We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jossie Fillalan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jossie, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I wouldn’t say that I have overcome imposter syndrome, but I can say I am working on it. You’d think that at my 45 years of age I’d feel so accomplished. I own my own small business, married for 23 years and have 2 amazing kiddos. It has been my dream to be a business owners after being a stay at home mom for so long. I always tried to manifest it, pray for it and wished it my future. Now that I am, I don’t always feel as though I am worthy or deserving of it. I didn’t even know that what I was feeling was a “thing”. I have always struggled with Self Doubt, Low Confidence and Low Self Esteem but never thought that would spill over into my “career”. That’s just it. I struggle with the fact that owning my own studio is my “career”… an unconventional one but MY career nonetheless. I don’t have the degree. I question my experience even though I have been working my a&& off in this industry for the past 8 years to get to where I am today. I am more than capable of being a studio owner. So why do I feel so disconnected from my “ability”?
Imposter syndrome by definition is , “is a psychological occurrence in which people doubt their skills, talents, or accomplishments and have a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as frauds. Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing this phenomenon do not believe they deserve their success or luck.” Wikipedia
So there it is. My name is Jossie and I have imposter syndrome. Now I know that what I feel, although valid, has an internal dialogue that isn’t necessarily correct. Knowing this, I try every day to remind myself that I am worthy, capable and deserving of my CAREER. I am eternally grateful for everyone who has taken part of this journey with me and have helped me make my dreams a reality.
I am accepting that, yes, I worked really really hard to get to this point in my life. Most of all , I do deserve this.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a mom, wife, business owner and philanthropist. I am the founder of Mariposa’s Purpose which I created to be a vessel in our community and lend a helping hand where it is needed. I give back to my local community as much as I can and encourage compassion, empathy and kindness.
I am also a proud Latina small business owner. I opened my studio, Flutter Fitness Studio on May 1st 2023. Flutter Fitness Studio is an all inclusive aerial, dance & pole studio in the heart of downtown Orlando, Fl.
It still feels so surreal. This was just two years after being partner and co owner of a previous studio, Flo Space Orlando and about 7 years total of me being part of the Aerial/Pole Studio industry.
The most special part of my job is to see the transformation of our students from the 1st day they walk into Flutter to their present journey. Our Aerial classes condition you to try things you never thought your body could do. Our Pole classes open up and entire new door of confidence and body awareness that you didn’t even know you had. The journey is different for everyone, however the transformation remains the same. Once you find that confidence, whatever that looks like, it’s addicting. You want to scream it from the rooftops! You want to share it with the world! You want to shout, “Try this! It will change your life!”
I want to share this with the world for as long as humanly possible. That is what I intend to do.
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?
What has been a vessel for me to get me where I am today I believe is my empathy, my kindness and my work ethic.
I “feel” TOO much sometimes but my empathy allows me to see others perspectives, struggles and understand and relate. I think this quality is truly necessary and important if you are in the place of serving others. Customer Service is the number one driving force of any business. It can literally make or break your business. This is the Flutter Culture. Our
students/clients come first.
Next we have kindness. Who wants to come into a place of business and be met with a bitchy, unapproachable, rude staff? Nobody. To work at Flutter, you must be KIND. But also, be kind. Don’t pretend to be kind. Just be kind.
Work Ethic. I do believe that I would not be where I am if it wasn’t for my work ethic. I work hard. Like really hard. I go above and beyond, not because I have to, but because that is what I do. When you walk into my studio, I will make sure your experience is a memorable one from the moment you walk in through our doors to the moment you leave.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Who isn’t overwhelmed these days? With politics, poverty, world crisis, social media… I mean do I need to go on?
However, you have to find silence in this loud loud world. You need to do the internal work to be able to handle the stress and over come it. What other choice do you have?
Music. Dance. Family. Those are my to go strategies. I listen to music, I dance and move my body and hang out with my hubby and kids. I ground myself and remember to have gratitude. Take lots and lots of deep breaths.
Tequila. Tequila also helps. *joke*
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Mariposalife66
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polericanlife/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jocelyn.fillalan
