Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Ponte. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lisa, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
In part, I’ve developed my self-esteem through affirmation cards. My sweet mother-in-law Paulette, who has been a positive impact in my life, came to me one morning with a deck of Louise Hay affirmation cards. I had no idea what an affirmation card was and she explained, “They are cute little positive verses that you pick from a deck each morning.” Little did I know the impact these cards would have on my life. I started pulling them daily with my morning coffee. When I traveled, I would pack my deck so I was able to continue the daily morning ritual I created.
During the pandemic, I started thinking about what makes me happy in life. I’ve always wanted to create something but never knew what or even how to begin. I found that pulling a daily affirmation card made me feel positive, happy, calm and confident. I created my positive vibe deck in the hopes that others can start each day with positive energy. Over the past few years, I realized how many people were suffering. Depression rates were climbing and therapists were hard to come by. Parents were struggling as were their children.
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?
After years of struggling with my own mental health issues, I decided to create positive vibe affirmation cards to help teens/adults with their mental health. The cards ended up being a big success! My oldest daughter (Alex) and I created our second version which is geared towards children ages 5-12. Our cards give others the confidence, calmness and self-love that they need. They feature original photography and positive messages on resilience, determination, patience, being a good human, acceptance and many other topics that we all need to hear. I am trying to remove the stigma around mental health. I am currently focused on expanding my business by having my cards reach as many people across the world as possible. The most exciting part of my job is that I am able to create my own products with my own ideas. I set the pace and make all the decisions. I have also made so many connections with others who discuss their own struggles with mental health or they tell me stories about others who they know that are struggling. I recently shared my own story of triumph to transformation in a book where I was a contributing author in the-SheBreathes Soul Stories, inspired and curated by Jennifer Gulbrand. I open up authentically about being bullied as a teenager which lead to depression and attempted suicide. I discuss how my cards have impacted my life and why I practice gratitude on a daily basis.
Below is a link to my recent interview with WBZ/CBS news which aired on New Year’s Day as well as my website to learn more about my products and mission. Please feel free to check out the PRESS section. I am trying to spread positivity, self-love and confidence one card at a time.
WBZ Interview
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/positive-affirmation-cards-lp-vibes-lisa-ponte-westwood-massachusetts/
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the three skill sets that helped me the most to build my products and company were creativity, a willingness to learn/being open minded and realizing it’s OK to be fallible. I believe if you have an idea to go for it! The worst that can happen is it doesn’t work out. I remember telling my father that if the cards helped one person I would be happy, and over the last few years they have touched thousands of lives.It makes me so happy to know I am helping others with their mindset and spreading self-love across the world. Never give up on your dream. It may take a while to get to where you want to be along with peaks and valleys but if you are passionate about something then it’s important to pursue. You will learn that things will align in the right direction if you are open minded and willing to learn. I spend a lot of time googling ideas and watching videos on how to run a small business, managing a website, selling wholesale, and a ton of other topics.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Chantelle Davis Gray who created the Impact on a Deck program. She has step by step videos on how to create and design cards as well as how to pick your box and printing company. She also designed my website in a day! She is extremely talented and knowledgeable. Also, Tom Ortel from SCORE has been my mentor and friend. If you don’t know SCORE it is a non-profit company that helps small businesses. I found it one day in a google search. We zoom once a month and he helped me get my company off the ground. He explained all the essential pieces I needed to know and believe me there were a ton. He is my biggest fan and is always there to pick me up when I feel defeated. Tom has given me such great advice which in turn has grown my business.
I am currently trying to expand my business. I would love to see my cards in stores such as The Paper Store as well as college book stores and elementary schools. I recently donated over 1,100 affirmation cards to School on Wheels which is a non-profit organization that provides backpacks, supplies and tutoring services to homeless children in Massachusetts. I am open to collaborations and looking for like minded individuals who are looking to make an impact in the world. The best way to reach me is at hello@lpvibes.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lpvibes.com
- Instagram: lp_vibes_
- Facebook: MyLPVibes
Image Credits
Ali Rosa Photography
