We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abby Bradetich a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Abby, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Self-care is a big priority in my life; and that’s only grown more important (and effective) the longer I’ve had my business! As an adult, I’ve had to navigate anxiety, and self-care makes a huge difference in that! Personally, my self-care focuses on prioritizing both physical and mental health…
For physical health, I go to the gym 3-4 times per week with my boyfriend to lift weights or do cardio (he’s a physical therapist and designs his own workout programs that he takes us through, so it makes it easy for me!); I get outside every day, multiple times per day, to soak up the sun and enjoy some fresh air (plus play with my two energetic pups!); and we get out on the weekends to hike or enjoy the mountains in our new home in Colorado.
For mental health, I have a set morning routine that I do every day to set myself up for success, reduce anxiety, and fill my cup first before going into anything else. This includes: stream-of-consciousness journaling (to get any thoughts/worries/etc. out of my head before starting my day), a gratitude journal, reading whatever book I have on-deck at that moment (usually something inspiring or just for fun), and daily affirmations that I say at the start and end of each work day.
Other forms of self-care that I prioritize are reducing screen time when I’m not working so I can relax, reset, and be present; taking time off when I need or want to (to travel, spend time with family/friends, or just get away), and celebrating my wins on a regular basis (both business and personal).
All of these things have made a big difference in my mental health, ability to be productive and show up as my best self every day for my clients! I can tell a difference in my energy and anxiety if I take a couple days off from my morning routine, skip the gym, or spend more time on screens than I want to. Figuring out what works for you is the first step and then being consistent with it is where the real magic comes in.
I aim to fill my cup first so that I can be the best version of myself possible – and that always goes back to how I’m taking care of myself, and if I’m taking time for me. I used to view self-care as “selfish” or something to fit in “when I have time”, but the more I’ve done it, the more I’ve realized how truly essential it is to living a full, healthy, enjoyable life! And I’m not afraid to do it first, before anything else.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the Founder and Creative Director of IlluminEssence Creations, LLC – a design and social media agency, where we specialize in branding, copywriting, web design and social media management for a diverse set of clients, made up of bold, empowered female business owners that want to be THE go-to in their industry.
I am passionate about empowering my clients to grow their brand and build community by creating clarity, consistency, and confidence everywhere they show up online. We focus on digging deep to truly understand each client and use their uniqueness and expertise to create personality-infused brands, copy, websites, and social media that speak to their ideal clients, increase visibility, and convert sales. It’s a dream come true getting to do this work for so many amazing women!
Lately, I have been working on growing my creative agency – I’ve been a solo business owner for the last year and a half, but this summer I hired a Junior Social Media Manager that has been absolutely crushing it (and taking tasks off my plate, which is a big relief!). My goal is to hire an amazing individual for each part of our creative process so we can work collaboratively to bring our client’s vision to life. I love working with people and leading the creative direction, so I can’t wait to continue to grow this part of my company!
I also just launched a new offer – VIP Day: Supercharge Your Social Media for business owners that aren’t ready to outsource their SMM, but are fed up trying to show up on their own and need help putting together a strategy and content plan that draws in dream clients, grows their account, converts sales, and helps them show up as the confident CEO they already are. I’m using the knowledge, experience, strategies, and lessons I’ve learned from over 5 years of doing social media management to bring my clients the most up-to-date info, tips, and time-tested strategies that are proven to get results – no matter what industry they’re in.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are consistency, perseverance, and over-communication.
First, I am consistent AF. I show up even when I’m busy, don’t feel like it, or I’m traveling/taking time off (I just plan ahead so that I don’t have to do it in real-time!). Being consistent builds trust with your clients, followers, and inquiries. It also gets results – I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t work consistently, post consistently, or take care of myself consistently. No matter what you’re doing, if you’re consistent and always show up for yourself, you’ll get where you want to go.
I also just plain don’t give up – my perseverance has been tested plenty of times, but I always keep going. I push through any setback, worry, or doubt and keep going. Every time that looks different – maybe I blast feel-good music and keep working to just get something done when I’m feeling overwhelmed; maybe I take half the day off if I need to reset my energy; maybe I take a walk or call a friend to get perspective on what’s bothering me; maybe I get up earlier to get extra work done when I know I’m going to be busier. Whatever it is, I take the time to do what I need and just keep going no matter what. That combined with consistency is a winning combo!
And something very few people ever tell you is that you should over-communicate; especially with your clients! But honestly with anyone in your life. If you communicate well (and often!), people know what to expect from you, feel like they can trust you, and know what’s going on always. Even if you’re behind on something and won’t send it quite as soon as you thought you would, as long as you communicate it well and as early as possible, 99% of the time people will be fine with it! Most people understand that life happens. But if you ignore emails or don’t send updates ASAP, you’re leaving that other person hanging to question, worry, and think maybe they shouldn’t have worked with you. Communication is KEY!
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents believed in me and trusted me – early. They allowed me to be curious, pursue my passions, and choose my own path, even if it wasn’t the “typical” one that society expects… They encouraged me to follow my heart and go to college for modern dance (something I did for years growing up, got a BFA in, and then danced professionally with companies for years after college), even when they knew I wouldn’t make much money at it. They just wanted me to be happy.
They trusted me to make my own decisions, to create my own life, and had my back no matter what. I’ve had plenty of setbacks, triumphs, doubts, excitement and questions, and my parents were always there to support me and never make me feel “lesser than” for choosing a career in the arts (not something I can say for other people in my family or others I’ve met). They pushed me to be the best at what I chose, trusted me to pursue it on my own, and pivot when I wanted to!
My mom has always been my rock, best friend, and example of going after what you want in life – no matter how old you are. She’s changed careers at least four times in her life and has done each one successfully – always pursuing her passion, no matter what anyone else thought. She set the example of hard work, dedication, and love for what you do that I aspire to reach on a daily basis. I am who I am because of her love, support, and trust – and my business is a direct reflection of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: illuminessencecreations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illuminessencecreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illuminessencecreations
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-bradetich/
