We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elizabeth (Eli) Blanco a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Elizabeth (Eli), thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
My answer will always be sooner! In fact, many entrepreneur peers tell me the SAME!
When I first started my business, I was lost in the sauce. It was 2018, my work experience out of highschool, up until that point, had been: a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader for three seasons, Red Bull Wings Team Member & Student Brand Manager, Brand Ambassador for Diageo, United Airlines Flight Attendant, Corporate Incentive Travel Planner, Event Planner, and lastly – Account Executive for radio sales. ALL OVER THE PLACE! Wouldn’t you agree??
Each role had a time and place for me and I valued each one! I was looking for a purpose that fueled my fire. I was never afraid to take risks; try something new if needed.
My business(es) began in thanks to network marketing, an industry that’s been bullied for far too long. I was presented with the opportunity mid-summer 2018; but did not enroll myself until late December 2018.
I always say I should have started sooner. Unlike many traditional businesses, networking marketing has no overhead fees. Meaning, to begin I had nothing to lose and only healthier hair to gain.
It was skepticism that held me back, absolutely. This will apply to all areas of life, but for that of which we do not know, we should not assume or be closed off to. Many times what we are asking for is not wrapped in the gifting paper we thought it would arrive in.
Being in business for myself has allowed me to fail forward. The more we make mistakes, the more we are learning and for that I really wish I’d started sooner.
I’ve learned more about myself and have become a better professional and have been able to pursue other endeavors alongside my network marketing business that I’m passionate about; menstrual mentoring! Helping young girls & women raise their body literacy!
I could have been impacting far many more lives had I kept an open mind and started sooner!
Elizabeth (Eli), love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hiii hiiiiii new friends and gang; my name is Elizabeth Blanco; everyone calls me Eli (eh-lee) 💫
Born and raised in Miami, FL but citizen of the World.
As I shared in my previous response, when I first started my business, I was lost in the sauce. It was 2018, my work experience out of highschool, up until that point, had been: a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader for three seasons, Red Bull Wings Team Member & Student Brand Manager, Brand Ambassador for Diageo, United Airlines Flight Attendant, Corporate Incentive Travel Planner, Event Planner, and an Account Executive for radio sales. ALL OVER THE PLACE! Wouldn’t you agree??
Within my professional journey, in 2015 – I suffered an episode on angioedema. Facial swelling. One side of my lip and cheeks; heavy and weighted, what seemed like melting from my face. It happened a good 2-3 times and I finally went to the doctor. After running some labs, I wasn’t allergic to anything to wild; and, my thyroid levels were “borderline” but nothing to really be concerned about the doctors told me.
Thyroid levels??! I’d never experienced this. it was then I was made better aware of my endocrine system.
Beauty care products were the first thing I upgraded in my household after hearing that endocrine disruptors in our beauty care products can cause thyroid dysfunctions. It wasn’t until three years later I would be introduced to products that met all my standards for clean beauty, but could also build me an additional income stream.
When I started my haircare, skincare and wellness business with MONAT in December of 2018, it was just a hair-care company! And I was just a wellness obsessed, wanderlust soul, with the intent to add a few hundred to my travel bank and maybe earn some paid-for trips with this side-hustle I was working alongside my corporate roles.
Not long after having launched my business, I found the network marketing business, direct selling, e-commerce model, was the exact fit for all my prior qualifications, my personality and passions!
I got to hire myself! I myself became a product of my product.
I was a huge fan for how they improved my scalp and hair health, and could visibly see the results! The products and company I partner with, MONAT, says YES to healthy; we only use safe, clinically tested ingredients. No to toxic chemicals. I was pleased to have performing products and happy hormones!
As the traveler I am, flexibility in my work was always, is, essential.
As a marketer and event planner, I am able to be as creative as I desire.
As a people person, I am able to connect with others and build community! One of the most rewarding parts.
Almost four years later, I am a full time shampoo dealer + certified menstrual mentor. My MONAT business has allowed me the resources and time to pursue my passions, of more travel and women’s health!
Becoming a Certified Menstrual Coach has enhanced what I can offer to my MONAT customers and beyond.
As a menstrual coach/mentor – I am able to better work with my customers and business partners in understanding and educating them of their cycles. I keep in mind that their skin/hair my be going through hormonal changes, which may not be limited to life events such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause. I do not make the mistake in thinking that simply topical products will do the trick. Here is where with my MONAT business, I’ve evolved, and I am able to go deeper than skin deep.
I’ve got lots of projects in the works! Workshops and sessions for young girls and women to learn about and live in alignment with their menstrual cycles. Please do connect with me if you are looking to learn more, would like your daughter to learn more or are a health & wellness practitioner looking to learn more!
The clients and customers that I work with find that we are the SAME GIRL; we are here to build beautiful, healthy and fulfilling lives, together, starting with yours! And that’s the name of my brand, SAME GIRL – our goal is to not remain the same but continue improving best we can, learning as we go!
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
My side-hustle did turn into my main-hustle! In fact, it turned into the career of my dreams! It then allowed me to build a passion project into a side-hustle!
I’ve shared how the network marketing industry, and partnering with MONAT, has made an impact on my life since launching.
I got started knowing little to nothing about the network marketing industry. I got started with excitement!
However, many people in this industry begin the same way. They start with excitement, to only treat it like a hobby, and give it up all together when they aren’t as far along as they thought they’d be. Unfortunately, this industry doesn’t have the best rapport. Why is it that many can have a negative stigma towards the industry? I have my guesses. Instead of sharing those guesses, I’ll share how I’ve scaled my business to where it is today. Let it be known, I am on a mission to destigmatize the network marketing industry.
Like anything else in life, if you remain willing, coachable, hungry and work hard – you can achieve all your goals. That’s where I began.
I started willing to do what was necessary. I started learning and applying, as much as I could. I started hungry, and remain that way. I started working hard, kept my head down and focused.
I got close to those that I wanted to be like, those who had achieved what I wanted to achieve.
I did not treat my side-hustle like a hobby; seeing if I can find time for it… I made the time for it, it is a priority. My customers are a priority. I treat them as such.
I show up on the days I don’t always feel motivated to do so. I remind myself of why I started and why I keep going.
I keep in mind it won’t be easy, but it is possible.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Let’s start with consistency. It’s probably not the first time you’ve heard that!
Instead of thinking you need to ‘create’ content, just *be* the content. Film what you already do, what you already enjoy! Social media is meant for us to be social. Being social is putting ourselves out there. Social media is no different. If it were an in-person event, you’d have to show up there too! Don’t just stand by the punch-bowl watching everyone else.
I always think when I’m talking on Stories, that someone is on the other side! Have a someone in your mind, have what you want to say to them and pretend you were in person. If you trip over your words, it is what it is. We don’t get re-do’s in person… keep it going. You’ll keep getting better and know that on Stories, it’s only up 24 hours.
By showing up consistently, showing your face to your audience, they can begin building trust and connection with you. Share share share! You never know what someone can connect with you over! Your socks, your coffee mug, your hair-bun, your glasses, your humor, your mannerisms! All of it is, all of you, is relatable!
More than ever these days, social media is your store front. Not having or showing up in an online presence is hindering your growth. It’s telling everyone you and your store is closed for business!
If you still are having trouble figuring out what to post, write yourself 3-5 pillars that you can focus on. If you are a parent, what kind of parent? Where do you find your strengths? Your weaknesses? What other roles do you have? What are your hobbies? Within these three pillars we can create content that educates, inspires and entertains our audience so they’ll want to keep coming back to you for more!
Lastly, it’s important to have fun! It’s not that serious and we don’t own this platform. It can be taken away at any minute.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/samegirl
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/samegirl.eli
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethmb/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmarieblanco/
- Twitter: twitter.com/samegirleli
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPd6NBuw9/
Image Credits
Personal photos by me.
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