Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Vitalina with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I give all credit for my work ethic to my father! We came to America as refugees, and at that time, there was 8 kids in our family. My parents had to start from scratch and find ways to make a brand new living in a very foreign country to us at that time. My dad did everything that he could to make sure our family was provided for. We came to America with no money and no means of transportation, and for a long while, my dad would ride a bicycle to work. He rode to work in the heat and in the blizzards. In a country that was very new to him, he strived to rise above and go beyond his struggles and his hard earned work helped our family get through the hard times. Not only did our dad work hard to provide for our family, but he would always rise to the occasion when he saw others in need. Whether a neighbor needed some handy man work done due to storm damages, or he saw a broken down car on the road, he would always stop everything that he was doing and help others. My dad was a hard worker, and really enjoyed seeing a project come to completion. He was not afraid of a challenge and always persevered, no matter the situation. He was also very much loved amongst his co-workers and peers. Often times, his co-workers would come to him for advice on various work projects and even insight on their personal life situations. He was well respected and really helped set a positive work atmosphere wherever he went.
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?
First, I want to say that “I love what I do!” I feel so privileged and honored to be on this journey and seeing what only seemed like a vision finally come to life. I have been part of the event planning industry from a very young age and enjoyed seeing an idea become a reality. My favorite part of it all was when everything finally was put together, and you get caught in this “awe” moment of seeing the guests faces light up as they arrive- because they feel so welcomed into the space.
I am so thankful to our Jacksonville community, and family and friends for the support and advice, and just always cheering me on as I continue this journey. The moments that continue to excite me are when the guests finally arrive, and they notice the coffee cart. That same space automatically tends to transform to an area that welcomes guests to converse and socialize. Coffee provides such a great atmosphere where people are encouraged to chat, talk, and catch-up with friends and form bonds with new ones. I just love how coffee unites people!
As my journey continues, I do have plans to expand Vital Brew, and add additional drinks to our menu. I hope to launch the next phase of the business in the next few months, but cannot go into full details about the additional services until we are fully ready to move forward. We believe in providing high quality service and the future plans will reflect that even more. We are so excited for what is to come and meeting more of our future clients and their guests that we will serve.
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?
I would say the top 3 qualities that were most impactful in this journey, are my 20 years of experience in the event planning industry and customer service, knowledge of marketing and social media, and being surrounded by such a good community of family and friends that constantly cheered and continue to cheer me on!
Event Planning : I believe that in the catering business, it is very important to always have your client and their guests in mind. Your client might be a visionary, and our job is to help them have that vision come to life. This is where customer service skills need to be top notch. We help set the environment and need to have the skillset that accompanies the entire process.
Marketing : In the current world, to get your name out there, you need to know how to promote your business on the internet and social media. Trends constantly change, and to be successful, it is important to keep up with those changes. I recommend to consult with experts, because a little-bit of investment can go a long way in helping the business grow. Know what works for your business and make room in your budget to accommodate this area.
Community of Family + Friends : Having a small business can be so rewarding, and, to be honest can have many challenges along the way. It can be tough out there and discouraging. You need to have a community of close family and friends that you can turn to for words of encouragement and support. In my journey, my first source of comfort is my faith in God. I believe this is where I am supposed to be and always remind myself that I get to live out my dream with God on my side. I also make sure that even when I am busy, I continue to have strong relationships with my family and friends. Because at the end of the day, that is what is most important, the people that are around you. I treasure all of the relationships that I have built along the way, and always get excited at the opportunity to meet new people with each event.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed or discouraged, I always remind myself that I have the biggest opportunity to live out my dream of many years. I know that God opened up these doors for me, and that I always will be provided for, and not to worry. My biggest source of encouragement is my faith and that I am where I am supposed to be at this current season of my life. The growth and path of this journey was not done by own hands, but by the grace of God and His plan for my life. I would have never taken the risk to open up this business without God providing the opportunities, and literally putting me into a situation where I had to walk by faith, and not by sight. I am so grateful for the past failures and lessons learned, because they got me to this current point in my life. I continue to learn and grow with each situation and take each moment as a way to grow and learn and improve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vitalbrewcart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vital.brew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vital.brew
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFyJC3eQOtST-M_enIz75Cw
