WHY YOU REALLY STARTED A HOLISTIC BUSINESS
Issue #23: Letter from the Editor
CEO/Founder: Angel Quintana
Photo: Jana Cruder
Photography by: Jana Cruder
No, I’m not talking about giving your expertise away for free; I’m talking about the real reason you started your holistic business in the first place— to feel free. Sometimes I have those moments when I’m just crossing shit off my to-do list, moving so fast I forget to put on makeup some days— hopefully, it’s a blemish-free day.
I’ll admit it can be draining a times, even exhausting, but I’m addicted to the high. But that got wondering… where does the burning desire to succeed really come from and why do I jump out of bed every morning to work on my business like a madwoman? Oh yeah. Then I remember it’s more than just earning a bunch of Benjamins; it’s the privilege to live on your own terms.
As an entrepreneur, I got into business to be who I want to be, motivate the people I actually want to see succeed, and to express my creativity in a way that satiates me like not even the best martini on the planet. It’s as if I’m a jet plane with a lavish destination in mind and what awaits me when I land is good old fashioned freedom. I can already feel the butterflies in my stomach as we prepare for take-off.
And so there it is. What you create from thin air and a bunch of knowledge at a high altitude, even if you’re not always sitting first class (we know, that will change soon enough) can lead you down a path that represents you better than any resume ever could. I know this first hand. What literally was once just a blog post that described my kismet client™ has now become a destination that not only promotes people I actually like, but a platform where I can share my voice. I love you Holistic Fashionista.
One of the biggest regrets (actually, I don’t regret anything) is that I didn’t speak up and show the door to more people earlier in my career. It caused a lot of turmoil in my life and I know it was all my fault. I hadn’t mastered the art of ME and therefore, the art of FREE wasn’t going to magically appear with the wrong inner circle. Not a fat chance.
But today, as I sip my morning decaf Americano with a splash of steamed almond milk, the kind without carrageenan, a revelation appeared. All of the ups and downs, missed flights or lack of opportunities were merely a doorway to something far greater than earning that pretty penny. Don’t get me wrong, I love sales goals and money— it keeps a fire lit under my ass, but if you really sit down and think about it, the real reason you started a business really doesn’t have to do with money at all. Sure, to the IRS it does and to your mortgage payment it might, but I’m speaking figuratively. It has to do with mastering the art of free.
In this month’s issue, I’m ready to take the oath that FREEDOM is far more luxurious than any diamond ring or Balenciaga tote (although, I might say it’s close call- sorta). The idea of traveling, shopping, and sipping an Americano anywhere in the world with whomever I please without a worry in the world or when the next customer will show up, might light up those endorphins for a pretty second, but if you dig deep down in your soul, we both know it’s so much more precious than that.
I can wake up at 5am and work till The Housewives come on, but it’s not “the money” that keeps me trucking along like the little energizer bunny I’ve become— it’s Freedom. For me, freedom is about creating the life you want in all areas, speaking your truth on a daily basis, and deciding how you’ll spend your time is a luxury most people hunger for. And while my definition might be different than yours and being an entrepreneur might be the biggest gamble of your life, but when freedom is the prize, I’ll work till the sun don’t shine.
ABOUT the FOUNDER
Angel Quintana builds holistic brands. She is the CEO and Founder of Holistic Fashionista, a marketing and consulting agency for holistic leaders looking to start and grow designer businesses. Acclaimed for her renowned Signature System©mentoring programs, Angel helps over-achievers launch strategic sales funnels to sell high-end, holistic products. Her non-traditional consulting style focuses on asking hard questions and listening attentively to clients in order to: write compelling sales copy, creative problem solve, launch killer marketing plans, and attract their Kismet Clients™.
While her tattooed exterior shows her creative tough side, it is her thoughtful approach to brand building that has won her thousands of raving fans. She is also the author of Funnel Foreplay, the little black playbook of sales strategies for a new generation of internet marketers who celebrate the art of business-to-consumer relationships without jumping into bed with cold leads. To learn more about Angel, visit www.AngelQuintana.com.