We recently connected with Josette Gastonguay and have shared our conversation below.
Josette, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
That’s a big question and the truth is that success means different things to different people so obtaining it can be subjective, and while you could probably do an internet search and find all the usual keys to success, these are what I have found most helpful on my own journey. Sometimes experience truly is the best teacher.
My first suggestion is to have a clear vision of where you want to be in 5yrs. Why 5yrs? Because anything worth doing takes some time and anything worth keeping has a journey. So, get clear on where you want to go and what you want to achieve, and set your intention to enjoy the journey as you move through the different stages.
The second is to get comfortable pivoting and do your best to remain agile, because step one however well-intentioned, very often falls apart like a crumbling tower. There will be things you’ll want to stand firm on, like your core values and how you work with others. But when it comes to the journey ahead or your expectations of who will support you versus who actually does, you need to remain adaptable. Be prepared for surprises. I’ve always disliked the phrase “expect the unexpected” because it seems contradictory, but in business, you’ll quickly see the accuracy of this statement.
Be ready to put the work in. Many people will get that initial spark, that idea, that dream, that vision but they lack the discipline and work ethic to get it done. I genuinely believe that anyone can have a million-dollar idea, but only a few will be consistent and driven enough to do the work to make that dream a reality. How many times have you been in the car with a friend, family member or colleague who had what was surely a million-dollar money making idea, but it never went anywhere beyond that because they lacked the drive to make it stick? How many times have you done that?
Don’t forget to stay positive, and yes, I know that advice can be frustrating to hear, because it’s not as if everyone doesn’t want to stay positive. But the reality is, when you’re starting out as an entrepreneur or even building a side hustle, support can be scarce—especially from friends and family. If you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s or older, your friends and family have known you in a certain way as an adult for decades. When you suddenly have this new idea, this spark, this vision, it challenges how they’ve always seen you. Change is hard for anyone, and it often takes longer for those closest to us to adjust. Strangers, on the other hand, only know us in the present, and to them, we’ve always been this way. So, give your friends and family some grace—understand it will take time for them to catch up. For the first few years, it will require everything you’ve got to keep motivating yourself, to keep pursuing your vision when no one else sees it. It’ll be tough but KEEP GOING! It does get easier, and eventually, when they see your dedication, they’ll come around.
And finally, take care of yourself because burnout is inevitable. One of my favorite insights about burnout is that only those who truly care about the outcome will push themselves to the point of exhaustion, and you will. You’ll keep pushing forward because your drive tells you to, but your body, mind, and health will eventually need a break. Think long-term and be patient. Rest when you need to rest and give yourself the same grace you offer so many others.
Josette, 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?
Thank you for asking! After continuing along my corporate journey of over 25+yrs navigating the complex world of business and office politics, I’ve developed a set of skills that have fed beautifully into my business as a passionate mentor and speaker. Dedicated to empowering others to unlock their full potential, my mission is to offer tools and inspiration to guide others on their personal growth journey, helping them develop further their own inner strength and confidence that can lead to success in all areas of life. Through motivational speaking and one-on-one mentorship, I inspire others to step into their power, embrace their worth, and face challenges with resilience.
In addition to my work as a mentor, I am also the founder of FYIE | Find Your Inner Empress, boutique-style shopping that brings together two of my favorite passions, fashion and empowerment.
FYIE Boutique spaces offer a collection of women’s clothing and accessories that not only enhance your personal style with timeless and thoughtful choices, but that help enforce that feeling of confidence in whatever stage of life you may find yourself. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece of artisan jewelry or an everyday essential, FYIE collections are designed to make you feel beautiful, bold, and unapologetically you.
Ultimately, I believe that confidence isn’t just about how you feel on the inside, but also about how you choose to express yourself on the outside and I believe that comes through in the selections I choose for FYIE. I would love for you to join the FYIE journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Unlearn? Hmm…well, I had heard many times in the process of building my business that social media was the key to staying on top of things in today’s world and making my business successful. The way people presented it was almost as if it was more important than the actual service you provide, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, people with cheerful personalities can make tons of connections online, much the same as a good actor is able to convince the audience they are the main character in 12 different movies, and many of those people will build huge followings that help grow their brand or business. That is true, but I’m reminded of something an old acquaintance told me years ago: “Sales is all about relationships.”
I’m not a natural salesperson—it’s never been my strong suit and anyone who has ever met me would tell you that, but I understand that statement. At the end of the day, we’re all human and we all crave connection, and real connections are made in person. So yes, while social media does matter, especially in our world today; I had to unlearn the idea that it’s everything. What really matters is focusing on the individual, building that customer connection, and remembering the people and the stories behind the “why” people should choose your service or product.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience is a business owner’s best friend. If I had to sum up my entire journey, I’d say it’s all about resilience. When I first started my business, I was the only one who saw any potential in it. Truthfully, I couldn’t even articulate the vision well enough and outside of 2 or 3 people, I got almost no support from family or friends, and things completely fell flat. It felt as though I wasted 2yrs of my life. It’s easy to give up in moments like that—I imagine 90% of people would—but there’s that 10% who are too stubborn to quit or too filled with faith to walk away. Call it what you want, but something kept telling me to keep going. It was as if the universe would whisper in my ear each time I wanted to walk away “just keep going.” And that’s when resilience really comes into play. It takes a lot of resilience to get knocked down, to fall flat, to be dismissed or ignored—and still keep going. But that’s when the magic happens. On the other side of “keep going”.
Thankfully, with a heavy dose of tenacity and strength, I was able to keep reworking and refining how to communicate my vision, and about two years after I started, others began to see where I was headed, and that, that’s beautiful!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.findyourinnerempress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findyourinnerempress/profilecard/?igsh=MTJyNnV2dTRibDlvbw%3D%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078124467814
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josette-gastonguay-90a4253b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
