Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melly LaFlorista, owner of Seeds to Bloom Coaching Services, located in Plainfield, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the owner of Seeds to Bloom Coaching Services, LLC. I serve as an emotional support coach, podcast host, workshop facilitator, and motivational speaker. My mission is to ensure that women feel safe, seen, and supported as they commit to their personal growth. My services are focused on authenticity, intentionality, and personal growth. I offer affordable and accessible E-lectures to get you started on your journey, 1:1 Virtual Emotional Support Sessions, and Virtual Group Workshops where I provide resources to assist them on their journey to self-discovery. I am also the host of "Boom Bitch, Bloom.", the podcast where the bitch stands for "Being Intentional about Growth Through Continuous Healing." I serve women of all ages, backgrounds, and stages of their healing journey.
Tell us about yourself
I am a bold and passionate woman that is committed not only to her own growth and healing but that of minority women as well. I was born and raised in the Bronx, NY, by a single teenage mother. From as early as I can remember, I felt unworthy and unseen due to an absent father, followed by a toxic cycle of manipulative and emotionally abusive relationships. It wasn't until I got intentional about my healing that growth truly began to happen for me. Prior to then, I felt embarrassed to share my experiences. I felt crippled by my experiences and thought back to those moments. I really could've used some emotional support. It would've really been beneficial to have someone to help me navigate through these painful experiences and provide me with a safe space to be transparent about what I was feeling. So I created Seeds to Bloom Coaching Services to help women feel safe, seen, and supported as they navigate their experiences and plant the seeds they need to Bloom. I have a unique way of cultivating women by approaching heavy, painful experiences with positivity and gratitude. I make people feel safe enough to lean into their painful experiences and transform them into teachable moments and lessons that they are proud of. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Professional Life Coach Certification. I have worked in Learning & Development for almost a decade, facilitating classes, building curriculums, and creating learning materials that promote skills enhancement and personal development.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Helping women transform trauma into growth opportunities and providing them with a safe space to do so motivates me each day and brings me the greatest sense of accomplishment. Knowing that I have created a space where women can be vulnerable and transparent without fear of judgment is so rewarding. When I first started my business, I set my goal to help one woman. I said if I could help one woman, I would be satisfied. To date, I have helped thousands, and that will forever be my biggest accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is finding the balance between building your business and taking breaks. Of course, when you are growing something you are passionate about, you want to give it 110% all the time, but it's so easy to burn out in "solopreneurship," where you are your entire business. So reminding yourself to take breaks and care for yourself can be so challenging. You really have to get to a point where you realize that if you are depleted, you are not of service to anyone else, and that includes your business. So ensure you are taking breaks and replenishing yourself so that you can continue to pour back into your business. There's a time to build, grow, expand, and network, but there is also a time to rest, reflect, recharge, and reset.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The top 3 tips I would give to anyone trying to start, run and grow a business are:
- Be flexible. There is always more to learn, and as you acquire more knowledge, you are allowed to change your mind and even change directions. There's more than one way to get to the same place. Do not be afraid to pivot and/or deviate from the initial plan.
- The calmer you are, the clearer you think. Take a step back and breathe as often as you need to.
- Authenticity only. Only do what feels good in your heart and what is aligned with your core values. If it feels forced, then it's not authentic. If it's not an absolute yes, then it is an absolute no.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mellylaflorista.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellylaflorista/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mellylaflorista
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-ayala-67792156/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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