his moves: starting small, not spending money until you need to, not relying on too many employees that will put you in a bind if they quit, being meticulous about expense tracking – all things that have helped me tremendously. I didn’t have to learn some of business’s toughest lessons the hard way because of him.
How do you balance work and life?
Since I work from home, those lines are usually blurred. But I’m a lot better at work/life balance than I was a few years ago. I set boundaries with my clients and with my family. For instance, I don’t reply to business emails on the weekend – If I do it once, then clients start expecting me to do it all the time. And it gives them the invitation to not respect my boundaries because I haven’t respected them.
Same story at home – my kids know that when my hand are flying across the keyboard, they need to hold their questions unless they’re hurt or sick.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
I treasure my four-day work week. It feels so good going to bed on Thursday night knowing I have a three-day weekend ahead of me. It’s refreshing, rejuvenating, and gives me more time to work on my passion projects.
And in the rare event where I just can’t make a four-day work week work, I try to treat myself in other ways, like a longer morning walk or a family adventure on the weekend.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
I am currently developing the FreelanceSpeak podcast, where I’ll be sharing my insights on all things freelancing, personal branding, and business growth.
I am also updating FreelanceSpeak.com with a fresh new look and to make space for my new coaching services. With the new website, I will also be bringing over my writing services (currently under a separate brand and website) so that clients can hire me directly and freelance mentees and connect with me all in one place.
How can our readers connect with you?
I’m a huge fan of networking and invite anyone to reach out and connect. You can learn more about me and my journey at FreelanceSpeak.com, which is the home of my blog and other resources for freelancers, and will soon be the home of my writing services, too. Let’s see how we can help each other!
Website: http://www.freelancespeak.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alli-hill/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freelancespeak
"Listen to your peers for advice, but then create something that works for you" Johanna Kitzman
Photo Credit: Joelle Julian
Johanna is the owner and founder of Studio Freyja, a luxury photography studio located in San Diego that focuses on maternity, newborn, and family portraits. With a minimalistic, timeless, and personalized approach, Johanna has captured countless important family memories in the 8 years she’s been in business. While she started her business in Minnesota, she moved herself and Studio Freyja to San Diego in 2016 and started from scratch again. Since then she’s been able to build up her business again to a profitable company that has seen growth year after year.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I was born and raised in Sweden and moved to Minnesota to attend college in 2007. That’s where I met my husband and since then I’ve lived in the states. Being so far away from family really made me treasure the few family albums I had brought with me from home. Leafing through them brought back memories of family time, even as far back as when I was a little toddler and spent time with my grandparents.
What inspired you to start your business?
Unfortunately, I, just like many people, didn’t realize how much work goes into professional photography. So when my husband and I got married in 2012 we thought $1000 for a wedding photographer was a TON of money (spoiler alert, it’s not!). Needless to say, our photographer ended up not being very professional, and instead of being able to relive our wedding day through our wedding album, I spent a year having to fight to even get any pictures from our day as our photographer just completely disappeared.
The few photographs we finally received were not ones I’m thrilled to share. So many important moments were missed and lost. I decided that no one else should ever have to go through that same experience. So I picked up a camera and taught myself everything I needed to know, and slowly but surely I built up my experience and my business where I could ensure families had their most important moments captured and documented. Since then I’m also a huge advocate for encouraging other photographers to charge a profitable rate. What we do is important, and we deserve to be compensated accurately for it.
Where is your business based?
I am based in San Diego with a studio located in La Mesa. However, I travel back to Minnesota for shoots as well as go to other places. I love to travel and love when the opportunity to combine my passions for photography and travel coincides.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
When I first started photography I spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos on posing and editing. I taught myself the ins and outs of my camera and studied the law of light. I then practiced under another photographer who specializes in Newborns to learn the proper posing techniques so that I knew what I was doing was safe for the babies. I also spent several years second shooting for other photographers before I took on my first weddings. As photographers, it is our responsibility to ensure that we can provide what our clients need. Everyone has a phone nowadays with great cameras on it. So we have to ensure that what we do is more than just taking snapshots. These have to be portraits that last for generations, that they are proud to display around their homes, and we have to be able to show up at any occasion and know that regardless of environment, light, or location we can produce quality portraits for our families will cherish.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Great customer service and SEO. The majority of my clients are repeat clients, clients who were referred by past clients, and people who found me on Google. But nothing beats a repeat client and a referred client. These are warm leads that have either already fallen in love with you or they heard such great things about you from their friend that they’re ready to book you before you’ve even spoken to them. Nothing beats word-of-mouth marketing.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
The hardest part about running a photography business is that there is a photographer every which way you turn. It is very easy to get stuck comparing yourself to everyone around you, and not just losing confidence in yourself, but also losing your creativity and integrity with it. It’s never easy to stand out from a crowd, but when you’re running a business that’s already not looked upon as a professional job, it’s so important to find your own lane. When I started photography I thought I had to do exactly what everyone else was doing. More props. Brighter colors. Crazy edits! But as I went down that rabbit hole I lost myself, I lost my sense of purpose for why I was doing this, to begin with, and I lost my identity in my art.
To me, photography is very personal. Not only to those families who we photograph, but to us as the photographer as well. This is my art and my personality. When I realized this I went back to the basics. I looked at what truly spoke to me, and it was natural light and color, minimalistic setups, and portraits that focused solely on the subject(s) I was photographing. Whenever I feel like I’m sliding down the slippery slope of comparing myself to others, I write down my reasons for why I shoot the way I do. And it helps me find my focus again and keep going down my own lane.
How do you balance work and life?
This is tough. Because as a small business owner you’re constantly working. There’s not a moment that goes by when I’m not working. And it’s especially hard when so much can be done from my phone; answering inquiries, answering phone calls, posting on social media, etc. But the whole essence behind my business is quality family time and memories. So I make sure that I live by that rule too. While I constantly have my phone with me (more than I should probably) I do try to make sure that I’m only in front of my computer editing, doing website updates, market research, etc. from 9-5 Monday to Friday.
I try to limit shooting on the weekends to just one day, Saturday or Sunday. And if I do end up working a full weekend day, I give myself a day off during the week to just relax. I can’t run a successful business on an empty cup. Unless I give myself the grace I won’t be able to provide my clients with the service they’ve come to expect.
At first, when I set these boundaries I was worried that I would lose out on shoots because I wasn’t offering all weekend days. But turns out, people will book you anyways because of the value you’ve conveyed. So if they want to have me photograph their newborn pictures, maternity photos, etc. then they make time in their calendars to fit in a weekday evening shoot.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
I’m all about community over competition and actually run a Mastermind Group with other photographers from my area. There are enough people out there who want pictures that we’ll all have enough to work with. To me, it’s important that we set a consistent standard for photography where people get used to paying profitable prices for their portraits. So we are very transparent with each other and what we offer etc. The way we differentiate ourselves from each other then comes down to slight differences in our style, and then our personalities. Our clients hire us as much from our images as our personalities.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Listen to your peers for advice, but then create something that works for you. Don’t copy someone else’s strategies, systems, and branding because it won’t work for you. Surround yourself with people who are working towards the same goals as you are; let them support you when you need it, and be the support they need. And lastly, charge what you’re worth! Make sure to really understand what you need to make a profit. Don’t just focus on the direct expenses, but calculate in fees, taxes, retirement, and your personal finances. Not only do you have to make money to cover the expenses of the business, but you need to be able to pay yourself a salary that will cover your personal expenses and give you room to add to savings and retirement.
How do you stay focused?
I have a CRM system I use to keep track of each client and wherein the planning process they are. I also have an accountability partner that I meet with every two weeks where we set up our goals and go over accomplishments. And I give myself time to not be focused. We can’t be focused 24/7 - nobody is. And we have to recognize that we can’t be 100% every day. So if I have days when I feel like my focus isn’t where it needs to be, I give myself grace and allow myself to step away from the computer, run errands, read a book, etc. Because I know I’d rather do something for myself, than waste time doing half-hearted work “just because you’re supposed to”. This way when I come back to work I’ve been inspired again and can focus the way I need to.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Travel, Hiking, Ocean, and Dog Cuddles. I love going for hikes around San Diego or heading out to hear and smell the ocean. It gives me peace of mind and renewed energy. I always feel refreshed and inspired when I come back. I also love traveling and my husband and I try to plan one big trip once a year to get away and explore new areas of the world. But mostly, cuddling with my English Bulldog is my go-to activity when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
How can our readers connect with you?
You can follow along on my business journey and see all the pretty pictures on my Instagram, Facebook and Website. I’m an open book and love helping and inspiring other women to go after their dreams. I always say, I may not have the answer, but together we can toss ideas around and sometimes when you have an issue, just talking it through with some can spark ideas for solutions!
"Don't do it for the money" with Mary Lyons
Photo Credit: Bold Entity
Financial advisor Mary Lyons is recognized as being part of the top 1 percent nationwide in her industry, and her popular podcast, The BIG Wealth Podcast, recently ranked in Apple’s top 100 charts. Mary’s success as a financial advisor led her to launch Benchmark Income Group™ in 2020. Despite opening during the height of the pandemic, the company has thrived, exceeding $1 million in revenue during the first seven months. Mary teaches her ideas and methods at national conferences, consults with the industry’s best, and trains advisors in top firms across the United States.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I've been a financial advisor for over 16 years. I work in a predominantly male industry, where the average financial advisor is a 51-year-old white man. I am much younger than that and female! I started work in a traditional environment, where I was frequently the only woman, or one of two women, in the company that I was working for. About two years ago, I launched my own company. Our company is 94 percent women, so we look exactly the opposite of the rest of the industry.
What inspired you to start your business?
What inspired me to start my business, I think, like any entrepreneur, is that I saw the way things were being done was inefficient and ineffective, and I felt motivated to do it better. I think that most of the country is pursuing financial advice that's designed to keep them from being broke but isn't designed to make them truly wealthy. I want people to be truly wealthy. Because if you have capital, you have freedom to spend your time doing whatever you want, and that means that you have the ability to pursue your purpose, as opposed to just working a job that you don't really love. I really want people to have the freedom to live a life that they're excited about every day, as opposed to working a job they don't like, saving up money, knowing their lifestyle is going to be less than what they've been living, and retiring when they’re old enough that they may not really be able to enjoy it. To me, there's nothing exciting about that. What really inspired me to do this is that I think there are alternatives that allow people to retire earlier, with more predictability in terms of their income, and allow them to do more things that they truly enjoy along the way.
Where is your business based?
We’re based in Dallas, Texas, but we do business all over the country.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
I think this was a long time coming. I have been an advisor for a long time. I was in management with the company I worked with before and then moved into ownership, and then ended up selling that business and continuing to work in the industry. At some point, I just really wanted to have the freedom to build a company the way I felt that it should be built, to focus on putting people before profit and knowing that if we make sound choices with our clients, and really help them live a better life, that we get that back in certificates of appreciation. That's how we get paid. We make people happy. We help people have a better life. And then we all benefit from that. There is a Zig Ziglar quote I love: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” I just hit a point where I felt morally compelled to launch a company that did financial planning in a different way that was focused on giving people the freedom to live whatever life they want, as opposed to a conventional life.
A conventional life requires a conventional financial plan. But if you want a life that's unconventional, your finances need to be unconventional as well. You have to look at the world in a different way. Most entrepreneurs see a need then jump in to fill it, and I think that's exactly what we've done. We spent a couple of months really figuring out who our clients are, what they look like, and building a brand around that. Then we made sure that from a legal and tax perspective, we had all our T's crossed, and our I’s dotted, and then we jumped into it. Even though our company technically is a startup, the primary advisors in our company have been doing this for more than 30 years combined. There's a lot of experience both in mentorship, management, ownership, and financial practice.
In our first year, we brought in more than 100 clients, and we managed over 100 million in assets.
I think that the reason launched the company is because when you look at most financial plans, they're inefficient. On average, we find that simply by changing the distribution strategies for income, even if nothing changes about rate of return, with no changes to cash flow, we can potentially increase what our clients can spend. That ranges anywhere from 30 to 70 percent more income because we're taking a holistic approach to finances. We look at insurance and investments. When the insurance component is structured properly and in the correct ratios, it actually changes what people can spend when they retire because it either acts as a buffer for investment volatility or as a permission slip to spend the other assets more aggressively. First, we want to focus on giving our clients an easy button. Then for people who want to lean into the creation of income streams, we help them with the analysis and the structure of the acquisition of income-producing assets. This can frequently supercharge the whole plan and allows for people to retire at much earlier ages or with more income potential than they were going to have. We find that our clients are fanatical about the work that we're doing because they see it changing their lives in very dramatic ways.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Right now, I think that the people who are the loudest are often perceived to be the most credible, so we have spent a lot of time focusing on helping people have the paradigm shift from doing things the conventional way to looking at different, better, newer ways that they can accomplish the same goals and then surpass them. Specifically, I think social media has been the best thing that we have done because it gives people the opportunity to get to know who we are at a human level, and it allows them to develop a sense of perceived intimacy before they ever have the first conversation with us. That creates a space of safety so that people feel comfortable reaching out to talk about their money, which sometimes is exciting, but sometimes is scary. When they feel like they can talk to us, it opens the conversation in a very different way. Social media has really allowed us to make that intimate connection with our potential clients.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Time management, and I'm still working on it!
How do you stay focused?
The way I stay focused is attachment to purpose. What am I really trying to do? I'm trying to change the trajectory of my clients’ lives. I really want them to have better and more exciting lives, better relationships with their kids, with their family, with their spouses, and to be excited about the things they're doing. I want them to feel like they have a permission slip to live an exciting life. Staying tied into that purpose and knowing how we're impacting people's lives is what gets me up every day. The money's nice, but it's really the impact that drives me through the times where the work is hard.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
Most of the competition is just busy gathering assets and taking fees for the management of those assets. They just have conversations about “Here's a rate of return. Here's a better rate of return,” and people are making the decision to work with them out of the hope of a different outcome. We actually take the time to really get to know our clients, to understand what their dreams are, to understand what they really want from their lives, and then we help them understand that money is just a tool that is meant to help them build a life that they're excited about. We are changing the wealth paradigm. We are moving away from focusing on net worth and an eventual retirement toward having a better life today, knowing that we've got income taken care of for the future, and that makes a huge difference in the quality of life that people are living. The money is just the means to the end.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
I would come back to social media — social media and client referrals. For me, it's been about making sure that we do our business so well that our clients tell all their friends and family about us. Then, we have a presence on social media so that when that happens, those referrals can validate us and get to know us before they ever come in.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Don't do it for the money. If you're doing it for the money, it's really hard to keep going. Do it for the purpose. Make sure that you are really bought into the purpose because it's a lot of work being an entrepreneur. Sometimes I think people believe it's going to be easier than working a nine-to-five job, and I would say it's not at all. It's actually harder because you don't have the same boundaries. If you are tied into the personal purpose of what you're doing, you'll be successful. If you're just doing it for the money, the likelihood of you actually achieving success is pretty low.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
My favorite app is WHOOP. It analyzes everything from sleep to athletic performance and has completely changed my habits so that I have better recoveries overnight and more energy on a daily basis to devote to the things that are important to me.
My favorite book, hands down, is Resilience by Eric Greitens because every page has a life lesson on it that can make your life better.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Other humans are 100 percent my favorite business resource. I have a limited skill set, as we all do, so leaning on other people and finding people that have skill sets that I don't is absolutely key.
Who is your business role model? Why?
I would say it's probably Oprah. That woman has overcome so much, and she has leaned into her power and managed to still be approachable to the common person. To be that powerful and to still feel approachable is huge. To overcome the things that she's overcome in her lifetime, between her experiences as a child, prejudices, and everything else, she is an amazing human to be able to do as much as she has.
How do you balance work and life?
I don't think there's such a thing as work-life balance. I think it's more about work-life fit. You just do what you need to do. If you love what you're doing at work, you lean into that. If you love what you're doing at home, you lean into that. You just find a way to make it all fit. If there are things that take you away from your work or your life that aren't productive, hire someone else to do those things. I work really hard and have a limited amount of time with my kids during evenings and weekends. I don't want to do chores during that time, so I’ve built my life in a way that someone else handles cooking, cleaning, and maintenance, so that my time with my kids is really about them, and my time with my spouse is really about him. Hiring out for the things that aren't productive makes it a lot easier to get everything sandwiched in there.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
I like painting. It gets me into a state of flow and uses a totally different part of my brain. I also really like reading. It doesn't matter if it's fiction or nonfiction; just being able to escape for a little while and imagine the world differently is very helpful. I learn empathy from fiction and usable skills from nonfiction.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
I'm writing a book and building a mastermind group. I think Knowledge without action isn’t worth much. I am focused on building a space for people to learn, collaborate, and implement change.
How can our readers connect with you?
Instagram: @thewealthwoman | @benchmarkincome
Facebook: @thewealthwoman | @benchmarkincome
LinkedIn: @TheWealthWoman | @benchmarkincome
Website: www.wealthwoman.com | www.benchmarkincome.com
Podcast: The BIG Wealth Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-wealth-podcast/id1551046548)
Mary Lyons is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of and offers securities through OneAmerica Securities, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC. Benchmark Income Group and Wealth Woman, Inc. are not affiliates of OneAmerica Securities and are not broker-dealers or Registered Investment Advisors.
Provided content is for overview and informational purposes only and is not intended and should not be relied upon as individualized tax, legal, fiduciary, or investment advice. Investing involves risk which includes potential loss of principal.
"Ask yourself why you are in business" with Rhonda Petit
Alyse Liebowitz, 3 Chicks that Click Photography
Rhonda Petit is a Sales and Business Peak Performance Coach and the Founder and CEO of 3x5 Coaching, where she works with both corporations and individuals to grow, unleash, and activate more of their true potential and power. Prior to launching her coaching business, Rhonda worked in sales for 35 years with clients at Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. Her book, The Spirit of Selling: Using Universal Laws for Sales Success, contains actionable insight into the universal laws that govern successful selling.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I earned a Chemistry/BusinessAdmin dual major bachelor’s degree in college. I have 37 years B2B experience in sales and 25 years in sales management. I also earned my coaching certification in 2017 and started my business full time in 2019. Today I am a Sales Leader/Trainer, Coach, Author & Public Speaker.
What inspired you to start your business?
I’m a change agent. I was drawn into the life science and medical device industry because I wanted to make a positive difference in the human condition. I started my business because I observed corporate culture changing from a place of inclusion where employees’ talents were regarded as assets, to a place where employees were being treated like disposable commodities.
I wanted to help improve that human condition, bringing people’s spirits and souls back to work and to help people realize and remember that work was made for them to share their gifts and talents. They were not made for work – they are made for MORE!
I was also personally tired of being trapped in a job where I was not growing, or being appreciated or valued. I was working for employers who were more concerned about stockholder approval or disapproval than they were about the people inside their organization and the culture they were creating. It’s not surprising that two years later we experienced the Great Resignation of 2021.
Where is your business based?
My business is based in Philadelphia.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
I enrolled in Bob Proctor’s Matrix event. The Matrix is a service the Proctor Gallagher Institute offers for new entrepreneurs. It is a resourceful environment and people attend from all over the world to collaborate, mastermind, and explore opportunities for financial independence through multiple sources of income. Afterwards I became a consultant to facilitate their mindset mastery course, Thinking Into Results.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
I’ve had success raising awareness through regular scheduled events, referrals, my new book, The Spirit of Selling, and networking on LinkedIn.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
In the beginning it was gaining clarity on who I was, and who I wanted to become. I had to learn to make space for the miracles and how to update my self-image to match my new desires. I overcame those obstacles by meditating, consistently studying myself, changing my mindset, working with multiple coaches and mentors and strengthening my sage powers.
How do you stay focused?
I write out my goal card daily, visualize it, then feel it and act as if it is done. I control my thoughts and my attitude deliberately knowing if I do, I get to live life on my terms and stay true to my purpose or my dharma. I know that if I do not take control, someone or something else will. I want to stay in control of my destiny and I’m committed to the daily focus that requires.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
In my business, I’ve made the deliberate choice to create, not compete. I have a very specific niche area of expertise. I work with sales executives in the B2B world in the life science & medical device market segment. My book, coaching & training are based on the spiritual laws and principles of selling, not mechanics.
There are many sales/self help books & training that teach you "how" to do something. This is not the same old "how to sell/do more, better etc." The Spirit of Selling will teach you the "why" behind it all. Once you understand the "what to do” and “why you do it" and put it into practice, the "how" will come to you naturally.
I work with champions, leaders, who know school is never out. I hold my clients accountable to take massive action that produces results. When clients work with me, they are empowered with spirit and a strong mind for a strong life
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Utilizing the Story Brand marketing approach for my website, my nurturing emails and outreach has proven very effective. People engage in stories they see themselves in. And stories provide clarity instead of confusion.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Ask yourself why you are in business. It’s so important to know your why and let that passion drive you! Put fuel on that fire every day. Be willing to take risks. Remember you are never a failure unless you quit and that failure is a natural part of course correction. Your greatest asset is your mind. Use your thinker and trust it – it will show you the way.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
When it comes to educational resources include Business made Simple University by Donald Miller. For the specialized knowledge directly related to my sales training services, my favorite is Siebold Success Systems, Author/Speaker Academy. This resource provides me specialized knowledge for the mediums of writing, speaking, and training services. It is relevant, current, and can be garnered via a subscription service in bite size daily chunks and referenced as needed. As for social media creation its CANVA - extremely easy to use and produces professional content.
Who is your business role model?
Sara Blakely
Why?
Sara is fearless yet vulnerable. She knew her purpose and her story and she refused to be a cast member in someone else’s movie. She takes risks and is not afraid of failure because she knows every failure is a lesson or a course correction that she will leverage to keep moving forward. She also cares deeply about the people in her organization. She is a giver, she listens and operates from her heart.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book?
My favorite app is Insight timer. It taught me to meditate, and the mood monitor always seems to guide me to the right meditation for each day.
It’s hard to name just one favorite book. There are many! In fact on my website I have a whole list of recommended reads. I would say my top three are PychoCybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, The Power of Awareness by Neville Goddard and You Too Can Be Prosperous by Robert Russell.
Why?
PychoCybernetics goes deep into the metaphysics and importance of your self-image. Understanding that content gives you great appreciation and excitement for the potential that lies within every human being and how to harness it.
The Power of Awareness is all about the game of awareness. It helps you discover who you really are. It’s a great book to study YOU, understand YOU, and to understand your customers.
You Too Can be Prosperous because it debunks all the myths and misconceptions people have about money and prosperity.
How do you balance work and life?
I time block my priorities into my daily schedule. First gratitude, meditation exercise, study time, visualization, mirror work & affirmation, then time with my husband, family, friends, and finally, giving back to the community. Then I schedule time blocks for my work projects using a 90 day plan each quarter. I play to my strengths and hire and delegate my weaknesses.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
I love to garden! I am an avid perennial flower gardener. I love playing in the dirt, making space for new life and seeing all the colors of the rainbow in my flower beds. It reminds me that everything has a gestation period and that I have a partner in all this. It’s necessary to allow nature to do her part in the creation process.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
Right now I’m deep into promoting my new book, The Spirit of Selling. The book centers around the universal, timeless laws that govern successful selling. The message is so near and dear to my heart that I have to share it with as many people as possible. My hope is that future generations of sales professionals can embrace the true spirit of selling and be recognized and respected for providing the ultimate customer buying experience.
How can our readers connect with you?
They can visit my website, www.3x5coaching.com to learn more about my coaching and training services ,and to subscribe to the Transformation Times newsletter. To learn more about my book, visit www.thespiritofselling.com