A Family Experience Worth Investing In

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carissa Cichacki, Owner of Cichacki Properties | Investments, located in Scottsdale, AZ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Cichacki Properties | Investments is built up of long-term luxury rentals in the valley (Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ). My primary customers are snowbirds looking to escape the harsh midwest/east-coast winters for a mild desert getaway.

Tell us about yourself

I found myself fresh out of college, completely exhausted at the end of each day while working in Corporate America. I worked about 10-12 hours daily during the first 5 years I was in corporate. I thought to myself, "If I could dedicate this much time and energy into someone else's dream, why don't I pull back, establish some work-life balance, and dedicate that time and energy to my own dream?" The goal wasn't to work more but to make a more (passive) income that could fund my work-life balance efforts. When I first started exploring what type of business I might want to run, I overlooked the things that came easily to me, like interior design and fashion. I tried starting my own fashion line, but it just didn't feel right. I kept getting burnt out.

One day, I received a text from my mentor in California (I was living in Arizona already), and she said, "I keep having dreams that you are buying a house. So buy a house!" At first, I thought it was a crazy idea, and then I realized it was exactly what I wanted to do. As I looked at homes and everything fell into place, so naturally, I realized luxury rentals are where I wanted to position myself. The concept that I am able to make a huge difference in someone's vacation by creating a unique luxury rental experience is what drives me. How people experience life matters to me, and I am able to influence that positively with Cichacki Properties | Investments.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner thus far has been booking out the majority of 2023 before 2022 was over and already booking out 3 consecutive winters for my luxury rental.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Money management, knowing when to pay yourself back for the initial investment vs. preparing and saving for the future of your business. It's a balancing act.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right, sit on it for a few days. The power of discernment in business is your best friend.
Anyone can be an investor in your business (including family!). Be courageous and bold in having conversations about money. Before borrowing from the bank, who can you borrow money from without interest? Set yourself up for success and approach your potential investor with how much you need, a payback plan, and a legal contract.
Read. You don't know everything (and that's ok!), but in order to grow, we must read what other experts have written and researched before us. Read articles and books on your business topic. It will give you confidence in exercising discernment.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://bit.ly/3ZuYd91
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cichackiproperties/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbcichacki/

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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