Redefining Business Success with Ati Grinspun
In times of financial hardship, many feel isolated, particularly when faced with the pressures of a failing business and strained personal relationships. The conversation around money, especially among women, often goes unspoken, creating feelings of solitude that are even more profound than those surrounding other personal topics. Connecting through shared experiences can offer a lifeline, reminding individuals they are not alone and encouraging more honest discussions about financial struggles.
In this episode of Real Money, I open about one of the toughest periods in my life—when I found myself down to my last $20,000, my business on the verge of collapse, and my marriage nearing divorce. Alongside the incredible Ati, a renowned Personal Branding and Business Coach, Speaker, and podcaster, we dive deep into the raw realities of entrepreneurship. Together, we unravel the struggles that hide behind the curated images on social media and the pressures of chasing milestones like a million-dollar goal.
Ati’s dynamic energy and expertise shine as she simplifies the complexities of building visibility, both online and offline. As the founder of “Be You Brand Academy,” she’s committed to empowering female entrepreneurs, demonstrating how their success contributes to positive change worldwide. Through our candid conversation, we explore how to redefine success on your own terms, overcome business challenges, and break free from the isolation that often surrounds financial struggles.
The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with challenges, sometimes masked by the polished veneer of social media. Many entrepreneurs face hurdles like maintaining financial motivation and redefining their personal success beyond mere numerical achievements. Personal stories reveal that the perception of effortless success is seldom accurate; instead, these paths often include significant setbacks and requiring ongoing resilience. It is crucial to highlight these realities, fostering more transparent narratives about business ownership and addressing the darker facets, such as emotional toll and the importance of mental well-being.
Lisa and Ati’s Financial Challenges and Loneliness
I faced a critical moment when my finances dwindled to $20,000 while navigating a failing marriage and a struggling career as a financial adviser. This period marked the height of my isolation, primarily stemming from the difficulty women experience in discussing financial matters. While conversations about sex may occur more openly among women, discussions about money remain profoundly isolating.
In this talk about real money, Ati and I reflected on our experiences in business. She shared her previous year of significant financial success, only to find herself confronting the same fears and insecurities that plagued her earlier struggles. The allure of a million-dollar mark became a source of frustration rather than motivation, revealing that such financial goals did not equate to true fulfilment or success.
We acknowledged the necessity of reframing our understandings of success. It’s essential to recognize that success varies for everyone. In this money conversation, we highlighted the importance of opening about the emotional and mental challenges of running a business, breaking the illusion that entrepreneurship is always glamorous or easy.
Ati Grinspun Story
Ati shared her personal story of transitioning from a successful career as a bartender, earning a substantial income, to the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. Initially expecting to quickly replace her previous income, the reality was much more challenging. She experienced intense feelings of solitude and doubt, leading to a quest for deeper self-knowledge and personal growth. This journey revealed the importance of authenticity in business, encouraging individuals to build ventures that reflect who they truly are.
With eight years of experience behind her, she described how the journey often involves battling self-doubt and finding the motivation to push through tough days. Social media, while beneficial for connection, can distort reality by showcasing only the perceived highlights of others’ lives and careers. She expressed her desire for more authentic conversations, emphasizing that many successful individuals have faced substantial setbacks, often losing everything at least once.
Her transition from a successful career as a bartender to coaching highlighted a dramatic shift. Initially believing she could seamlessly replace her income, she soon encountered deep feelings of isolation and uncertainty. The desire to share real stories became her driving force, as she recognized the gap between social media portrayals and the genuine struggles people face in business. By fostering these more honest conversations, she aimed to create a sense of community and support among those grappling with similar challenges.
The Truth About Running a Business
Social Media Against Genuine Experiences
Running a business often doesn’t align with the often-flawless portrayals seen on social media. Many business owners argue that social media, while beneficial for networking and marketing, often misrepresents the reality of entrepreneurship. Despite the outward appearance of success, many entrepreneurs grapple with fears, insecurities, and the constant struggle to find motivation.
Social media can act as a magnifier of both success and failure, but it rarely shows the whole journey. Highlight reels rarely display the hard work and setbacks faced by entrepreneurs. Some successful business figures, even those with multimillion-dollar ventures, have faced significant losses and hardships, yet this isn’t commonly depicted online.
Strength in Difficult Times
For many entrepreneurs, resilience is key to enduring the challenges business brings. They face daily battles that require them to focus intensely on their mindset and personal growth. Often, what is portrayed as glamorous in the world of business hides the reality—persistent self-doubt and numerous obstacles.
Entrepreneurs often invest heavily not only financially but emotionally into their ventures. Despite these investments, navigating the path of entrepreneurship often requires support, real conversations, and addressing false narratives that appear online. Facing and overcoming adversity builds the foundation for genuine, long-term success.
Creating Genuine Brands and Enterprises
Merging Personal and Professional Personas
Building a trustworthy brand begins with aligning one’s personal values with their business ethos. Individuals find success not in chasing monetary figures but in integrating their genuine selves into their professional lives. Reflecting on personal experiences and struggles, such as significant financial challenges and personal setbacks, informs how a business identity is crafted. This approach fosters authenticity and resonates with audiences on a deeper level.
The journey to business ownership often originates from the need to break away from past constraints. This separation is not merely financial but also emotional and psychological. Honest businesses are born from the realization that external appearances often differ from internal realities. It involves sharing authentic stories that bridge the gap between public perception and personal truth.
Fostering Genuine Business Stories
Every business has a narrative, and the most impactful ones are rooted in truth and transparency. By highlighting the struggles and not just the successes, businesses can communicate a more relatable and honest message. This transparency is crucial in today’s social media-driven world, where the allure of curated perfection often obscures the actual journey entrepreneurs face.
Social media can amplify this authentic messaging if used correctly. It enables businesses to engage in real conversations, challenging the polished facade often presented. Entrepreneurs who share their real challenges and teach their audience the lessons learned along the way create a more informed and engaged community. Emphasizing genuine storytelling over mere achievements defines success on personalized terms rather than societal standards.
Emotional Well-being and Physical Therapies
In exploring the unseen aspects of entrepreneurship, Ati reflects on personal hardships, discussing how the road to success involves mental and emotional challenges. She details a personal history of transitioning from a well-known bartender earning multiple six figures to facing struggles and feelings of isolation in entrepreneurship. This journey highlighted the importance of addressing mental health proactively to cope with the solitary path of a business owner. Practices such as somatic therapies play a significant role in grounding and aligning the body and mind during transitional business phases. This aspect emphasizes a crucial need for entrepreneurs to seek mental health support, highlighting that behind the success seen on social media, there exist hidden struggles that demand attention.
Investing in Personal Growth and Identity
Navigating the journey of self-discovery and personal branding can be transformative. It begins with acknowledging that a person’s worth is not solely defined by financial success. Many individuals chase numerical goals, only to find themselves feeling unfulfilled. The realization that success is subjective can lead to a deeper understanding of personal values and desires.
Conversations about money often carry a stigma, making it difficult for women to express their financial concerns. By fostering open discussions about these challenges, individuals can find camaraderie and support. Establishing connections through shared experiences enables healthier dialogues around money, leading to a more inclusive environment for all.
Creating a brand rooted in authenticity involves looking inward. This introspection helps individuals align their personal stories with their professional identities. Investing in personal branding can initially seem surface-level; however, the process encourages a deeper exploration of one’s mission. Engaging with a branding coach or participating in workshops can guide this journey, allowing for a clearer articulation of one’s values.
A critical aspect of entrepreneurship is embracing the less glamorous realities that come with it. Acknowledging the struggles behind the scenes is essential for fostering resilience. Individuals who share their experiences—not just the highlights—can inspire others to persevere through adversity. Recognition of the challenges faced in the business world allows for a more realistic and supportive community.
Investing in therapeutic practices can also aid in this journey. Individuals may choose to explore somatic therapy or mindset coaching as ways to navigate emotional hurdles. Such investments not only enhance personal well-being but also impact professional growth. It’s about crafting a life and career that reflect true self, mitigating the pressure to conform to societal expectations of success.
Ultimately, the journey of personal growth and branding is an ongoing process. It draws from a mix of introspection, community dialogue, and the embrace of authenticity. By prioritizing these elements, individuals can carve out a path that resonates deeply with who they are.
Take control of you and your money
Designing your life and business with purpose is one of the most powerful moves you can make. I know many of you might be facing challenges, especially in business, and I want you to know that I’m here because I care deeply about your success. Whether you’re navigating financial difficulties or feeling stuck in your business, turning those struggles into successes is possible, no matter where you are in your journey.
If you’re ready to take control of your financial future and business growth, my courses are here to support you. From getting your $hit together to learning how to invest wisely and scale your business, my Glow-Up Bundle course is designed to give you the tools, strategies, and insights you need. Whether you’re a complete beginner or deep in the trenches, I’ll be there every step of the way to help you build confidence and achieve your goals.