Maddy Vertenten is an outspoken advocate for women living full-spectrum lives, for women who have shimmering eyes, skin, hair and fulfilling careers, intimate romantic relationships and close-knit bonds with family and friends.
She is a wellness + beauty coach for women who believe that conscious, mindful eating, self-care rituals, and cultivating their essential feminine sensuality profoundly impacts the harmony of their loved ones, their communities, and the world.
Read on to see how she became a wellness + beauty coach through a direct selling opportunity.
Tell us a little bit about how you became a wellness + beauty coach.
I left my corporate HR job to start a leadership and executive coaching practice in 2005. A few months later I learned about an opportunity to work under the guidance of Dr. Christiane Northrup as a wellness business owner. I jumped on the opportunity because of my respect for her and my lifelong interest in mind and body (she is a world-renown author, OBGYN, and pioneer in women’s health and mind and body connection).
At first, I did not really promote this part of my business, as I still did not fully understand the network marketing model and didn’t feel comfortable selling. However, the supplements were significantly impacting the health of me and my family. As I focused more on my own health and intuitive wisdom, I shared what I was learning with friends. My interest grew in sharing what I was learning more widely, via my blog, and holding private, and community events. Early last year, I realized that I was ready to devote my time fully to promoting vibrant wellness, and Vibrant One was born.
How many hours do you work a week?
How many hours do you work a week? Between 35-45 hours. So much of what I do is great fun and includes connecting with people I enjoy, so it seems odd to call it “work” in a traditional sense.
How did you fund your business?
The initial investment in becoming a business owner with my product partner, USANA Health Sciences, is surprisingly affordable. I did invest in building my website in 2009 via product sales. These tripled last year, once my attention transitioned from coaching corporate clients to coaching members of my team and promoting Vibrant One.
How would you rate your success from 0 – 10?
In my coaching practice, I always asked clients to write their personal definition of success, it’s such a subjective term! I feel remarkably successful. My business is profitable, I spend afternoons and evenings with my family, I am growing tremendously through the work I do and the connection with people I resonate with. It has certainly surpassed any expectations I had in 2005, and I feel there is unlimited potential, so I guess that would qualify as a 10!
How do you manage all of your personal and business activities?
This is one area where I continue to learn and grow (thankfully). Just because I left the corporate workforce, doesn’t mean that mode of working has left me. Because I love what I do, perhaps, even more, I can get on a roll and scarcely look up from my computer to get to the restroom or make myself lunch. This is the year to focus on the way I work with an intention to find more ease and effortless success (I prefer inspired action to effort).
The answer is that I have an amazing partner. My husband Joe is an incredibly attentive husband and father. He takes care of things in the home and family (not to mention his own demanding job) that I either prefer not to do or cannot do when I’m out networking or traveling. That said, I look forward one day to hiring a personal assistant, administrative assistant, marketing assistant, and personal chef!
What has been your biggest business struggle?
What I just wrote about, but it’s not just about time management. It’s also that the working ‘push’ I habitually use does not yield the particular kind of success I desire. I am learning to struggle less and be attentive to the flow of energy in my business.
What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur?
1. Don’t over-think it. You can find data to prove or disprove anything … what does your gut tell you, what is your next action step? Take it. Take stock. Take the next one.
2. Find the people who inspire you, who appear to be doing what they love, and reach out and make contact. Ditch the naysayers. We are as successful as the people we spend our time with.
3. Examine your beliefs around ‘what the market will bear’ – my experience has been that there’s so much room for collaboration and that a competitive mindset is a waste of energy (your most precious resource). Even if you are in a ‘crowded’ field, there is likely room for your particular brand of business, product, or communication style. Be authentic in your approach to your business, and you will attract like-minded customers/clients who want what you have to offer.
I’m not surprised when I see mumpreneurs (as we spell it in Australia) in action. Working mums have great insights into markets gaps and my experience of running my own business while raising my small son has been that when you’re not chained to the computer all day (because you can’t be – there’s so much else to do!) there is plenty of time for thinking and strategising. This makes the time I do spend at the computer (my main distribution channel and where I capture my blogs and book content) so much more effective. Good luck on all the mums for giving it a go… and I hope we’ll continue to see the rise of mumpreneurs into the future leaders of our businesses and communities.
Great interview Maddy – and not just wisdom for working Mom’s but for all of us. Nicely said and written!
Profound business advice, especially believe in – “finding people to inspire you”. Life will always have its distractions, so I make sure I’m perpetually seeking inspiration to keep me in forward movement. I also like your philosophy of “struggling less and being attentive to the flow of energy in the business”. I try to practice this as I find that resistance only builds “roadblocks” for creativity, progress & growth.
Thanks for sharing your business insights Maddy.
Great insights. Thanks, Maddy.