Inspiration from women-owned businesses on International Women’s Day

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on three amazing women business owners who are blazing bold trails. These fantastic female-fronted organizations are unstoppable forces, and they also happen to be Virtual Gurus Clients. That means we’ve had the privilege and pleasure of supporting and witnessing their growth first-hand. 

We connected with each of them to find out how they tackled various challenges on their business-building journeys. Read on as they share their lessons learned, and prepare to be inspired!

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Q: Tell us about your business

‍Laura Edinga

Refine Graphics & Marketing Solutions helps small businesses refine their digital marketing with strategic and professional advice and implementation.

Kami Guildner 

Through Kami Guildner Coaching, I lead entrepreneurs to #RaiseUP their voice, visibility and business for worldly impact by weaving soulful-inspiration into mindful business strategies in my business mastermind programs and communities.

Courtney Adomaitis 

At Sanctuary Consulting I help people create positive energetic shifts in their lives by using the ancient arts of Feng Shui and Dowsing. My goal is to collaborate to create a supportive environment where you can flourish in mind, body and spirit.

My mission when you’re in my chair at my second business, Vanite Hair Boutique, is to have you feeling more you by the time you leave! I value getting to know my clients because there is so much to consider beyond hair when creating custom styles for your unique you. 

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‍Q: What inspired you to start your business?

‍Laura

My mom has been a small business owner for as long as I can remember, so I grew up exposed to the challenges and benefits of being an entrepreneur. After years of working in jobs I didn’t love, I finally decided it was time to take the leap and create my own dream job.

‍Kami

The breath of a horse in an introspective moment, helped piece together a vision of a new life beyond my former corporate world. This was over a decade ago and I’ve never looked back.  

Courtney

I was inspired to create my exclusive home-based luxe hair boutique to continue offering the best high-quality services in a relaxed, beautiful, professional atmosphere while having more freedom to enjoy and flourish in my life.

As a contemporary “Wise Woman,” it’s my duty to blend the ancient traditions with my feminine values to tackle modern problems in a creative way to inspire positive change. My personal experiences, professional training, and desire to help others is what inspired me to create Sanctuary Consulting; where I share my perspective on living a life of purpose while encouraging a connection to nature.

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Q: What challenges have you faced in growing your business, and how have you tackled them?

Kami

There are challenges in every new uplevel and expansion… I have heard it called “new level, new devil.” The most important lesson I’ve learned is to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, and step into the uncertainty and fear anyway. Put amazing mentors around you, who can teach you the lessons they’ve learned. 

Develop a suite of your own mindset tools, because there will be days when the mind will want to take over. Listen to your inner wisdom. She knows. Be in a community who uplifts you. Take care of your body, as it’s the vessel that serves.

Laura

One of the biggest challenges of entrepreneurship has been the birth of my daughter – figuring out how to balance the demands of a growing business and a growing human. Finally hiring help was an  instrumental (but scary!) step – learning how to delegate and relinquish control has been a journey, but all for the best.

Courtney

A couple challenges I’ve faced while growing my businesses has been time management and overcoming self-doubt. 

What I’ve learned is that a consistent routine is a key to success while knowing when it’s time to hire help and start delegating tasks.  Having a positive mindset paired with a morning ritual sets me up for the day and encourages focus, self-determination, and discipline when working towards my goals. 

But taking the plunge and hiring a virtual assistant has been a game changer in my business by opening up more time to focus on what I need to be doing to grow while having more balance to enjoy life. 

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Q: Any words of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Laura

Be realistic about your strengths and weaknesses. Do what you’re good at and get help with the rest.

Information overload is very prevalent these days… causing distraction, uncertainty, and overwhelm. Just remember to focus on the next best thing you can do for your business. Be practical, prioritize, and simplify where you can.

Kami

Do the inner work. Know who you are. Understand how the gifts you have are meant to make a difference.

Courtney

Always believe in yourself, take the risk, and have a clear vision. If you believe you can succeed, you’ll find creative ways through challenges. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’ll just find excuses. 

Knowing that there will always be moments of failure can actually become comfortable because they show us an opportunity to learn and grow. Failure doesn’t have to feel so terrible all the time and if the alternative was to never do it, I would regret not trying. Keep your vision, desires, and goals clear all the time. So, do it, do it now, you got this!

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