Nicole Doumato is a Rhode Island girl living in sunny South Florida and is the Founder & Editor behind So This Is Love. She is a lover of lattes and modern day romance. You can find her stalking Instagram or sitting behind her laptop curled up under a fuzzy blanket souring the internet for all the hottest bridal designers. Read our interview with the lovely Nicole below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
The idea for my business, So This Is Love, came to me when I was at a crossroads in my career. I always had the desire to “be my own boss” coupled with a creative mind that allowed me to write and a passion for the wedding industry. Then one day it clicked and I was able to put all of the components together in a way that worked for me!
Tell us about your business.
So This Is Love Blog is a feature based wedding blog that focuses on modern day romance, and tips & trends. The other side of So This Is Love includes my personal services as a content writer, and a social media manager.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
The absolute first thing I did was run the idea by my best friend and ask her if I was totally crazy! Once I had her undying approval, I got in touch with my local SBDC (Small Business Development Center) to learn what steps I had to take next in order to get my business registered.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business?
Social media is without a doubt the biggest tool at small businesses disposal! There are so many ways to form connections in addition to advertising, I could go on about it for days!
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
My biggest challenge has been changing my mindset! It’s funny because you hear that so much in the business world but it definitely rings true! Your mindset is everything, and helps you prepare yourself to be in a position to accept the next step of your business.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
My passion for what I do drives me through the late nights, events, scheduled, and constant re-organizing and re-tooling.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
My favorite affirmation, “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle” it’s so easy to get sucked into the comparison game, especially when you are starting out.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Right when you feel like giving up is the time to stick it with it the most! The period of time when you feel like all of your efforts are for nothing, is usually right before a major break through! Hang tight, your moment is on its way!
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
Instagram is life! I also love Trello, Google Forms, and about a million different WordPress plugins.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @so_thisislove
Twitter @sothisislov
Facebook www.facebook.com/sothisisloveblog
Pinterest @so_thisislove
Website www.sothisislove.co
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I hardly have to time to read, so lame! I love listening to podcasts to keep me motivated or reading inspiring quotes to help uplift me on a super busy day!
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My biggest goal is to consistently create more valuable content for my readers, continue to network with amazing vendors. I try to achieve my goals by setting them up for the month and then breaking them into smaller steps so that they don’t feel so consuming & overwhelming.
Margaret says
I really like all of these interview posts! I find it ver inspiring to hear all of these stories of women starting their own businesses, and I find more and more while I am reading other women’s success stories that I want to be among them. Thank you for writing and conducting these interviews, they really inspire me to start my own business. And they persuade me that it is extremely possible to do so. Thank you for sharing this.
Elaine Rau says
Thank you so much for your encouraging comment, Margaret! You really made my day because that is exactly what I am hoping the interviews will do – inspire and motivate you to go for your dreams, knowing that there are people who have gone before you and that you have a support group and resources to fall back on when you falter! When you start your own business reach out to me via email (ladybossblogger@gmail.com) and we will get you featured 😉