"Starting a new business can be all consuming and it's hard to find the balance so that you don’t burn yourself out" with Vicky Lowell
Victoria “Vicky” Lowell is a financial educator dedicated to empowering women with the knowledge to become active participants in the planning of their financial future and well-being. Born and raised in Florida, She majored in organization management and human resources at Florida International University. In 2012, she narrowed her focus to finance at UBS Financial Services Inc.
(UBS) where she began as a client service associate. She made the natural transition to a financial advisor where she implemented a comprehensive and holistic approach to financial planning. She left UBS to follow her passion of helping women assert themselves fiscally and founded Empowered Worth, a resource for financial coaching geared toward educating women to not only meet their immediate economic needs but attain long-term goals.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I grew in South Florida and got my bachelor’s degree in Business from Florida International University. After taking some years off from working to raise my daughters, I re-entered the workforce working at UBS Financial Services – Wealth Management as a client service associate. I grew in that position to become a full-time financial advisor and a certified divorce financial analyst. I left that position to start my business Empowered Worth.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired to start my business by all the women that I encountered as a financial advisor. I saw a need to empower these amazing ladies. Ladies who were abdicating or had abdicated their financial power to others because they felt they lack the knowledge to be part of the decision-making process. I wanted to create an environment that would foster a spirit of empowerment to change this narrative for women.
Where is your business based?
Empowered Worth is based in South Florida and we offer educational workshops and coaching to women in our area. In addition, we offer an online education course that can be accessed from anywhere.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
The first step I took was reaching out to women I knew who owned a successful business. I ask them to mentor me through this process. They guided me to a great lawyer and accountant who helped me set up my legal structure.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Social Media! It has been a great way to reach my target client. We are on all forms of social media.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is work life balance. Starting a new business can be all-consuming and it’s hard to find the balance so that you don’t burn yourself out.
How do you stay focused?
Block scheduling has been key to staying focused.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
One thing is that we focus on providing personal finance education targeted for women. In addition, in 2020 we will be launching our online course and workshops in Spanish.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
As I stated before, social media has been key to our marketing. In addition, writing my first book Empower Your Worth will also play a crucial role in our marketing. It will be available August 2019.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Don’t second guess yourself, take the leap and start your own business. There will never be a perfect time so start today.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
I love Femcity blog and podcast for female entrepreneurs. I have found it to be incredibly informative.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Upwork has been a great tool for finding affordable freelancers for my business.
Who is your business role model? Why?
My father who started his own business in my teens. His determination and grit were instilled in me when I worked in the family business.
What is your beauty routine? What are some of your favorite products?
I would love to say I have one but aside from Botox, I don’t do much for my skin.
How do you balance work and life?
I made a commitment to step away from work on Friday at 4 PM and I don’t touch it again till Sunday evening when I prep for Monday. No email or text during that time.
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What’s your favorite way to decompress?
Reading or binge-watching historical dramas.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
The next six months are packed. We are launching our podcast next month and our online course will be opening for enrollment in September. Also, don’t forget my book will be available come August and I will be promoting and speaking about that.
How can our readers connect with you?
Please feel free to visit our website www.empoweredworth.com or email us at info@empoweredworth.com