Crystal Mendoza is a life and career coach who helps millennial women reach their full potential and achieve a fulfilling career. 

What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?

I was motivated by pain and inspired by freedom.

I was lost and tired of working 2-3 jobs, putting in so many hours, yet still living paycheck to paycheck. I didn’t want that life.

I began to see there are other ways of making a living without it draining you of your psychological well-being – and instead designing a career that provides purpose and fulfillment.

Tell us about your business.

My business is all about helping millennial women design a career they love.

I accomplish this by providing life coaching and online curriculum and tools.

Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?

I am offering a free digital download of my Find Your Passion 101 Workbook.

The assignments in this workbook are designed for learners to discover, analyze, and apply their passion and skills when choosing a career they love.

List awards/certifications/accomplishments.

• Certificate of Recognition – 2nd Place Public Speaking Winner Within Merced County
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
• Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies
• Screen Actors Guild Member (SAG)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in psychology
• Master of Arts in Educational Psychology – graduation May 2019

Where is your business based?

I am based in Los Angeles, but I get the privilege to run my business from home.

What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?

One of the first things I did was approach someone within a similar business.

I paid them to learn what tools I needed to get things started.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?

Social media. Although I’m not new to experimenting with social media, I’m rather new with making it a platform for my business.

I found that reaching out to related businesses, or people in the field, and collaborating with them, is the most effective way of providing awareness for my business thus far.

What have been your biggest challenges so far?

In the beginning, it was getting my first client, and trying to sell my online programs.

How did you overcome these challenges?

I took the focus off me and shifted it towards what my work can do for others. There are still times where I have to do this.

I think we can get so caught up in our own goals, wants, and needs that it’s easy to forget why we started in the first place: to genuinely help people.

Once I cared more about what I was putting out there in the world, rather than what I was going to receive – momentum started to shift.

How do you keep motivated through difficult times?

I stay motivated by telling myself I will never be in the position I once was.

How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?

Actually, I see competitors more as allies because although our individual goals, and the way we channel those goals are different, we are all striving to make the world better in some way, shape, or form.

I would say the one way I am different from those in similar fields are my personality, story, and methods in creating life change.

What is the best advice you have received recently?

To be patient.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

Resourcefulness is the key to opening all doors.

Knowing how to get what you want and need out of life is not as important as identifying a place where you can start that will provide you with the answers you need.

What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?

I would say Facebook Ads. I recently started to use them and they have helped with growing my Facebook audience.

What is a good article or book you have read recently?

Before Happiness: The 5 Hidden Keys to Achieving Success, Spreading Happiness, and Sustaining Positive Change by Shawn Achor.

What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?

I’m currently looking into doing more public speaking at seminars to expand my mission.

What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?

By the end of this July, I want to finish the draft of my first book and start the editing process.

My goal is to have everything completed by the end of the year. 

What social media outlets do you use? List them below.

Instagram @c_dazzle
Facebook @mscrystalmendoza
Website www.moneymeetspassion.com