Meet Anastasia Nikitina

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anastasia Nikitina a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anastasia , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I came to the United States when I was 23 years old. A few years prior, I graduated from university in my home country of Belarus, where I studied accounting. Although I was never interested in accounting, my parents insisted because my dad had a dream for me to work at PWC or Deloitte. After graduation, I found a job at Carnival Cruise Line and worked there for 2 years before deciding to stay in the US. I had various jobs, including working as a waitress, at a warehouse, and at Avis car rental. However, coming from an entrepreneurial family, I always knew I wanted to be my own boss, and I was determined to make it happen.

While working at Avis car rental, I began to contemplate what I wanted to do in the future, what I liked, and what I was interested in. I found the idea of selling on Amazon appealing and attended a free webinar to learn more about it. During the webinar, one of the tasks was to find goods to sell and analyze them on the marketplace. Upon doing this, I realized that I was drawn to items like bows, ribbons, artificial flowers, vases, and boxes – all things I enjoyed and had a creative affinity for since I was a child.

In fact, I had always been incredibly creative. I loved art, craft, and any work that required creativity such as school performances, parties, and projects. At one point in school, I was a photographer and even made money from it. That’s when the idea of becoming a florist sparked in my mind. I found an online course for beginners, and after that, I pursued offline courses and completely fell in love with the floral industry.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am 29 years old and was born and raised in a small town called Grodno, Belarus. I’ve noticed that many people I’ve met in the USA aren’t familiar with Belarus, which I find amusing 😂. Two years ago, I took the leap and opened my first business all by myself. My friends helped me with renovating the store – we did everything from painting to cleaning and flooring. Before opening the store, I sold my flowers online through social media, which gave me a good boost and recognition. I was fortunate to get noticed by local bloggers who promoted my business for free because they genuinely appreciated what I do, which was quite rare in our area. Currently, I am more focused on marketing and have a keen interest in this sphere. I’m taking various educational programs and reading a lot of books about it. In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential, as well as working with influencers and utilizing user-generated content. I am planning to launch marketing lessons for business owners to help them create successful marketing strategies, foster creativity, and find inspiration. My aim is to assist entrepreneurs in achieving their goals.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The essential qualities for a successful entrepreneur include determination, a customer-centric approach, and unwavering self-belief.

Continuous learning is vital for staying competitive. Entrepreneurs should constantly seek to broaden their knowledge and skills, as complacency leads to stagnation in both personal growth and business development.

Decisiveness is crucial. Rapid decision-making, combined with a willingness to test and iterate, is key to identifying successful strategies and adapting quickly to market changes.

A strong focus on serving customers is essential. By consistently seeking feedback and improving services, entrepreneurs can meet and exceed the needs of their clients, driving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Finally, self-confidence is paramount. Entrepreneurs must block out negative external influences and trust in their own abilities and vision.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Here’s the rewritten text:

This is an excellent question. Many entrepreneurs might consider it foolish because the prevailing belief is that working 25/8 is the key to success. However, from my own experience, I’ve learned that achieving balance and taking care of my emotional well-being has been crucial for the growth of my business. As entrepreneurs, we deal with daily challenges and stress, from unexpected setbacks to strategy failures and unreliable suppliers. It’s essential to incorporate practices like daily meditation to achieve mental clarity and find solutions. Engaging in physical activities, it doesn’t mean you need to go to the gym if you hate it, find your perfect activitiy such as tennis, swimming, dancing, or Pilates, can help manage emotions. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding sugar can provide an energy boost and keep the body in good shape. Taking at least one day off a week is vital, but it’s not about lazing around. Instead, invest that time in activities that inspire and bring positive emotions, whether it’s hiking, a day at the spa, spending time with family, or taking a walk by the ocean. Engaging in such activities allows you to feel alive and reduces the risk of work-related burnout.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amouretfleursflowers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amouretfleurss?igsh=MWZhZWZ6aDU2NmY4Nw==