Meet Isabel Varela

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

Isabel , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I never knew there was a word for everything I’d overcome—heartbreak, loss, depression, addiction, debt, near homelessness, and the constant need to start over. But looking back, resilience was the thread that held me together. It was the faint light at the end of the tunnel, reminding me to keep going.

As the daughter of immigrant parents—my mother from Honduras and my father from Panama—resilience was in my blood. They built businesses from nothing, kept us sheltered, and showed me that perseverance isn’t optional—it’s how you move forward.
My greatest test of resilience came when I faced the truth: I was drowning in $100,000 of debt from my shopping addiction, chasing an image I thought I needed. I stopped paying rent, nearly lost my car, and moved constantly. When a friend unknowingly asked why I kept relocating, I knew I couldn’t keep running.

So, I made the hardest choice—I started to heal. I shut down my business, took a full-time job, sought therapy, and slowly chipped away at my debt. After seven years of relentless effort, I made my final payment on June 22, 2018. In the process, I built two businesses, transformed my life, and discovered my true purpose: helping others rise with resilience, intention, and impact.

My company Repurpose Your Life™ helps women turn their challenges into stepping stones. With the Transformational Decluttering Method, clients learn how to declutter not just their physical spaces but also their minds, emotions, and lives—because decluttering is exactly what helped me face my truth.

That’s why I built Repurpose Your Life™: to help other women transform and rise. I took all of my pain and repurposed it into power, education, and strength, developing my unique methodology and framework. Decluttering illuminated not just my shopping addiction but also all the old parts of me that I wasn’t aligned with anymore. From this awareness, the Transformational Decluttering Method was born—the first method of its kind to tie together holistic transformation, sustainability, and mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my work and mission.
I am the founder and CEO of Repurpose Your Life™, where I empower women to transform challenges into stepping stones, turn pain into purpose, and build lives and businesses with intention. My journey—overcoming addiction, debt, and the constant need to start over—shaped my company and inspired the creation of my Transformational Decluttering Method™.
Repurpose Your Life™ is about helping women rise. My method is the first to combine holistic transformation with sustainability, addressing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter. It goes beyond traditional decluttering by identifying the patterns and beliefs holding women back, helping them step into their power and create fulfilling lives.
What excites me most is the ripple effect of this work. When women transform, they uplift their families, communities, and businesses. I’ve worked with over 80 clients, guiding them to clear the clutter in every area of life. One client, once overwhelmed and stuck, used my method to not only transform her space but also launch a six-figure business.
Repurpose Your Life also includes the Repurpose Your Life Collective—a free community where women connect, learn, and rise together. Transformation happens in connection, not isolation.

What’s New and Exciting:
The Transformational Decluttering Method™ Toolkit – 19 videos, worksheets, and strategies for sustainable decluttering.
Sound Healing & Cacao Ceremonies – Tools to help women release what no longer serves them.
Speaking Engagements & Retreats – Expanding into paid speaking and luxury retreats for deeper transformation.
Upcoming Memoir (December 2025) – A guide on decluttering every aspect of life to rise from challenges.

Milestones I’m Proud Of:
Diverted 3,000+ pounds of textile waste through sustainability initiatives for brands such as LVMH
Featured in No Kill Magazine, CNN, NY1, Reuters, and more.
Named “Changemaker of the Year” in 2019 for my award-winning documentary Fashion Addict.
Guided 80 Entrepreneurs to build a purpose-driven life and business

At my core, I believe in creating a life and business without burnout—one that aligns with purpose, clarity, and sustainability. My mission is to help women embrace their gifts, build impactful businesses, and leave a lasting legacy.

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?

Narrowing this down to three is a challenge, but if I had to choose, I’d highlight adaptability, discipline, and psychology.
1. Adaptability
Entrepreneurship is ever-changing, and adaptability is key to navigating challenges. The ability to stay flexible, creative, and solution-oriented allows you to embrace change rather than resist it.
Advice for beginners: Focus on what you can control. Instead of stressing over external factors, ask: What can I do right now to move forward? This mindset builds resilience.

2. Discipline
Discipline keeps you going when motivation fades. Success isn’t about inspiration—it’s about showing up consistently and trusting the process.

Advice for beginners: Track your progress and celebrate small wins. Acknowledge how far you’ve come, and use that momentum to keep pushing forward.

3. Psychology
Your business reflects your mindset, patterns, and beliefs. Understanding emotional intelligence and self-awareness is crucial for growth.
Advice for beginners: Invest in personal development. Journal, meditate, and seek mentorship to better understand your emotions and triggers—self-awareness is a superpower.

Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Mastering these three pillars will not only lead to business success but will transform every aspect of your life. Keep showing up and trust the journey.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is a visionary woman who has already started on her personal growth journey and is ready to elevate her life or business to the next level. She knows she has a gift, a purpose, or a calling and is determined to embrace it fully—but she needs guidance to turn her vision into a reality.

She’s not afraid of doing the work; in fact, she’s eager for transformation. She’s action-oriented, committed, and ready to dive deep into her mindset, behaviors, and patterns to create the breakthrough she’s been seeking. Most importantly, she understands that true transformation goes beyond external success—it’s about inner alignment, creating a life and business that feels as good as it looks.

Some key characteristics of my ideal client include:
-Self-Awareness and Openness: She’s open to introspection, feedback, and trying new approaches to unlock her full potential.
-Commitment to Growth: She understands that growth takes time, and she’s ready to invest in herself mentally, emotionally, and financially.
-Purpose-Driven: She desires to create a meaningful impact through her life or business. Whether she’s an entrepreneur, leader, or creative, she’s driven by a purpose that goes beyond profit—she wants to leave a lasting legacy.

Who isn’t my ideal client?
I’m not the best fit for someone who isn’t ready to commit to the process. Transformation requires clarity, dedication, and action. While I guide and support my clients, I believe they must come ready to meet me halfway.

What makes working with me special?
What sets me apart is my holistic approach. I don’t just focus on one area of transformation—I take the entire person into account, integrating mindset, strategy, sustainability, and healing. My clients not only achieve their goals but also create lasting systems and habits that prevent them from falling back into old patterns.

Client Success Story:

One client, Marissa, felt overwhelmed by her business and personal life. Through my “Repurpose Your Life” 20-week Mentorship, she gained clarity in her physical space, reconnected with her purpose, launched her website, secured three paying clients within two months, and realigned her business with her vision. Today, she runs a thriving, impact-driven company and is preparing to move to New York to expand her community, enabling her to leave her full-time job.

What values do I share with my clients?
My ideal clients value sustainability, alignment, and connection. They’re not looking for quick fixes; they’re seeking deep, lasting transformation that aligns with their purpose and makes an impact.

How can someone get started?
If this resonates with you, let’s connect. Whether through my Repurpose Your Life 20 week Mentorship, Transformational Decluttering Collective , sound healing ceremonies, or business coaching, I’m here to guide you toward clarity, purpose, and success. Visit IsabelVarela.com or follow me on Instagram at @iamisabelvarela to take the next step.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.isabelvarela.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamisabelvarela/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isabel.varela/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelvarela/
• Other: Rise and Transform Exclusive 3 Day Free Virtual Mastermind: https://www.repurposeyour.life/3daymastermind

Image Credits

Ricky Cortez