Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Villapando, Owner of CVilla Design, located in Swansea, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
CVilla Design is a brand and web design studio dedicated to helping sensational female entrepreneurs gain confidence with branding & designs that represent their values and speak to their ideal audience. My clients are ambitious female service providers who need help creating stunning brand visuals, websites, and marketing collateral that will help them gain attraction and show up cohesively across all touchpoints in their business.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a down-to-earth, creative & hardworking individual who has a passion for helping like-minded females achieve their business goals. My friends describe me as kind, silly, reliable & humble.
Design is my love language, and I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit. When I was in middle school, I designed a fancy box, filled it with candy, and sold it to all the kids at school during our lunch breaks. I had a side hustle before I knew what a side hustle was! My dream was always to have my own design business so that I'd have the freedom to do what I love on my terms.
This dream became a reality when COVID hit, and I got laid off from a marketing firm. I was eventually able to get another design job, but after one year, they drastically reduced my hours, and my husband lost his job. This was the motivation that I needed to make my dreams a reality and start my own design studio.
Helping women gain the confidence they need to go after their dreams and create successful businesses is what motivates me to show up every day. Seeing their eyes light up when they see how their vision for their business is coming to life fuels me to keep sharing my passion with others.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been empowering other women to see their worth and work hard to achieve their goals. One of my clients sent me a message with tears in her eyes, telling me that I was making her dreams come true! She made my dreams come true! When I created this business, my goal was to champion my clients and help them get results, so when I see that in action, I know that my business is a success.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the biggest challenges for me has been overcoming self-doubt. It's so easy to compare yourself with others or give into imposter syndrome when you're first starting your business. I learned to quiet all of the negative thoughts in my head, see my strengths and focus on helping others. It's a game changer when you get out of your own head and focus on why you started your business in the first place!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Love yourself. Don't give anyone the power to make you feel like you're not good enough.
- Keep on pushing. When you feel like you want to give up, let that be the motivation to make you work harder.
- Treat yourself! Celebrate your wins, and invest in your business and yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.cvilladesign.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cvilladesign/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyvillapando/
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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