Just Can’t Stop Smiling

 In advertising, Awesome, diet, fitness, food, Health, holidays, marketing, public relations, wellness, women

It’s been a year since Vitola Strategies has been in business. I am happy to report it has not only been a successful year for Vitola Strategies, but it has also been one of the best years of my adult life. I am the healthiest, happiest and most fulfilled I have been in a long time. I love the work I do, I adore my clients, my business partner is fun and brilliant, my husband is supportive, and I am doing what I love.

When I started Vitola Strategies, I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but it truly was merely a concept. After working with various clients and having some wins and losses, I am feeling more confident about the concept. The true game changer, however, was adding the right kind of partner. For me, I did not know how important it was to have someone with you for the ups, downs, concepting, brainstorming, and all the things that go with having your own business. More on that later.

I feel compelled to write this blog because a lot of you have been calling and reaching out with questions about Vitola Strategies and Vitola Well, but the very first thing each of you says to me is you look great and seem very happy. What is your secret? It is not a secret, and I don’t have any magic powers, I am sharing what I learned this past year in hopes it helps you in your Journey to V Well (check out my new web site to see what that means).

Here’s what I learned.

Don’t Take Anything for Granted – This April, my brother had a massive heart attack at the youthful age of 43 (My Aching Heart). I’d been in business for about 5 months, this single event gave me the final affirmation I was doing what I should be doing. It told me life is short and you should follow your passion and keep dreaming. You are never too old because you never know when the end of the line is for you. Don’t do what is expected of you, and try to make others happy, put you first, and make your life what you want it to be. For me, I feel blessed I can continue with the integrated marketing work I love (Vitola Strategies) and pursue health coaching with a gusto and vengeance (Vitola Well).

Work for and with People You Like – I’ve actually been very lucky in my career to work with some wonderful people – both clients and colleagues that I can now call friends. However, that is not always the case. What I love most about having my own business is my partner and I get to decide who we want to work with. We want to surround ourselves with people who have the same passion for life as we do, who want to do great work and support each other. The happier everyone is working together and the warmer an environment you create, the more successful you will be with the work. It’s a fact.

Find the Right Partner – Working with someone day in and day out on your passion is not easy, and that’s why it is so important to find the yin to your yang. Mine is Tamara Brown. Tamara and I began working together when I was at MSLGROUP and she at Publicis. We butted heads big time when we first met, likely because of how strong willed we both are, but today, she is not only a valued partner of Vitola Strategies, but a dear friend. She and I have evolved Vitola Strategies into a truly virtual holistic agency that our clients can depend on to concept and execute fully integrated campaigns. The idea of not simply doing PR, but doing fully-integrated marketing has come to life, and Vitola Strategies is doing it just as good if not better than other agencies due to how we’ve designed ourselves. Our new web site goes live today and you can check it out to learn more about us and what we do to help our clients win.

Do What You Love – Since I was a kid, I loved being active, I loved sports and I loved food. I have a larger than life personality, I love to mentor and advise people, but never saw the common ground to bring that all together. I just did what I was supposed to do and that was graduate college and get a job in the industry I majored in. That doesn’t have to be true. Today, I am able to marry all the things I love like marketing and health and wellness to deliver a one-two punch. Vitola Strategies is a successful integrated marketing agency and Vitola Well is a healthy coaching approach to helping over-taxed women live happy, healthy and balanced lives. I am doing what I love with a ton of excitement and that is why I am smiling all day, every day.

Never Give Up – Everyone will tell you to never give up and quite honestly it is easier said than done. No one becomes successful overnight and no one every became a celebrity with one audition. I wish more people who’ve found success would be more honest about their journey like who waited tables, who was denied time and time again and so on. I am a hustler and I won’t give up because that’s simply not an option because I know my time is coming thanks to all of your support and encouragement.

 

What’s your passion and how will you pursue it?

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