Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mary Alvizures. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mary , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

They say when you become a business owner, you have to absolutely love it 100%. Growing a business can feel like a roller coaster ride – there’s up’s and down’s and even some twists you didn’t even see coming but at the end of the day when all is said and done, you want to feel like “ah, that was amazing – WORTH IT.”

Before stepping into my business now – Share Your Magic – I had a few creative hobbies that I tried to monetize during my early 20’s (wasn’t 100% in them) and also explored being an event planner with my best friend (I was in 99%, but the missing 1% felt off so I left). When I finally went off into my own, I was like “okay Mary – this is it, this is your moment – we either gonna make it work or hang the towel and say we tried”. Little did I know what I was truly signing up for going off into my own but looking back now, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

From day one, I had that “hustle” mentality engrained in me, so I was just working, working, working – all the time. No real plan, just taking one step after another to see how far I can get. It was fun being able to pursue what I really loved but also SO exhausting. There were definitely some low points that made me question it all – like am I really made for this? The thing with entrepreneurship is, they don’t teach us about it in school so when we step into it we’re just trying to figure it all out. Luckily I had some people aka. cheerleaders in my life that really believed I could do it so they held me accountable to keep going at it, and I’m so grateful for them now!

I would say the “game changers” in my business were
– having a business coach guide me – okay we’ll say a few over the years, each time they got better and better

– working on my mindset – a simple gratitude practice really changed my life and up-leveled my business in it’s early years

– doing the inner work and learning about subconscious beliefs that were holding me back. As much as I could say “I believed in myself, I’m amazing” – deep down inside there was some thoughts of not feeling worthy, enough, etc that I had developed since childhood that were holding me back

– learning my human design (!!!!!!) None of us are the same, although we’re conditioned to be like one another. Learning about my design was the most liberating thing. It’s what freed me from the box I felt like I had tried to fit in my whole life. It validated everything I felt and wanted for myself but didn’t think was real because of all of my conditioning. So being able to step into who I’m truly meant to be, that was a GAME CHANGER. It also helped me understand what strategies were most beneficial for me in growing / marketing my business.

– celebrating and being grateful for every moment. the little ones and the big ones. Made $20, woohooo! Made $2000, woohooooo!! Can’t stress enough how gratitude is a magnet for miracles

– investing in myself and others to support me through it all. They say Beyonce has 24 hours in a day, as do we. What they forget to put in the fine print is that she also has a team supporting her! so it’s okay if we can’t get it all done by ourselves… we’re not meant to

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Ready to launch your dream brand? Meet Mary Alvizures from Share Your Magic – an intuitive brand strategist and website designer for soulful entrepreneurs. When it comes to being online, you want to be seen as the light leader you are. That’s where Mary comes in, designing soul-aligned brands and websites that make you $$$.

Born and raised in sunny California, now she resides in Austin, Texas. When she’s not designing and supporting others in sharing their magic you can find her on an adventure, unplugged or dancing it out in her own bubble of joy.

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I’ve been a graphic designer ever since I had my first computer, anyone remember Microsoft PAINT program? I would spend hours on there having fun and trying new things. Little did I know that fun would lead me to play with the bigger tools like adobe illustrator and photoshop when I grew up.

I went to design school (FIDM) and although I thought I was going to pursue a career within the fashion industry, I quickly learned it wasn’t the best place for me. I wasn’t made of the “thick skin” you needed back in the day and I slowly made my way out of it. I thought I would have a fashion boutique instead but after helping run two small businesses I also realized that wasn’t for me. The one thing I always came back to was “my little world on the computer with design and colors”. That was my happy place.

When I left event planning I thought I would become a graphic designer and pursue that full time but before I knew it I landed in website design and created my own “thing” – Website design and brand strategy for soul driven entrepreneurs.

I always loved supporting small businesses. If you ask me if I want to go eat italian food from the mom and pop restaurant down the street or a corporate chain – mom and pop always wins! I think it comes from my mom’s family side – so many small business owners. Many of my clients are just getting started or have been in business for a few years with a small team supporting them so it’s a very intimate experience. To best design and create something magical, we really get to know each other. I always tell my clients, the more I know – the better!

Getting online with a website can be an overwhelming process. My specialty is making it all simple and feeling magical vs. something that makes you want to pull out your hair.

What sets me apart from other website designers. 1. I’ll meet you where you’re at and hold your hand to getting to where you want to be- whether you’re just getting started or have been in business for a few years 2. I’m an intuitive designer – this one’s a little woo woo to explain but it just means I have a way of “knowing” what you want and delivering that or better. 3. I make sure you’re equipped to manage your own website after we’re done by providing training videos. This is super beneficial since I don’t believe we should have to rely on a designer to update an image or switch out some text when inspiration hits and they’re not around.

What makes me the happiest about what I do is that by supporting someone in “sharing their magic” – I’m part of the “we’re here to make the world a better place mission”. I get to help them, they go out and help others and it’s a beautiful ripple effect.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Referrals. When you provide an amazing experience and service for your clients, they can’t help but rave about you to others. That’s the best source of marketing there is. It also means they are life long fans. Nothing makes me happier then seeing a previous client come back to work with me again. Since my service is a “one time” project I get bummed when we’re done… but seeing them come back is always a treat!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Bob Proctor is my hero. He’s been teaching personal development for decades and although he recently passed, his words can still change lives. I was about ready to call it quits when I came across his book “You were born rich” – not sure how it came into my hands but the audible really helped my shift things. He also has an abundance meditation (I think you can find it on soundcloud) that people swear by – it just makes life better!! I was fortunate enough to meet him in person and even give him a hug! To hug your hero, it’s the best feeling.

Also EFT tapping. If you’ve never “tapped with Brad” on youtube – give it a try! He’ll help you get through anything. Feeling low on confidence, he’ll give you a boost! Feeling upset about something, he’ll help you let it go! Want to just live a better life in general – there’s a thousand tapping videos to do so. When I sent my first invoices I was crazy nervous about how it would go. He helped me get those jitters out of the way and build my self confidence to be able to press “send” in those early days. Thanks Brad!! Need to go find him and give him a hug too!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shareyourmagic.co
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/maryalvizures__
• Other: Podcast: shareyourmagic.co/podcast – You can find me on apple podcasts or shopify under SHARE YOUR MAGIC

Image Credits
Vinicio Estrada – vephotos.com (photo with green dress). Kelsey Borlan (other photos – mural wall and laptop with desk)