Rosalidia Dubon discovered at a young age the need to identify with strong resourceful women due to the challenging experiences she faced growing up as a Honduran girl. She received her BS in Marketing from San Jose State University while volunteering for charities and service organizations. While at SJSU, she also became a fitness fanatic dropping from 150 pounds to 120 pounds. Her weight loss journey was challenging, but her new healthy lifestyle extended beyond just taking care of her physical body due to her newfound realization of the importance of a healthy mind, spirit AND body. Read our interview with the lovely Rosalidia below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
My life experiences inspired me to create FitNFabs; growing up I did not have a mentor or a role model, no motherly figure, aunt, or sister. I never had a support system and it was very difficult to go through life without one. All throughout my life I have come across women who have had lots of self limiting beliefs just due to the simple fact that they are women and I always felt like I needed to lift them up and tell them otherwise. I was also 45 pounds overweight in my teens and decided to turn my life around at age 20, again no support system – everything I accomplished was on my own. I embraced a healthy quality of life and realized the importance of keeping a balance between the mind, body and soul.
Tell us about your business.
FitNFabs is a multi-media company with both an online and print audience that empowers women by providing tips and motivational guidance while connecting them to resources in beauty, fitness and wellness. FitNFabs schedules live events that brings their online audience together to interact, collaborate and network each season throughout California to benefit non-profits with women and children.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Yes, we are sending out free copies of our print magazine to people, you just pay $3.99 for shipping.
Where is your business based?
San Mateo, California.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
Started Instagram and Facebook pages with motivational and inspirational quotes and content.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Social media campaigns and networking events.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
I run everything for the most part, I have a couple friends helping me but my greatest challenge is the lack of manpower.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I have connected with local schools to obtain interns, I have two wonderful young women. They help with events and social media.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I am a self-driven person, I pick myself up and continue to move forward. I know that the best things in life are achieved through hard work and I put my heart and soul into everything I do.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I interact with my online and print audience, I don’t just push my content to the reader, instead I engage them. I host events to bring my audience together and I am committed to make a difference in woman’s life. I am currently doing a FitNfabs body challenge, where one of my followers was chosen to undergo a transformation by using my network of experts to guide and support her.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
To step into my power and don’t mind other’s perception of me.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
The path to success is very bumpy, turbulent and unpredictable; you need to stay true to yourself, your values and your vision to accomplish your goals.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
The network of wise entrepreneurs I have connected with over the last four years.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @fitnfabs
Facebook www.facebook.com/fitnfabs
Website www.fitnfabs.com
Email rosalidia@fitnfabs.com
Hashtags #fitnfabs #belimitless #loveyourself
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I love marketing books, I just finished The Marketing Plan Handbook.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goals are to bring more interns on board and make $100,000 in ad sales.