"Building an Authentic Business in an Inauthentic Industry" with Kat Spangler

Photo Credit: Maggie Kirkland

Kat Spangler has been a certified personal trainer and holistic health coach since 2011. At just 19 years old she opened doors to her business, Eat N Run Fitness which she thought would be a simple 1:1 personal training business. Little did she know that she had her own health battle ahead of her which would lead her down a path to help hundreds of women get to the root of their weight struggles and discover the incredible healing powers of food and fitness. Kat’s business has since grown to an online weight loss and wellness brand that offers a variety of programs focusing on gut health, mindset transformation, and lifelong habit change.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I grew up as a dancer and as such struggled a lot with body image and my relationship with food. I basically experienced orthorexia by day eating incredibly clean and working out 1-2 hours a day and binged at night. As fate would have it, I got a 3rd-degree ankle sprain that ended my dance career, at which time my older sister Autumn Calabrese (you may know her from Beachbody’s 21 Day Fix) invited me to intern with her in California as a trainer. I fell in love with the business and the idea of owning my own company one day. So at 19, I got my certification, and after struggling with my own health issues (namely hashimoto’s thyroiditis and leaky gut) decided to get a certification in nutrition as well. At that point, I made it my goal to help as many women as possible lose weight without hurting their bodies with extremes as I had.

What inspired you to start your business?

Watching my sister hustle and build her brand, relying on a lot of creativity, problem-solving, and grit, always really excited me. Plus the frustration I experienced looking at the dieting world filled with pseudoscience, quick fixes, and unhealthy extremes that I knew were causing more harm than good really made me passionate about making a change. I felt like we needed different voices and perspectives in that space and I wanted to be one of them, leading the charge. 

Where is your business based?

I still do some 1:1 personal training in Dallas, but most of my coaching (whether nutrition or fitness) is done online now.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

I feel like my business had 2 different starts. The first was in college where I did what I thought was important: I registered my trademark for Eat N Run Fitness, built myself a very basic website, ordered some business cards, and tried to talk about my business as much as possible to friends and classmates. I got a few clients here or there but nothing that would support me. After I graduated and started my business in earnest (aka earning a livable paycheck), I threw up an ad on Groupon and shifted my focus to building my network and getting as many referrals as possible.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Referrals, referrals, referrals. I always tried to make sure my clients had an outstanding experience with me. Even from a young age, I understood the importance of personally connecting with my clients and making them feel heard, understood, and seen. Anyone can give you a workout routine or nutrition plan, but I think that deeper connection is what had people actively recommending me to their friends.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge was creating consistent leads. I was beyond grateful for all of the referrals, but it wasn’t something I could rely on to grow my business consistently. I wanted a system in place where I knew I could get x amount of new clients each month. My solution was to hire coaches to teach me what I didn’t know. I got coaches who taught me challenge funnels, email funnels, mastermind funnels, freebie funnels, and everything in between so I could play a more active and intentional role in building up my clientele. 

How do you stay focused?

I can’t help but chuckle at this question because for me staying focused has never been my problem. I get tunnel vision once I start on a project. My struggle is breaking out of that hyper-focus state to make sure I’m making time to take care of myself and enjoy the life this business has helped me create. But also, for anyone who does struggle with focus, my recommendation is to GET A PLANNER. If I don’t have my big projects written down, broken down, and mapped out day-by-day, they will NOT get done.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I never follow the crowd. I see so many coaches and trainers who take the easy way out and jump on whatever trend is hot at the moment (keto, paleo, vegan, etc.). But that just goes against everything I believe in. I dig deeper with my clients and go further with my research than I think most wellness experts are willing to go. I don’t just read nutrition books or fitness magazines. I do deep dives into psychology, trauma, hormones, gut health, habit change, motivational interviewing, anything and everything that could make me a more effective, more well-rounded, and more compassionate coach.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

A few years ago, I reached out to a popular influencer in my area to see if she’d be interested in working together. At first, I heard nothing back. But when I reached out a second time she happened to be looking for a trainer to get fit for her daughter’s wedding.  Not only did she feature me in her blog, she documented her entire journey on Instagram stories, and brought me on to host an IG Live with her. 3 years later that relationship is still getting me regular clients.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

I know you probably hear it all the time but shows up consistently (I did a post every single weekday for years before I got ANY social media traction). And stop letting perfectionism keep you from getting in the game. There is no shortcutting the process of messing up and going through multiple iterations of your business. It’s going to be messy. You’re going to screw up. There will be days where you are crying in the fetal position wondering why on earth you started this business. It’s OKAY. Feel the fear, feel the frustration, feel the struggle, and then KEEP GOING.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Canva. It has been a gamechanger in helping me make absolutely beautiful, professional marketing materials from social media posts to flyers to business cards. I’m going to say my favorite podcast (since I honestly don’t really read blogs) is The Brendon Show; it just has such powerful content on health, productivity, habit change, AND business. You really can get it all right there. Asking my favorite book is like asking a mother who is her favorite child. But if I HAD to pick one it would be Jen Sincero’s ‘You Are a Badass’ largely because that was the first book that really changed the way I approached my life and mindset. It put the power in my hands to create whatever outcomes I wanted for myself regardless of what was happening around me. Plus, I find her dry humor and wit endlessly entertaining.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I love the app ‘Spending’. It’s not necessarily specific to entrepreneurs, but I can’t tell you how much my business improved when I started tracking and taking control of my finances. Instead of hoping I would make enough and praying I wouldn’t spend too much, I could actually start making investment and saving decisions that would give me enough cushion to get me through slower months and enough freedom to make bigger investments like masterminds, business coaches, and copywriters.

Who is your business role model? Why?

My business coach Jo Konecny. I’ve admired her since before she was a business coach and she was just a fellow nutrition coach I knew through Instagram. She not only is brilliant at marketing, sales, and scaling, but she does it all with such authenticity. Nothing about what she teaches feels slimy or ‘salesy’. She isn’t like a lot of other business owners I know who are all hustle and no chill. She sets the example to work hard AND take time for yourself which I value deeply.

How do you balance work and life?

I was bad at this for a long time, but it comes down to setting hard boundaries with yourself and being real with yourself. I used to act like every single thing I did in my business was life or death and like everything was equally important. It wasn’t. I had to start going through my daily tasks with a fine-tooth comb to figure out what was actually creating a measurable impact vs what was just extra work I was creating for myself with little to no return. As far as boundaries go, I block off an hour a day for lunch to make sure I’m feeding myself, I do NOT work weekends in any capacity, and unless I’m mid-launch I have a hard cut off at 8 pm (though usually try to be done by 6).

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Either a long walk outside in the sunshine while listening to really upbeat, empowering music or a killer workout with a playlist that makes me feel like a badass.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

My 1:1 coaching is almost at capacity so the next 6 months will be heavily focused on building up my online group programs so I can create more time, income, and freedom for myself while also creating a bigger impact.

How can our readers connect with you?

I post a ton of free content on TikTok and Instagram @katspanglerunleashed and on my podcast, Life Unleashed with Kat Spangler. They can also book a free call with me at 

"Come back to your WHY" with Dana Spaulding

In April 2017, Dana Spaulding, certified level II Sommelier, founded Wander + Ivy. Wander + Ivy is a certified woman-and the disability-owned company providing premium wine in upscale single-serve packaging.

Prior to creating W+I, Dana spent 7 years with J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank, managing assets for ultra-high net worth families. Most recently, Dana was a Vice President in the J.P. Morgan Rockies Market, covering the food and beverage industries, among others.

ana studied Economics and Business Administration at Fordham University in New York City and graduated Summa Cum Laude. While at Fordham, Dana also danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Dana currently lives in the Denver Highlands with her husband, Gus, daughter, Maelyn, and boxer, Tedy. In her spare time enjoys yoga, running, skiing, cooking, and traveling with her family.

Wander + Ivy is the rapidly growing, certified woman- and disability-owned wine company disrupting the wine industry. All Wander + Ivy wines are produced by award-winning, family-owned vineyards around the world and feature elegant patented glass packaging. Wander + Ivy donates 1 percent of gross profits annually to a nonprofit providing healthy food to those in need.

In 2021, Wander + Ivy: 

❖ Grew revenue 250% year-over-year

❖ Closed over $1 Million fundraising

❖ Named the exclusive wine of the Senior PGA Championship

❖ Sold in San Francisco and Portland International Airports

❖ For sale in national retail stores, including: Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Total Wine, Safeway, Kroger, and Walmart.

 Can you tell our readers about your background?

In April 2017, I founded Wander + Ivy. I am a Level II Sommelier with a love for wine.

Prior to creating W+I, I spent 7 years with J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank, managing assets for ultra-high net worth families, including entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industries, among others. I studied Economics and Business Administration at Fordham University in New York City and graduated Summa Cum Laude. While at Fordham, I also danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 

I currently live in the Denver Highlands with my husband, Gus, and daughter, Maelyn. We love cooking, hiking and traveling together!

What inspired you to start your business?

I initially created the brand out of a need that I personally had. One evening my husband asked me, "Are you really going to waste another bottle of wine?" I was frustrated because, yes, I wanted to enjoy a nice glass of wine after a long day; but yes, I hated to admit, he was right. I would likely waste the bottle by not finishing it.

I love wine. He loves whiskey. So we often find ourselves wasting bottles, because hey there is a time and place to have a full bottle of wine to yourself and for me it's not a weeknight! I sought out single-serve options, but found low-quality wine in cheap packaging and no organic options.

I soon discovered that many people were searching for a more premium, convenient and organic glass of wine to enjoy at the end of a long day. Hearing the positive response from and engaging with customers across the country is one of my favorite things about building this brand.

Where is your business based?

We are based in Denver, where I live with my husband, Gus, daughter, Maelyn, and our boxer, Tedy.

 How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

After the initial spark, I spent about 6-9 months building a business plan, seeking advice from other founders and mapping out the finances with my family. After I took the leap and left my day job in finance, the next step was obtaining my Somm certifications. It was really important to build a strong base of industry knowledge.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

We have two sales channels: direct to consumer and wholesale distribution. The strategies of raising awareness are quite different for each. There is no one answer here and candidly, the team and I are always working on new and creative ways to increase brand awareness across the country. 

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge early on was balancing my time as a mom, wife and CEO, while also finding time for self-care. I really needed to figure out what worked best for me (and this is something that I continue to work on!)

The key solution for me has been consistent time-blocking. For example, every day between 5-7pm is dedicated time with my daughter. I hop back online after she is asleep and my team is aware of this commitment to my family. This flexibility works best for me; it brings my joy and leads to the most productive sustainable business.

How do you stay focused?

Constantly circling back to my top priorities (both personally and professionally) and ensuring I dedicate time to those. Saying NO to things that are not top priorities is difficult but necessary.

 How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Wander and Ivy stands out in the category in several ways. Our innovative, patented glass packaging is unlike anything on the shelf, and the premium wine inside the bottle is made with certified organic grapes. Each wine varietal offered by Wander + Ivy is hand-picked from award-winning, family-owned vineyards around the world by Wander + Ivy’s renowned winemaker and team of certified level II Sommeliers.

In a male-dominated industry, we are also extremely proud to be certified woman-owned, as well as disability-owned.

Lastly, from the beginning, we have been rooted in our mission to give back to our community. Wander + Ivy donates 1% of sales to charitable organizations delivering food to those in need.

 What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

I have an extraordinary Chief Marketing Officer. We have been successful in a variety of marketing strategies, but one, in particular, is influencer marketing. We partner with influencers who have an audience that aligns with ours. They share our story in an authentic way that resonates with the target demographic.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

●      Make sure you as a leader and the team around you carve out time for R&R. Building a business is a marathon and in order for it to be sustainable, you MUST find time to recharge.

●      Come back to your WHY. Amidst the chaos of scaling a business in this challenging world, it’s so important to slow down, reflect and stay focused on the brand mission.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

I don’t spend a lot of time on different apps - but you’ll find me regularly using instacart for groceries (such a time saver!).

I love the Tone it Up Health and Wellness Blog. The two female founders are super inspiring.

One of my favorite books is “Killing It: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart,” by the former CEO of Clif Bar and Co-founder of Plum Organics. I read it shortly before I founded my company almost 5 years ago and I still think of little lessons I learned throughout the book. 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Dropbox currently holds all of our corporate data. Our Chief of Staff did an amazing job building us this easy and very useful internal database. 

Who is your business role model? Why?

Too many to name! I seek inspiration and advice from as many entrepreneurs as possible, particularly female founders, who are building and scaling innovative companies. I turn to my personal network and listen to stories via podcasts like How I Built This (a favorite of mine!)

 How do you balance work and life?

Time blocking!

 What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Massage!

 What do you have planned for the next six months?

Expansion! New product launches, new states of distributionm and new team members.

How can our readers connect with you?

info@wanderandivy.com

@wanderandivy

"Believe in yourself" with Lissele Pratt

Photo credit: Rhea Mcnally

As Director and co-founder of Capitalixe, Lissele Pratt helps companies in high-risk industries obtain the latest financial technology and banking solutions. 

With 6+ years of experience in the financial services industry and her global perspective, the entrepreneurial-minded Lissele is a recognised expert in foreign exchange, payments, and financial technology. 
Lissele was the first-ever female to be awarded top salesperson at her previous company and was recently listed on the Forbes 30 under 30 Europe Finance 2021 list. 

Can you tell our readers about your background?  

As a child, I often moved around a lot. I was born in London, then moved to Spain, then to Thailand, and finally settled in London when I was 15. Because of this, I missed a lot of schooling. I never really enjoyed school and knew that university wasn’t the right path for me. So after finishing school, I went straight into a career as a Junior FX broker in the city. Finance was always something I was highly interested in pursuing. I was passionate about learning about the financial market and loved the problem-solving elements of my role. 

What inspired you to start your business?

I have always been very business-minded. My father and grandfather are both entrepreneurs and, growing up, I always admired their work ethic and commitment.

I set up my first business when I was just 16. Here, I sold jewellery in markets across London. At 20, I launched a business selling vintage clothing on eCommerce sites like eBay and Depop. However, I quickly realised that utilising my experience in finance and launching a business in this industry was the ideal choice for me.

In 2018, I backpacked through South East Asia for four months. Whilst travelling, I noticed that I preferred to have more freedom in life and have the opportunity to work and live wherever I wanted. I began discussing the possibility of launching my finance business with my life partner Ivan. These talks quickly accelerated into action, and we founded Capitalixe.

 Where is your business based?

We registered our company in the United Kingdom but immediately knew this wasn’t where we wanted to operate. I’m lucky enough to have the privilege of being able to run my business entirely remotely. Because of this, my partner and I moved to Portugal and now work from our home in Lisbon. My team are also based all over the world. I have employees in the Philippines and some in London.

 How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took? 

Firstly, I mapped out a business plan with my partner Ivan. We ran through lots of different ideas on how we wanted to operate, our brand name, who our target audience would be and so on. We then set out goals we wanted to achieve and discussed what steps we needed to carry out these goals. Once I had all of the planning in place, I registered the business on companies house and Capitalixe was officially born. After that, I networked like crazy to raise awareness and utilised my existing contacts to create mutually beneficial partnerships. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

My biggest priority in the first year of launching my business was finding new clients and diversifying my network. I knew that it was pivotal to raise the brand’s awareness and position it in front of our target market. So I spent the majority of my time networking. I attended business events I knew my target clients would attend, joined networking groups such as the Athena Network and BNI, and engaged with potential clients on social media platforms such as LinkedIn. Networking should be in any entrepreneur's marketing strategy. Not only is it a great way to find clients directly, but the more people who know about your business, the more likely it is that you’ll attain referrals. Plus, you’ll also gain so much confidence in speaking about your business and valuable insight from other business owners. 

 What have been your biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?

When I launched Capitalixe, I experienced a lot of rejection in the first few months. I was going up against more established companies. I was also a female founder in an extremely male-dominated industry. Many of my previous colleagues laughed at the idea of me starting my own company. Some even said I didn’t belong in the industry. So when these rejections occurred, I experienced a lot of self-doubts. I’ve found that founders, particularly female founders, need to have a lot of resilience and thick skin. It’s important to understand and accept that things will go wrong. I turned every rejection into a lesson and constantly adapted my approach. I persevered through the tough times and am now running a successful business. 

 How do you stay focused?

One way I stay focused and motivated is by constantly reminding myself of my goals. I have a collection of affirmations, future plans and inspirational quotes stuck to my wall in front of my desk. Whenever I feel unmotivated, I simply look up and read these. This reminds me of why I started and where I want to get to. 

 How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Capitalixe has an extremely niche and focused target audience. We work with companies that are considered high-risk such as cryptocurrency, financial services, and the gambling industry. We also work with companies that experience high chargeback ratios. Therefore, these businesses need more enhanced due diligence and opt for us due to our ability to understand their industry and our specialised skill set. For many of our clients, it can take months to find a provider who offers all the capabilities they need. Capitalixe has all the solutions readily available, saving them time and money.

 What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

I implemented an excellent referral scheme that has proven to be a really effective way to market my business. If one of our partners refers us to a client who decides to use our services, they’re rewarded with a commission. It's a win-win situation that incentivises people to promote our business.

I am also very big on personal branding, especially on LinkedIn. I believe building a good personal brand is an excellent marketing strategy for your business. 

 What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Believe in yourself! One of my favourite quotes is from business magnate Henry Ford. He says: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right.” When you launch a business, you’re inevitably going to experience some self-doubt. Imposter syndrome is terrible, but it happens to the best of us. It’s essential to believe in yourself and your efforts. I like to remind myself of everything I’ve achieved so far. Sometimes I write this down in list form. This helps tackle that self-doubt.

 What's your favourite app, blog, and book? Why?

One of my all-time favourite books has to be Girl Boss by Sophia Amoruso. Sofia is the founder of the clothing brand Nasty Gal and this book tells the story of her journey to entrepreneurship. I read this book when I was 16, and can honestly say it changed my entire perspective on life and business. Like me, Sophia was a rebellious teenager who left school early. She began selling vintage clothes on eBay, and this small business expanded into a multi-million dollar fashion label. This book really inspired me. It proved that you didn’t need to go down the traditional schooling route or be the brightest kid in the classroom to succeed. 

What's your favourite business tool or resource? Why?

One of the best tools I use in my business is the reMarkable digital planner. I’ve always been the type of person who likes to brainstorm and map out my ideas on paper. Writing tasks down helps me organise my thoughts better and gives me a more robust conceptual understanding of what I do. Plus, as a busy entrepreneur, I find that planning out my week on a phone or laptop can be highly distracting, with email and social media notifications often popping up. However, using actual paper to do this meant I was at constant risk of losing important information. When I started using reMarkable, this risk went away. It’s essentially a digital planner that allows you to take handwritten notes in client meetings, read and sign documents with ease, and create mindmaps and lists. 

Who is your business role model? Why?

Barbara Corcoran is one of my most significant role models. She may not work in the same industry as I do, but I connect with her story, and she motivates me. Barbara launched her business with her boyfriend and caught him cheating on her with one of their employees. When she ended it with him, he told her that she’d never succeed without him. She proved all of the naysayers wrong through hard work, determination, and pure resilience and became a real estate mogul, and not to mention a long-standing Shark on Shark Tank! She’s a fantastic businesswoman, and I truly admire and look up to her. 

How do you balance work and life?

I believe in the work hard, play hard attitude. I’m a young entrepreneur. I started my business when I was 23 years old, and I’m only 25 now. So even though I put a lot of hard work and effort into my job, I also spend time enjoying myself. I love attending yoga classes, keeping fit, reading, meditating, spending time with my loved ones, and the occasional night out. There’s this huge misconception that you have to spend all of your time working on it when you start a business, or it won’t be successful. I disagree with this entirely and think this is a sure way to burn out. 

 What’s your favourite way to decompress? 

I’m a massive fan of yoga and meditation. I believe in starting my day as I mean to go on. So, Every morning before work, I meditate, and I practice yoga or some form of exercise every day. This prepares me for a busy workday and helps me feel calm and ready to take on the challenges ahead. 

 What do you have planned for the next six months?

In the next six months, I’m really focusing on the business’ growth plan. I want to secure even more clients and partners and extend our capabilities and offerings to our current clients. To do this, I plan on scaling up my team, particularly on the business development side. I also plan on expanding to new jurisdictions and target sectors. So, I’ll be carrying out internal training sessions so that everyone in my company is up to date with the recent trends in the payment sector. 

How can our readers connect with you?

You are more than welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisselepratt/. Or even give me a follow on Instagram - @lisselepratt

"Spend your time on revenue generating activities" with Ria Patag

Photo Credit: Morgan Simes

Ria Patag is a 19-year-old entrepreneur, podcast host, and fitness influencer. With her extensive weightlifting and nutrition experience, she focuses on content creation to help others learn about fitness. More notably, she founded an activewear brand called Bolt Active. Bolt’s unapologetic and bold branding is aimed to help young women feel represented and welcome in the fitness space, as a male associated industry.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

Thanks for having me! As a first-gen immigrant, my mom had these set standards for me, doing good in school, excelling in hobbies and sports, and more. However, I was simply getting by in school and didn’t have any hobbies. I didn’t fit in anywhere until my freshman year, I started weightlifting. Like most people, I started weightlifting due to bad body image, but fell in love with the process, where it became much more to me!

What inspired you to start your business?

I wanted to make the gym a less intimidating place for young women. Although the lifting community can feel male dominated, lifting is for girls too, and it doesn’t make you any less feminine. I wanted to help girls feel more confident and comfortable at the gym, and my way of doing so was creating my brand Bolt! To me, it’s not just activewear, it’s a community and a movement of strong women. 

Where is your business based?

At the moment, I run everything from my room! Including my inventory, as I’m doing self fulfillment for now and outsourcing to a 3PL later.

I live in Las Vegas, Nevada right now but would love to relocate one day.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

First is the seed, next you have to plant it!

Once I identified what my brand mission was, who I was selling to, my brand values, etc, it was then time for me to use those values to find a manufacturer, since I wanted to sell ethically and sustainably made clothes. Inevitably, since they’re ethically made and the workers get paid a living wage, the COGS (cost of goods sold) is more than what it would be if I was reselling Alibaba leggings. Since I had a sense of direction, I went to my graphic designer to turn my ideas into visuals. I actually had her do my first startup’s logo!

From here, I put in the order for samples. In fashion, it’s a small investment to know your manufacturer is reliable and the product is what you expect.

While waiting for samples, bulk products, and more, I focused on growing my social media presence on Instagram and TikTok, so when I did launch, I had a warm audience interested in fitness / wellness!

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

I like to leverage social media, while content creating and sharing my knowledge when it comes to fitness and self development. From there, I’ll naturally bring up my brand, and sometimes my followers will even share it on their platforms!

I also love building connections via DM! I’ve made a lot of friends, not out of the intent for them to purchase, but to build genuine connections. They support me, even not by purchasing, but by following me and even reposting my posts. Word of mouth marketing is obviously something I rely on as a startup. People trust their friends and family.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge is definitely getting traffic. Organic traffic is lots harder than it seems! I’m overcoming this obstacle by investing more into paid advertising. Not just investing financially, but my time, and learning more on how to optimize my ads in order to get the best ROAS (return on ad spend) 

How do you stay focused?

Identifying what your distractions are. For me, it’s my phone. If I want to sit down and get lots done in one sitting, I’ll literally hide my phone from myself in order to avoid getting distracted.

Staying focused on a macro scale, to me, just means getting inspired and remembering your passions. Sometimes that spark can get lost, but you’ll end up finding it. Good ways to get that ‘spark’ back is by visually getting inspired (reinventing your vision board), talking to someone with similar goals, listening to podcasts or videos by people who’s spot you want to be in one day, and more.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

With activewear, all of the brands are pretty much the same, they all have cute clothes right? In a way, I make my USP (unique selling point) my brand. Most activewear brands will sell you on “tummy tucking” and “hide that muffin top” or “anti cellulite”. I’m not big on that, my entire brand mission is to uplift and empower women in the fitness space. Bolt’s changing the conversation to stop hiding and start embracing who you are, at all stages in your fitness journey.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

I’m big on UGC for ads. If someone looks at an ad, and it- well, looks like an ad, they’re going to skip it immediately. I create TikToks, super personable and has me in them, and repurpose them for paid traffic. This seems to be a strategy I’m going to stick to for at least a while, and A/B test the different TikToks! 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Spend your time on revenue generating activities. It’s so easy, especially as a new entrepreneur to fall into this trap of ‘disguised procrastination- doing things that are time consuming, but unnecessary. For example: editing your LinkedIn, spending an awful long time checking email, random networking calls, etc etc. Before you do something, consider it’s ROI (return on investment). Is this going to help me make money? How is it going to help me make money?

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Instagram! Social media can be toxic, and I don’t like using a lot of social media apps. I like Instagram because although it can be toxic when misused, it’s made for sharing your favorite parts of your life, which I can do while inspiring people who resonate with me!

I don’t typically read blogs, but Neil Patel’s blog is a good one for marketing! I’m more of a YouTube kinda person, and I love learning from people like Graham Stephan, Ali Abdaal, and more. I love to utilize YouTube for entertainment purposes obviously, but I mostly see so much educational value in it. I can learn whatever I want from people who are much more knowledgeable than me!  

My favorite fiction book is The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon. I love the message of everything having a purpose in life though it may not make sense at the time. My favorite nonfiction book is The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. It’s a handbook to living the life you want! I could reread that book 100x, because there’s so many gems on working less, and living more.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Canva is a tool to create graphic designs. There’s templates, element stickers, and text boxes; it’s very user friendly. I love it because it gives my website and Instagram feed an established look for free! 

Who is your business role model? Why?

Nastassia Ponomaranko! She’s my business role model because I see myself in her. She’s around my age, and a female founder, so it inspires me knowing she was able to have so much success in e-commerce through growing her personal brand.

How do you balance work and life?

The reason I wanted to pursue entrepreneurship was to be able to enjoy life more. With grind culture, it may seem like you’re not worthy unless you work 24/7 - but the truth is, if you work 24/7, it won’t even be your best work. There’s more to life than work and productivity, and I feel comfortable in my decision and the path I have. There’s no rush! Since I’m choosing to be patient, I feel no need to overwork myself, then burnout. The answer is a mindset shift! 

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Honestly, the gym! Moving your body in any way that you enjoy is an amazing way to get your mind off things, especially business related stress. For me, it’s weightlifting, but there are so many different types of exercise! It could be yoga, dance, stretching, hiking, sports, even a walk. 

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I’m putting all my focus towards scaling Bolt! I’d like to put my income into either investments or ads. Also - be excited for winter drops. The compressive fabric we’ve got for the summer sets is unmatched- so imagine it in leggings! ;) 

How can our readers connect with you?

Connect with me on Instagram on instagram.com/riapatag

And check out boltactive.com

"A Business Helping Others Relax through Sound Bowl Meditation" with Emily Basford of SolFreshLife

Photo Credit: Satvik Gangam Photography

Emily’s passion for wellness began at a young age. She has been practicing yoga and clean eating for more than ten years. Trained in Economics and Business, Emily spent four years in the corporate environment working in data analytics before transitioning full-time into the wellness industry in 2017. She worked with individuals, couples, and corporate organizations in Miami for four years before recently moving back to Tampa, FL. She lives in Apollo Beach, FL with her husband and daughter.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I started my career in Data Analytics. After 4 years working in corporate, my passion for wellness drove me to study different aspects of wellness. I traveled to India to study yoga, meditation, & Ayurveda, attended the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to study holistic health coaching, studied with NASM for personal training, and studied under Brian Weiss for past life regression hypnotherapy. My work is mainly focused on sound bowl meditation sessions, though I also offer private yoga instruction. I learned about this type of therapy while in India. While I’ve attended various trainings, I am mostly self-taught and work intuitively.  

What inspired you to start your business?

While studying yoga in India, my meditation teacher introduced the class to sound bowls. I was mesmerized by these instruments, how they sounded, and the impact these bowls had on me. I bought a set and performed sound bowl meditation sessions on my fellow classmates. My passion for this healing tool grew hearing their feedback about the sessions as well as feeling how facilitating the session impacted me positively. After returning to Florida, I gained confirmation on the power of sound bowls and the experience a session could have as I received testimonials and positive feedback from both enthusiasts and skeptics of holistic health practices. 

Where is your business based?

My business is based in Tampa, FL. 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

After creating the formal framework of my business (name, logo, website, social media, legal, etc.), I sought out different creative ways to host group events-- at wellness centers, condo buildings, women’s retreats, corporate wellness days, and industry events. The first year of my business was a lot of experimentation with trial and error.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

The most effective way of raising awareness for my business has been having an online presence. I built a clear website, listed my business on Google, asked clients to write reviews, and posted on Instagram. Strangers can view my portfolio and gain an understanding of my business and me. Most clients find me through Google.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

While people who are familiar with this therapy are often enthusiasts, my biggest challenge has been reaching people who are unfamiliar with sound bowl meditation. To overcome this challenge, I have partnered with businesses for corporate wellness days as well as mental health practices to share this offering with language that meets people where they are on their wellness journey. 

How do you stay focused?

Every Sunday, I have a check-in with myself to review the business’s progress, setbacks, and opportunities. This helps to maintain focus on large goals and set smaller actionable items to achieve long-term goals. I write the tasks for the week and check things off as I work towards them. When working on the computer, I set the intention to stay focused on my task list and ignore any distractions or urges to check my email or phone unnecessarily. 

When providing my service, maintaining focus is not challenging. I step into each session with the intention to focus on the client. My mind often eases into a flow-state and has a single focus.  

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

While sound bowl meditation is the service, I view myself as the differentiation from competition. For a service this unique and personal the client has to feel comfortable and able to connect with the facilitator. I try to share my personality, energy, and style through my online presence as well as in person conversations.  

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Having a strong, clear online presence for SEO has been very effective for me. More specifically, a Google business page with customer reviews creates the strongest impact. Potential customers can view photos as well as understand what past clients’ experiences were. It takes effort for somebody to write a review (often with no reward), so potential customers see these reviews as powerful insights of my services.  

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Build authentic relationships with other successful entrepreneurs. One of my friends is a successful entrepreneur. We go on runs together and talk about our business challenges and successes. These conversations help keep me motivated and focused as well as are supportive guides when I need a new perspective on a business situation.  

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Insight Timer. This meditation app has many resources to help me achieve my specific intention for the day. Some off the offerings are music and guided meditations to help support my goals-- no matter if I am looking for support in helping me increase motivation or in support to help relax my mind. 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Google Calendar is a simple answer but is an extremely powerful business tool. It helps keep me organized and reminds me of tasks/events both big and small. If it's not on my calendar, I’m highly unlikely to remember. My calendar is color-coded to give me a quick-glance understanding of how I’m spending my time. Some of my categories are: revenue generating activities, networking/marketing activities, and personal time.  

Who is your business role model? Why?

My business role model is Sarah Blakely, founder of Spanx. Hearing the story of how she began was very motivating. Blakely knew what she wanted and committed her full effort until her dream became reality. She is fierce, fearless, and driven. Also, she is a successful business owner with a big heart and desire to help other female entrepreneurs advance on their journey.

How do you balance work and life?

As a new mother, I’m still exploring what the perfect balance is and how to achieve my perfect balance of work and life. I’m clear on my goals, priorities, and required tasks. Daily check-ins help me see what areas require more attention. I try to always have a leisure outlet or educational book to help keep me on track with options for bringing balance to life. I’m embracing the challenging days as they remind me that other business leaders and caregivers have their own struggles with work/life balance and could benefit from the services that I offer.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

My favorite way to decompress is to sit in bed with a book. I think it's the combination of the calm, quiet evening and single-action engagement for myself that makes time seem to move slower whenever I get the chance to do this.  

What do you have planned for the next six months?

Over the next 6 months, I am focusing on building meaningful relationships with business leaders in my local area, exploring effective modes of outreach for my new market, increasing my efforts with SEO, and providing powerful wellness sessions at corporate events.  I recently moved cities, which means my business is being reborn in a new city. This has been a fun process, as I’m able to repeat the things that were successful the first time I built this business as well as experiment with how marketing and client engagement works in this new location.

How can our readers connect with you?

Instagram: @solfreshlife 

Website: www.solfreshlife.com

Email: emily@solfreshlife.com

"Find a supportive community (not your friends and family)" with Shannon Siriano Greenwood

Photo Credit Sarah Der

Shannon Siriano Greenwood is the Founder and CEO of the Rebelle brand, offering a boutique conference experience (Rebelle Con), an online membership community (Rebelle Community), and a media platform that reaches millennials and Gen X professional women. A sought after speaker, interviewer, and moderator, Shannon has interviewed and appeared with celebrities including Queen Latifah, Amy Robach (ABC News), and Christian Siriano (Project Runway) as well as rising star female founders like Michelle Cordeiro Grant of Lively (sold for $85 million) and Polina Veksler of Universal Standard (recent raise over $9 million). Named one of the top 5 Change Makers by Richmond Magazine, Shannon continues to advocate for women who want to change the game, define their own version of success, and lead the workplaces of the future.

· Can you tell our readers about your background?

I am a recovering workaholic who was stuck in a vicious cycle of work hard, burn out, work hard, burn out, repeat. I started Rebelle, offering professional and personal development for women leaders because I was sick of the "go hard or go home" message that causes so many women to burn out before they reach their full impact.

What inspired you to start your business?

I started Rebelle after my experience with postpartum depression. I could no longer work the way I had before and I wanted to learn from "successful" women about what to do next. I know the power of being the least "successful" person in the room and I wanted to create more rooms where women could learn from and support one another.

· Where is your business based?

Richmond, Virginia - the best place for small businesses

· How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Richmond is an amazing place to network. People are very open to meeting new people, sharing ideas, and finding ways to collaborate. My business started because I met a woman at a networking event, she proposed working on a "project" together, we assembled a group of other people we knew from different networks and created a collaborative event, Rebelle Con, unlike anything else happening in our market. 

· What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Networking and tapping the networks of others who are well connected. I call these people hubs, they aren't internet influencers, but people who know lots of people and have a way of influencing those people to take a chance on an event or business they haven't heard of before.

· What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

Our biggest challenge has been COVID-19. Our company's primary revenue source was from sponsorships and tickets sales for in-person events, conferences, workshops, and peer groups. Our membership also relied on in-person connections as the primary value. We have not completely recovered even by adding online offerings, but we feel optimistic about the hybrid model we have pivoted towards and the opportunities to reach more companies who see the value we offer to their employees.

· How do you stay focused? 

I don't. Distractions are part of the entrepreneurial curse. I always come back to my goal of sharing women's stories, but that continues to take different iterations based on what is happening in the environment. I have a team who gets the real work done.

· How do you differentiate your business from the competition? 

I don't spend a lot of time thinking about competition. I spend time thinking about how to create transformative value for our clients.

· What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

Referrals, speaking, and other media coverage, podcast, articles, features in newsletters. Essentially, using other people's audiences.

· What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Find a supportive community (not your friends and family) who can help you navigate tough decisions especially when emotions are high. 

· What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why? 

My favorite book is my journal. I actually have lots of journals all over the place. They are the places where I jot down my ideas, brain dump when I am feeling overwhelmed, and come back to see my progress when I feel like I haven't done anything.

· What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why? 

I use the "phone a friend" method whenever I can. If I am stuck, I will find someone who can help me get unstuck.

· Who is your business role model? Why? 

I have a business mentor, Racheal Cook, who is also a mother, who prioritizes her health, happiness, and personal life as much as her business goals. She lives here in Richmond, too. I am lucky to know her.

· How do you balance work and life? 

Having a life is my priority, work is my means to support myself financially and make an impact in my community. I don't struggle with this in the same ways I did when I was constantly seeking validation through business achievements.

· What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

Naps.

· What do you have planned for the next six months? 

We are launching a new round of our Leadership Development Program, SWELL by Rebelle - that supports women leaders through peer-mentoring. We are hosting an in-person conference in Richmond, VA this November. We are connecting with more companies that see the value in investing in women leaders.

· How can our readers connect with you?

Our website is readytorebelle.com and Instagram @readytorebelle

"Find something you are passionate about sharing and go for it" with Debbie Gottlieb

Debbie Gottlieb is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner with over 13 years of experience in the field of therapy. Having seen so many variations of people seeking freedom, joy, and a new sense of self, Debbie has helped hundreds of people, particularly women, reconnect to their innate strength and wisdom as well as to learn how to follow their soul’s calling.

In her journey as a psychotherapist, she discovered the core issues that hold people back from reaching their goals. She created a method called the MindBrand Method.  Debbie helps her clients heal emotional pain and teaches them how to move through negative patterns that keep them stuck. She guides her clients in applying her method to help them achieve their desires. As Debbie’s clients continue making positive changes in their lives with outstanding results, she decided to help even more people by developing the Master Your Mind Program. The program is based on the MindBrand Method with the premise that helping people to return to their true selves is the best way to cultivate the joy and freedom from pain and suffering that we all seek. Debbie’s Master Your Mind Program specifically focuses on helping overthinking, ruminating, doubtful minds to step into their authentic, powerful, and wise selves. Through her simple, yet effective, 4-step process that takes place in a small group over an 8-week period, Mindbrand Method clients will find the keys to their own sense of freedom and joy to apply on the spot in any difficult situation. 

Can you tell our readers about your background?

 I started my career on Wall Street. Then I traveled overseas while studying experiential psychology and decided I wanted to spend my life helping others. I moved to Florida and became a foster mom for six girls ages 8 to16. This led me to go back to school and become a licensed Psychotherapist in Florida. I have been working with people for over 13 years and working on myself as well. During that time, I realized the limitations of psychology and the techniques utilized and therefore created my own method to help myself and my clients.

What inspired you to start your business?

Myself actually. I was at a point in my life where I was struggling and I was using all the techniques I knew, which are a lot. Although I was feeling better, that unhappy feeling would always come back. I thought to myself, there must be a better way. I didn’t come to this life to cope, process, and work through one situation just until the next one arises. I didn't want to have to push through life, force myself to do things, and have to remember my self-help to-do list. So, I came up with a 4 step process that started working for me. I then taught it to my clients, saw results, and therefore was inspired to start my online program to share it with the world.

Where is your business based?

Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

I started by taking a lot of notes on my practice, theories, and philosophy. I then compiled it all together and created an online course. Now, this program was very specifically designed, it is meant to take you on a journey. I created videos that speak more to the deeper part of you; your soul. There are also live calls where I go over all the material, help each participant learn how to apply it in their lives, and answer any questions.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Word of mouth/referrals.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Creating the videos for my course. Finding someone to understand the feel that I wanted people to have was difficult. They wanted to structure it as a regular program, but my vision was to create a journey for people. I overcame it by doing it myself. Really diving in and spending hours figuring out how to make it the way I knew it would provide the best results.

How do you stay focused?

This is my passion so for the most part I am focused. When I don’t feel focused I don’t push it, I take a break, do something else I love, and get back to it when I have more energy for it.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

My business does not provide a number of to-dos like meditating, journaling or exercising to help you process, analyze and figure out things before or after a situation. It is a step-by-step process that you can implement during a situation to know what step to take next. It also doesn’t add any more time in your day in terms of self-help things to do. In addition, it creates subtle changes inside that result in you responding differently to situations that would have previously gotten you upset without having to even think about it or try. It just becomes your new way of being.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Cultivating relationships with my current clients and giving the best service. I receive referrals from this and many have continued on to my membership platform.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Find something you are passionate about sharing and go for it. Don’t let obstacles stop you. I had quite a few and I just kept my eye on what I was creating and took it step by step. The second piece of advice is to take it one step at a time; don’t rush to the finish line, you will get there.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

App: IG, I love the creativity of this app.

Blog: I don’t read blogs.

Book: Les Miserables. It is a story of someone who transformed himself.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Canva for IG posts, stories, and workbooks.

Who is your business role model? Why?

Gabby Bernstein. She knew she had something to share with the world, she went for it and she keeps going for it.

How do you balance work and life?

I listen to my body. I know when I have done enough and when I need to push more. I make sure to have alone time, friend and family time, and fun time.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Going to the beach, dancing, sitting outside just watching the sky, going out to eat, going for a walk in a park, and/or leisurely enjoying my coffee out in my Florida room.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I plan to keep growing my reach on social media in particular.

How can our readers connect with you? 

http://www.mindbrandmethod.com or ig@mindbrandmethod. 

Driven by Purpose with Marissa Fernandez

Photo Credit: Katie Fernandez

Marissa Fernandez is an Executive Coach, Performance Strategist, Consultant, and former Chief Marketing Officer.  Marissa coaches leaders to define and accelerate towards their own definition of success in work and life. Her greatest strength is her ability to help others to see and to be the best version of themselves.  Leaping off the corporate ladder and into coaching has provided her unprecedented levels of fulfillment, and it’s her mission to help others achieve that as well. 

What are the interview questions for entrepreneurs?

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

I am a “Jew-ban,” born to a Jewish mom and Cuban dad, raised along with an identical twin sister and younger brother.  Growing up in a multicultural household has fueled my strong advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion efforts throughout my career.  The values instilled in me by my parents -- work/study ethic, compassion for others, love and kindness, and generosity -- have shaped me to this day.   

Prior to launching my own business, I had a 15-year corporate marketing career.  After graduating from Cornell University, I started my career in brand management at Procter & Gamble, where I learned the brand-building fundamentals working on powerhouse brands like Tide and Gillette. I then served as a Client Solutions Senior Director at Collage Group, consulting with dozens of brands to develop or enhance their multicultural marketing strategies, including the NFL, NBA, ESPN, The Walt Disney Company, Hershey’s, and Univision.  Following college, I spent over 5 seasons at the National Football League. As Vice President of Marketing and Fan Development at the NFL, I led marketing for the league’s major tentpole events, cause marketing, and US Hispanic and Youth marketing, while serving on the league’s Diversity Council. In 2019, I was honored as a Cynopsis Top Women In Sports, celebrating the top 100 female trailblazers in the industry.  Also in 2019, I was named one of 30 Latinas of Influence, presented by Hispanic Lifestyle.  

I made it to the top of the proverbial ladder when I took the role of Chief Marketing Officer at Drive Shack Inc.’s (NYSE: DS), where I oversaw all marketing, community relations, and PR efforts for the growing brand. In March of 2020, my role was eliminated.  I was forced to reckon with questions I had never really contemplated before: What do I really want to do with my career?  What am I best at?  When have I been most impactful?  What career would really excite and energize me?  What do I want my legacy to be? 

What inspired you to start your business? 

After getting laid off, I decided to do some inner-work.  I read several self-help books, committed to a meditation practice, and journaled often. I started working with a coach, who helped me challenge some of my long-held beliefs: that “success” was defined by how high you got on a corporate ladder, and that a corporate job is more stable and more lucrative than entrepreneurship.  Those beliefs aren’t facts. Once I was able to release them and embrace new beliefs around my own definition of success, I felt more confident making the leap.  

When I looked back on my career and contemplated: what were my moments of peak performance, when my impact was profoundly felt, when I was in a flow state, deeply engaged, fulfilled, and productive?  Interestingly enough, when I came up with that list, all of the moments had little to do with marketing and everything to do with coaching, mentoring, and inspiring those around me.  That is when the theme of coaching, an invisible thread that has been woven through my entire career, suddenly became visible.  I couldn’t unsee it.  

Where is your business based? 

I work out of my apartment in Brooklyn, NY, but I serve clients all over the world.  I’m currently working with clients in Korea, London, Canada, and all across the US.  One of the benefits of launching during the pandemic was that I had no choice but to build the business virtually.  My 1:1 sessions take place over Google Meet.  While I miss the physical connection that is difficult to replicate in a digital world, I appreciate the access technology has allowed me to bring to my business -- the ability to serve clients no matter where they live!

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Once I did the inner-work to discover professional coaching as my ideal career path, I did a few things. Firstly, I networked.  Networking has been a valuable contributor to my career success thus far; I knew it would be a critical skill to tap into here.  But I didn’t know any coaches!  I started asking my existing network for introductions.  I ended up connecting with more than 20 coaches.  I asked them about certifications, client acquisition, pricing, how they structure their businesses and packages, and lessons they’ve learned.  In parallel to the coach conversations, I enrolled in a coaching certification program at the College of Executive Coaching.  While I knew I had a special gift in this area, I wanted to hone my craft and legitimize myself as a professional coach.  Lastly, I just started coaching.  To be honest, I started before I felt truly ready, and that was the best thing I could have done.  It created momentum, self-belief, and opportunities to learn and be inspired. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?  

The most effective way of raising awareness for my business has been my networking discipline.  I created a spreadsheet of over 200 contacts.  When I first launched, I set out on a plan to connect with each of my contacts over the course of several months.  With each outreach, I shared what I was up to, inquired how I might be able to help them, and asked them if they knew of anyone that could use my services.  This disciplined approach helped me generate my first wave of clients - all first or second degree connections.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

My biggest challenge was fear.  Fear of failure, fear of instability, fear of financial distress, fear that I wouldn’t be able to powerfully serve clients.  I have worked with a coach consistently since before the launch of the business.  Among other things, my coach has been absolutely instrumental in helping me to debunk these (largely mythical and self-created fears).  We examined each fear, unraveling them, getting to the root of what actually felt scary, assessing the probability, and building contingencies.  In doing so, I have been able to minimize my feelings of fear, and generate courage and excitement to keep going.

How do you stay focused?

One way I stay focused is by staying deeply connected to my “why,” -- my purpose.  I am on a mission to empower others to create a life and career they adore.  My work is fulfilling and easy to focus on when I have that higher purpose top of mind.

Another more tactical way I stay focused is by being absolutely rigorous with managing my calendar.  When I was in the corporate world, my calendar felt largely out of my control, filled with team meetings and 1:1s.  As an entrepreneur, I have free reign of my calendar for the most part.  I’ve learned that the best way for me to focus and have tremendous impact and output is to put EVERYTHING on my calendar.  Of course, I have client sessions and networking calls on my calendar.  But I also have on my calendar blocks to create my content for social media, blocks to log my client hours, and blocks to read email. Time to prepare and eat my meals, time to exercise, and time to meditate are all on my calendar.  Each Monday morning, I spend an hour reviewing what I want to accomplish in the week. Then, I allocate dedicated, specific time blocks to getting everything that I want to complete. 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I am the differentiator.  I am one of thousands of coaches who are trained in the International Coaching Federation (ICF)’s Core Competencies.  What makes me unique is my background, my style, and my story.  Specifically, I bring to clients my leadership qualities honed during 15-years on the corporate ladder: a combination of strategy, perspective, relationship building, authenticity, optimism, and humor.  My style is uniquely creative, thought-provoking, collaborative, empathetic yet direct.  I add a dose of humor that allows my clients to move out of their comfort zone and have fun doing it!  My story is also a differentiator.  I know what it’s like to work your way up a corporate ladder, and the trials and tribulations that are typically a part of that journey.  I know what it’s like to be laid off, and the emotional toll that takes.  I know what it takes to change career paths, making a leap towards something more fulfilling and aligned with strengths and values.  Because of those experiences in my story, I am able to connect and relate to clients who are living in similar stories.  

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

I don’t do very much marketing, ironically given that is my background.  The best form of marketing driving my business now is worth of mouth: referrals from existing clients who have experienced tremendous benefits and tell others about their experience.  I also post weekly on LinkedIn, which has helped drive top-of-mind awareness amongst my connections and has been the source of several in-bound leads.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?  

What is your purpose?  What is that WHY that really drives and inspires you to build your business?  What will the impact of your business be in 5, 10 or 20 years of success?  I believe a deep connection to the higher-order purpose of the business is essential to generating the courage, momentum, and dedication required to be a successful entrepreneur. 

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why? 

I’m a voracious reader with many favorites, but The Genius Habit by Laura Garnett and Designing Your Life by Dave Evans and Bill Burnett changed my life.  Garnett’s book helped me to identify my own Genius - Talent Maximizer.  I am now very in tune with when I’m doing work that is and isn’t aligned with my genius.  That awareness has allowed me to significantly increase my energy, satisfaction, fulfillment and impact.  Designing Your Life helped me imagine a future that was very different from the linear career path of my past.  I had tunnel vision from the time I was in my early 20s: “CMO, or bust!”  That book opened my eyes to the power of exploring lots of different paths, and how my narrow definition of success had limited me.  

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why? 

My coach!  I’m a little biased here, but I truly believe everyone, especially entrepreneurs, can benefit from having a coach.  It is impossible for me to see all my blind spots and to recognize certain patterns in thoughts and behavior.  Having a collaborative thought-partner to challenge me, to push me out of my comfort zone, and to support me in my own growth as well as the growth of my business, has been invaluable.   

Who is your business role model? Why? 

Marie Forleo is one of my business role models.  I was very inspired by her book, Everything is Figureoutable, which is also her motto in life and business.  When you have that optimistic, action-oriented attitude, the possibilities are endless.  I like to embrace that motto as much as I can in my own life.  I also appreciate that she refers to herself as a “multi-passionate entrepreneur.”  She embraces that she’s not just one thing.  As I consider the future of my business, that concept really resonates with me.  For example, I love 1:1 coaching, but I also love leading workshops and delivering speeches.  I don’t want to feel limited in my definition, and Marie Forleo sets a fabulous example of how you can build a cohesive and profitable business around many things.

How do you balance work and life? 

Believe it or not, I have better balance now as an entrepreneur than I did working for large corporations.  I set clear boundaries with my work that I didn’t believe was achievable when working for a boss.  I design each day and each week with intention.  My life priorities are on my calendar, just like my work ones. I honor them with the same level of commitment.  I block my calendar on Friday afternoons.  I don’t take calls after 6:30PM, with few exceptions.  I say no to opportunities that don’t serve my higher vision (this one is still tough!).  

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

Spending time with my adorable nephew, Rio.  His laugh brings me immeasurable joy.  

What do you have planned for the next six months?  

In terms of my business, over the next six months I will expand my 1:1 Executive Coaching Practice to serve more clients.  I plan on branching out to do more speaking, leadership development, and workshops.  I’m also currently enrolled in a group coaching program myself with other coaches, through which I am continuing to sharpen my sword and elevate my coaching skills over the next six months (and beyond!).  

Personally, I recently moved to a new neighborhood in Brooklyn.  Over the next six months, I’m looking forward to exploring my new neighborhood, taking long walks, identifying great restaurants and coffee shops, parks, libraries and architecture.  I’m also looking forward to a few long weekends out of the city visiting friends, playing more tennis, and reading a lot.

How can our readers connect with you?  

I would love to connect with your readers!  You can find me at:

·      My website, www.MarissaLFernandez.com

·      LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissafernandez/

·      Instagram @MarissaLFernandez1

You can also reach out to me directly at info@marissalfernandez.com.   

From Law Enforcement Crime Analyst to Tarot Reader & Crystal Practitioner with Brandy Rachelle

Photo credit: Emily Henderson Photography

Brandy Rachelle is a former law enforcement Crime & Intelligence Analyst who left her career behind to become a full-time Professional Tarot Card Reader, Crystal Healing Practitioner and way-shower in order to guide others into finding their power, changing their stars, and transforming their life. She has a compassionate yet no-nonsense approach, and truly believes that you are living a life of purpose and fulfillment is your destiny. She is a Seeker of Wisdom and a Mystic by nature. With a Master of Science degree, she is a mix of spiritual and science and believes that magic is just science that hasn’t been proven yet. 

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

I’m Brandy, a former law enforcement Crime and Intelligence Analyst who used my intuitive gifts and the guidance of the tarot to work major crimes cases across the country, and the power of crystals to heal myself and fellow first responders from the stress & traumas we encountered. I began reading tarot and providing crystal healing for the public in 2016. Shortly thereafter in late 2017, I left my career in law enforcement to focus on my family and launching my business, though I continue to assist law enforcement agencies on a regular basis. I had identical twin boys on Christmas day 2018 and decided to take a couple of years off to focus on them and my oldest daughter, before relaunching as Brandy Rachelle LLC in the fall of 2020. 

What inspired you to start your business? 

I am someone that believes that life needs to have a good balance between working on the self and being of service to others. So, after working with tarot cards and then crystals for as long as I did, and in the capacity that I did, to have the ability and knowledge to take it into the civilian world to help those that need it most, that’s a no brainer for me. I truly believe that everyone has a purpose in life, and healing can be achieved by anyone with help from the Divine within and in all things This 100% devoid of any religious alignments or dogmas. It’s about reconnecting with that Divine spark within you and the Universal energy that surrounds and speaks to you daily. When I think about the cases that I have worked or assisted on, I still can’t help but think about the “what ifs”, particularly around what may have played out differently had those involved had the insights or healing they needed before they became a case number. I find that so much of what is “wrong” in the world is a product of people being disconnected from the energy around them. There are those that have lost their way, those that never had a clear insight to begin with, the walking wounded, and the ever present fear based living where people are afraid to take chances.  

Where is your business based?

I am physically located in Wimberley, TX, a small tourist town on the outskirts of Austin. However, 95% of my business is via phone and Zoom; I have clients all over the world. With everything opening back up, I will be traveling to various event venues in the central TX area for in-person services. 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

When I did it initially in 2016, it was more of testing the waters, and I did it all wrong. I got a DBA, launched a static website, had business cards printed, and just went to metaphysical and holistic fairs hoping I would reach my target audience and gain new clientele. Relaunching as Brandy Rachelle LLC in 2020, I took the time to do my research beforehand on business planning, website design, social media, marketing, and really focusing on genuinely connecting with my audience. Had I done my research the first time, things would have been different. While compiling the search, I focused on the business name, filed for an LLC, got business banking account, filed with my state for paying sales tax, started designing my own website on Wix, started connecting more with my tarot and crystal healing community online, and started working on what I wanted to put out there that people could really take something of value from.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business? 

Word of mouth from satisfied clients and my guest features. There are so many scammers out there, particularly on social media, that a lot of people are rightfully hesitant to invest money on something like tarot readings and crystal healing when you don’t know who is legitimate and who’s not. 

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

For starters, I had to get the guts to walk away from everything I had built and what made me comfortable, in order to chase my dreams.Had it not been for the guidance of the tarot, I’d still be in law enforcement dealing with the never ending barrage of stress and dissatisfaction.

As far as building the business, I would have to say the biggest challenge has been getting in front of the right people. Word of mouth builds the business, but with services like mine, it’s not something that word of mouth alone can sustain. Let’s be honest, despite growing popularity again, tarot readings and crystal healing are still very foreign and taboo to so many. This is an ongoing process, and the guest features and endorsements by big names in the industry is helping substantially. Despite law enforcement and government agencies utilizing my services, I do not charge for assisting an agency, and the use of my services is under strict confidentiality agreements.

How do you stay focused? 

I live on calendars, checklists, and planning well in advance. It’s a matter of prioritizing and sticking to a schedule that works. I am and have always been a workaholic, so I have to set times and limits in order to get done what I need to get done in the timeframe I need it done without burnout. This includes taking the time for self-care and my own studies so that I am adequately energized.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition? 

Aside from the educational and career background including the capacity in which I have used tarot, as a tarot reader, crystal healing practitioner and way-shower, I have a no nonsense approach and I’m about practicality. If someone is looking for a tarot reader complete with Hollywood theatrics,“reading their mind” or laying out their entire life in a card spread, I’m not the reader for them. I am about insight, clarity and guidance for the client to make a well informed, conscientious decision while maintaining their free will. Instead of focusing on “what will happen”, I focus on desired outcomes, paths and possibilities. However, I do work on future prediction or “fortune telling”, which so many modern tarot readers have gotten away from.  I also have this unique approach where I have the clients hold their questions, I just read what comes through in the cards, and then jump into a client’s questions if they still have any at that point. It is the more difficult way of reading, and most tarot readers either can’t or won’t read that way. 

With crystal healing, I focus on the ancient wisdom and modern science behind how and why crystals work rather than the ‘new age” phenomenon that seems to be sweeping across the country. I only use and recommend non-toxic natural stones of high quality in ways that are practical and supported by both thousands of years of ancestral experience and the scientific laws of nature. So much of what is hot in the crystal healing scope, is nothing more than layered paint, glass, fancy trademark names for common crystals or stones, and artificial lab creations.

When it comes to practicality, I’m about ease of use without disrupting someone’s busy schedule or breaking the bank. You won’t find me telling someone that they need to go through some secret and complex series of steps during a Full Moon on the 8th day of the 8th month to unlock the magic of a crystal, that they are a magical pill that will instantly fix everything, or that a session will shift you into permanent alignment and your work is done. None of that is sensible or realistic.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? Definitely guest features.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs? 

Take your time to do the research for your industry, niche, competitors, and once you have a good idea of what you do and don’t want, then start doing. Make your checklists, take it one step at a time, and don’t rush to “just get something out there”. Also, review, review, review, and be willing to toss what isn’t working.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why? 

My favorite app is Time Passages because I love to know what is going on in the cosmos and what to expect or watch out for each day. Yes, I used astrology, particularly the moon cycle and signs when working in law enforcement crime analysis.

My favorite blog is Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady, because she has such wonderful insights into tarot and business after 30 years of reading.

My favorite book is “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankle because it embodies the human spirit’s ability to persevere through adversity, and to learn and grow from our experiences. 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Hands down, it’s Acuity because of the ease of use for my clients booking appointment times that work best for them, accepting payments, managing clients, and keeping my schedule organized.

Who is your business role model? Why? 

Theresa Reed. She’s been in this industry for decades, she understands not only reading tarot, but also what it takes to build a business like this and make it successful. 

How do you balance work and life? 

It goes back to the schedules and being very strict with my time.

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

Sounds cliche, but reading tarot. I also love to stick my nose in a good book, I’m always learning something new. 

What do you have planned for the next six months?  

I am focusing on my writing, particularly on my blog and guest features, as well as expanding my brand awareness and working with clients that genuinely want to unleash their power, potential and live their purpose. 

How can our readers connect with you? 

You can find me online at BrandyRachelle.com, as well as my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where I love sharing deep, meaningful and helpful knowledge to assist you in your spiritual journey, as well as random bits of humor to liven the spirit. 

www.BrandyRachelle.com 

Brandy@BrandyRachelle.com