Hey there!

Isn’t it great to learn from people who are living out their dreams?!

If you’re like me and you like to learn from the success of others, this How She Did It series is for you.

The purpose of this series is to give you access and insights to female entrepreneurs who in 8 brief answers will let you learn from their businesses and mindset.

Today’s guest is nothing less than inspiring. Less than one year ago, while in her early twenties, my dear friend (who we lovingly call Nthati), quit her job as an architect and dove in head first to build her business.

When my husband introduced me to her in South Africa, I knew instantly that she was a lady boss everyone had to meet.

This is an amazing opportunity to learn from someone who not only said yes to her success but also knows how to take action immediately and helps others selflessly along the way.

Check out how she did it below:

Please share with us what you do and who your business helps.

I am a retired architect and now work as a professional network marketer. I work in the health and wellness industry, I have partnered with an American Company- and I partner with individuals who are interested in Building It For Their Last Names. My business helps people who are interested in rising above their circumstances and want to make a significant change in their health and wealth.

How did you go from “idea” to an online business?

I initially didn’t think of an online business, I just wanted to help people through the work we do and the products we had. I couldn’t reach the number of people face to face and had to create a’ new’ social media persona to spark interest around the vision Build it For Your Last Name and the vision. I started creating content of my day to day life demonstrating the Results of the products in my life and the Results of the business in my life. This social media engagement has sky rocketed my business and most of my partnerships were formed online.

In your opinion, what is a hard-to-spot pitfall that is critical to avoid in entrepreneurship?

Time management is critical as an entrepreneur. This includes keeping a calendar, setting reminders on your phone and laptop.

An ultimate pitfall is being unteachable and believing you can do it all by yourself with no assistance or mentoring from anyone. I learnt very early on that for me to get the results I needed, I needed to copy those who already had those results and master their actions and pay careful attention to what they were saying.

In your opinion, what was the #1 thing that helped you experience a breakthrough in business?

The one thing that helped me thoroughly was coaching by my mentor Matthew Harris. He has given me so many lessons, the lesson that resonates the most with me was raising my belief. When my belief became limitless, my business began to explode. I instill the same level of belief in my partners and that has created an incredible organization of leaders who don’t let anything come in their way of success.

What is one thing you’ve told yourself that kept you going during your darkest hour?

I don’t believe in motivation, I believe in doing the work and that keeps me motivated to keep going. In my darkest hours that’s what I do. I don’t tell myself anything, I go out and work until I find a breakthrough, because I believe we have to go through dark tunnels to get to the light, however we must get through that tunnel.

What’s your best advice for entrepreneurs who are frustrated and overwhelmed?

I too was frustrated for a while and started practicing a daily routine and self love. Every morning I try and stay away from social media. I pray, exercise, drink water, read, work on my visual board, then I get to work. This has helped de-clutter my mind and has made me more efficient. I believe success is found in the daily tasks.

I practice self love by doing something I love for an hour a day. Reading a magazine or shopping or getting my nails done. Something needs to be done for an hour every day that is my time and un-interrupted.

Part of self love is setting boundaries on my phone. I don’t accept calls before 10am and after 8pm unless they are from family or close friends. This daily routine has truly alleviated feelings of frustration, because when you’re frustrated and overwhelmed, you only attract more frustration.

What are your favorite tools and resources that make your life easier and keep your business running smoothly?

I am not great with technology so I try to keep that to a minimum. I have a physical calendar that I can’t live without and think whatsapp is a great communication tool for the teams. I record voice notes on my phone discussing topics or ideas with the team that I send out and that usually helps the business as I sometimes can’t always be on my phone texting.

Pinterest is a great platform that links me to blogs to see what other people are doing and I often share the tips found there with my partners.

To conclude, what is one thing you would like to share with my audience to inspire them to go for new goals?

I believe that if you can’t read it, and you can’t picture it and you can’t feel it, it won’t happen. I am a big fan of visualization and dream building. I start all of our team training sessions with a dream building session. Write a detailed list of the life you deserve, attach images to that life, then describe the feelings you would feel once you have that life. Those are what you work and wake up for daily.

So much wisdom right?!

Remember, you can have it all.

Now go for it all!

Your favorite lady boss,

ilean