unExpectedly Successful
The to-go podcast for aspiring women entrepreneurs. Join us to hear the raw and genuine stories of women business founders who, despite it all, have created their own pathways to purpose and possibilities—the journeys of women like you and me in their most authentic moments.
You will hear inspiration and know-how, find role models, and, most importantly, discover the next step you need to take. This is an invitation to use their experience, knowledge, and personal story to help you craft your own journey to be unexpectedly successful.
unExpectedly Successful
Risk Taking Your Way To Success With Joanna Sherrow
Embark on a journey with Joanna Sherrow, a beacon of entrepreneurial fervor, whose saga from the Philippines to the beating heart of the U.S. tech and design industry is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As we unwrap her eight-year adventure across the Pacific, you'll witness the sheer tenacity and brilliance required for immigrant businesswomen to stake their claim in the competitive world of startups. Joanna, with her unwavering commitment to create and capitalize on opportunities, transforms from a shoe store employee to a revered business leader and a paragon of self-made success.
This episode takes a deep look into the core ethos that drives Joanna: a proactive engagement with life's challenges and a relentless pursuit of her dreams. Her philosophy of building from the ground up and inviting her team to share in her vision illustrates the quintessential entrepreneurial spirit. Joanna's personal narrative weaves through the trials of integrating into a new community, the triumph of ascending from retail to the realm of social media influence, and the boldness of starting her own full-service design business. Her story is a testament to the power of adaptability, continuous learning, and belief in the mantra, "everything is figureoutable."
Finally, we turn the spotlight onto EmpowerSoft, Joanna's latest innovation set to revolutionize small business operations. Here, she infuses her spiritual guidance into her business acumen, even amidst the turbulence of 2023, proving that a purpose-driven work ethic can balance with savvy strategic insights. Joanna's musings on overcoming adversity, celebrating victories, however small, and her candid advice to fellow entrepreneurs, culminate in a compelling narrative that is bound to motivate and guide any listener daring to turn their vision into reality. Join us as we applaud a woman who truly embodies the spirit of empowered entrepreneurship.
📣 Get in touch with Joanna:
💼 LinkedIn: joannasherrow
🌐 Instagram: savvy_chic_design
📚 Facebook: savvychicdesign
📺 YouTube: joannasherrow
Referenced books:
📖🚀Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo, https://amzn.to/48xTpEh
📚 RECOMMENDED readings and programs:
🧠 On Mindset - Soundtracks: the surprising solution to overthinking, https://amzn.to/40W2zHv
💬 On Communication - The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication: Apply Them and Make the Most of Your Message, https://amzn.to/3N1c56g
📈 On Scaling Your Business through Synergies - Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork, https://amzn.to/4a7USlQ
🎧 Listen to the show:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66x3kimKtCA4dSHE51IOEj?si=486ebbd41f284f3d
🍏 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/un-expectedly-successful-the-podcast/id1691434992
💌 GET IN TOUCH WITH ME
🎓 Learn about my Online Academy, Her Path to Purpose and Profit, at drgriselda.com
💼 Economic Development Consulting: ascendostrategies.com
Who I AM:
I am Dr. Griselda Martinez, your transformational business coach, speaker, and consultant dedicated to empowering seasoned professionals like you to step confidently into entrepreneurship. After reaching the peak of my career, I realized my true calling was not in the corner office but in guiding women to unlock their purpose through business ownership.
Join me and a community of passionate, purpose-driven entrepreneurs making a real difference. Subscribe to become part of the un-Expectedly Successful tribe, and let's elevate your business journey together. Share your aspirations in the comments and discuss how we can achieve them. Ready to redefine success on your terms?
Let’s g
Like with all the things that I have created. I have this mentality of like, if no one will give you your stage, like, create your own stage you know like if, if no one will open the door for you, like you know, go and knock on the door and open it for you, Right? I think that's one thing that I have really done.
Speaker 2:Welcome to another episode to unexpectedly successful and today I am here for a treat with this powerhouse that I will tell you a little bit more in just a second, but, for my audience, I want to invite you into a piece of my world that is coming from my own story as an immigrant, and I am so proud to be featuring immigrant business women that I am going to get to hear their stories, including the journey on how they went from country A to country B, and I am super amazed by the things that immigrants can do. And and to get started, we have Joanna Sherrow. She is up. I'm going to read this because it's a lot of information.
Speaker 2:Okay, so she is a multi-business owner out of which she owns, and it's a creative director for Savit Cik design since 2016 and brand out of the oven. She is the owner of a tech company called empower soft in 2023. Why not close up the end the year with all the energy and power? Good for you, joanna Savit Cik design. It's it's an all services company with a lot of energy and power. It's an all services company for web development, course creators, services, including graphic design. Kajabi as as a platform to get everything ready to go. And as an expansion to that, in power soft is a tech company. You're all in one CRM business solution and streaming success, simplifying your business and empowering your growth.
Speaker 2:Okay, so if that was not enough, joanna, she is madam marketing chair to the national association of women business owner in Kentucky. She is a board member to you are co, which is an NGO that supports Uganda children and women. She is a canvas certified creative and a brand ambassador, and she's a prefer vetted Kajabi expert, because one thing is to know Kajabi and another thing is to be a vetted, trusted partner with Kajabi. So, with no further introduction needed, I am excited because this woman has all things going full force, full power. Joanna, welcome to our show.
Speaker 1:Thank you, Thank you so much for having me. That's such a wonderful introduction. It kind of just makes me kind of think like what, what have I been going and you know kind of creating behind the scene? You know you have that just mental let's just whip something up, right, but it just so amazing of all the years and kind of just being acknowledged by you know, brands and also our colleagues in the space of what we have created as well. Thank you. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2:You know, as some I'm think, going through all of this Joanna, I'm like what has she been doing behind the scenes? Like she's been totally busy, anyway. So, joanna, let's get started to the role and genuine stories of Joanna Sherrill. So what is it to be Joanna for you?
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, Joanna, I think is a risk taker and risk taker full of energy.
Speaker 1:I would say sometimes I said where do I get all of this energy that I have? But I think I'm just realizing that life is such a wonderful opportunity to create something out of nothing. I think that's one thing. And especially, you've mentioned that this whole season or series is going to be about immigrants. It's just so nice to share our journey. So yeah, I'm born and raised in the Philippines, been here in the US for eight years, turning nine and five. No, I arrived in December 12 of this year, December 12.
Speaker 1:I remember that one because that is Lady of Guadalupe I remember that one, our Catholic priest here, because, oh, she's arriving in late of Guadalupe time, so, yep, that's a celebration here, and it's just so excited to see what we have created out of what we, who, we are right, when we are in the Philippines. It was a different journey and kind of just like an overhaul of what we can create, and you know, this country, united States, has really given us an opportunity to do so, so I'm so excited for this one.
Speaker 2:Wow. So you've been. You turn the ninth year in the US a week ago, so wow. And so you said you are a risk taker. You see life as an opportunity to create things out of nothing, which is one of the things that you're most proud about as a business owner and as an individual, as you're saying, and you're full of energy.
Speaker 2:And for my audience, let me tell you when I connected to Joanna, one of the reasons why I just like I want to, I want to get to know this woman, was because she was full of energy and the CSM and a vision and a vision, and Joanna says that one of the things that she's most proud about, other than creating something out of nothing, is having the people who see the same vision as her, and through her team members, through her clients, and then seeing the Wains, but also being there for the low places, because that is also a reality. As a business owner, as an immigrant, I'm super excited to dig deeper into that risk taking process that you've gone through the years, joanna, what have been one of the most defining moments for you as a person to bring you to this place?
Speaker 1:That's a very good question. I think the defining moment is being able to really go through head on with what you want to accomplish. I think, because each journey, each step is indeed like it has its own challenges, and being able to really convey and show up in a way that people kind of understand what it is that you're doing is really something that it really defines who you are. I always believe. I think one thing is that, with all the things that I have created, I have this mentality of like if no one will give you your stage, create your own stage. If no one will open the door for you, go and knock on the door and open it for you.
Speaker 2:I think that's one thing that I have really done.
Speaker 1:That's one thing, that sometimes I laugh at myself and I run to my husband and say babe, look what I have done again. What did I get myself into?
Speaker 2:again.
Speaker 1:I've never thought I'll be actually be on TV to be interviewed. What I did about that was I actually asked the producer if they need somebody. I've never, for example, with as a canvas certified creative. I just showed myself up and create something and then kind of ask, hey, are you looking for advocates for your brand? All of these things are being done, and even everything that I have created with savvy shake design and now with Empowersoft is really just that defining moment of understanding that I have something to share to the world, and if the world is not ready for me, I'm going to let them be ready for who Joanna is.
Speaker 2:I love that.
Speaker 1:So yeah, especially as an immigrant, I came here in 2015. I had the sales and marketing background in the Philippines when I came in here. Maybe just a few dollars in your pocket because I came here, because my love of my life is here as what they call right. I bet there are some of us who flew over the ocean, fly over the mountain to be with the love of our life and kind of just defining and really let go of the things that we have created for years, right, yes.
Speaker 1:Especially, I was in a stage of really climbing the corporate ladder, like being manager, managing team, traveling, all of these things. And I came here in the US and when I eventually had my permit to work, the first job that I had was in retail. It did just more flexibility than eventually. I became a key holder, like a second line to the manager, and then eventually became a manager.
Speaker 2:A key holder. I love that. Yes, a key holder.
Speaker 1:So and then after that I kind of just realized there's more to things. Right, there's more to things and I think that's one thing that, as an immigrant, at times we try to navigate who we are, our identity. We have brown, I got brown skin.
Speaker 1:You know different from the community that I have, especially if you are in a county that is a bit smaller, maybe not that well, diverse and everything, and you're trying to navigate yourself right. And then I was just trying to tell myself like there's more, there's more to what I am doing right now. I feel like I am called to do something more than just like, because it was just shoe store and I love shoes. Yes, the amount of shoes that I've actually bought during that work.
Speaker 2:And I'm sure with that discount, so it was an even sweeter deal.
Speaker 1:The amount of shoes that I bought for Christmas time to give to my family. They surely enjoyed that moment, right. But there was really more to that and since I had sales and marketing experience, I said I think I'm going to start something. And my husband's cousin was into the network marketing and he she owns a boutique up north I think, north north or west something in Kentucky. I said, hey, why don't you do this one? Because I think you have the personality. And I said, yeah, I think that would be a good opportunity for me, because it allows me to get out, you know, know the community and, you know, kind of just dive into what I love.
Speaker 1:And online, I mean, with the blessing of online right now, it is just so powerful. And I actually had that moment in time, like because I was already scrolling Facebook, right, you know, watching those cat videos, those funny videos, until you fall asleep. I said, and behind of my mind is that I ought to be like earning something from this time that I have, right. So that's where, kind of like I was really hungry for something else beyond that. And, of course, the fear of not knowing, like I mean, I didn't know anyone like I didn't know anyone like who can I sell? You know they sell. They say right, start with your family, start with your friends, like I didn't have that much friends right and my family is just like within this.
Speaker 1:So it was really trying to navigate and building something out of nothing. So I went into network marketing and they start selling lipstick and that was my first product.
Speaker 1:Yes, that was the first product that I had that it was called LipSense. So this much prove all of this proof, right? So I started doing that one and I was starting learning about visual branding like personal branding. Right, Because it was online. So I said, okay, if I'm not going to spend like much marketing, like the traditional marketing that I had during corporate times, right, you do. Flyers, you do all of these other things.
Speaker 1:Right, you just have Facebook, go live and everything. So I started to learn about that. I started to dive into that whole kind of world and got to know some online influencers, learning about personal branding, and I remember doing and capturing, you know, those Facebook quotes for motivational Monday like you know go. Thursday, something like that, and I grew up I kept grabbing it on Google and Pinterest and I said there ought to be better way that I can do it, and that's when canva came into my life. Oh, wow.
Speaker 1:And what year was this? I think 2017, because I became a canvas certified creative, I believe 2018. So there was already that transition. So I said I ought to be doing something. I'm not gonna grab because I've learned about copywriting, you know all of the things that we should not do. So I started, found canva and from there because I was learning already to oh, you need to position yourself as somebody so that you can attract people online. So I started doing live video training like.
Speaker 2:Hey, I have this, oh wow.
Speaker 1:Like, I have this new tool that I would like to share with you all. So I just did this, and then people started asking me do you do social media templates, do you do Facebook stuff? And it was nothing, really, I was not doing it, but here's one thing that I've learned as a business owner listening is very important. Yes like how many times and really self aware. And I think that's where empower soft came about, because me listening again and thinking about a year.
Speaker 1:Right, but I was just starting listening and people said I and I was really honest, I have no experience but I'd be happy to do it for you for x, y amount. And my very first job was a $50 for 25 canva templates for social media. Oh my God. And it's customized like. It's really like within their brand, what they need and everything. And I remember crying. We'd still get that deal, Joanna.
Speaker 1:That was a good deal right there, I know right, like that was really it, and there was a moment like it was a nice learning.
Speaker 1:And then, such time, you find the value of what you create you start increasing, you start offering more and all of the wide arrays that we have with savvy. Shake design like from branding, social media, graphic website logo design was when people asked little by little, by creating actions, because I was like, okay, I was doing this, showing up, and then people start asking. People start asking, said okay, three people already asked. Let's see if somebody else.
Speaker 1:And then I said okay, yes, and I started minimal, like I was deciding maybe 250 for a website, you know, like really five on and literally, or something like that. So it was really a gradual, gradual and there was really a precedent of minds of like listening it Okay, this is a value. This is a value, this is something.
Speaker 2:I can do.
Speaker 1:And it took some time. I was and you know, has as an. You know, we have family, we have responsibility. So I was working part time and juggling, juggling, juggling the business and kind of turning around, and then 20 pandemic happened. Of course that's when digital became so busy, so that's where I really became more of an LLC for savvy shake design and really went full on with the design and website design business that I have. So it's really navigating.
Speaker 1:It's like from there, like, okay, I came in 2016, started navigating and then here we are after, like you know, a few years in with the business.
Speaker 2:it has its own challenges, but it's nice, yeah, and we're going to that because it's exciting and it sits full of yes, it has it all for the aspiring women entrepreneurs at all out there. It has it all. That's the that's the beauty of it. Okay, so I love how you connected your talents and gifts and a unique expertise so you connected your, your experience from sales and marketing with that, with that drive to ask for opportunities, to knock on doors that may not be open but you request to be let in.
Speaker 2:And then I believe the overarching was the restaking that you mentioned at the beginning of who you are right and boldness, because you've been in the US for nine years. And then you started on one of the hardest segments of sales, right, yeah, network marketing, and and then you just like took it from there and I'm amazed by that and how you, how you've gone from a little opportunity to just building blocks from there. So, joanna, you talked about you being multi passionate offline and, and I think what you described captures that. But can you tell us a little bit of how this wonderful woman came to be being raised, born and raised in the Philippines that you see nurture who you are as a business woman right now?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean coming from a you know, a developing country. I would say there are a lot of experience that hone who I am right now and I think that's one thing that I'm really proud of. And I think if you visit to Savishic Design, you know it's really created with the heritage, the passion that we have, remembering where I came from and who also I bring into the business. Like, we are diverse but we also want to go back to our roots. I think that's one thing that we have. Right, resilience is always one thing I have learned.
Speaker 1:I remember times of hardship, as you know, family in the middle class. I remember circumstances that doesn't allow us to have that means, but just being resilient and find ways in figuring out, and I think that's one thing also that I've really carried on. Besides, real resilience is everything is figureoutable. So there is a book for that one. If you all follow Marie Folio, she has a book for that one. Go check that one out. That's one of the things that I said like, yeah, I actually been doing this as my life motto, right?
Speaker 1:Like yeah and I think that's one thing that I have. Who Joanna is like, really being able to figure things out, and I think that's where the yes part, being an entrepreneur, yes, let's figure it out. Yes, let's do this. If this doesn't work, then we know that this doesn't work and then we can shift right. Because, as a business owner, one of the key things I've really realized is that you need to be fast in design, deciding things.
Speaker 1:Yes, of course, you take calculated risk, analyzing. You know this investment that we're going to do cost this one. How is a return of investment? There's a lot of things that you need. You need to analyze first, but being able to really figure things out, because life may not be that super, super hard, but it has its challenges. When I was, you know, I was in the Philippines and being because when I when was that one? I think I was in college. A few years in college, I think my mom did left for the US, you know, just just for better opportunity as well. That's why we're here with my mom and my middle sister just providing, but I had to really survive with my middle sister in the Philippines on our own.
Speaker 1:So, um, so I really had an on my fourth year of college. One more semester. I actually end up stopping because I was supposed to graduate. 20, 20, oh five, and I stopped because I need the financial help.
Speaker 1:So I started working in a call center, um, which is a blessing. Also, you know, a US company outsourcing their business allowed us to have some financial help as well during that time. Right, and the funny thing, also in the Philippines, is that you can't you know how, um, education is really a priority, like a diploma graduate of years experience in order for you to gradually go through the corporate ladder. Right, and I knew that I was more than just a supervisor on a call center booth managing that I ought to be, you know, have experience manager and everything.
Speaker 1:So with that one, you know it has its own challenges in being to provide for yourself. And then you know, you know how it is to live independently right, food, housing. And then you have your sister who's still in college. Um, you kind of just help out each other of some sort there.
Speaker 1:So there is an instant maturity that defines who Joanna is now as well, and just that experience. And during that time I was really like I need to go, you know, up the ladder and everything. So I decided in 20, 2008, I believe 2008 to go back, to go back to college and finish college.
Speaker 2:Wow, so you had, you had a four year break in between.
Speaker 1:Yes, I had it, you know, and in the Philippines private schools are with uniforms. Yeah, you know we have uniforms. I was like wearing our and we are in a Catholic school, right. So I had to go through and everything and I really had to manage. I think that really helped me also, like when I was doing part time job and also managing my business, because when I was working at the call center, I had to request for Tuesday and Thursday day off and it was a full load class, like from seven to like late night, like that is it for the two days, right?
Speaker 1:So it was really a little bit of a discipline, for sure, and it just defines who I think who I am as an entrepreneur, um, coming you know, with that experience, with the values that I have, and I always had that mindset that, even though it is out of my scope, I try to learn it because down next time, like even in my career, like you know, I was a marketing manager, I was like a sales manager, I was a regional manager and even though it's out of scope, I'm not that attitude and no, that's below my grade or like above my pay or something like that I would just say, yep, I'd be happy to learn it.
Speaker 1:And then when it says like hey, it seems like this is like out of my scope, it doesn't work, or something like that, those are like things that helped me learn. That's why, as a business owner, we always say like we wear multiple hats, right From HR to sales and marketing, to like analyzing, to everything. And I think those attitude helped me how I kind of run my business as well in knowing areas of you know, I know how to analyze the numbers, how to forecast this one, how to like work with people.
Speaker 1:So there's a lot of things that kind of just made us ready for who we are right now.
Speaker 2:I hope that that is so cool. That is so cool, I mean, you talked about resilience and how you you know the face of hardship, so it's not like that's something that scares you, because you've been through it and you've you've been able to find a way, and I believe that that that I mean as, as you say, everything is figureable, everything has a solution, right, and so I think that resilience is directly tied to your life experiences and and I mean you making decisions as a young adult, 24 year old, to take a break to provide for for your family. I'm sure that was not an easy decision. Um, primarily because of what you said about the Philippines culture, putting that value in education, right, so you were a non college graduate working and so, as as a Mexican immigrant, I know education was drilled into me as a as value, and I I was not at peace until I had that, that paper as like college graduate, right, like, I'm a college graduate, so I can imagine you being there, yeah.
Speaker 1:And by the time that I really got March, because we were still in the traditional like set things, because I think right now the Philippines adopted the US type of you know curriculum. So March graduate, when I got that one and really got my toga and my hat, I'm going to make my rush of May and I start applying outside of the call center because you know call center, you work the night shift, double shift at times right Like it's becoming a little bit of a strain on health.
Speaker 2:So when I got that one I was out like I was like graduate of, like yes, Wow, well, but you know, in what you just said, Joanna, um, you were persistent at this call center, right, you, you, you stayed there and you, you were grateful for what you were getting out of it, although you knew it was not the place where you wanted to stay. And you know I'm going to go into a piece that I'm like call center talking to people having a podcast. Tell us how you came up with the podcast, as now it makes sense, all the pieces are connected.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I mean that call center was really good, because the last call center was more about market research and I think that's also a good thing. Is like we call people hey, political, who's your? Do you like Papa John's? And that's when I know actually like what Papa John's is, what, like those brand dominoes.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow we don't have this one in the Philippines and every time, actually, I don't know if like um, like people, like oh, you speak good English. Like um, we're actually yeah, we're actually from the Philippines, but we are taught English. You know our communication or education, like this are things right, but anyway, kind of just like, and the podcast that it came about is, you know, just the talking and it was a passion project. So 20, I think my very first episode was in 25th 2018. It was called Savvy Connection, um, and that podcast has changed its name multiple times, but now it's called the self thought designer podcast. Um, it was really just a passion project and we're in. I could just talk, record and talk and without any plan and everything, no client avatar, nothing at all. Just kind of like hey, I got a podcast right, you know how it is. We're business owners, the shiny objects.
Speaker 2:Yep, it's really shiny object. So.
Speaker 1:I had that one, but of this year, 20 October of this year it became more defined on what the podcast is all about. Um, I am a self thought. It's one thing also. I'm everything that. I've created is self thought. I mean, I'm a. I always call myself. I'm a designer, graduate of YouTube university.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, all the YouTube resources that I have and I kind of just say like, okay, I'm a self thought, I think I have built something from my wide array of experience. How can it be more of service to a different clientele? Because I serve um knowledge based entrepreneurs, small businesses, um, we build websites, we do um, we work with a lot of online coaches and with Empowersoft we're kind of targeting also the local market, right, it's more driven of a service. Now, how can it be more of service to fellow immigrants maybe who are building their own design um business, a fellow designers who maybe went out of the corporate and trying to navigate it? So I just said this would be a good opportunity for me to, to to be of service through that. Um.
Speaker 1:Of course, initially it has a tension. Maybe I can do a course and I can do that one. That's still going to be in the pipeline, but it became more meaningful to me to show up and just share like. This is how I did. The things like this are the things that you can learn. This are my challenges that I have, and I think we we always say like, we have our own story and I always say like with everything that I do, even when I was doing like live video from the very beginning, wondering if someone is watching. I would say, if there's only one person who will listen or just watch and they say like, hey, this created impact on me, that's already a win.
Speaker 2:If not, that's still okay, that's still okay.
Speaker 2:If not, I just was able to blur out, whatever it is that I have in my mind. Yes, you know, I love it Because, as a fellow podcaster, we it's a lot of investment, right, it's investment in time, energy, the unknowns, but as a passion project, knowing that it will impact someone. I love how you frame it. If it impacts one person, then we achieve that goal that we started with and it is now our job to get it to even more people, right? But? But we need to be thankful and grateful of those, those people who are impacted.
Speaker 2:And I love when you said one person, Joanna, I'm sure you don't have one person listening, but if, in the instance when we, when we see on our social media our videos 50 views or 100 views, and and then we see those 100,000 view influencers, right, but let's, let's remember if we had a room full of 50 people, if we had a room of 100 people or 250 people, I mean, those are human beings that we are impacting and and it's a blessing and it's a responsibility. So thank you for bringing your expertise, self taught that, even if it's available there, not everybody has the the grit to go through it and and bring it in the form of service to somebody. So I'm I'm thankful for for that, Joanna, and I'm sure your podcast is of impact. I'm going to go back to something you mentioned as an immigrant. You said the values that you have. What are your values as a business owner, as an individual, Joanna?
Speaker 1:Wow, that's really just like oh, I really value one thing is the family setting of running in a business.
Speaker 1:Yes, I think that's one thing I'm really proud of, that even my team like we had a Christmas party, virtual Christmas party, last Friday and people were saying, like there was one that just came in and said I saw that this is more than just an agency. Like I've worked with other, like I see the family like that value, because I didn't have that much big family. Like we're so immediate, like it's really just my mom, my parents and everything. I know my mom and dad kind of separated, but it's really just us and our even family dynamic is not really that close, but we know that we're there for each other. You know what I mean.
Speaker 1:Like we don't talk every time in the phone or comes to it, but we know that I got your back, like you got my back, you know everything. So that's always what I come in. My value of like we are all family here working together and so, if there's something wrong, the value of communication as well, because, like me, I'm such I always say myself like I am the disorganized, organized entrepreneur. Like I have all of this idea. I need people to organize it.
Speaker 1:So I always say like I communicate this at any point. There's any question of some sort, you know, like, make sure that you kind of tell me. I think the value of also of integrity is very important as well. I mean as a business owner, right, we, we build our business through what we showcase, right? So the integrity that we deliver, what we ought to deliver, is something that I always say to my, to my team or to my contractors, that if this is what we see, this is what we tell, if we have, you know, that's why I always say, like, sometimes, like I do video recordings of client calls, because I always tell my clients that I need to make sure I deliver what I said, because I can just blur it out Like, yeah, we can do this one, right. So just the integrity that we are a business and just being able to be their professionalism is very important for me. It just resonates with who I am.
Speaker 1:I might be the bubbly, like yeah yes yes, yes, right, like all of this kind of like kidlike type. I think that's also. One thing that I have is that we ought not to forget who we are when we are kids, like enjoy it have fun with it, right that's why we have. We have a team meeting. That is theme base. Oh, I'll show, I'll share to you, like all the slides, the group pictures that we have, like we were so fun, the value of fun, the value of working together the value of integrity, good integrity, the value of professionalism and the value of like.
Speaker 1:I am here to continuously learning so that I can end up with change, because I that's the I have. I think that's one thing that really resonates with me as well as an entrepreneur.
Speaker 2:Awesome, awesome, joanna, and how do you feel that those values are important to you as a guide, as a North Star? I say set, I mean where, where do you see the benefit of knowing your values and bringing that into your business?
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I mean it just creates like a pillar right, a pillar of things. Like are we doing this? Are we doing our service? Like am I presenting this with the integrity of good intention to my client right?
Speaker 1:So, you then provide services that is right for them. You provide advice that is good for them, providing them option right, professionalism of a value you provide. Whether there are times that, oh my gosh, I can just, you know, throw the red flag because I got an irate. That was a bit discriminating in some sense, because I have something as an immigrant right? Here's some good example Thinking that you are in a developing country.
Speaker 1:at times when we outsource, they have the mentality that they can be paid off a minimal amount of fee compared to where we are at the US, right, so we have that one and then at times, like because it's a third third, let's say third world or developing country the quality is different from a first world country. That mindset is still there and there was one time that it was thrown at me because client didn't know like hey, you have a team here in the Philippines. That's the reason why I hired a US agency you know X, y and Z because I know quality is good.
Speaker 1:That took me back because the reason why I am working also with my fellow Filipinos there because I know how hard it is to be able to work and for me to just give back in that community is why I also work with them.
Speaker 2:I'm not saying.
Speaker 1:I'm not going to be working with fellow Americans here or anyone here. Right, it was just that I know the culture, I know the type of work, I know what it is. So just having that and understanding, no, we are professional. Because I was really like, and then my teammate, who understand that professionalism is our core value, had to remind me let's sit down, let's calm down a little bit, let's be this. How can we address this professionally and show off that we are good in what we do, regardless of where we are at?
Speaker 1:right so because that is a that's a real scenario.
Speaker 1:And that is something that might happen, might might occur as an entrepreneur, especially if you are from different country maybe your English is not that pronounced as mine, right, we have some some sort of that but just being reminded by the core value that we need to, to remain our composure, be professional how can we address this and still build that relationship? So that's like it's really a guiding light. It's a pillar of everything that we. Does. It serve our client? Do we provide integrity with this?
Speaker 1:Do we still have fun, because there are times that.
Speaker 1:I have to say no to clients because it doesn't bring us joy, Like when I start to feel like my, my contractors or my team members is stressing out, like because this is just way too much, it's not a line anymore, then I have to make a decision and I have to ask them that's where the communication value is. I am willing to sacrifice this project if you all are not happy. Are you good? Wow, Then I make them decide oh, let's, let's, oh, let's just one more time. Maybe it's just something. Then the professionalism comes in right, Like still not giving up. So these are things that, because, as a business owner, you really need to align things that you have, not just because you earn the money or you end the dollars right, you need still to align. Is this where Savishik is going? Is this where Empowersoft is going? Is this the client that we want to serve? Is this how we want to do business? Or even, is this how we want to earn our money right To feed?
Speaker 2:our family.
Speaker 1:But if it's all aligned with what you're doing, what you believe in. And one thing also I kind of want to raise being a Catholic, if I may as well. You know, I don't know the the clientele or the religious.
Speaker 2:This is a Ron Genoese.
Speaker 1:bring it on, Joanna, Because I always say like, because I'm a Catholic. I always say like. I always say like in team meetings, like, lord, if this is for us, please provide us. And I even have to say like, are you okay with me? Because this is who I am, I, I surrender my work, I believe in him, I believe in my faith, I believe in that one. So every team members really know that you know, like, when I say trouble, this is just the Lord's way, because I really do like this is God. If God, this is yours, this is going to be the path that we're going to take. Just guide us. And I always say, even to my, to my team, like I know this is challenge. 2023 has been a challenging year for for me personally. I was hospitalized in March. Anxiety was was so so high.
Speaker 1:I traveled in the Philippines with a little bit depression rather than being happy. So there's a lot of things going on and just coming in, you know, as we end 2023, just having that faith and just being able to share that faith with people who believes the other values that we have just makes business also really worthwhile Because I always believe that. I always believe that he guides us. It's just my work to do. I always just tell Lord just guide me where you want me, I'm going to do all the work that needs to be done right.
Speaker 1:Whether it's low or high, I know he's always there to support us, so that's why faith is always one thing. I also want to want to share one thing that I hold dear as a person as well. And the thing that I also do in my Mrs.
Speaker 2:In your day to day. Wow, that's you know, that's so powerful. For, for first, your level of awareness of your values and then, second, how you implemented, not only if they're not only a picture on your wall, but it's a day to day implementation, practical insights on how you and your team hold those values in practice every day. And and on the instance you talked about, how the perception of you as an immigrant or coming from X or working in X country, how that really allowed you to go back to the core of who you are as a company. I love that and not allowing to be reactive but respond in the best way to your, to your interest and what you believe in. And I love the fun part, because you do have fun in what you do. I mean for my audience, when you get a chance to visit Duann's Duann's website.
Speaker 2:It's savvy design have you seen design, design that come, you're going to see the fun, and actually what she has on the website she's. She has this, which I love she says hold on, inspired by heritage, design with passion and build with purpose. And so that is, in a, in a very concise way, everything that Joanna has shared with us. So, Joanna, thank you for sharing about 2023 and the challenges that you've had as a business owner, and we talked about this briefly in the beginning. The business ownership has it all right the good, the bad and the ugly. So tell us about a moment of challenge for you as a business owner.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, you know, you know, working on your own, like doing the freelance work, it all started right, but then when? When I was able to replace already my income of the part time job with what I was earning. That was already like oh okay, this is something. This is something else, right? Yes, another pivotal moment as an entrepreneur, when I started talking to a CPA like, really like. Oh, learning like filing my LLC, right. Opening a bank account that has your LLC.
Speaker 2:Oh, it's exciting.
Speaker 1:Yeah, talking to lawyer to review your contract this is like big big girl woman entrepreneur.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh. Like I have a lawyer that I can just email. Can you review this contract? You know those kind of things right, and and those are like the wow, wow, like that is like a pivotal moment of being like oh, I am indeed a business owner, right, coming in three years as an LLC. Challenges with the thing with us. Entrepreneurs always say that we are the crazy ones who put on responsibilities in our shoulder for other people's livelihood. That is the most Keith like thing, like when people kind of say, oh, ceos, their owners are, like they earn, break money and everything. They should be tax and everything. I'm not saying that I'm already like a multimillionaire.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah yeah, yes, it's just that this. There are a lot of things like like when, when my bosses before that owners, because I work directly. When I was in corporate, I worked directly, usually with the business owner because I was part of the core like team, right. So you see, business owner shift like shift, strategy shift like this, and you're here like I don't understand. We just plan this one out.
Speaker 1:But now that I'm in that seat, now I understand, because as a business owner, we see the whole picture from in and out of our business and we do a lot of decisions making, right?
Speaker 1:Yes, the beauty of that is that you have that freedom to decide whether this is the right path, wrong path, switch, turn around, whatever degrees you want to take, but the challenge into that, as well as the responsibility that we put in our shoulders, as I mentioned, putting other livelihoods, whether they're contractors more of the teammates that I have are contractors, but they have been, you know, doing their own thing, but they have been with me by contract to contract as well.
Speaker 1:Yes, 2013, I think, is a challenging because there has a bit of a shift on the buying power of clients. Contracts are a little bit longer, there is a little bit more haggling, negotiation, there's multiple being bidded out for project, and that was different from the previous years that we have and I had and I was getting so worried. I think that's where anxiety comes in. Right, because I got, I got hours running and profit is being used rather than just the income, right. So, and that's one thing and making sure so like being that responsibility, you know, like letting go of people you have been there because you don't have hours, you can't afford that one right.
Speaker 1:Now the challenges that you have, because they have, especially when you have people who see the same vision as you and stick with you, you have that responsibility to be responsibility to them as well. Right, because you are that self-aware as well.
Speaker 1:So I think that was it 2030,. I lost my amazing senior designer. At the very beginning. There was a lot of things shifting. There was hiring people, contracts was being so late. I was just so worried with sales that I didn't know where the sale is coming from. And if you are from sales, you work on pipelines.
Speaker 2:You see your forecast.
Speaker 1:Like where's my forecast? How many codes did I have? I don't see that one. Right In March I was hospitalized. Anxiety was kicking in. I left for December December, as I mentioned to the Philippines. I felt like I was not in the right kind of hype mode. I was there but not really that, and I was really worried with sales. Sales was really one thing, and one of the challenges also is that, as an entrepreneur, is finding whether your decisions is the right decisions, and 80% of most of that is not the right decisions right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's true, but you know, going back to the risk taking, right, we must make decisions that are risky, but we have to keep moving forward.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so those are things like sales really. I was like I see our business bank account going down Like oh shoot Like oh my gosh another week going down. Where will I get? Like the lowest was mid, second quarter, third quarter, right, because I always do analyst number like where will I get this? I was already thinking like I'm going to work part time again.
Speaker 2:Oh, wow.
Speaker 1:Just to supply it right, just to pay my car mortgage. Right, like, just to make sure I still pay the bills that I share in the household. I'm blessed, but I still have responsibilities. Right, like if I got to say, like do launch desk, because you have your terms. You have all of these things right. You have to monitor cash flow in and out.
Speaker 1:And I'm such a here's the thing that the risk taker comes in. I'm such a risk taker in decision making in the business, like if I think that goes value. I know, like, okay, this is the probable ROI and you know how ROI is right. It's like, yes, like it's not 100% right, the return of investment needs, it's a variable that needs to be analyzed. So that was it, I think. And then I had to decide in October, november, that I need to shift, like I need to shift something, and I think that's where it come about, where Empowersoft comes in. I need to make strategic decision and move. I need to be more aware. But I had to communicate. Going back to the values again Communicate to those who work with me if they understand the direction.
Speaker 1:Because I always say this one as a business owner, right. I always say to my team like I may be the pilot of the plane, but you all actually have the tickets right In your ticket. You know where the destination is, what's the time of departure, what's the destination?
Speaker 1:Because you're not going to fly an airplane without that one right. So and I was also I was transparent to them. I was really transparent that I am having a hard time. Sales is so hard. Hours may not be there, please just hang on, but I'm going to work my butt off to do this one. And it's so funny when, when I started to do that, my project manager say oh no, ms Joanna is working double time. Clients is coming in. You know, like they're like 10s now so we better, you know, in place.
Speaker 1:But I think that's it's. It's not all ups Like. You will see me on social media all up and down but, I think I also allow myself to be vulnerable and something that it's hard.
Speaker 1:It was really hard and I just need to shift, like next year, we have our game plan. I don't know if it's going to be 100, but I see the vision and the people that I've talked to see also the vision, though. So it's just my responsibility to to to keep going and just being just moving forward and in the hopes that where we where, where we are led to go, is the path that we're going to go. Is it going to be a straight line? I don't think so, but we are just.
Speaker 2:It never is in business ownership.
Speaker 1:I feel like straight then circle back around 300, you know, 360 degrees. But yeah, it's really hard. I've cried, I've been, I've, I've decided to go into therapy because I think I've, I just, I just, I just allowed myself to kind of I think I need that space. And even when I'm already feeling good, I said no, I'm not going to let go of you. Let's go meet everyone.
Speaker 2:You know I'm not going to let go of you. Yeah, wow, you touched in so many important pieces for us business owners, um, and and as an immigrant too, right. So what I, what I got from that, joanna is number one you monitor your business closely. You know where, where you are right now and you know where you want to go, and then you know where the pipeline is. So that's number one. Number two is, um, knowing that this is not an easy ride. It has the ups and downs, and I love, though, when you talk about this this October November period, you are wondering and and reflecting deeply on the direction and the future. Yeah, but what I love, love, love about it is that out of that came a new endeavor, a new company.
Speaker 2:So, for my audience, I've had the pleasure to be firsthand witness to this development in the last three months, and I want Joanna to tell us. Now. An additional business came out of this moment of stress, and Joanna is now an immigrant business woman in the tech industry. So tell us about in power stuff, because I am so proud of you, joanna, for being bold and courageous and taking this moment to create even more out of nothing. So tell us. Thank you.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much for letting me share this one, so I'm so excited. So in power soft came about in really thinking how can me and my team be sustainable and be able to serve more, going beyond what we offer Right Cause there's a lot of things that we can do is always at thinking how can we serve, how can we sustainable, how can I serve my, my people who've stuck with me, and being able to sustain right and still serve who we want to serve. So in power soft is an all in one platform that can cater to, like offering CRM, website, social media planner, all of this wide array that we have, and I was really like heads down, like what are this we're going to create Right? So it's going to be a platform that they can sign up with and have an all in one that can really cater and specifically focus under sales and marketing, help them retain right, because we've discussed this one yesterday when we had our call, is that, yes, a website is beautiful, it can function, but if you don't do beyond, just launching your website, you're not gaining sales, right. So we want to empower our clients or those who would like to work with us that they can actually have a software that will streamline everything that they would love and simplify things for them. Because, as a business owner, especially if you're a solo entrepreneur right, you have a website to manage, you have social media how many social media accounts? Then? How you're going to do your CRM, your pipeline, your funnels, your email marketing. Like us alone, we've known each other through the DCA by Amy Porterfield, and there's a lot of tech stuff that goes hand in hand and working right. So let's simplify this.
Speaker 1:And then Powersoft came about it and I'm so excited. I'm also scared at the same time with the investment we just thought I just talked with my team this morning that you know, because support is one thing, we want to make sure that is in place, that's another thing that we want to do. So with this one, it's really a platform that you can either just do your lead generation and maintaining your relationship as a CRM, or you would love that all in platform that has your website, your funnels, your SMS and email marketing right Into that one, and then the higher tier that we offer is going to be more like you can send invoice proposals and all of these things to maintain and then still generate it all in one place. So you know, I always say I've never been into the.
Speaker 1:I think one thing my middle sister is actually the one who is who went into the IT stuff, so he's she's the hardcore developer and everything. And here I am more of a business mindset. But I knew that this is something that we can offer to our clients. So that's how in Powersoft came about with the intention of how can I be? There's a selfish note to it right At first, like how?
Speaker 2:can you business to be? Go back to the responsibility. You have to be sustainable and continue to deploy that responsibility not only to your team, but those that you are called to serve as your clients.
Speaker 1:right, yes, Because I was really thinking that, oh, how can we? How can we? Yes, because they always. You know, we all hear that analogy in the plane. Right, you put your mask first before you put it to somebody else right.
Speaker 2:That's always the instruction.
Speaker 1:So what mask can I put in SCD first? In order, for us to be sustainable and in power and I love how in Powersoft came about. I was coming back to Florida, going back to Kentucky, because we do. We were like a snowbird. I'm so proud of that one we're a snowbird.
Speaker 1:So, but anyway, we came back there and I was really looking what name, what name, what name I had. All of this fancy. I want to savvy, soft, savvy something, something I said empower. Why is it? Because I want to empower people. I want for us to be empowered as well. You know, we want to be empowered in what we do in our business, because if we are empowered, we empower others too. And that's where it come about with Empowersoft. It doesn't have an E on it, but it's going to be Empowersoftcom, Empowersoft.
Speaker 2:So this is for my audience If you are solopreneur or a small business who doesn't have a way to manage who you are serving as your customers, if you don't know their contact information, or you have it in papers or in Excel files that we all know we love, but it would be so much nicer to have everything in one place, right?
Speaker 2:And then, as you said, joanna, if we could have invoices and proposals in one place, this software can be the answer to all of the issues, not only to get new clients, but also to have repeat clients, which we know they're much easier to get than the first time clients. So, joanna, I am super excited because of the vision you have about this, this new product and the expansion of your business and the expansion of services that you are going to provide to your clients, because I really see all of all of what you offer under one big umbrella serving, serving those clients and helping them be the best business owner they can be to serve their clients. Right, I'm super excited. Okay, so a crucial question for this podcast, joanna Were you expected to be successful?
Speaker 1:Ah, I like that one. I think I already had that mindset that I'm in here for the long haul. So I need to be like like successful in what way I do like be enough, but not in a way that I think I you know that I am right now being able to be part of a community, being able maybe, to be interviewed in a TV station, being able to connect with a lot of people, having clients worldwide from different right, having a team. I prayed for all of this, but just being able to have it just like, oh okay, we've come far, that's awesome Wow.
Speaker 1:Just a different definition of what we sometimes see as a success.
Speaker 1:You know, sometimes it's monetary, sometimes it's non-tangible or some sort, but just being able to like, have this conversation and just even to share the story is a reminder of what we have done. And if I may share as well, during that Christmas party I was really teary-eyed because my team did a presentation slide of what happened in 2023. And you know how I was so depressed and I was so full of anxiety and when I saw the highlights, just the highlights of the good, just made me realize it has still been a good year, wow.
Speaker 2:You know, sometimes we as business owners and high achievers, we are in the day-to-day, and it's been part of my own journey to really learn to slow down and celebrate those moments, because when we don't, we cannot look back and remember where we were and then where we have come to be, and so thank you, team members, for putting that highlight slide, because it is so important to celebrate all the accomplishments and I'm sure, as part of this family, you all seem to have as team members, that was also something intentional for your nourishment as well.
Speaker 2:So let's celebrate 2023. And you know, joanna, I am so amazed because, in light of you being in this hard place, you're still creating, you're still putting initiatives forward. You said, in October of 2023, you really define who your ideal listener is for your podcast, and then, in December of 2023, you are closing so strong with having a new business, and so I'm excited. I'm excited because of your resilience and because of your commitment to continue to create things out of nothing. And so for my audience, joanna, for the women aspiring entrepreneurs who may be listening, whether they're immigrants or not, what is a piece of advice you give them to be in a better place where they're? I know I want to start my own business, but I haven't taken that step. What would you give them as a piece of advice?
Speaker 1:I think because coming from a risk taker type of personality is really just act on it. It will never be 100% perfect, but I think if you just act on that idea, it just gives you more of a clear decision, whether it's for you or not, because I think that's one thing that I really just have.
Speaker 1:Sometimes it's so scary Sometimes it's just so like, oh my gosh, I don't know if I'm right, Making the right decision Again. We're not going to do all the right decisions, but just by taking action, showing up. I think that's one thing, Because, even though that I was so dispressed, I just keep showing up showing up for my team, showing up for myself, showing up for my clients, showing up for anyone. Sometimes they don't really expect me to show up, sometimes because there was a time that I had to slow down on social media. No one is asking where I am right, but I just still show up for myself because Joanna deserves to show up. So if you're an entrepreneur, yourself deserves that to be showed up and just act on it and make decisions from there. I think that's one thing that I can really impart as a savvy entrepreneur.
Speaker 2:Oh, I love it. I love it Branding, Branding. Joanna, how would you describe your journey in business ownership as an immigrant woman, business woman in one word.
Speaker 1:Can I say roller coaster yes roller coaster with all hands up. Oh, and you know I you know what I actually am scared with roller coaster. The last time I actually went to Rollers coaster here in Kings Island my husband went me like the traditional wooden roller coaster. Oh, he broke me.
Speaker 2:That was the first ride that he had and the next thing.
Speaker 1:I know I can't turn my neck so I said like no, I'm not a roller coaster.
Speaker 2:But it's a roller coaster yeah. And Joanna for my audience, who may want to get in touch with you for services on Canva, on Kajabi and your new company and Power Stuff. Then expand the services. How can they get in touch with you?
Speaker 1:Yes. So if you are one of oh, if you are a business owners who's looking for the design and website support, you can actually visit SavvyShakeDesigncom. Feel free to schedule a free 30 minute call and we have a conversation making sure that we can be the right fit for you and for Empowersoft. We are officially going to have a beta launch on January 15. We are looking for at least 10 beta users so you can actually email hello at Empowersoftcom. We can already share that one. You can just send as an email. We have a special deal for that software that you have. We are looking for that first 25 that will sign up and you'll have a 34% discount on the monthly subscription that we are going to offer on the middle tier that we have. So, yeah, and you know what? Griselda, it's so nice to actually start saying it through the world.
Speaker 1:The first time I actually told it in public. That's also one thing. You know how, when you share it, you're now accountable and making it happen and I think that's where I am Like share it, share it, share it.
Speaker 1:And I also would love to say thank you to you because you've been an inspiration. Yesterday, when you say it's an expansion, it's not really like it's an expansion and I shared that one to our team Like we're not shifting, we're not. We're still going to be head on same direction. We're just expanding it, adding a different name to it, but still having that one. So, yeah, that's where you can all find me. Under Joanna Sherrow, I'm all over social. Under savvy shake design, I'm also over all social.
Speaker 1:So you can follow me there and just send us a message.
Speaker 2:Awesome, awesome. And, for my audience, if you are part of the restaking team and you want to be part of the beta testing, uh, but beta customers, you are actually getting a sweet deal here, uh, from Joanna and her team.
Speaker 1:Um, I think, if I may say yes, the first 25 will also have a um, an onboarding guide. That will be part of that package.
Speaker 2:Awesome, awesome Goodies left and right here, with savvy design, chick, savvy, chick design. I'll get it right, joanna, for my audience. I hope that you enjoy this conversation, that you were empowered, that you were inspired, that you know what you need to do If you are wondering about taking your next step or not. I thank you, joanna, for sharing the insights, your life experience, your business ownership journey with us and for bringing the raw and journey stories to this platform. Um, until next time, my audience, more to come.
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