Ana Salido is a Psychotherapist and Entrepreneur on a mission to help women make their expatriation a successful project.
After holding various unfulfilling roles in France, she decided to leave for Australia in 2015, and she has since created her own brand utilizing her skills as a psychotherapist combined with her own experience to coach women throughout their many life transitions.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I have known for a few years now that I was meant to create my own business. I value freedom enormously and having my own business allows me to live my life and work on my own terms. It is so important to me to be independent and this aligns with my values and who I am.
Tell us about your business.
I work as a psychotherapist. Most of the time, I work with women to help them with their expatriation project(s). I have been through this process myself so I know it really well and how challenging it can be.
But more broadly and as a psychotherapist, I also help people including men with finding their purpose and creating the life they want.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
On my Instagram and personal website, people can find my FREE Moving Overseas Workbook. I have packed it with tips and detailed all the steps to be taken along the moving overseas process.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
Masters of Psychology, obtained with distinctions.
Where is your business based?
I run my business from Brisbane, Australia, however, the nature of my work and the communication channels I use such as my website, social media, Skype and the phone means that I can serve and help people from all around the world.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
To start with I created accounts on social media and in particular on Instagram where I share my knowledge and daily tips for an empowered expatriate life. I needed to create a community and to diffuse my message first.
Then, I created a website and personal brand to share my own journey and the challenges I faced but also how I overcame them and how I can guide and help people with theirs.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
I spend a lot of time on social media, especially on Instagram. I want to make sure that my posts resonate with my community.
On my website, not only did I opened my heart and genuinely shared my personal story but also detailed how I can serve people. I believe my sincerity has helped me get new customers.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
One of the biggest challenges, when one runs their own business, is to find a work-life balance. This business is my “baby” and having only recently launched it, I find myself spending a lot of time working on it but like with everything in life balance is key so I have had to set my own limits so that I still have time for my health, myself and my loving partner.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I had to implement boundaries. What that means is when we say with my partner “no work this weekend”, we mean no laptop, no work emails, nothing expect for quality time together.
At first, I used to feel guilty about taking those breaks but I have stopped feeling guilty when I take time off. This makes a big difference in my personal and love life.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
To be honest it is not easy to run your own business. I do get these mixed feelings of both love and hate about it, but I embrace those because an empowered individual is someone who knows that s/he owns both traits and also because I know why I do it and what I want to achieve. I stay focused on my goals.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I don’t like the word competitor, I definitely think that there is enough room for every Coach with their specific offers and personalities. Every psychotherapist has a unique story.
I distinguish myself by sharing my own, my thoughts, my fears, my challenges, basically the true me and also by specializing on expatriation.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Someone told me that we should ONLY take advice from people who already have the results you want. I believe this is the best advice I have been given this year.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
- Believe in yourself. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy journey but it is worth it.
- Stay positive, and be grateful for what you already have.
- Follow your heart and your intuitions. It is the best way to speak your truth and to be authentic.
- Stop thinking about what others people will think about you or your work. Be confident!
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
I use a number of great apps:
- Later to schedule my posts on Instagram, it is easy to use and really useful;
- Evernote to write every new idea that comes up to me;
- A design Kit for some of my pictures on Social Media; and
- Wunderlist for my to-do lists.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear To Faith by Gabrielle Ernstein. It is a great book which explains the role and power of the Universe and its laws. I believe the Universe guides my life.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Running a business is a long journey which requires me to constantly learn and grow. I do like learning and reading though so I embrace this challenge. Right now I am learning about email content.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
I have got a few goals for the next few months. I am focused on growing my social media audience and help and accompany even more women in the challenges and changes their lives have brought them.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @ana_salido_
Facebook @anasalidolifecoach
Website www.anasalido.com
Email hello@anasalido.com
Hashtags #anasalido