Nothing Will Happen Unless YOU Make it!

I learned a lot of lessons when I first begun my business, one of the most important lessons was that nothing was going to happen unless I got up and made it happen.  Sitting at home staring at the computer waiting for an email to come in or the phone to ring was not the way to gain business but making an effort to network and meet with others would be a way to begin.  I see many mompreneurs and entrepreneurs expecting everything to happen just by them sitting in front of the computer all day.  Don’t get me wrong there is business and money to be made online but I’ve found that the best ideas, clients and opportunities came for me when I was out and about networking and making an effort to meet and learn more about people and my environment. Some days It’s important to lock yourself away and plug into whatever you’re doing on the computer. Those are focus moments; however, you’ve got to get out!  It’s important to make an effort to break out for the day and touch the world.  Let everyone know that you’re here, let them see that you’re not a drone behind the computer; instead you’re real and ready to do business.  Try it and let me know how it works for you. CG

June Feature Mompreneur: The Village Maternity Services

It was such a pleasure when Nicole agreed to be apart of this project - she is the first.  I want to send a special thank you to the, " Village Maternity Services" you're awesome.  Read about Nicoles journey of starting the village - Be inspired, stay focused, and fabulous. 

The Village Maternity Services

Mompreneur: Nicole Vasicanna (Owner/Operator/Founder)

Years In Business: 2.5 

⦁ When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

I kind of have a smart mouth. Loved to argue and play devil’s advocate so I thought being a prosecutor would be the perfect profession.  But while in high school, I observed that quite a few of my friend’s parents were in business for themselves, and I knew then that I wanted that lifestyle. 

⦁ What was your first business idea?

I use to sew quite a bit in high school. I started making and selling pillows. Then we had a culture week at school and I created a skirt out of bandannas. A few people liked my concept and requested I design some items for them using their country’s flag. 

⦁ What do you wish you knew before starting your business?

Nothing actually. I dibble and dabbled in a few other entrepreneurial adventures so I knew that there would be no clear, straight, and direct path. Yes, I do believe success leaves clues, but no one’s journey is exactly the same and I believe you have to start before you’re ready; and that’s what I did. I also know that every overnight success is really a journey of 10 years.

⦁ What did you learn from your worse boss?

                Honestly, I haven’t had any bad bosses. But through observation I’ve realized that every boss is NOT a leader; but it can be a skilled that’s learned. However, I inherently believe that some people are born with a natural affinity towards leading and bringing out the best in others.

⦁ What’s your highest level of education?

                I hold a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.              

Where do you find inspiration?

Books. Audiobooks. Meditation. My village and circle of friends.  Also meeting new people. I’ve become incredibly open to learning about different cultures, opinions, and ways of life.

⦁ As a (single mompreneur ) how do you balance?

                There’s no such thing as balance in respect to most people’s understanding of it.  I don’t think you can practically have balance on a daily basis. But over the course of a month, 2 months, 3 months period I work to create a structure that resembles balance. For me, this means making a conscious effort to schedule time with loved ones. Carving out alone time for me. And no longer being afraid to say NO to projects that are not in alignment with my goals.

⦁ How is it being a (single mompreneur) running a business?

                I won’t say it’s difficult, but it’s not for the faint at heart. I’m okay with being without.  By no means do I expect to be a permanent situation. But I do believe that when you sign up for this lifestyle you inherently are signing up for making many sacrifices. I do my best to shield my son from that. I will go without before he does. But I also don’t want to sugarcoat it either. I don’t think I would be doing him any justice if he though money grew on trees. He’s going to grow up to be someone’s husband and father. And if he’s going to do it well, that’s no easy task.  These are lessons I don’t want to shy away from teaching him. I try to be strategic about what I expose him to.   But I believe he understands that I work so hard in order to make his life better than mine.

⦁ What advice would you give other (single mompreneurs / mompreneurs)?

                Just go for it and start. I think we get so caught up in the big idea. The final destination. While those ideas are amazing, they’re also grandiose and overwhelming. Start focusing on, “What can I do right now” What steps can I take now” and begin to take those baby steps.  Moving forward is still moving.  You just have to take the first step and start.

⦁ Sometimes you have to make tough decisions whether it’s personal, family, relationships or business. Do you ever feel misunderstood? Give examples or details.

                Oh definitely. I think the hardest thing for me right now is juggling my financial resources and it may come across as me not wanting to spend time/ or hang out.  But there are so many things I want to do, places I want to go, things I want to experience.  I think those around me sometimes don’t realize I can’t say yes to every invitation because every penny adds up. 

⦁ How important would you say is having a support system? Who’s a part of your circle?

                HA! I wouldn’t be Nicole without my support systems. This is why my company is called The Village Maternity Services; because I believe in the power of the collected.  My support system helps me with my son.  My extended family plays a huge role in this, and I couldn’t do half the things I wanted to without them.  I look to friends and family around me to keep me grounded & focused. To check me when I’m not living up to full potential and to help identify weakness and blind spots. I know who I am and what I want so, our opinions may clash, and I may not always take their advice. But I think the moment you believe you’ve got it all figured out you just lost your way. I’ve learned to ask for help and that I’m incapable of doing it all by myself.

A very difficult lesson I learned in nursing school while on the brink of almost failing pediatrics.  I was working part time, full time nursing student, and my scholarship program required clinical/work hours as well.  It took one of my lead professors sitting me down and saying, you need to ask for help.  Who can help you? She flat out told me that if I continued to try and do this alone, that I would fail.  This was a very difficult lesson for me as I HATE inconveniencing people.  But she made me realize that those that care about you usually want to help, I just needed to ask. 

Finally Where Can Our Readers Find You:

⦁ FB https://www.facebook.com/TheVillageMaternity

⦁ IG instagram.com/village_maternity_services

⦁ Website: www.villagematernityservices.com

⦁ Email: info@villagematernityservices.com

I'm Walking Over " Negative Nancy"

This is probably one of the most difficult things that I’ve experienced in my business, Overcoming my own negative voice.  As I grow in my business I am learning the art of speaking positively about myself and abilities.  It starts with eliminating words such as; I wish, maybe, we shall see, I’ll try, and the big one If I’m lucky.  Where did these thoughts of disbelief come from? How is it that I’m my own worse critic?  I’m sure it started somewhere in my childhood and years and years of reinforcement helped and confirmed the negative attitude and thoughts of myself.  Starting OOBW was a huge leap for me, deep down I knew I could do it and I wanted to do it, I was just afraid to.  What was I afraid of? To this day I can’t tell you exactly – only that I felt an anxiety whenever I thought about starting my own business.  I did it anyway – despite the fear. I took deep breaths made my list of things to do and crossed each task off one by one as I accomplished them.  Yes, the little negative voice would always appear and have a tip or two to give, nevertheless; I ignored her and kept on moving.  As I had little successes here and there the voice had no choice but to become silent.  I was proving her wrong by doing it anyway.  From time to time to this day the voice appears and it’s usually when I’m trying something new. Anyone out there who has experienced this will tell you to keep going and do it despite that little annoying “Negative Nancy”.  It’s true the saying “Life is on the other side of fear” Learning to move past my fear of starting my business has been life changing – What if I did listen to that voice; I don’t want to even imagine where I’d be today! What are some of the words you use to hold yourself back? 

Top Two Services I Used When Starting My Business

                

   

     As a single mompreneur it’s all about keeping more in my purse.  You’ll hear me mention how I learned a lot about how to manage my business through the school of hard knocks.  I made tons of mistakes.  It’s laughable now but wasn’t when I was losing money left and right.  In the beginning you’ll get tons of emails, phone calls and junk mail trying to sell you something.  Take a step back and really think about it – Don’t jump at everything that comes at you and offers a free 30 day trial.  This week I’m sharing my top two services that I used that helped me in the beginning and to this day are in use.

                Mail Chimp – If you don’t know what this is you are missing out.  Mail Chimp can be used for many things; I personally use it for sending out email reminders to my potential clients and current clients.  I use the schedule tool constantly.  I’d create my content on the weekends and schedule it to go out throughout the week.  Good news is I didn’t have to be in front of my computer to make it happen.  It’s a onetime set up each week.  Once I had my systems in place it was easy for me to teach an intern how to use it; now it’s the interns’ job to schedule some of our content.  The best part is Mail Chimp is free if you have less than 2K emails on your list.  I’m sorry but you can’t beat that with a stick!

                Google Drive - The lover of my soul, I’m so in Love with DRIVE.  I have friends who swear by Drop Box and I guess it’s good, however; DRIVE is awesome!  First; it’s FREE, It syncs with my phone, computer, IPAD and I always have my documents at the tip of my fingers; most importantly, it’s shareable.  This platform was so important in the beginning stages of starting my business and to this day it has grown with my business.  I could go on and on about DRIVE but I’d rather you try it and tell me all about it.

Did you find this helpful? Tell me, I’ll be sharing more goodies very soon!