If you’ve been around with me since the beginning, thank you because holy cow what a freaking year it’s been (if you’re new here hey I’m Nasya). I would be a liar if I told you it’s been easy, breezy, picture-perfect first year of business. In my opinion, talking like that doesn’t help anyone. So I’m about to get REAL.

It’s honestly been almost an entire year (what the hell??) since I launched my business and if you’re familiar with my brand you know there have been SO many small pivots and changes. And to be honest these growing pains are a big side of business I don’t feel like we see too often. I can seriously write a whole other blog post or two or three on that another time.

TL;DR Business isn’t easy. Staying true to you isn’t easy. Executing your vision isn’t easy.

Rewarding? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

But I have gone through so much blood sweat, and tears in this “year” (I’m just calling it that because it’s easier. There have been A LOT of challenges and a lot of wins. A lot of late hours, tears (which for an INTJ like myself that’s saying something). I’ve gone through really shitty mental health problems, failures, successes, lessons, new friendships, money coming in, money not coming in.

The whole fucking roller coster of entrepreneurship.

But if I’m honest with myself this year was hardest because I wasn’t honest with myself. But first…

An express version of my story. Which “starts” a couple of years ago when I sold the gorgeous house my husband and I worked so hard to get, quit my unfulfilling job, picked up our two dogs, and moved across the country. I worked hard and started a business as a brand strategist and web designer. Yeah, I sell some pretty sweet website templates you can check out here).

It was the most liberating move I’ve ever made. 

And yes, I know I sound crazy but I’m a “take life by the horns” kind of girl.

I started a business because #1 I’ve always dreamed of being my own boss and doing something that would use my brain and creativity and #2 because I craved the freedom of time, money, location, basically everything. I want to do what I want and not have to answer to anyone. As a kid I was told I had an authority problem (don’t worry all my bosses loved me, I have an insane work ethic). I’ve been called “bossy” and “assertive” since elementary school.

I’m a take charge, use your brain, problem solve, work hard and be creative kind of person. In short entrepreneurship and me are two peas in a pod.

I wasn’t cut out for a 9-5. I wasn’t cut out for the whole house, 1.5 kids, work at the same job for 40+ years and die. If that’s your version of success absolutly nothing wrong with that but it’s not mine.

So I started a business.

I started with something I knew I was good at, I had been tampering in graphic design since high school with my first job, websites since college with my first blog when I was too broke to afford a template (my first attempt at a non-conventional job).

I learned how to code websites from scratch, studied front-end development, devoured knowledge on brand psychology, and became a brand and web designer and brand strategist.

But secretly I knew very clearly that from day 1 the business I started wasn’t what I actually wanted to do long term. To get really real, I knew that as soon as I made “enough” I was dropping it right away and moving on to what I REALLY wanted.

Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you love it. Doesn’t mean there’s passion and doesn’t mean it NEEDS to be your business.

The more clients I worked with, the more friendships I made, the more introspection I did, the more I realized how easy it is to be influenced by other people’s standards, definitions of success, and opinions and forget to fight for the life we actually want.

It’s hard, and I began to have a series of wakeup calls and pivots.

And in response, my biz bestie and I launched a brand, community, and soon-to-be podcast called The Revolutionista all about inspiring entrepreneurs + content creators to be their most unapologetic selves and providing a safe space to be 100% you. 

The more I told my clients and my community to be YOU to do what YOU love. I realized more and more how much I was letting myself down. I put these huge goals and dreams on hold because I had to make an income.

I made an income ethically, I did my best but I didn’t have the fiery passion for it. Not saying you need to be passionate to have a successful business but for me, it’s a non-negotiable. I forgot how as a kid I would always say I’d rather be a starving artist than a millionaire who settled. It reminds me of this quote I love:

I’d rather die of burns in the flames of my passion than live a slow death in the comforts of my conformity – Michael T Coe

Yeah sounds a bit dramatic but for real though.

So I had to really analyze my why. Like my life why, not just my why for the box I had put myself in with this business. I knew what I wanted from well before day 1. I know I’m multi-passionate and I need to have a business that works with that.

I remember the feeling of regret when I finally fulfilled the dream of going to Europe and couldn’t get over my fear and self-consciousness to start blogging about my travels like I had always wanted. I remember all the times (much more than I’d like to admit) that I regretted just starting the YouTube channel I’ve wanted to do since high school.

I got caught up in people telling you all these things I HAD to do to find success, and have a profitable business. I got distracted, invested more than I should have just to end up feeling that I had done a big 360, from when I started.

Which to get real with you felt like shit. But sometimes I have to get my head out of the gutter and realize all the lessons I learned, all the wins I still had and how it’s a MILLION times better for me to come to this realization now than in 5, 10, 20 years if ever.

My biggest passion is living a life of freedom, being the best version of myself and inspiring you to do whatever the hell you want to do with your time on this planet.

I’ve truly always wanted a lifestyle brand to help free people from living lives they’re unfulfilled with. To share my travels and unconventional life. To help you be the best version of yourself and go after the life you want. To take care of your health physical and mental. To grow as an individual and to the best most unapologetic you.

To have a blog, YouTube channel, podcast, and a powerful online presence. To launch sub-brands and products (yes I have A LOT up my sleeve).

So instead of slowly making 100 more pivots to drag on the inevitable I’m cutting the cord and re-branding. Creating this lifestyle brand and sharing the real and raw and honest sides of everything.

So welcome!