I’ve always been independent and a self-starter, continually looking for a better way to get the job done. “Not my job” and “It’s always been done that way” were never in my vocabulary. After spending 30+ years in the corporate world, the recession hit and I was being laid off from my cushy salaried job. The interview process was slow and unwelcoming for a 50years female executive. Fortunately, I had a license in electrolysis to fall back on and hold me over while I figured out my next move. While growing my electrolysis business, I knew it wasn’t something for me long term and into my 70’s/80’s. Having seen whole body cryotherapy on the news and learning of its health benefits I began my research. Preventive, alternative and natural forms of health treatments are things that just aren’t prescribed often enough. Instead, individuals must take these treatments into their own hands. I combined my passion for fitness and health in CryoVigor Cryotherapy Center. More and more I’ve been reading articles of the various causes of different diseases from heart attacks to arthritis to Alzheimer’s and even cancer. A common link to all of these is inflammation. When I discovered how cryotherapy can help fight chronic inflammation, one of the biggest threats to our health, I wanted to share the benefits with others.
What three pieces of advice would you give to college students (young and old) locally or internationally who want to become entrepreneurs?
First get experience, learn as many new skills as possible and don’t pigeon hole yourself. The world changes even more quickly today and the more skills you have the more adaptable you can be. If you already have an idea, get a mentor who has been there, done that. Know what you don’t know. Trust your instincts and keep plowing through the nay-sayers.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Not look back. I believe all things happen for a reason and I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not done what I did, met the people, my family, friends, education, job experiences, personal relationships, ups, downs, successes and failures. Having said that my weakness is marketing so I would have gotten more input sooner on what, where, when and how to spend those valuable dollars.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Be persistent.
Stay focused, be resilient, work hard
