As my blog’s mission statement recently changed to “Empowering women to build their digital empires” I thought it was only appropriate to start a section where I interview lady entrepreneurs, fellow bloggers and women who generally kick ass in the business world & online.
Take in what these modern day superheroes teach us, use it as inspiration for your own online ventures as draw on what they know and are willing to share to propel yourself further in your own career.
To kick things off, I reached out to Michelle from Visibility Vixen who kindly agreed to be interviewed. I first came across Michelle a few months ago on a blogging facebook group and I’ve followed her journey ever since.
I cannot remember a time where I came across her Instagram, Facebook posts or podcast episodes and I didn’t feel completely motivated and moved. A growing presence in the entrepreneurial space, Michelle covers topics such as visibility, branding and live streaming and her podcast is the motherload of girl bosses owning what they do and sharing their knowledge with others.
The Interview
💎 Hi, Michelle! Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself? What would your fictional dating profile or online bibliography say about you?
Hey there! I’m Michelle – a type A, super driven entrepreneur who is all about teaching visibility to online business owners! I absolutely love it and spend most of my days working at home with my pug Olliver and gigantic cat Eli. You can find me at the local coffee shop every day reading and scheming as I love my Los Angeles town called Toluca Lake. I have a film/tv background + have worked both in front of and behind the camera.
I grew up following my Dad around the world on big films like “Mission Impossible II”, “Windtalkers” + “Paycheck” which gave me the Hollywood bug! So I stepped into it as well, working on some wonderful shows until I decided to retire from the 14 hour days!
💎 As a student who is still figuring out her professional future, I am very curious to know: how did you choose your own career path?
I did a thousand other things! Entrepreneurs always have a million lives, so don’t worry about having to niche yourself down just yet. I bounced from Hollywood, to music, to natural medicine, etc. and I use every single one of those skills in my current business. My advice would be to take the time to get to know yourself. You can’t create a clear future until you do that.
💎 Did you ever change your mind about where you were going with your professional life? What inspired that change?
Oh yeah. It wasn’t so much me feeling inspired to change, it was doors getting slammed in my face. Quitting a show because the DP wanted to hire a cute background girl instead, having my music on tv but not being able to find a label that would sign me, shooting a tv pilot + having one of the major studios we pitched it to steal my idea. I’ve had some serious blows to my ego that forced me to reinvent myself. But that led me here, to where I can create every day and reach thousands of women in a real way.
💎 You are now running your own business. How did that happen and what did you learn from it?
It all started with my Dad encouraging me to write an ebook! After I did that, I decided to create my first online course so I could recommend it to my friends who wanted to heal their life in 30 days. I thought I was going to be an online health coach! It didn’t fit, so I kept exploring, which exposed the huge need of online entrepreneurs to get more visible with video. That’s how Visibility Vixen was born!
I think I learned to just go day by day. Release all expectation, just enjoy each day and what it brings. Let God guide you. Take your time and spend most of it listening. It’s a lot less stressful that way!
💎 How do you balance a clearly busy professional life with a happy personal one?
I’m pretty vicious with my time. I only allow myself to accomplish 4 tasks per day + I take weekends off to be 100% with my husband. I allow one friend meeting/lunch/coffee with a friend per week + I make sure to see my chiropractor/pick up my herbs once per week. Other than that, it’s about what I’m creating + what I need to do to get it done.
Entrepreneurship is the hardest job there is in terms of doing the work of an entire corporation yourself. It’s hard to not feel overwhelmed sometimes, but I always try to bring clarity to my schedule to make it feel more relaxed an open. It takes time, but you’ll eventually find a rhythm that your brain can handle and your body will tolerate. Once I start to feel physical unhealthy symptoms, I know it’s time to adjust something.
💎 What’s one important habit that helped you get where you are now?
I go to the coffee shop every day. I bring my devotional, my sketch pad and an educational book. Right now it’s “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook” by Gary V! I take the time to get my vertical relationship right, my head on straight, to feel inspired and to create. It’s at least 45 minutes every single day.
A lot of people feel that it’s too much time, but I’ve created 4 courses+ tons of videos/funnels/sequences/graphics in 3 months, so I guess that’s up for debate.
💎 What are some of your biggest accomplishments so far? (Please, brag away)
I think my biggest joy has been my podcast, “Visibility Vixen”. I created it last year and now I am up to episode 40! I’ve been so blessed to interview absolute entrepreneur rockstars like Melissa Pharr, Adrienne Dorison, Mariah Coz, Jennifer Berson, Angie Lee and so many more. When I first started it, these people were on my DREAM board! That has led to so many incredible collaborations and beautiful friendships.
💎 Do you have any upcoming projects that you would like to gush about?
Ah, so many!! I have a couple of online summits I’m participating in the upcoming months, so I’m thrilled to be doing that! {Laura Pennington’s Free Course Creation Summit + Bailey Richert’s Infopreneur Summit}
I’m releasing a Livestreaming Course next month called “Facebook Live Fast Track” – so I’m crazy excited to start helping online entrepreneurs with their live visibility + give them some powerful education with really genius guests!
💎 What is one thing that you wish you knew 10 years ago?
That putting unrealistic expectations on myself would be extremely damaging. Most of us are driven, powerful women and as such, we tend to keep giving, working, achieving, driving…..and it’s never enough. It’s a bad way to live and it was all I knew for a long time.
I finally starting releasing those expectations and switching my language to INTENTIONS. It changed everything for me. To hear more about this, listen to this powerful episode with Dr. Stephen Ward.
💎 What are some tools or resources you used that made a real difference?
Tools I would say starting with Natalie MacNeil’s Conquer Kit will give you a really good scope of what needs to be built in terms of creating an online business.
I think Tim Ferris’ 4 Hour Workweek is a genius way to start leveraging yourself out of your 9-5. (Author’s note: I back up Michelle on this. Read my review on the book here.)
Otherwise, I’d say PODCASTS! It’s the best way to get ideas, education and inspiration no matter where you are. My faves: The Femtrepreneur Show, The Business Lounge Podcast, The Marie Forleo Podcast, Hungry For More, The School of Self-Mastery. Or you can check out mine!
💎 What is your main source of inspiration or motivation?
Definitely God. That’s where I get all of my inspiration, ideas and guidance. That’s #1, then nature. Going on a hike, laying in the grass, putting my feet in the ocean – that definitely works wonders too!
💎 And last but not least, do you have any role models or mentors?
I definitely adore Mariah Coz, Melissa Pharr and Kimberly Ann Jimenez in the entrepreneur space. Personally, I’m blessed to have my parents be my role models and mentors. They are 100% behind me, alongside me and ahead of me, pulling me to love myself more, create more and step into success more.
It’s a huge blessing and that’s why I have them on the show regularly to bring that inspiration to others!
Many thanks to Michelle for taking the time to answer all my questions and share her story. Make sure to check out her blog and her e-courses!
Who would you like to see interviewed next? Leave your suggestions in the comment section!
