Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Vanessa Castillo, Founder of The Rich Girl Mindset and VCV Agency, located in Miami, FL, USA.

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

The Rich Girl Mindset is a women's empowerment platform, uplifting women around the world to step out of their comfort zone and step into their magic.

Collaborating, connecting, and creating a safe space where women can feel known, seen, and heard while building the life of their dreams, The Rich Girl Mindset serves as a commUNITY of communities focused on bringing people together, providing opportunities, and shifting perspectives.

Through The Rich Girl Mindset talk show, private network, educational portal, women's circles, curated events, and experiences, The Rich Girl Mindset's mission is to empower, educate, and uplift others to recognize the unique power and inner richness that is within each and every one of us, so we can create alignment between our mind, body, spirit, and purpose, naturally attracting abundance and fulfillment into our lives.

The Rich Girl Mindset motto is: Shift your mind, Shift your life

How are you making shift happen?

Tell us about yourself

My name is Vanessa, which means butterfly, and like the butterfly, I've gone through many cycles of life, always growing, changing, evolving, leading me to where I am today - exactly where I need to be. I was also born on the International Day of Peace, which I feel resembles my personality very strongly. I'm driven by vision, passion, generosity, and connection.

My entrepreneurship journey began in 2011 during my junior year of college when I officially decided to leave my last corporate job, went to pursue a passion for photojournalism by studying abroad in Spain for a few months, and never looked back. Upon returning in 2012, I graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in Visual Communications & Art, and I began freelancing as a documentary-style photographer and videographer.

Stepping out of every comfort zone I was familiar with and blocking all limiting beliefs, I began flying high on my vision, my potential, and the future, and within 3-5 years, by the age of 23, I became a published and award-winning photographer and videographer, creative agency owner, a founder, leader, curator, connector, talk show host, speaker, and coach.

What a ride! To think this little shy, timid child would be where she is today; I would have never imagined. But I followed my soul and intuition, went with the flow, and here I am today. A true innovator, creative, visionary, and all-around multipassionista serving my community as a Soulful Biz Bestie, Personal Branding Coach & Photographer, and Curator of Experiences.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'd have to say following my path and sticking with it. Never giving up and always seeing the bigger vision for my purpose. I was thrown into entrepreneurship right out of college, and as I said, I was shy and timid before (even as a photographer) because it was documentary-style, and I was able to hide behind the camera a lot. Until I wasn't... I think stepping out of my comfort zone is where the magic happens, and that's where I like to live.

My biggest accomplishments have been starting a business at 23, taking my talents to start my own talk show, and still being here today serving my purpose: connecting, creating, and uplifting.

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

I think it's all the self stuff. Self-motivation. Self-care. Self-love. Self-awareness. Because, business owner or not, at the core of it all is YOU. How do you motivate yourself? How do you choose to show up? Do you take care of yourself before you take care of others? I think one of the hardest things about being a business owner is CREATING that healthy balance that allows you to fully stand in your purpose and feel good doing it.

As business owners, we'll always have those "professional" challenges, but I like to say that how we're handling and reacting to the stresses of everyday life is how we will handle and react to the stresses of our professional life. We have the ability to steer the ship in the direction we see fit. Find the balance that feels right for you because we're all different.

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

  1. Stand in YOUR truth - whatever it is you choose to do, KNOW and BELIEVE that no one can or will do it like you. The magic always happens outside your comfort zone.
  2. Believe in the power of creation over the competition - connect and collaborate with every single magic-making human you encounter. There is space for all of us to thrive in! You should view your peers as a commUNITY.
  3. Remember: impact before income - generosity, comPASSION, and intention go a long way. You can't get rich without enriching the lives of others - and you gotta shift your mind, to shift your life. Let's activate The Rich Girl Mindset & Make Shift Happen!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We all have unique magic; it's time to tap in.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
http://vcvagency.com/
https://therichgirlmindset.mn.co/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therichgirlmindset
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebossladyvee/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebossladyvee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebossladyvee/

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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