We were lucky to catch up with Celi Arias recently and have shared our conversation below.

Celi , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I think all entrepreneurs ask themselves whether they should get a regular job. We all have those days, and it’s normal. Throughout my life, from a young age, I was an entrepreneur. I went through phases where I’d become exhausted or discouraged, close shop, and get a regular job. And then I’d always be so disillusioned by the system and the lack of creativity allowed at a job that I’d come up with a new idea and a new way to solve a problem and ultimately find myself back at being an entrepreneur again. After doing that dance a few times, I finally accepted that I’m an entrepreneur at heart. That means there will be lows, challenges, frustrations, and moments when I doubt myself. That’s part of the journey; I’ve accepted it now. Accepting my fate has made me more resilient and helped me grow faster in my business, and I no longer think about getting a regular job.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m the founder of the Grown A*s Business School, a business growth strategist and mindset coach. O r the years, I’ve built many businesses, consulted, been a COO for startups, and a sales partner in corporate. My background in fashion design and product manufacturing is where I fell in love with the process of engineering a successful business that runs on its own. I learned that business is much more than sales and fancy marketing. You have to address all the key pillars of business eventually if you want a sustainable business that will provide the life you’ve been wanting.

While I was a COO I started coaching on the side because it was satisfying to help others with my knowledge. I then became a full time head coach for a consulting firm and helped 100s of businesses in under 2 years. With that experience, which was strategy and systems heavy, I realized I also needed to address the mindset of the entrepreneur, and eventually created my own framework and coaching company that encompasses both strategy and mindset in a doable way. I support clients through our foundation program called the “Grown A*s Business Accelerator” which builds out the key pillars needed to get to the next level inside the CEO Control Center they can then use to run their business. We have advanced programs called the G.A.B. CEO for those who really want to take their mindset and business to the next level while supported in a community of high achieving entrepreneurs.

I help small business owners blast through their earning ceilings by addressing the blindspots they weren’t trained to see. These programs are all live coaching and are best suited for someone who has a business generating revenue inthe 6 figure range, who really wants to get to 7-figures without compromising their time or life more than they already have.
Many will often argue that growth happens in having the right strategy or the right mindset. My programs are unique in that we address both with equal emphasis, in a fun and approachable format.

I am most proud of having built a framework that is truly easy for people to use and follow. I love when clients are doubling their revenue and hitting milestone, but most of all I love when my clients are having an easier time with it all. When they are more confident about how to make decisions, they are feeling themselves, they ar enjoying their life and they see their business being the road for their future without self doubt, that is my deepest pleasure. I’m always trying to make trainings and processes that make the journey easy for people.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

I think this is something we don’t talk about enough. Every business I’ve built has always been self-funded. That means I’ve had very little room for error or money to play with in the beginning. If you don’t have funding or a starting cushion, this is just the nature of the beast and one to get very comfortable with. There were times when I committed to certain projects with contractors, but then the money that I was expecting to come in from new clients or engagements didn’t come through. Many times if you don’t plan for that level of risk, you have to pay your contractors and commitments before you can pay yourself. That can frustrating and discouraging of course, to work so hard and maybe have months where you didn’t see as much income for your efforts. But over time if you make the right decisions and keep going, it begins to balance out. There is a payoff that happens. If you don’t have capitol, then you will have to pay with your time and effort. I’ve built many businesses this way and have never taken a loan or funding. I’m proud of that but that also comes with the reality that I’ve worked harder and longer hours than many around me, and that is a part you have to grapple with if you are an early stage business owner.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I’ve danced in the world of working for others and working for myself. I’ve had many businesses such as a fashion label, ran a bed and breakfast with a partner, had a tango school, and a lifestyle and creative events brand. Coaching people in their businesses was something that I began doing on the side because it was fun, it was satisfying and at the time I was at a full-time job where I wasn’t feeling deeply satisfied. This is the one business that I never thought would be my business, yet over time, very slowly, I accrued different trainings, thought models, and certificates that have all become a part of my larger framework. I set out to do something I loved doing and over time it became a framework and a company with a team, loyal clients who consistently refer us, and a loyal following. I’ve always tried to be a planner, but ironically this particular came into being because it’s a part of who I am and needed to exist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.grownassbusiness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdoncelia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celilivesnyc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celiarias/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYy_t03mmv6Y6qjBpUfEm6g

Image Credits
Paul Westlake