Ever wondered what it takes to ditch the cubicle and become a full-time girl boss? Our Student Spotlight Series interviews our students who have made the transition from 9-5 to remote CEOs!
From what inspired them to start their own business, their favorite podcasts, go-to morning routine, advice to aspiring girl bosses, and so much more!
Today, we’re sitting down with our student Nicole Sifers, Founder of Nicole Sifers | Content Marketing! Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Nicole gives us a glimpse into her girl boss journey…
Q: What type of online business do you own and what services do you offer?
I’m the Founder of Nicole Sifers | Content Marketing. I help lifestyle medicine doctors and holistic healers attract more clients to their private practice with creative, genuine, and authentic inbound content marketing strategies!
Q: What inspired you to enroll in the Bucketlist Bombshells Academy?
Every day after my corporate job, I always felt so depleted, unmotivated, uninspired, and like I was just going through the motions.
Deep down, I wanted to be a business owner, travel the world, and take advantage of all that life has to offer. I was so confused as to why everyone around me didn’t feel the same.
“I felt stuck.”
After a long day at my 9-5 back in 2017, I was relaxing in my Kansas City downtown apartment. While mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, I discovered a Forbes article that shared the story of Cassie and Shay, two young women who quit their 9-5, started their own online businesses, and traveled the world.
Immediately, I sent the article to my dad and said, “Look how amazing this is! I’m going to do something like this, too!!” I don’t think he believed that I was actually going to do it.
Soon after, I signed up for one of Bucketlist Bombshells free webinars and then quickly purchased the Tech Skills Course and the Work Online and Travel the World Course.
“Fast forward to January of 2020, I’m sitting in Selina CoWork in Playa del Carmen, growing my business, working on client projects, and taking each break at the beach!”
Since discovering the Bucketlist Bombshells that night in Kansas City, I’ve lived in France, Mexico, Dublin, and back to Mexico (because who doesn’t love their tacos?!).
Q: How have the courses helped you to become an online business owner?
The Bucketlist Bombshells courses gave me the foundation I needed to build the bones of my business. The Private Facebook Student Communities gave me the support, encouragement, and faith I needed to keep going, work hard, and be persistent in chasing my dreams!
Q: What type of job were you working in prior to running your own online business?
Prior to running my own online business, I was a Consultant for a large healthcare information technology corporation in Kansas City.
Q: How long did it take you to ditch your 9-5, and how much time did you dedicate in order to make it happen?
Once I put all my energy into building and running my online business, it took me about five months to go full time, doubling my 9-5 income.
Q: How long was it until you landed your first client online?
In about a month, I landed my first client.
Q: What has been your biggest setback, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest setback has been transitioning from a 9-5 mindset to an entrepreneurial mindset. In school, I was taught how to be a good employee, but I never learned how to be a leader or create.
I had an employee mindset and didn’t know how to move forward in my business or with clients because there was no one there telling me what to do or how to do it.
However, the passion I had for my business and for my clients helped me push through and learn how to be a leader and entrepreneur on my own.
“I began to digest content that led me in the direction of the person I wanted and needed to become.”
I knew that I was a combination of the top five people I spent most of my time with, in person or online. So, every day, I worked hard to surround myself with people and content that aligned with my energy and values!
Q: What was the final push in your story to get you to ditch that 9-5 job?
The final push to ditching my 9-5 was seeing people 10 years older than me, who started in my same position, living a life that didn’t resonate with me.
It seemed as if all my peers were getting married, buying a home, and really diving into the traditional lifestyle. It’s not that I didn’t want those things in my life… I just wanted to make sure that I created a life that has so much meaning and purpose every single day.
“I wanted to soak up all that life has to offer, taste new foods, meet interesting people, explore unknown lands, and truly love my life.”
No one around me was doing any of that.
I knew that this lifestyle existed and that there were people out there with my same values. I just had to go find them and do whatever it took to build a life that I considered meaningful.
Q: Tell us what a “day in the life” looks like for you now that you’re running your own online business!
Currently, I’m living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I wake up around 7am and go for a two-mile power walk on the beach. Then, I sit at the beach for a while doing meditations and visualizations.
Afterwards, I head back to my apartment, make breakfast, and get ready for the day. Then, I walk to my coworking space, Selina CoWork, where I work with my other remote friends from about 10am-4pm. I’ll have lunch on the beach and enjoy a quick swim.
“After work, I typically go to a Spanish class, yoga class, or one of the hundreds of fun expat events in Playa!”
My days can be as crazy or as relaxed as I please. If I need some time to myself, I’ll spend the day on the beach or go on an adventure!
Q: What’s the most challenging part about running your online business?
The most challenging part about running an online business is creating long-term connections. When you see people in an office every day, they typically become your community and your friend-group. However, when you work remotely and travel full time, it can be hard to create a long-lasting community.
Q: How do you stay inspired and motivated to run your online business?
I stay inspired every day by surrounding myself with people who value and work towards the same things I do.
“Motivation is produced by action!”
Even on the days that I feel sluggish or don’t feel like working, I still take massive action. Within minutes of taking action and getting started, my motivation returns!
Q: What is your process for finding and landing clients online?
I find most of my clients through online and in-person networking. I also find clients by creating and sharing valuable content and building authentic relationships.
“It’s all about being real, staying authentic, and putting your unique voice out there. Someone needs exactly what you’re offering!”
Q: What do you love most about the work you do and the clients you work with?
By showing up every day, I’m able to help my clients do some really amazing things in the world. I feel so honored that I get to be part of it!
“I love that my work has a REAL impact on my clients’ lives and businesses.”
Q: What’s the best part about being your own boss?
My favorite part about being my own boss is being able to dictate the direction my life heads in.
“I get to decide where I live, who I surround myself with, how much money I make, the work I do, and how I spend each day!”
Q: What is your favorite destination to work remotely from?
So far, my favorite destination to work from has been Playa del Carmen, Mexico!
Q: What is one of your favorite business books that you would recommend to another girl boss?
I love You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero! It talks a lot about confidence and going after big things in life. This book completely changed my mindset!
Q: What’s your go-to favorite podcast that you’d recommend to other girl bosses?
- The Mind Your business Podcast with James Wedmore
- Manifestation Babe with Kathrin Zenkina
- Lewis Howes’ The School of Greatness Podcast
- Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast with Amy Porterfield
Q: What is your number one piece of advice for aspiring Bucketlist Bombshells?
Get started! You don’t have to have it all figured out before you begin.
Don’t be scared of the logistics of everything. By putting in some sort of action every day, your questions will be answered along the way!
