We recently connected with Chontaé Cuellar and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chontaé, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

Nursing is a profession I became most passionate about at the age of 12. I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide at 16 years old, and a Licensed Vocational Nurse by the age of 21. Caring for people was my passion, and I perceived I would navigate on this career path until early retirement by the age of 50. Once I relocated from the west coast to the south, my perception became a devastating reality! After obtaining my endorsed licensure in my current state, I received a notice from the nursing board that my temporary license was revoked, according to the state, due to withheld information during the application process. I provided the documentation requested, and they still declined to reinstate the temporary license. Following this process, it was determined they made an error. They advised me an additional application fee was required. According to them, the temporary license had expired, and a re-take of the state boards was warranted. The failure in this? Instead of me taking the necessary steps to dispute their decision, I allowed my frustration to over shadow my initiation to resolve the matter. As a result, I became employed at a non-profit organization at entry level. They initially laughed at my application once they realized I was a former nurse, but brought me on board as a driver, they were desperate. In my position, I learned new skills, which in turn allotted me a promotion. Office Manager was my next title, and with that, team management was the core of the job description. Those skills helped prepare me for my next journey of becoming an Allied Health Instructor! Back to my familiar space of the medical field. This is the are where I thrived the most, and the skills I obtained while working for the non-profit, helped me leverage in the classroom setting. I was then promoted to Career Services Coordinator. Here, I was able to incorporate my medical skills, interpersonal skills and assist our students with externship and potential job placement. It was very rewarding and led me down the path of pursuing my very first love, which is writing. Honestly, COVID had a little bit to do with it as well. I was in a position where I had to make a decision for the safety of my family. So I took the initiative to resign from my then position and transitioned into ghostwriting. As an author and ghostwriter, I am able to help others cultivate and find their voice in the literary space. While best sellers are great, (which I’m not opposed to it by the way), I am currently blessed to work alongside individuals with unique stories that may perhaps be overshadowed by the presence and voice of the most prevalent social media figure at the moment. These are individuals who want to bring awareness to some injustices in the school system, as well as the medical profession. I am also striving for divine connections with several male elites to assist with their story. Without the failure of pursuing my license re-instatement, I would not be in my current space of fulfillment as Visionary Officer of Bold Enough to Say, LLC.

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.

Picking up a pencil at the age of eight, versus participating in school yard activity was an early indication writing was in my blood. It was an unnurtured, non-cultivated gift however that blossomed in later years. Both, life experiences and being a sounding board for others rekindled the passion of a skill that brings me much fulfillment! Becoming an author by penning my own journey and being lost in the process was a disheartening feeling. My desire is to assist others throughout the writing process, and educate them about the expectation following authorship and how to best leverage their literary content. There are many misconceptions in the literary arena and Bold Enough to Say is here to debunk them. Your first book is just that, the first. Many are not aware, that first has the ability to segue into others, as well as various opportunities and being best prepared for those opportunities will set them up for success. One of my greatest accomplishments has been, a former patient I cared for during my nursing profession, reached out to me to assist her with her story. She is considered physically disabled, but cognitively sound, and I see this as an opportunity to advocate in some areas. The services my team provides are: ghostwriting, editing, coaching through the writing process, Spanish translation, PR services.
I am also a Colorstreet Stylist, which is a product founded on 100% flash-dry nail polish on a strip! No drying time, money and time saver! I became a stylist once I learned I would receive a 25% – 35% commission off my own purchases, not relying solely on customer or online sells. Since I will continue to wear the products, which are inclusive of nailcare products, make-up, nail art, why not recoup some of the cost? Since becoming a stylist, I have acquired a team by just sharing the product. Helping women to get back their time is an amazing feeling! To see the look an individual faces when applying them is priceless! This is a great alternative to high end nail salon prices, a healthier option, and cashback is always a plus! Both my business ventures are assisting me with transitioning out of my 9 to 5. and focus in these areas full-time.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After relocating to my current state, I no longer worked in the field of my chosen profession as a licensed vocational nurse. I was however blessed and fortunate enough to work in a medical setting. I was unjustly terminated from that employer after 3 years with the company, and without warning. There were several skillsets I learned during my tenure there which assisted me in my next position with a non-profit. Starting at entry level, I clearly understood there had to be divine purpose for me to be placed in such a position. After roughly a year, I was promoted to office manager, which I held this position for 3 years until company cut backs warranted a lay-off. While unemployed for nearly 9 months, I birthed a child, in the business sense; cultivating my craft in the literary arena as a book workshop facilitator and writing coach. As one can imagine, unless one is a prominent influencer, this is not self sustaining, some may even refer to it as a hobby or side hustle. Following this hiatus in the traditional 9-5 workforce, an opportunity presented itself for me to navigate in the adjunct instructor space! I taught medical assistants for several years, and was promoted to Career Service Coordinator position where I was able to utilize all skillsets from previously help positions. The impact of COVID warranted me to resign from my employer and dedicate my time to my business fulltime. While doing so, I decided to invest in my business by enrolling in a business program so I am able to effectively serve my clients, as well as be in proper alignment with all things business.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

As an author, I had no mentor or guidance whatsoever about the process, expectation, etc. I wish I had taken a professional marketing course and resources to various media outlets that could have helped me make a well informed decision, and chosen a difference avenue to maximize my reach to my audience..

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @boldenough2say
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/chontae.cuellar
• Other: Calendly.com/Chontaespeaks

Image Credits
Chontaé Cuellar