Make Moments Into Gifts - Simply Celebrate
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sherry Richert Belul, Founder of Simply Celebrate, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business, Simply Celebrate, helps people find creative, intentional, and impactful ways to celebrate life and express love for family and friends. As a certified high-performance coach, I support people in living their best lives, full of joy, success, engagement, and meaningful relationships.
I am the author of "Say it Now: 33 Creative Ways to Say I Love You to the Most Important People in Your Life" and co-founder of The Secret Agents of Change. My work is all about celebration, appreciation, and love — in relationships with others and with ourselves. My customers are people who want to have deeper, more meaningful relationships and who want to feel more celebration and appreciation in life.
Tell us about yourself
Everything about my work grew out of a period of deep depression and anxiety in my life. Like many people, as a young woman, I felt like I didn't measure up to who or how I thought I should be. I was tortured by regret and by a longing to live the life that I knew was mine but couldn't get to. It felt like an iron wall was closing in around me. By some grace, I was led to a meditation class. On one of the breaths, I didn't feel any pain. I felt a moment of peace. That tiny moment was like a pinprick of light in the iron wall. And, as anyone knows, a tiny bit of light makes all the difference when we are in the dark.
That moment taught me that depression and anxiety are not solid and that I can use pinpricks of light as stepping stones to my own well-being. I started looking for ways to create that light for myself, and in the process, it helped me change from being a depressed person to someone who lives in celebration and joy. But the best part was being able to look up from my own life and see that there are many people in the dark who require assistance. For the past 30 years, I've dedicated my life to creating light, love, and appreciation for people who need them.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I'm really proud of publishing my book, "Say it Now," which contains the central message of my life and work: "What people want most in life is not material things. They want to be seen, known and loved for exactly who they are. People want to know the impact they have made by being alive." The cornerstone of that book and my work is something called a "love list," which shares specific reasons we love someone.
My happiest moments in life are all of the emails and notes I receive from people telling me they've created this "love list" gift for someone. I am also proud of being a certified high-performance coach who helps people find their way to the authentic and joyful person who has always lived inside of them, wanting to come out. As well, I'm super proud of co-creating the Secret Agents of Change, a group that enacts secret kindness/joy missions!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing for me is prioritizing my time! There are so many projects I want to create in my lifetime, and I am always looking at how to value each one and prioritize what happens when!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, follow your curiosity and your joy. I believe that our businesses are a reflection of who we are, and they should grow out of something we feel we will be interested in and passionate about for years to come.
Second, be consistent in your messaging. Show up over and over again with whatever positive messages you share that relate to your work. Never underestimate how frequently people need to hear what you have to say.
Third, trust your intuition and your own journey. Yes, follow models and blueprints, but don't be afraid to create your own blueprints as you go!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://simplycelebrate.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplycelebrate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycelebrate/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/simplycelebrate
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherryrichertbelul/
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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