At twenty-two, Ayana Symone is an author, a blogger, and the host of the “To Be Heard” Podcast. In 2018, she self-published her first novel, titled, How I Fell in Love with Myself and self-published her second novel, titled, My Name is Anxiety, in 2022. She is a former English & Journalism major with a previous education in writing from a program based in New York. As she continues to pursue a career in writing, she aims to bring relevant messages of faith, redemption, hope & self-esteem to you & others around the world.
Why did you start your career in writing, blogging and being a podcaster?
I wanted to create a safe space for people to be honest, bare, vulnerable, all the while encountering the love of Jesus Christ
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In retrospect, the journey has been both challenging and rewarding at the same time. I’ve learned that mistakes are part of the process, and the challenge usually comes with learning how to not let the mistake define the future of my career.
What was the biggest obstacle you faced in your business and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle I face is more so a Me vs Me conflict more than any other obstacle. I can be my own worst critic. I overcome it by going back to the posture of humility, reminding myself of WHY and WHO I do it for. It helps take my eyes off of myself and care for the people I feel called to help.
What do you believe is the reason for your success?
While there are a handful of things I can credit to success, I owe mine to the wise, faith-filled mentors and leaders around me who give me good counsel and are always teaching me and holding me accountable.
What is one source that has inspired you?
I’ve seen my dad pursue his dream ever since I was little. Watching and learning from him growing up, he’s inspired me before anyone else.
If you could go back with the knowledge you have today- what would you do differently?
I wouldn’t rush as much. I make more mistakes trying to rush to meet a deadline, but if I would have slowed down, I’m sure I would’ve made a lot more different decisions.
As a business owner, it’s easy to get stuck in the daily grind and forget about focusing on larger-picture goals. But one determined Realtor refused to settle for anything less than reaching her 5-year plan of success in record time – by saying yes to opportunities that came her way. Her fearlessness led to accelerated growth, which she shares humbly with us through the humble yet inspiring story of how she fast-tracked her five-year plan. Read on to learn more about this remarkable journey!
At heart, Colleen Kurczi is Buckeye but prefers her feet in the sunshine state. Colleen moved with her family to Florida in 2014, and that is when she became an “accidental landlord.” That trajectory is what led her to a career in real estate. Colleen has been with Cardinal Row Real Estate since its inception and cannot wait to keep it growing and thriving in this fast-moving market.
Colleen, why did you start your business?
I got into RE as an accidental landlord when my husband’s career moved us to Florida. I have some experience in RE from prior employment at a law firm. Then this past year I was presented with an opportunity that I could not refuse and my 5 year plan was fast-tracked!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes! Being the “boss” and goto for all the answers is stressful. I have learned several times to accept that I don’t have all the answers. It’s ok to research what I don’t know and consult with other experts in my field rather than “fake it until I make it”
What was the biggest obstacle you faced in your business, and how did you overcome it?
My entire first year as Broker! In real estate we, work with people who experiencing one of the most stressful, emotional, and important moments of their lives. As Broker, I am now the person that my agents come to when they face difficult and not so ordinary challenges. Real estate is not for the faint of heart, but when we help people navigate those difficult and even tricky transactions successfully, that is the ultimate reward.
What do you believe is the reason for your success?
I am still working towards success, but the support of my friends, family, colleagues and local community has been instrumental to getting me where I am today!
What is one source that has inspired you?
I have been inspired by the people in my life; taking risks is a little easier knowing you have people believing in you. I am also inspired by the hard work of others around me.
If you could go back with the knowledge you have today- what would you do differently?
Setting boundaries, saying no, delegating, and prioritizing my activities. This will be a constant work in progress for me.
You can do hard things! If it wasn’t hard, it wouldn’t be rewarding.
I want to introduce Christina, owner of Christina’s Brazilian Sugaring in DeLand, Florida. Christina started her business in January 2020- at the beginning of COVID.
Christina, I’m so excited to have you share your story and experience about starting and growing your business during one of the most challenging years. Can you talk to me about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think easy is ever part of owning a business. I think it means bringing 100% of yourself at all times. For me, finding balance has been a tough one. I do sugaring, which is hair removal that is much healthier and more efficient than waxing. Being that I work off of appointments, I started taking any appointment at almost any time people wanted them. I was very fortunate to have been in the field for 3 years before starting my own business, so building my books was easier than if it had been my first year ever.
However, when my book got full, it was hard for some clients when I had to start making a set schedule and putting boundaries in place that I wouldn’t work off my schedule. Having your mental health in check and time with my precious family is the most important thing in my life. I think the number one thing that business and life have taught me is that we are always learning and growing. What worked for a while may not work forever, but we can always pivot and do something different if it helps our balance and mental health.
Why did you start your business?
I got fired in December 2019, two weeks before Christmas and 4 days before closing on my house. Failure was not an option.
What was the biggest obstacle when starting your sugaring business, and how did you overcome it?
I would say the biggest challenge that I faced was hiring independent contractors for my business. This is a really hard thing to do, and I’ve most definitely made mistakes along the way. It was very important to me to have people who share my values and are similar to me in the way I treat my clients and people who love building relationships.
Ultimately having realistic expectations is something I’ve learned is truly important. I have a really amazing team. Taking time to really think about hiring and having a second interview if you aren’t sure is worth it. If you feel like something is off, it probably is.
The other part is a workplace is a team. And it is MY job to set that example for everyone, and when there are rules in place, I have to be the lead in making sure I follow every rule—also, making sure that they know that I truly care for them and their well-being. That means picking up their shift or moving their clients for them if something comes up or they are not feeling well; it means asking about their lives and being truly invested and bringing a coffee or a cupcake to cheer them up or “just because.” I truly believe it’s made me a better human, and there is nothing that feeds the soul better than caring about another human being.
What do you believe is the reason for your success?
I think my care and love for human beings fuel my business. We all want to make money because it provides comfort in our lives. But money isn’t real. We invented it. I want to build longevity in my company, in my staff, and in my clients. I spend most of my life at work, and I want it to be a happy place for me, everyone who works for me, and all the clients who come to see us.
When the girls who work for me tell me that they are happy and that they are thankful that work is one place in their life where they don’t have to stress, it just makes me so happy. And although we all have that day once in a while when we don’t want to go to work, I don’t usually feel that way. So I count myself truly blessed.
What is one source that has inspired you?
During The Covid shutdown, I was 3 months into starting my business, and I was so stressed. However, on that downtime, I spent a lot of it in my pool and on my back porch listening to podcasts and reading books by Brene Brown and Glennon Doyle.
I was so depressed worrying about how I would take care of my family and what would happen, but those books helped fuel me into a new chapter of my life.
I knew that being a business owner, I needed to step it up on being a human. I wanted to be a better version of myself and grow, and I feel like without these two amazing female writers, I don’t know if that would have been such a smooth and peaceful break. It was humbling and freeing. And when I look back, I’m thankful for that downtime and the fire it ignited in me.
If you could go back with the knowledge you have today- what would you do differently, if anything, with your sugaring business?
To be honest, I don’t think I would change anything. I think I needed all.
Is there anything you would like to share that I didn’t ask?
I’m thankful for all the other amazing businesswomen and men that I’ve had the opportunity to meet because of starting my business. (You too!!) It’s also a blessing to have several of them that have become friends and people I can lean on who also understand where I am and who have so much love and advice to share. For that, I am beyond grateful.
To learn more about Christina and Christina’s Brazilian Sugaring, you can visit her here:
