We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Miranda Jiggins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Miranda, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
I absolutely love this question – I feel as if the responses to this could be very opinionated, so, I am speaking from my personal experience. In order to be successful, I think it takes a ton of consistency, doing things most people wouldn’t do, being “a bit crazy”, and having a nonstop fire in your soul, to show up and show out as your best self every day, even when the world is crumbling around you.
Any specific stories? That would be tough. My entire journey as a business owner is summed up in the previous statement.
I started my business in 2018, became fully self employed in 2019, and never looked back. My business literally got started right before COVID hit. My rock bottom moment happened in January 2021. I ran all of my bank accounts to $0 in 2022. 2023 I have had more transitions than I ever expected. However, I am so grateful for all of the hard times, as they always propel me to the next level.
Covid caused my fitness business to transition to fully online. Because of that, I now own three businesses – a coaching business, an events business, I am a partner at a financial firm and I have a shoe line. My 2021 rock bottom moment caused me to hire a coach that changed my life. Running my bank accounts to $0 caused me to launch my events business – and now we have four event locations, three domestic, one international.
I share this with you to show that it takes consistency and never giving up to be successful. You don’t have to be the smartest – just willing to take a few extra punches than most.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Yes! I am 29 years old, and have been running my business since 2019. I own Total Boss Wealth and Wellness. It is an umbrella brand with multiple different legs underneath.
I started in the fitness industry. I met my first mentor through my old boss (I used to be a freight broker for a short time then sold cars in my early 20s)!
My business has transitioned from just fitness to business coaching (I specialize in women with side hustles that have corporate careers), I have a line of Total Boss events, I recently launched a shoe line (our logo is a red high heel), and I am a partner at a financial firm. I also am a best selling author – I published a cookbook last year for high performers who are busy AF! I am also the owner of two pending trademarks and two LLCs.
My brand is totally centered around women bringing themselves up in business – I am SO passionate about helping others reach and exceed their goals, whether it’s with their business, personally or with their finances.
I am most proud of the movement we are creating, and our incredible clients and team members.
No one believes me when I tell them this, but, I was a total social outcast in high school. I didn’t go to prom, and I ate lunch in the school library junior and senior year. I was “that girl”. High school was ROUGH.
I am proof that the quiet, awkward, shy girl in the back of the class can grow up and create a business, brand and future empire. I just love business with all of my heart, and I am determined to help as many people as possible turn into business leaders – what they are truly called to be!
She got me started in 2018 and showed me the ropes. As stated in the previous section, Covid happened, then my rock bottom moment in 2021, followed
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I love this question! I keep it real – I had zero funding starting out. I had a mentor that helped me with some things, and I literally bootstrapped the business from the ground up.
I tell all of my side hustle coaching clients – you do NOT need a bunch of capital or a fancy website or funnel to get you started. You need organic sales and work ethic.
I was able to get myself to about $50K in sales per year, and then I hit a ceiling. I hired my first coach – she was $15,000 – I did not have that at ALL.
It took me three months to find the money, but, I ended up getting approved for two business credit cards. I went into debt $15K – literally the best money ever spent. That $15K on a quality coach helped me to get right under six figures in sales.
The ONLY investment you need when starting out is in a quality coach. I am to the point now where I am investing more in software etc, but, I am ready for that now. When starting out, you just need a coach that knows what they are doing on a realistic level and work ethic! You will save yourself so much time, headache, valuable lessons and money!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I love this question! Authenticity has carried me very far. I am very grateful and fortunate that my business is 100% online. I have the option to go into the office, but, I can run my business fully from anywhere with wifi or cell phone service.
It did not used to be that way. When I started my personal training business, I was renting gym space and driving 40-45 minutes one way to the gym to train clients, 6-7 times per week. I did that for two years. It makes me extra grateful for where I am today – and I am barely getting started!
Running an online business, you must be authentic. People like to know the good, bad, ugly and everything in between. I share my challenges because no one’s lives are perfect, including mine. I have received numerous messages from both clients and supporters, stating that they love the Total Boss brand because we are real and authentic.
If you know me online and meet me in person, I am the exact same person! Whenever I receive that compliment, it totally makes my day. Always be your true self, and everything will fall into place exactly how it’s supposed to!
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miranda.jiggins