Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anica Barbosa . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Anica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

My business idea was not a new idea. It was a concept that had been around for a while but I knew I could put a unique spin on it to make it different and successful.

One day while having a conversation with a medical professional, she expressed the desperate need for location to house seniors, along with the services her company provides at those locations. A few things she said stood out and sparked my interest so I continued exploring further.

The biggest thing I took away from the conversation, was that if two things come together this business model could work, my business background, and my passion for helping others, specially those who are in need.

Once everything was implemented and location was ready for business I was pleasantly surprised as to how much need was there for such services. Due to my lack of knowledge, things got overwhelming really fast, but every day I would remind myself that this is what I’ve been waiting for my entire professional career. I would wake up with positive affirmations and tell myself that if I just come from a place of love and passion I can conquer every day one day at a time. Sometimes I thought I was going crazy and many lonely moments haha.

A few things that were really important for steady and healthy growth was understanding my market. How to target them, acquire them, and also keep them long-term,. I understood quickly that work of mouth and your reputation within the business would go far. So I focus 100% on the few clients I was able to acquire and made it that every day they would be happy healthy and in a great, safe environment. This became the golden ticket, and my reputation traveled quickly.

Within the first few months, I began to get phone calls from referrals of people I never even met. I knew I was doing something right at that point. I soon found out that my few clients were talking to other medical professionals, social workers, other client and BOOM the calls started pouring in.

In a few short months I no longer had any space for growth, and I had to make the exciting decision to open yet another location and few months later my third location. It all happened so fast, I was feeling so blessed and excited I just kept going.

Sounds like a good story, but what I learned is that I was going to fast. I should’ve taken a moment to stand back and watch the growth and learn more about the industry, go slower as opposed to the fast track pace I was on. I reached a point where I burned myself out and had to scale back a little. AND THEN COVID-19 payed a visit. That’s another story for another time.

Young entrepreneurs, such as myself, get so excited once an idea takes off, they forget that the higher you go the harder you come falling. So make sure that you have a steady, healthy growth so you don’t burn yourself out. Take care of your health and mental state, train qualified staff, that will test your patience but so important. You need people who you trust to assist you in this wild unpredictable fun ride you are about to go on. Life-changing ride.

Eight years later, here I am, looking back at all the lessons and I can still laugh at myself. Entrepreneurship is so much fun. I’m lucky to be able to do what I love every day.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am blessed enough to be able to do two of the things that I love the most. I am in the film industry and I provide housing and resources to independent seniors in the Los Angeles Ventura county area. AND IM GOOD AT IT.😂

Film and entertainment has always been in my heart. I would do stage plays and dancing as a kid. I would dream of acting out scenes and creating movies. As an adult, I move to Los Angeles and was always involved in the industry either as an actor, producer, etc.. the one thing I really do love about this industry is how passionate people are, many do it for the love and not the money and it’s the only industry I’m familiar with that people work for free.

My independent, living facilities, truly give my life meaning. I provide a service, to the people in our society, that are many times discarded or displaced. I fell into it, but I know that at that moment source brought the idea to me and used me because it’s perfect two worlds colliding.

Amazingly, whenever there is an issue, I can see myself in their shoes, and I attempt to relate to what it feels like to lose your independence as a person who has been able to do for themselves, and now that is taken away. This is how I am driven to do what I do every day and do it with love. Of course I have a team so I can’t take all the credit but this goes back to “train your staff and find people you can trust”.

As an entrepreneur, always remember you are just as good as the people assisting you. “ duplicate yourself “. Treat your people well and in return, they will treat you well.

The main thing I’m most proud of about my business, is the fact that I create a home environment and a family for people who otherwise would not have a family, I become their voice, they know they can depend on me, they are never alone. My favorite saying to them is “if you come for you they come for me”. 😂

I have a ride or die mentality when it comes to my clients. You mess with them you mess with me. I often find myself spreading myself thin, but at the end of the day, it’s what drives me. I truly love what I do and I do it well.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy, for growing your clientele, in my opinion, and personal experience, is by far your reputation. Follow through, follow up, thank you notes, persistency, consistency, always show up at your best, give it your best, even when you’re not at your best find something positive to bring to the table for that moment. This will keep them coming every time and refer others.

People never remember what you do for them, they will always remember how you make them feel. One person will tell another person and that person will tell another person and it just keeps growing. Creating good relationships and good rapport goes far in any business.

I have learned in my business, that I am the main problem solver. No one is angry at me. They are angry at the or the situation. I always come with a positive attitude and solutions.

IT WORKS. In any industry if you can solve a problem, you can grow exponentially.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The key ingredient that help me build my reputation within my market, is the level of love and compassion I take in making sure my services fit my clients perfectly.

This takes time because you must assess the person, the services needed, the services you can provide easily and safely, and when all these things are in place, you continue to monitor and have open dialogue and good communication so you make sure the client is happy. This also helps you stay focus on your target market.

I have been blamed for micromanaging and this, in some businesses can be destructive, but in my business it works. You must adjust according to your business and the needs of your business. If you stay persistent, and consistent and implement these qualities your business will thrive.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Anicabarbosa
• Facebook: Anica Barbosa

Image Credits
Gervel Sampson photography