Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gabrielle Lopez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Gabrielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so one thing we think people don’t talk about nearly enough is investments – either time or money. What’s one of the best or worst investments you’ve made and what did you learned from the experience?
One of the worst investments I’ve made in my life (before I became a business owner) was going to college without knowing what I wanted to do after graduation! As an 18-year-old, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study and I had no guidance on the process of choosing a career. As a result, I wasted 5 years and over $100,000 getting a BA in Art Studio – a degree which holds no value on the open market – a fact I didn’t realize until the end of my senior year.
Right after graduating, I had this “I’ve made a huge mistake!” moment and I knew that I needed to learn a new skillset that would make me more valuable to employers. A year later, I found a 3-month creative accelerator program in Boulder, CO for graphic design and entrepreneurship. It was this program that gave me the real-world experience and industry contacts I needed as a young professional to launch my career. As a result, this investment (which cost less than one semester of college) soon became the BEST investment I ever made in my life!
Now, 10 years later, here I am as a multi-entrepreneur teaching other women all the things we should have learned in school, but didn’t. My biggest piece of advice when making any educational investment decision (big or small) is to ask yourself, “Does this opportunity increase my value in the economic ecosystem?”. If the answer is yes, now ask – do you need to go back to school for this knowledge/experience or is there a book/webinar/training available for low cost or free? In many cases, we can find less expensive alternatives that provide more long-term value than the traditional routes.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have lived in Colorado for over 25 years and love to hike, garden, and be outside. I enjoy going on adventures with my husband Riley alongside our two cattle dogs, Zoey and Griz. As a Business Consultant, my passion is working with creative entrepreneurs that are wanting to learn how to build a strong brand, clarify their message, and grow their business organically.
My company, Morning Tea Coaching, provides heart-centered business and career coaching that empowers women to make money doing what they love. I strongly believe that women who know their purpose and pursue their passion can change the world for the better.
A large component of my work is teaching the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) which is a set of simple, proven and practical tools that will optimize your small business for revenue and profit. I love sharing industry tips and resources that show business owners how to save time, money, and energy by having a clear plan and avoiding common mistakes.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I am a big fan of reading and I believe learning shouldn’t end just because we aren’t in a classroom. Below I have included my favorite books that I have found to be extremely beneficial in my professional life. They range from business and marketing to health and wellness. A large component of my coaching includes teaching my clients about functional nutrition because I know for a fact that if we aren’t taking care of our bodies, it’s going to reflect how we run our business or show up at work. Enjoy!
Business & Operations:
– What the Heck Is EOS?: A Complete Guide for Employees in Companies Running on EOS by Gino Wickman and Tom Bouwer
– The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack
– Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
– Business Boutique by Christy Wright
Career Development & Leadership:
– Get Lucky: How to Put Planned Serendipity to Work for You and Your Business by Thor Muller and Lane Becker
– How to be a Great Boss by Gino Wickman and Reńe Boer
Health & Wellness (for women):
– Clean Skin From Within by Dr. Trevor Cates
– Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden, ND
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
When it comes to growing any business – networking is a HUGE component. Many times I talk to new business owners and I hear the same thing, “How do I get more clients?”. I will then ask how much networking or marketing they do and the answer is typically, “None”.
I know networking may seem like a simple solution, but if people don’t know who you are and what problem you solve, they won’t buy. In fact, if you can’t explain to me in one to two sentences what you do and how you do it, you need to simplify your messaging. People don’t buy things they don’t understand.
While most entrepreneurs all have their own formula for attracting new clients, the one thing they all have in common is their commitment to get in front of as many people as possible. This can be through local meet-ups, professional networking events, LinkedIn, Facebook groups, or even volunteering. Depending on what you sell and who your target market is, you just have to ask yourself – where is my perfect person hanging out?
Personally, my marketing strategy focuses on making genuine connections with women in my own community. Although I have clientele from all over the country, I spend a lot of my time going to at least 5 meet-ups and/or networking events throughout Northern Colorado every month. In addition to this, I volunteer and sponsor local non-profits that align with my mission and I am active in FB groups that contain my core target market. Building trust takes time, so be patient. Consistency is key.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://morningteacoaching.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morningteacoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/morningteacoaching
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-lopez/