
Welcome to our creative corner! Here we spotlight the incredible editors, creators and thought leaders of the SHE Media Collective.
Businesswoman, blogger, influencer and first-time author, Alexandra Nicole Nolan has had a remarkable career as an entrepreneur. After quitting her corporate job, she found purpose in building and selling several successful small businesses. She describes herself as an unconventional entrepreneur, which is also the title of her new book which will be released in March.
In front, Nolan who is a member of the SHE Media Collectiveshares his advice on how budding entrepreneurs and creators can pursue their work-life passion and succeed while doing what they love.
Tell us a bit about your City Chic Living blog and your entrepreneurial projects
After graduating from the University of Memphis, I worked in corporate America for six years. I loved my job but deep down I knew something was missing. This internal desire ultimately helped me decide to quit my corporate career and start building my small business portfolio! Since then, I’ve had so much fun launching my blog City Chic Living, a boutique, a cosmetics line, a fashion line, a bath line, and a body line. I also work with aspiring entrepreneurs as a consultant and help them achieve their work-life dream. And more recently, my book has just been launched!
What inspired you to write this book on entrepreneurship?
As with anything you build, there are ups and downs, but the main thing I’ve come to realize in my 12 years as an entrepreneur is that high volatility in business is almost always due to change. of the market. These types of changes ultimately evolved small business strategies as we know them today. That’s what led me to write a book, The unconventional entrepreneur.
In recent years, the business landscape has changed dramatically and this has left old strategies obsolete. There is little to no literature on the evolution of the entrepreneur and yet entrepreneurs and small business owners are disrupting various industries with their innovative ideas, business processes, products and services. Cultivating the mindset of the unconventional entrepreneur is essential for a successful business plan and for realizing the work-life dream.
Unconventional entrepreneurs pursue their work-life passion and place a high value on making a lasting impact on their family, friends and communities. This is why I wanted to develop a publication that is not just a book, but also a guide for current and future entrepreneurs who want to navigate the new way of doing business and learn effective strategies to discover their skills, make themselves known and monetize their value. I’m so excited that we’ve officially launched the pre-sale of my book, The Unconventional Entrepreneur for anyone who wants to be first on the list to get theirs!
What is a shocking idea you have learned while running a business?
During my time managing people, I learned that there are so many different types of people! Managing people when I owned stores was probably the hardest part of my job. Everyone is motivated differently and inspired by different things. As a manager, you need to be adaptable and take valuable time to learn more about each employee to ensure their needs are met and they have a happy and healthy work life. It was challenging, but it helped me become more empathetic, slow down, and take my time to relate to others.
What are your favorite productivity tools?
I’m old school when it comes to a planner and I can’t live without my Day Designer. Every event, task, appointment, etc., goes into my calendar. Yes, I write everything! My husband is more technologically advanced in his work processes and can’t believe I write everything down in a diary. I just feel like it’s not real unless it’s on a piece of paper I can hold. I guess that’s also why I’m writing a tangible book instead of just an e-book.
How to stay focused and motivated throughout the day?
My morning process sets the tone for my day. I always take some time out to do something for myself, like 30 minutes to sit in silence and have a cup of coffee, an invigorating clay mask, a reading of a daily devotional. This time always motivates me and inspires me to get started in my daily work.
What do you do for fun when you’re not creating content?
I love movie nights with my boys. We’re all going to snuggle up in my bed, eat popcorn, and watch kids movies. I even share some of the classic kids movies like Free Willy, with my boys. It takes me back to the good old days and for a few hours I feel like a kid too.
What is your current favorite book, podcast or website?
I love the book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
What are you expecting from the coming year?
I’m so excited about the launch of my book, The Unconventional Entrepreneur. I have it available for presale in March and we will ship the finished books in September.
Pre-order a copy of The Unconventional Entrepreneur here.
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