We recently connected with Monica Curteman and have shared our conversation below.

Monica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

It can be overwhelming to think of all the problems we face in our current day and age. That thought alone can cause paralysis – because where does one begin? I’ve found that when you bring the focus into a micro view and take baby steps – change is within reach. Start by contacting shelters in your area, ask them how you can be a part, and serve them well. From there, becoming more involved within organizations in your city, state, and even the world – feels less daunting.

The perspective on serving or the term “servant” has a negative outlook. Most people view it as forced labor. I think that’s why the mainstream word “volunteer” is more palatable. But when you serve from the heart – nothing is forced. I believe serving has 3 avenues: your time (taking from your schedule/personal life), your talent (your natural ability or skill like cooking, crafting, etc.), and your treasure (your personal resources like money, assets, etc.). There are numerous ways of serving, like donating canned goods or clothing to an organization, donating funds to an organization that will buy the specific items for the individual at need, joining a cook team to feed the homeless, starting a meal train for the neighbors in your community in need, or creating a brand that gives back. The key is baby steps. You can’t move a stalled car, but if you’re slowly moving in the direction of serving – the possibilities are endless!

I’ve served in various avenues as a teen, but something changed in me when I became a mother. The desire to serve grew deeper – what about other moms, their babies, and their needs were my thoughts. Work/life balance was tough, but I knew I could do something – baby steps! My husband and I felt led to serve from our resources and through Compassion International, we found a child in Indonesia who had the same birth month as our daughter to remember their birthdays. Eight years later, we’ve had the joy of watching this little boy grow into a teen through letters and pictures though worlds apart! We helped families during Harvey, among many other natural disasters, and are always looking for ways to serve.

When my two children became more independent, I knew I could serve in another capacity. Bigger baby steps! Together, we joined our church on Saturdays serving at The Houston Food Bank, where getting your kids involved is encouraged! We also serve our homeless population, families in need, mothers & babies in crisis all throughout the Houston area, and have visited women in prison. No, it did not make the news or social media headlines, but it met needs and impacted hearts…mostly mine.

How you serve may vary in different seasons of your life. I believe having a servant’s heart is my worldview and my lifestyle. So much so, that both of my businesses, Paloma Blanca and Revive Her are designed to serve those in need locally & globally. With every purchase at Paloma Blanca, we invest 20% into the care of orphan girls in Soacha, Colombia through the partnership of Love Bought International in exchange for products that uplift struggling or strong Believers. Revive Her propels women towards their God-given purpose through various outlets by resumé building, donating business clothing, in providing resources for brand development, goal planning, and accountability. And we’re just getting started! My heart is to serve others well and have fun doing it! What about you? I hope this article motivates you to use your gifts to serve others one baby step at a time.

Monica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My mother was the first to obtain a college degree in her family, my father worked two jobs, and together they owned a small jewelry business. I saw and admired that strong work ethic. The taste of entrepreneurship began at 8 years old, when my love to do hair began. My grandparents (also my babysitters) were my guinea pigs. I can still smell the fresh perm on my grandma! I went on to style friends’ hair for prom and did my first bride when I was 12 years old. However, my main side hustle was mowing yards. I mowed 4 yards a week for $20 and that really gave me a taste of hard-earned cash. To fund my volleyball dreams, I would convince my grandma every fall to let me help her make tamales and sell them.

In my early 20’s, I lived with my aunt who was a nurse. I picked her brain about the field and from a long game aspect, nursing checked all the boxes. I loved working at the bedside with patients, utilizing my critical thinking skills, and the intensity of the ICU. Each patient was valuable and special. I aimed to give the best care and get them back to fulfilling their purpose. When I wasn’t working, I was party planning on a budget, creating things for my kids, and finding ways to get crafty. I had several party planning offers but could not give up my weekends.

However, on May 4th, 2018, my hospital went bankrupt without notice. It was then that my husband said, “I think this is a sign to do your creative outlet more full time.” This “sign” was not how I envisioned it. I did not jump into business right away. I wanted the time to be with my kids because balancing motherhood was the tension within my work/life balance. I wanted to give them the best of me, the way I gave to my patients.

A year later, I launched Paloma Blanca and two years after that, Revive Her. My children, alongside me, almost every step of the way – attending business conferences, market events, product research, helping with product development, and packaging orders. I hope to instill within them a love for hard work and serving people the way my parents did, and to one day surpass their father & I.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

There are 3 things that have helped build my reputation within the market. The first is to stay teachable. I learned this art in clinical rotations during my nursing school days. A “know-it-all” is often unapproachable. Everyone knows that textbook and hands-on training are two very different things. Take the approach, “Show me your technique.” This shows humility and builds trust in exchange for knowledge. Stay teachable my friend.

The second thing is to seek mentors that you can pick their brain on a topic you know little or nothing about. A favorite quote of mine from John Maxwell is, “One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” In building my brands, I searched for small business owners who would lend their time by DM’s on social media, emails, phone calls, or in person. I also financially invested in two women who had successful businesses and became their student. I am forever grateful for the mentorship of Brittany Cobb, owner of FleaStyle and Ashley Williams, owner of Bird Williams Consulting for helping me build my brands. In addition, the spiritual mentorship of my mother, sister, friend, Teresa Ann Criswell of Triumphant Victorious Reminders, and Andi Estep have uplifted me in prayer. As well as an incredible pioneer, wife, mother, nurse, spiritual mentor, everyone’s friend and now angel in Heaven, Janice Hopkins. Seek someone who’s steps ahead of you in any area of your life and put their wisdom into practice. You don’t know what you don’t know…until you ask a mentor.

I know someone is thinking right now how they don’t have the funds or time for a mentor. In the dreaming stages and still now, I bought mentors through books! You read that right. A mentor is one book away. Here are some of my favorites: HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself, Business Boutique by Christy Wright, Getting Things Done by David Allen, Leadershift by John C. Maxwell, Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell, Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John C. Maxwell, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, The Bible, and What Happens When Women Say Yes To God by Lysa Terkeurst.

Lastly, use your platform to help others. John F. Kennedy once said, “A rising tide lifts all ships.” One way I’ve done this is by giving other small businesses exposure on my podcast, The Shift Changer Podcast to discuss their unique brand and for me to give a personal review or experience with their product. A social media tag or shout out is okay, but if you really want to help others rise – hire them, buy from them, encourage them, send them leads, and give them referrals. If we do it for Disney, let’s do it for our friends!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy to growing your clientele is authentic engagement. I have been in a unique season. In April of 2022, I was hiking in the canyons of Arizona and the ground opened beneath me that caused me to fall. Thankfully, a tree branch stopped me from falling further, but it also dislocated and broke my left ankle in 4 places. I was unable to walk for 12 weeks. I’ve had 2 surgeries, many doctor’s appointments, and physical therapy to relearn walking & normal activity. If I had not been transparent with my clients – I do not know if I would still be in business. Being real with my family, friends, and clients about my limitations and knowing God can use setbacks as set ups – has not only saved my business, but in a way, it saved me from falling into depression. I’ve wanted to quit many times. I’ve had several low financial months, but the flood of support, prayers, and orders have blessed my heart. Private DMs of clients looking forward to the next launch has encouraged me to keep moving. Real life isn’t just the highlights. It’s the low ones too. And dare I say, it is in the bad days that we are the most relatable.

What does authentic engagement look like?

– Leading with authenticity in stories, reels, posts, emails, and texts.
– Asking questions that require engagement such as polls, question stickers, and ending posts with open-ended questions like, “How do you…” “What do you think…” and “Tell me how you…”
– Replying to DM’s, polls, stories, texts, emails, and posts within a timely fashion.
– Thank the ones who truly show support.
– If you have a content manager, maybe take over once a week in stories or reels.

Real ones don’t always want a discount code (that leads to a gain for you). They want to know you are real and that you care about them too. Also, when I see my customers, friends, or followers, I bring that same energy in person as I do in social media. It’s not just in business, we want that in every aspect of real life. Be real – in the good and the bad. Be a servant. Be teachable. Be one that helps others rise. Your amiga, Monica

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shoppalomablanca.comwww.reviveher.co
• Instagram: @shoppalomablanca @revive.her
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shoppalomablanca
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-curteman/
• Other: The Shift Changer Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and Anchor.

Image Credits
Photo credit: Joshua Curteman and a good ole’ phone self timer.