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 Emeli Torvund, Founder of Yellow Happiness! Originally from Ørje, Norway, Emeli 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 Graphic Design Strategist and Founder of Yellow Happiness! My goal is to help ambitious female entrepreneurs turn their entrepreneurial dream into a graphic reality.

Q: What inspired you to enroll in the Bucketlist Bombshells Academy?

I was inspired to enroll in the Bucketlist Bombshells Academy because I wanted to be my own boss!

“I wanted to be able to design my own life no matter my location.”

Q: How have the courses helped you to become an online business owner?

The Bucketlist Bombshells Academy supported me every step of the way. If I couldn’t find an answer inside one of the courses, I could always find help inside the amazing girl boss private Facebook communities full of other students.  

Throughout taking the courses, I often got so excited that I began searching for more information externally. But once I finished taking all three courses, I realized that if I had just had a little bit more patience, the courses would have eventually taught me the majority of the things I spent hours searching for online!

Q: What type of job were you working in prior to running your own online business?

Prior to running Yellow Happiness, I was a shepherd for goats all year round. I milked goats morning and evening and did farmwork in-between. Prior to that, I worked in a cubicle at a 9-5 office job.

“I had almost no time off at either of my previous jobs.”

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?

My job on the farm ended in November of 2018, so I was out of work. Six months later, in June of 2019, I established Yellow Happiness.

Q: How long was it until you landed your first client online?

I landed a few low-paying clients for portfolio material before I officially established Yellow Happiness.

“In the first month of being a business owner, I landed my first real client!”

Q: What has been your biggest setback, and how did you overcome it?

Creating my own business took so much more effort and time than I had originally thought. So, I began my days with reading my affirmation and telling myself that I was going to get through this no matter what and that I would succeed.

Q: What was the final push in your story to get you to ditch that 9-5 job?

I wasn’t able to drink a cup of tea when I wanted, go to the toilet when I wanted, take a lunch when I wanted, or have some fun while the sun was still up.

“Every day, I felt like I was trapped and that I was just living for a paycheck.”

Eventually I thought, “What the hell am I doing to myself?!”

Q: Tell us what a “day in the life” looks like for you now that you’re running your own online business!

I wake up, check my email, eat breakfast, and then walk my dog. 

Then, I work from 10am to 1pm, take a half-hour lunch, and continue working until about 5. I’ll stop for dinner and continue working until about 8pm. 

Afterwards, I have me-time which consists of dancing, Netflix, or hanging out with friends!

Q: What’s the most challenging part about running your online business?

I find it challenging that all of my senses have to be on at all times since there is something new happening and evolving every day. However, this is also the part that I love the most! 

Also, I’m a planner and I like running my own business, but sometimes it’s a little bit lonely.

Q: How do you stay inspired and motivated to run your online business?

I stay inspired by reading self-development books, dancing, and reminding myself of how grateful I am for what I have because of the choice I made to run my own business.

“I stay motivated by being around other girl bosses, virtually or in real life.”

Q: What is your process for finding and landing clients online?

I find clients mainly by creating Instagram stories that lead to direct messages or website traffic.

“Get your followers to trust you and then help them. When you help them, they will help you!”

Q: What’s the best part about being your own boss?

The best part of being my own boss is that I get to plan my own life!

Q: What do you love most about the work you do and the clients you work with?

There is always something new — either a new client or a totally new project, and it excites me!

“I love that my clients are always so positive and express how grateful they are that I’m helping them get closer to their dream!”

Q: What is your favorite destination to work remotely from?

At the moment, my favorite destination to work from is Norway!

Q: What’s your go-to favorite book that you’d recommend to other girl bosses?

Right now, I’m reading You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero, and I love it!

Q: What is your number one piece of advice for aspiring Bucketlist Bombshells?

Be your number one fan and cheerleader!