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 Veronica Dummett, Founder of Sundar Studio! Originally from Verona, NSW, Australia, Veronica 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 Sundar Studio where I offer Virtual Assistant services for coaches and health and wellness professionals. I provide high-quality, personable website design and virtual business support to busy, heart-centered, creative entrepreneurs so that they can get their schedule back on track and regain control of their time!
I officially launched mid-June of 2020 after a lovely 6-month break from any kind of work.
“I love working with wholesome humans who are doing good things for the people and the planet!”
Q: How did you discover the Bucketlist Bombshells?
I had followed the Bucketlist Bombshells for quite a while and often saw their advertisements pop up on my Instagram or Facebook. Once I saw that Cassie and Shay had worked at Dojo, Canggu, I was reeled in. That place is full of amazing humans!
Q: What inspired you to enroll in the Bucketlist Bombshells courses?
One cold morning back in February of 2020, I was in a dorm room in Rishikesh. While waiting for the hot water to warm up, I was having a good ole scroll on Facebook and stumbled across the Bucketlist Bombshells advertisement about their course prices going up.
For a long time, I had been putting off purchasing the Bucketlist Bombshells Academy. So, as soon as I saw that their prices were increasing, I told myself, “Ok Ron, get on your bike because it’s time to ride.”
“I whipped out my credit card and entered those numbers quicker than I can say ‘boo!’”
Q: How have the courses helped you to become an online business owner?
I went to university and received a Bachelor of Commerce (Management & Public Relations). Sadly, I don’t even really remember half of it. I feel like you learn all this stuff at university, but you don’t actually get to apply it in real life.
The Bucketlist Bombshells Academy was interactive and applicable. It was so important that I built my confidence and actually applied what I was learning… not just read and write papers about it. So, I guess you could call the courses the icing on the cake!
“The Bucketlist Bombshells Academy helped me to discover and understand my strengths and weaknesses.”
Q: What type of job were you working in prior to running your own online business?
Prior to running Sundar Studio, I had a wonderful job with a European Telemedicine Company. I was the Capacity Manager of the Emergency Radiology reporting section. In a nutshell, I planned and executed the service and was managing the schedules of almost 100 doctors located all around the world.
I was flown to Spain a few times to work in the head office in Barcelona, as well as took holidays in Europe afterward. I also got to spend some time working remotely from Bali, Ecuador, and Los Angeles.
Since this was a new role when I entered it, I was able to build it from the ground up. I was mostly self-monitored since I didn’t have a manager for a long while and all of my non-medical colleagues were based in Spain.
This position gave me a great insight into my strengths and capabilities while also giving me the taste of freedom that comes with working on your own terms.
I liked my job, but I felt like I was in a box and not able to expand, especially financially. I’m very grateful for that role as it was an important one in my life. I had some really beautiful colleagues and still hold some of them so close to my heart!
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?
I quit my job as a Capacity Manager in December of 2019 because I wanted to spend 2020 building my own business while traveling in India and South America. I saved really hard so that I could have the space to breathe while pursuing my dreams and ambitions to build a remote business that allowed me the freedom to roam.
“It was a calculated, cold turkey risk!”
Q: What was the final push in your story to get you to ditch that 9-5 job?
While on holiday in February/March of 2019, I took a shamanic arts, tantra, and yoga course in Ecuador. While in meditation one day, I saw two boxes next to each other. I could choose to be in the one that had a less open lid or I could jump into the other one that had an open lid and endless possibilities.
“It was in that moment that I chose the latter and decided I no longer wanted to hang out with fear.”
On my first day back at work, my boss asked me how my holiday was and if I was ready to make my 5-year plan, which we were discussing before my holiday. I was really transparent and told him that I wanted to go out on my own. He was shocked but he understood.
I gave official notice in June and left in December. It was a long notice period, but it was so nice to be able to feel safe and be transparent about what was happening in this noggin’ of mine!
Q: How long was it until you landed your first client online?
Once I pushed through my fears, got over myself, and stopped worrying about the judgment of sharing my business life with my personal contacts on my social channels, things just started to flow.
“I landed my first client in less than a week!”
I’m really lucky to have connections all over the world. Community is everything and I encourage everyone to start there. My first client was a woman I have known for a few years. No questions asked really, she just asked if I could build her a website and then paid the money. I was in shock for a while!
Q: What is your process for finding and landing clients online?
At the moment, my clients are coming from my personal contacts and referrals. I’m also a part of a few Facebook groups where I actively engage to network.
I’m not making as much money as my 9-5 yet, but I’m at 75% which I’m really proud of for just being a month in with my online business.
“Good things take time and I trust that the universe will always deliver 120%!”
Q: What has been your biggest setback, and how did you overcome it?
So far, my biggest setback has been my mind and how hard I can be on myself. I try to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and doing things well is better than trying to do all of the things at once.
Since launching Sundar Studio, I have also found that I always want to be ‘in it.’ If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I get up and go for a walk or move my body. I also find that working in different locations is helpful for me rather than being in the house all day.
Q: What’s the most challenging part about running your online business?
The early stages of running an online business are challenging because everything feels like a mess. Workflows aren’t fully established and forms aren’t 100% pretty yet… I’m still feeling out how it works best for me!
I also struggle with my own social media management. I’m not the biggest fan of it but am trying to get better!
Q: Looking back on your online business journey, what is something that you’re most proud of?
So far, I’m most proud that I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and actually doing it. I’m having so much fun!
Q: If you could speak to your past self, what piece of advice would you give her?
I would tell my past self:
- You’re amazing
- You’re beautiful
- You’re capable
- Stop doubting yourself
- Stop worrying about being judged
- Those who resonate with you will come closer
- Those who don’t will leave
“You can do anything you set your mind to!”
Q: How do you stay inspired and motivated to run your online business?
My routine and eating well are really important to me. I’m really passionate about health, wellness, and the mind-gut connection. So, I understand that if I don’t eat well and exercise, my mind will go to the dark side and I’ll get tired and lazy.
“Since I’m doing something I love, it’s easy to get into work each day!”
Q: Tell us what a “day in the life” looks like for you now that you’re running your own online business!
Every morning, I meditate and journal, go for a walk or do yoga, and enjoy a yummy breakfast with chai. At 9 or 9:30 am, I jump into my emails and write down what I want to achieve for the day. From there, I work through my to-do list until about 4:30 or 5 pm. I try not to work weekends, but sometimes I just feel like it!
Q: What’s the best part about being your own boss?
The best part about being my own boss is that I get to do what I want when I want. I’m free as a bird!
“I can surf or do yoga on my lunch break for however long I want!”
Q: What do you love most about the work you do and the clients you work with?
I love that all of my clients are people I genuinely care about. They are all working in areas that I am interested in. When you’re genuinely curious about what your clients are doing, it makes work so much more enjoyable.
“All of my clients are doing super amazing things for the planet and its people which is so important to me!”
Q: What is your favorite destination to work remotely from?
I love working from Bali because it has everything I need (surfing, yoga, and good food!). The people are really beautiful and Hinduism is close to my heart.
I also love Spain for the olives, wine, pacha mama, and architecture. I feel deeply connected to Hispanic culture. I’d love to live full time near the Mediterranean one day!
When I can travel again, my next destination is Colombia. I’ve been curious about that place for years!
Q: What’re your favorite business tools that you’d recommend to other girl bosses?
- Planoly for Instagram scheduling
- Canva for social content creation
- Google Suite and Asana for organisation
- Adobe Suite for all the design thangs
Q: What is your number one piece of advice for aspiring Bucketlist Bombshells?
I love this quote:
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” – Lao Tzu
