We recently connected with Catina Morrison and have shared our conversation below.
Catina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
My background as a registered nurse (RN,BSN) taught me something valuable, how to advocate for overall health and well-being. My chronic illness experience helped me to find my voice and use it to advocate for myself. I was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and endometriosis after 30 years of medical gaslighting and misdiagnoses. Through my journey not only did I find natural and holistic options and a team of health providers that supported me, but also, maintained a thriving career. Then, I found my passion and purpose.
In 2021, I decided to take a risk and walk in my purpose. I used my chronic illness journey and education to become a Chronic Illness Coach. I never imagined that my journey would lead me to entrepreneurship, of course, I had my battles with the imposter syndrome. But I took a leap of faith and started an Instagram page to inspire, educate, and motivate women like me to stop hiding and start thriving. I was on a mission to teach others how to advocate for their health, to decrease the time it takes to get solutions, and to start living fulfilling lives.
So how did I do this with an Instagram page? On June 4, 2021, I created my first post detailing the goal of my page and consistently shared educational and inspirational content almost daily. I also received coaching that helped me navigate social media, and address mindset and business needs. It was vital that I made my focus on building a thriving community and collaborating with like-minded individuals. I also designed and created my first website and blog.
I immediately began connecting with the chronic illness community and within 2 weeks of my post I had my first client. My three-to-five-year plan for entrepreneurship was consolidated into 2 weeks, which meant this registered nurse had a business, Nurse Loves Essentials LLC was established.
Within 6 months I had brand partnerships with wellness brands, created the Inflamed Sisters Thriving podcast, and then a new phase of business was created. Small businesses owners within or serving the chronic illness community wanted me to coach them on how to grow their businesses effectively while using social media strategy. When my strategies led coaches and businesses to strategic growth while balancing their health and wellness effectively, I knew it was time for me to take things to the next level. I started a group coaching program and created a course, the Inflamed Sisters’ Guide to Thriving with Social Media Strategy.
And with my team of chronic illness warriors, including my sister, niece, and the Inflamed Sisters Thriving Community, I knew much more was possible. With only 3 months of planning, the 1st Annual Inflamed Sisters Thriving Summit and Gala was hosted on October 29, 2022. This event was a safe space created for women living with chronic illness to learn to stop hiding and start thriving in all aspects of life.
We had guest speakers ranging from naturopathic and integrative physicians, nurses, health and fitness experts, accountants, product-based business owners to social media influencers, and more. Each speaker inspired, educated, and motivated the more than 170 chronic illness warriors that attended virtually and in-person. I was in awe at what could be accomplished when one person decides to not be defined by their chronic illness and chooses to create a community that thrives together.
I took a risk and chose to walk in my purpose. This gave birth to a successful business and beautiful community of women, the Inflamed Sisters Thriving. I often say, “My sisters we may be inflamed, but we are still here, and as long as we are here, we might as well thrive together. Because Inflamed Sisters Thrive Together Always!”
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
My name is Catina Morrison, the Founder and CEO of Nurse Loves Essentials LLC, a registered nurse, Chronic Illness Coach, and host of the Inflamed Sisters Thriving Podcast. I am also the host of the health and wellness and networking events, Inflamed Sisters Thriving Annual Summit & Gala and Boss Brunch & Network.
After decades of symptoms, I was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and endometriosis in her 30’s. My experiences with the healthcare system fueled my passion for assisting women with autoimmune diseases and other chronic illnesses to reach their best quality of life, so they can stop hiding and start thriving in all aspects of life.
My mission is to create an environment where women living with chronic illness can achieve their goals and reach their fullest potential without sacrificing their health. I created a social media platform to nurture a community of women who became stronger and learned to thrive together. With proven mindset, self-advocacy and business strategies, I help women to understand they are not alone and provide them the tools to achieve success in their overall health and well-being as they reach their goals in their careers and businesses.
I help women with chronic illnesses to walk in their purpose by doing what they were meant to do, move in power by advocating for themselves in all aspects of life, and achieve strategic growth in health, career, and business. I also help businesses that serve the chronic illness community connect with their ideal customer and partner, and to grow and market their businesses effectively on social media.
I have accomplished so much since my first social media post in June of 2021, but the best is yet to come, as I embark on establishing a Chronic Illness Health Support Network to ensure that the chronically ill can thrive in every work environment.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I’m often asked how I grew my clientele in such a short period of time effectively. My answer is simple, but untraditional. I focused on building community and collaboration, and the clients consistently followed, literally on social media. And I knew what was most important to my avatar, ideal client, and shocking to most, it’s not about the money.
Oftentimes, in traditional business marketing the focus is on self, highlighting your personal accomplishments, or focusing on the monetary aspects, for example, I made 6 figures in 6 months. My ideal client would say, “Who cares if you’re not making a difference.” That does not appeal to everyone. And I knew if my avatar is even the slightest reflection of me, a focus on the financial benefits will repel rather than attract.
My ideal client is driven by doing what they are passionate about, making an impact, and while they want financial independence, no amount of money is more fulfilling than truly making a difference in the lives of others. You may think this is a rare person, but more people understand that money doesn’t truly bring happiness, but it does bring vital comforts.
My “Zone of Genius,” named by author Gay Hendricks, is making authentic connections with others, fostering a space where collaboration is effortless, and inspiring and motivating others to thrive. I consistently attract women who have the same values as I do.
Rather than focusing on free discovery calls, I focused on connection and collaboration calls and sharing the inspiring journeys of others on my social media platforms. This was a steady source of inspiration for me and the community I built. And it is also where many of my clients came from. Ironically, the women who I connected with that inspired me most actually became my clients, hiring me as their coach.
This is also where my greatest pivot came from. I no longer solely provided health coaching but transitioned into providing health and business consulting. Especially, women who live with chronic illness are concerned with balancing their health and success and will often self-sabotage for fear of risking their health. I teach them how to find balance while navigating social media marketing and creating multiple streams of income. They are thus able to stop hiding and finally start thriving in health and business.
My client’s consistent growth and testimonials provide a steady flow of new clients. The admiration I garner from my growing social media community from being my authentic, compassionate, and consistent self also leads to even more referrals. Therefore, my business continues to thrive with a consistent flow of clients and brand partnerships.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Living with multiple chronic illnesses, including the autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is a journey requiring resilience to thrive. Autoimmune disease has been linked to genetics, trauma, and exposure to toxic chemicals, to name a few. I have experienced all three.
Childhood trauma and a dysfunctional family life led me to live in a talkative silence for many years. My true feelings and emotions were tightly hidden away until my late 30s as I literally hid in plain sight, playing the role of the consummate overachiever. All of this while living with symptoms of chronic fatigue, anemia, and chronic pain since childhood.
Chronic illness is often linked with depression for many of us. For me, the diagnosis was high functioning depression that almost claimed my life. But my faith and love for my God, family, and the feeling that I had a deeper purpose strengthened my resilience. As a registered nurse I knew what I needed to do. So, I advocated for myself by finally talking about my symptoms of depression. Thankfully, I received the help I needed.
It took me over 30 years and lots of resilience and self-advocacy to finally be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and endometriosis. Two years after my endometriosis diagnosis I learned my miscarriage in 2015 would be my last chance to bear children. My battle with infertility was a loss. I had a total hysterectomy in August of 2020. The death of my ability to birth my own children hit me hard in January 2021, when I once again felt that I could not live like this. So, by June of that year, I decided not to.
On June 4, 2021, I started my first public Instagram page which grew to become a thriving community. My mission was to help women living with chronic illness like me to stop hiding and start thriving in all aspects of life, especially their health. I wanted to help them to get the solutions they needed sooner than I did. It was important for me to show other chronic illness warriors that it is possible to be consistent and find balance while reaching your goals in your health, career, and business. I also wanted to exemplify the healing that comes from being vulnerable and transparent.
Within 2 weeks this passion project became my business when my first client hired me as a Chronic Illness Coach, and Nurse Loves Essentials was established. Within 6 months my business was flourishing as it gave birth to the Inflamed Sisters Thriving podcast, group coaching, community, and on September 29, 2022, the 1st Annual Inflamed Sisters Thriving Summit and Gala.
This has become my legacy that filled a space that was once empty. I am not my trauma, my pain, or chronic illness. I am resilient and meant to thrive not alone, but with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nurselovesessentials.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_catinamorrison/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nurselovesessentials/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/catinamorrison_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv4_3Q6S057tO32FjQBk9zg
- Other: Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/seffner-fl/nurse-loves-essentials-llc
Image Credits
Will Evans of VOID Shots Angel Shackleford of The Art of Pixeling
Jewelry by Tresa Dunston of Dazzled by Dunston