Creativepreneurs: Tepsii
Creativepreneurs: Tepsii
Yolanda's note: This interview is dear to me because Tepsii is one of my good friends. We met offline many years ago and we reconnected a few years ago as we were both starting this crazy entrepreneurial journey. Now Tepsii is a kick-ass, boss copywriter who lives in her home country of South Africa.
What is your creative work and what inspired you to start?
I'm a lifelong writer who took a turn as a Life Coach because of encouragement from you, (my dear friend) Yolanda. I've always been someone people come to for advice. It just felt like a natural fit for me to coach because - to be truthful - I ask a lot of questions. Coaching is about helping clients uncover their own truth by simply asking powerful questions.
While trying to amp up my coaching biz I was planning a summit for beginner businesswomen who were interested in bridging the gap between life and business. As I was interviewing guests for my summit I was lucky enough to be "discovered" by a well-known copywriter in the online space. (p.s. I don’t really believe in luck - it’s really about being ready to seize an opportunity and having the know-how to run with your passion).
As the well-known copywriter and I got to know one another, she realized I was a lifelong writer in my corporate career. She said she had a feeling about me so she decided to take a random chance on me and send me my first ever client since her calendar was full. That client was super happy and so it began, a chain of happy clients + referrals.
And just like that my business grew rapidly through word of mouth.
How do you access your creativity and prepare to do your work?
To kick off a project with a client we do a 2 hour VIP intensive session. I have to get to know them intimately so I coach them through a series of questions to truly understand them and their biz.
I see clients one on one via Skype. When I first started out I was incredibly booked and I started to break down a bit. I put my soul into my work and I connect with my clients very deeply. I had never done work like this, it was nothing like my corporate writing gig.
So I developed a little routine. I embrace silence, color, and relax for a few minutes before I see clients. I also ground myself (Kind of like centering myself) and then I put a fresh cup of water in front of me before the call starts. The water is there to absorb energy, and it makes it so that I don't end up exhausted after a session. My VIP intensifies go deep and before I adopted these practices I was carrying people’s marital problems, money stress, and other emotional issues they shared. My methods sound a bit woo-woo, and I don't really understand the how behind everything I do. What I know is that it works!
What do you hope to inspire or accomplish?
1) Leave my day job. (I did that May 13, 2015)
2) Retire my husband from his legal career for the Feds (We celebrated this on July 8, 2015)
3) Move to South Africa. (Moved in early August 2015)
4) Launch a course to teach entrepreneurs how to write. (Launched late July 2015)
5) Inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women to do what I've done and also to show my daughters that anything is possible. And that they don't need a man to accomplish it! (I’m trying to do this every day)
6) Open a school and a non-profit. (This is my 5 year plan)
7) Publish books and become a best-seller + speaker on the topic of copywriting as well as motivation and entrepreneurship. (In the works!)
8) Launch a business building program for aspiring writers. (March 2016)
What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?
I had referrals and clients practically begging to work with me pretty early on in the beginning. When it came time to find new clients, I was a bit... Lost! I had to learn how to prospect for new business and also how to hold discovery calls to "close the sale." It felt unnatural and scary at first. But, to succeed I had to do it!
Another hurdle was self-promotion with paid ads. That felt so out of my sphere! I resisted it and actually had to work through it with my coach before I could go all in. But I did it and the rewards have been huge!
How do you practice self-care and recharge?
Leaving the day job and not sitting in traffic was step number one! Step number two has been moving closer to family so that my husband and I have help with our kids. It's allowed me time to take long leisurely baths, take weekends off and enjoy family time at the park.
Going on little mini vacations to the "bush" so we can do the safari thing is also key for me. Nature is so soothing and I get a lot of healing during my time outdoors. Oh, and I started indulging in 2 hour Thai massages each week when we moved... It's simply glorious to be able to do that for myself.
Each day I color in lieu of meditation. Coloring is very calming for me. After coloring I do a gratitude practice to thank God for my abundance. The other thing I do throughout the day is read motivational books to renew my spirit!
What advice do have for women considering entrepreneurship?
I once did a periscope (www.Periscope.Tv/Tepsii) about failure! I called it “Secrets of Success from a Complete Failure.”
I got so much positive feedback on it. Because so often people share successes but birther failure or vulnerability.
My point was that success is not a linear path. There are times when we will fall on our faces. That's ok! I've been wanting to explore entrepreneurship since I was 18, but I never cracked the code to success till I was on the eve of my 31st birthday. My failures made me stronger, I have tried to start so many businesses it would make you dizzy if you were to count! But, here I am now... I finally found the sweet spot between my passion and making a profit!
My advice is that you should never, ever give up and don't take no for an answer. Also, guard your biz with your life. If you tell too many people and seek too much outside advice from people who aren't knowledgeable about what you are doing they will discourage you. Emotionally and mentally that will make space for self doubt and reduce your confidence!
What are your other dreams and goals?
I’d love to travel/relax for 6 months out of the year and my husband and I are planning to have vacation homes that we can visit and rent out in Cape Town, South Africa and Vermont, USA. Those are my biggest short term goals.
What are you most proud of with your business?
FREEDOM! I am in the driver’s seat and I do what I want when I want!
I'm also proud that my biz puts food on the table, pays for my girls’ private school tuition, allowed me to retire my hubby, and financed the move to South Africa.
How do you define the good life?
The good life is slow, easy, and flowing. It is relaxing mornings drinking tea and admiring the view, time to really raise my kids the way I want and be there for them whenever they need (without begging a boss).
The good life means safari drives to reconnect with nature and renew my spirit.
The good life is mountains, beaches, or the open savannah.
It's eating well, 100% organic and GMO free. It's cooking from scratch and enjoying food with my best friends and most cherished family members.
It's a “less is more attitude.” Less obligations, less stuff, less stress!
To be honest after all these years I’m certain that I’ve finally found the key to living the good life. I was always scared I’d have to wait until retirement to live on my own terms. I pinch myself because this is our reality.
Where can we learn more about you?
My website is where you should go if you want to read and know more about me, or work together. www.Tepsii.com
My facebook group, #CopyBosses is where you need to be if you want to know how to write killer copy. My #CopyBesties and I also share actionable advice help to grow your own online business. Our group is growing fast and I love watching the members make friends, create partnerships, and get new clients in there. I can't wait to see you over there!
www.Facebook.com/groups/copybosses
BONUS: Get Tepsii's Brilliantly BounceProof- your fail-proof template for creating highly converting landing pages! Click below.
Yolanda's note: I hope you took a lot away from this interview and what it means to be about your business. I'm so inspired by Tepsii and it is encouraging to see someone I know from real life having so much success. Even though we are far apart these days, I still treasure our conversations, time spent together, and her support.
Learn more about creativeprenuers.
Black Minimalist Icon: bell hooks
Black Minimalist Icon: bell hooks
When I first started thinking about minimalism and its connection to black liberation, I searched for thought leaders who could articulate what I was feeling. I came upon bell hooks’s chapter in Black Genius: African American Solutions to African American Problems, titled “Simple Living: An Antidote to Hedonistic Materialism” and I knew I had struck black gold.
To celebrate black history month and women’s history month, I would like to acknowledge bell hooks. A scholar, activist, and author who examines the intersections of race, gender, class, and education in a "white supremacist, capitalist patriarchy" aka the U.S.
This post is merely to introduce hooks as a black minimalist scholar and icon. Yes, I’m claiming her for our cause!
Below, I have pulled out a few quotes from her work and offered my thoughts.
From the chapter:
“I began to look at other African Americans, cross class, and to think about how much pain I saw in their daily lives, how much stress and mental delusion are caused by constant feelings of lack. We who are privileged spread the message to the less privileged that their lives have no meaning if they do not have the freedom to fulfill hedonistic desires for material goods. The black women and men I talk to who live in housing projects keep saying they want things endlessly because they feel that things will make them somebody and give them the value they feel they do not have.” (138-139)
What hooks observed and what is still occurring today in many black communities, echoes the national trend of excessive materialism; however, the history of black economic exploitation makes this examination particularly crushing.
“Were the masses of black people to embrace the philosophy of living simply as a way of countering the genocidal abuse in our lives fostered by imperialism, white supremacy, and capitalism, we would also be uniting our struggle with that of most of the people on the planet who are daily grievously victimized by the material excess of this society.” (143)
The struggle for black liberation is not occurring in a vacuum and throughout the history of black liberation movements, we have linked our struggles to the global human struggle for freedom. Having said that, we can not fail to acknowledge the impact and contribution our materialism has played in the suffering of the global community.
After finding that piece, I also read a couple of her other works, Rock My Soul: Black People and Self Esteem and Ain't I A Woman: Black Women and Feminism where she continues to discuss the need for us to divest from the myth of the American Dream and embrace a simple lifestyle for our spiritual and emotional well-being.
From Rock My Soul:
“When the seventies ended, it was popularly accepted that material goods and acquisition of power within the existing structure of our society was more attainable than freedom… Rather than worry our minds and hearts about social justice, anti-racist struggle, women’s liberation, the plight of the poor, or the failure of democratic principles, black people were urged to see consumption as a way to define success and well-being.” (10-11)
The first sentence of that quote is particularly conflicting for me. Are we wrong for wanting to get our slice of the American pie and use our talents to achieve? On the other hand, what have we gained by participating in the system?
Black wealth is still 13 times less than white wealth even though we have high rates of college completion and entrepreneurship, with black women leading those categories.
“Confronting chronic emotional pain in black life is the terrain of political resistance we must now explore, the new revolutionary frontier- mental health, emotional well-being.” (159)
“Changes individual African Americans need to make do not require money or forms of power that are external to our being. These changes can be made by using the resources everyone already has available to them.” (206)
I have been saying this and I’ll keep saying it. This is a spiritual journey. I’m not just referring to minimalism, but our liberation too. The passion that we have for justice springs from so much pain. To be truly radical, we have to confront the pain of injustice and heal. It starts internally with each individual. Minimalism is a tool that can help us heal ourselves, our families, and our communities.
I encourage you to dig more into bell hooks’s work. She also has some great live discussions on Youtube. There is a lot to unpack and she provides a great foundation for understanding the political, spiritual, and socio-economic factors of our struggle for freedom and how simple living can liberate us.
Who has influenced your thinking on black minimalism? What other thought leaders should we check out?
Simple Biz: Why I Left WordPress for Squarespace
Source: CreateHer Stock
Simple Biz is a series where I share a behind-the-scenes look at my business and tips for simplifying your business.
Simple Biz: Why I left WordPress for Squarespace
I broke up with WordPress on Valentine’s Day. I know, it’s savage, but it was time to let go. As a minimalist, I value things that are simple and efficient. WordPress became a time drain and source of frustration for me, i.e. the bane of my existence. Ok, I’m being dramatic, but it was working my nerves too often.
Squarespace vs. WordPress
When I was starting my first site in 2014, my top two choices were between Squarespace (SS) and WordPress (WP). I read all the reviews and posts I could find on each one separately and those comparing them. My selection points were ease of set-up, design, functionality, maintenance, and security. Ultimately, Squarespace seemed the better option for me.
Why I switched to WordPress
Even though things were going well with SS, I was convinced that I was missing something. I was told that I would never be found on search engines, SS could fold at any moment and because it’s an all-in-one service, I would lose everything, and that I didn’t own my own content. Now, I knew the last one was untrue because that was one the specific things I researched about SS, but the others made me nervous.
While SS is relatively new, it has gained a lot of popularity in the past few years, and it’s actually a decade old. Still, WP is the most trusted platform and has the greatest percentage of sites built on it worldwide. You also have greater control in customizing and protecting your site with WP. There are thousands of themes and plugins as opposed to a few dozen templates with SS.
The thing that stuck in my mind most was the SEO factor. SS states that it’s sites are optimized, but you still have to understand SEO and know where and how to use the relevant information. My SS site was not getting a lot of traffic for two reasons. I didn’t fully understand SEO and I was a new blog with no focus. I thought going over to WP would help me get a better understanding of optimization.
It definitely did help me get seen more, but at what expense and what other factors influenced my growth? The growth wasn’t staggering but it did increase. While switching to WP, I was able to hone in on my niche, which I think also positively influenced the quality of my content and helped with being found. I also learned about ftp, php, and css.
Why I switched back to Squarespace
The greatest expense working with WP was my time and emotional well-being. This is the reason I switched back to SS. There was no such thing as a simple update or quick change with WP. Adding something took a lot of research and I had to make sure I wouldn’t screw any code up and my site along with it.
I decided this was one area of business that needed to be simplified in 2016. Plus, I kept seeing all these dope SS sites, tempting me to come back to SS. I took what I learned from working in WP and went to get that old thing back, my boo, SS. After spending about five weekends updating my site in WP (and still not being 100% satisfied), I was able to transfer and update my site in SS in just one weekend.
Below I have listed my personal pros and cons of each platform. These ideas are based on my experience of being in a relationship with each one for a year.
Pros
WordPress
trusted platform
infinite customization options
thousands of themes + plugins
Yoast SEO plugin
lots of tutorials, forums, + information available
inexpensive to get started
Squarespace
easy set-up
intuitive, "drag + drop" design
all-in-one service
mobile responsive
sleek, minimal, + professional templates
can change templates easily + demo a different template without affecting your live site
DIY friendly
Cons
WordPress
DIY learning curve
plugin conflicts
can be more expensive down the line (premium themes, premium plugins, hiring a web design pro)
not all themes are mobile responsive
difficult to make changes + preview without going into maintenance mode
Squarespace
limited templates
limited customization
can seem expensive upfront
still a relatively new platform
Choose the right platform for your business.
SS has improved and has many more features since I last used it. There are more SS designers and folks like Megan Minns will teach you how to put together a SS site in a weekend. You can’t beat that.
I think WP is a great platform and will continue to lead in this industry, but SS can no longer be ignored. The stress and time SS has saved me is priceless and that’s why it’s the best decision for me.
If you’re on this simple living journey and thinking about starting a business or switching platforms, I urge you to consider SS, but do what's right for you. You have to consider your budget, skill level, and time when making a decision.
What other simple biz topics would you like to learn about?
Black Minimalists: Kelvin Belfon
BLACK MINIMALISTS: KELVIN BELFON
I found Kelvin like I've found most of the black minimalists, combing the internet. He was featured in my first edition of Black Minimalists on the Web. Kelvin blogs about simple living on his site Going Uncomplicated and is also a speaker, coach, and recruiter. Kelvin is one of the few black minimalist men I've met and I'm honored to hold this space for him.
When and why did you start your minimalist journey?
In 2013 our family relocated to the city of Denver, Colorado. We were excited to begin a new chapter in our lives. After completing the initial walk-through of the 2-bedroom rental, I knew our new home was too small.
I thought about renting a storage unit for our overflow; but it would be an added cost and something else to keep up with.
As we were unloading the moving truck, a garbage bag full of CDs one of our moving helpers was carrying broke. Then, he made this really random, but pretty convicting comment, “Dude, have you guys ever thought about not carrying all these CDs around? Why don’t you just go digital?”
We had actually gotten rid of a lot of stuff before our relocation. We knew we were moving from a medium-sized home in the suburbs to a small townhouse in the city. Still, our downsizing wasn’t enough.
That guy’s comment did a lot for me. It was embarrassing and made me feel like a hoarder. But it also forced me to interrogate my priorities, “Why am I keeping collections of things I no longer use on a regular basis?”
Once we got everything in the house and started to unpack over the next few weeks, that guy's remark kept playing over and over in my mind. Within a few months, my wife and I started purging and our minimalism journey started.
What lessons have you learned since going minimalist?
Large families can be minimalist too. It just looks a little different. We are a family of 6! In our home we struggle to keep toys, clothing, and school papers in their proper place. The issue is not abundance, it’s organization. That can be tricky to negotiate with a 7 year old boy, a 4 year old girl, and twin toddlers who like to explore.
Keeping up a minimalist commitment can also get tricky when school flyers and the children’s wish lists start crowding in. But the benefits of minimalism are well worth the effort of doing simple things like having a meeting with the children’s teachers requesting not to receive nonessential flyers and handouts at home. So we’ve found ways to make it work for us!
Minimalism is more than decluttering stuff. Our family started minimizing the physical possessions. But in the process we also have started eliminating some debt, detoxifying our minds of self-sabotaging thoughts, removing unhealthy relationships, practicing mindfulness, eating healthier, and becoming eco-friendly.
I’ve also learned that my minimalism can help others. In minimalism one eliminates the unnecessary. This can help save time, money, and even live a healthier life. But beyond the personal benefits, practicing minimalism can help us contribute more to charity, serve others in our community or those in others countries around the world (a passion of mine!).
What are your goals in living simply?
Our family plans is to continue going uncomplicated till we reach a “comfortable” level. We also plan to become debt free. Last, I’ll like to help others simplify through education, coaching and speaking. I believe most people want to simplify, but are not sure where or how to begin.
Has minimalism impacted other areas of your life?
Oh yes it has...big time. I’m more intentional about the people I allow in my personal circle. I love to help and serve others. But in the past, I’ve had trouble saying “no” and allowed others to take advantage of my loyalty.
In practicing minimalism, I’ve learned to develop healthy boundaries and protect my family in the process.
I’ve also become intentional about caring for my body. I’m not a vegetarian…yet. But I try to eat healthier while avoiding processed foods, fast foods and so on. When possible I exercise in order to stay active.
What, if any, surprises or challenges have you encountered?
Hmmm. I have a full time and part time job. My wife is a full time PhD student. We have a 7 and 4 year old in school. And then there are our 20-month old twins who’ve become extremely active around the house. We are a busy family. Some seasons are easier than others, especially when my wife is not in class.
Ideally, we would like to be far less busy so that we have more time to relax, read, and write. But we’ve had to adjust those expectations, go with the flow, and enjoy as much time together as a family as possible. The key has been to avoid getting on a guilt trip about things. One thing remains true: It’s all about family for these minimalists!
What mindset changes have you experienced?
I was raised in the Caribbean with little personal possessions. Since relocating to the US, I’ve accumulated lots of possessions. For immigrants like me, the acquisition of things is a symbol of having a good work ethic.
Material belongings are not inherently evil. I still own a few myself. But my values have changed. I’m no longer pursuing the typical American Dream, seeking happiness in things or comparing myself to the others.
The people in my life are my priority. These are my wife, children, and close friends. People, I believe, are more important than things!
What advice do you have for someone interested in simplifying his life?
Start. Take the plunge! Make the decision to simplify. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps. Be patient with the progress. Remember, it took years to accumulate your possessions, so it may take a while to minimize.
Avoid comparing yourself with others. There is no one way to simplicity. Everyone must find his/her own sweet spot! You are not alone. Find healthy supportive community voices like Yolanda for encouragement and inspiration.
Where can we learn more about you?
I blog about minimalism, family, relationships, travel and more on GoingUncomplicated.com
I’m also on Twitter and Facebook. Come say hi!
Anything you would like to add?
Minimalism is not the end game. It’s only a tool to help us eliminate life’s distractions. Focus on your priorities…not the methodology.
Learn more about Black Minimalism.
Black Minimalists: Nikki Terry
Black Minimalists: Nikki Terry
When and why did you start your minimalist journey?
I was born a minimalist. I also copied my Dad. His style: dress pants, white cotton V-neck t- shirt and thong toe sandals. Aside from a suit for church, this was his every day swag. I remember thinking how simple and sexy it all was. No, actually I thought it was all beautiful.
Being a minimalist is how I see things. It's a need to have a clutter-free mind. I’m a minimalist so I can understand the important things in my life. I come from a complicated childhood and often, things felt confusing and problematic. Moving out on my own, I had a difficult time navigating what my thoughts were, how to value my own time, or how to enjoy things without wavering back and forth between ‘not sure’ or ‘maybe so’. I suppose the minimalist GODS were waiting for me because moving into my first apartment, minimalism found me in the most organic way. I immediately and instinctively felt a need to have one of everything. Aside from my bed, I had one dinner tray, a small stereo, one chair, one set of flatware, and a few plates. I did have lots of bath towels ranging in hues of gray. My friends found it weird, but I thought my choices made my place ready for Elle Decor. Being a minimalist brought a lot of calm to a world that felt overwhelming.
What lessons have you learned since going minimalist?
I have learned people think in order to be a minimalist, you have to have money or be of a certain class. NOT TRUE.
I am a minimalist to the core. I don’t have a lot of money and I definitely did not come from a middle class nor upper middle class family. I believe in monochromatic interior space. I have a particular eye for clothing. I keep the interior of my car clean and free of almost everything outside of the panel board. I have a certain aesthetic that I enjoy when I dress. None of this makes me someone with money. Minimalism for me is all about emotional and mental space. These things make me happy, and calm. It creates a space for me to understand the value of who I am. Being a minimalist has nothing to do with class but has everything to do with those moments in life where there are no blinders, no noise, nor clutter.
What are your goals in living simply?
I'm an artist. My job is to recreate how I see the world. There are aspects of life that are beautiful and quiet, pretty and empty, or dark and loud. Being a minimalist helps me to see and understand these human qualities. I approach the canvas slowly and paint what I see.
Has minimalism impacted other areas of your life?
I thought to mention how minimalism has impacted my life as an artist, but then I decided to talk about the strongest impact minimalism has made on my life. How I choose my friends. I’m not saying that my friends have to be minimalist but I try to have relationships that are deliberate and without competition.
What if any surprises or challenges have you encountered?
The biggest challenge encountered as a minimalist was finding a partner who also believed in minimalism or at least understood it. Some women I have dated referred to me as ‘cheap’. Even friends called me ‘cheap’. I never saw it that way. I think of myself as fiscally savvy (smile). But seriously, I never saw myself as cheap but just a strong pull to stay true to what I enjoy. Now, my Partner, she is a minimalist too. It’s wonderful! She is just as committed to a minimalist lifestyle as me. Decorating our place is easy and fun. We enjoy monochromatic palettes and gosh, it's great having a partner who is okay with not having a television.
What mindset changes have you experienced?
Accepting some people can’t understand minimalism. They don’t get it. I don’t fuss about it. I just do my thing.
What advice do you have for someone interested in simplifying her life?
My advice is simple, go for it. If it feels right, enjoy it. If you don’t want to buy a television, don’t. If you don’t want three sets of flatware, have only one. If you want all the hangers in your closet to be chrome, have them and let them face the same direction. Whatever or however you want to simplify your life, go for it and never second guess that desire.
Where can we learn more about you?
www.orangecustard.com and www.nikkiterry.com
Anything you would like to add?
Being a minimalist does not involve snobbery. It simply involves the joys of having as close to a clutter free life as possible.
Learn more about Black Minimalism.