Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Randle.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I was naive to higher education and when the time came to graduate high school, I had no idea what to do next. I bounced from job to job with no guidance or understanding of how to make a life outside of poverty. Once introduced to the field of nursing by becoming a CNA, I fell in love. I still had no understanding of how to obtain a degree and took the longest route possible. Three degrees later, I became a pro and I decided that no one should have to navigate the education system blind.
In 2015, I started a non-profit school called New Beginnings Career Center. We specialized in helping underserved populations gain the tools and resources needed for education and to enter the workforce earning above minimum wage. One of our skilled course offerings was the nurse aide certification program. It took me nearly two years to write the curriculum and complete the paperwork. The process was not easy to navigate at all but I was determined to help another confused “Victoria.”
In 2017, my husband and I found out there we were expecting. The pregnancy ended up causing me to be very sick and on bedrest for a few months. During that time, I sold my school, but I was approached by many nurses asking me to help them start their own CNA school. Many nurses felt stuck and confused about the process and could not find the assistance they needed. I began consulting from my bed and thus The CNA Instructor Consultant was born.
We help individuals and organizations alike in all 50 states navigate the process of starting a CNA school. From business plans, to state accreditation, we streamline the process for those looking to enter the business. We provide in-person seminars, virtual coaching courses, online self-paced courses, and complete project management.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was not a smooth road by any means. Entrepreneurship means dedication, hard work, and true perseverance. The biggest struggles are identifying what you don’t know and trying to learn it while trying to keep your business afloat. An example of this would be marketing. Understanding how to market your services organically and via paid advertisement is a real learning curve. So many people want to outsource this, but it is really one that you must learn on your own and then bring on others to help you out. It took me a while to believe this concept.
The next struggle I would say is finding someone to mentor/lead you. You don’t know it all, period. There is no getting around that. But you must identify someone (or someones) who can help you along the way and being willing to invest in them. You cannot expect people to help you build a business for free. Learning to invest in myself and trust my instincts was a learned behavior. I didn’t want to spend money nor did know how to trust my gut (and pocket) about who I brought on board to help me.
Surrounding yourself with people who keep you motivated is key. I have an accountability partner who I meet with weekly. It keeps me focused and helps me stay on track. We bounce ideas off of each other and remind each other of our worth. Sometimes, you have down moments where you lose focus or belief in yourself. Having others around who understand where you are and where you are going is key. They will motivate you and keep you on the right path. Without those people, you will be fooled into believing you are not made for this and easily give up when things get rough.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The CNA Instructors’ Secret Cocktail story. Tell us more about it.
I help individuals and organizations start nurse aide training programs in all 50 states with my business The CNA Instructors Consultants.
I also help nurses focus on self-care with my Nurses 4 Ever Fit initiative I co-founded with a fellow nurse named Cara Sevier. Nurses are notorious for caring for everyone else, but when it comes to self-care, they tend to lack in that department. We have built an environment where nurses can fellowship, get fit, and have fun all at once. We host monthly self-care events around the Atlanta area.
With both efforts, I am proud to be creative and bold enough to create a space that does not exist. To identify a major void and need within the nursing community and provide value to my profession gives me a sense of fulfillment. I am providing a type of advocacy on a whole level that I did not know could exist.
What sets me apart from others is that I provide my clients with comprehensive services from a space that I once lived in. I have also studied my client’s needs, I survey them often and I provide services based on what they tell me they need. I offer my services in tiers with different price points in an effort to meet my clients where they are. The CNA Instructor Consultants is not a side hustle for me. I left my 6 figure 9-5 as a Nurse Practitioner seven months ago to make the company what it is today.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
To be honest, I like to have direct contact with individuals who can help me learn. I am a very hands-on type of person. I am very self-motivated so I do not find the need to listen to motivational podcasts but I will say learning about other successful people and actionable steps they took to get where there are motivate me tremendously. It helps me identify that I too can come from what people call “humble beginnings” and still overcome and reach the highest potential. If I had to pick any tangible resources I would name the following.
I love my Acuity Scheduling app because, without it, my business life would be upside down.
One book I read when I started my journey in understanding marketing was Dot Com Secrets. It was very insightful in terms of understanding marketing and it literally gives you step by step actions to take when getting started. That I loved! As I said, I like to do!
Pricing:
- Start a CNA school Seminar $1600
- Online Business Plan Course $400
- Nurses 4 Ever Fit Event $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesecretcocktail.com/
- Phone: 678-310-6168
- Email: info@thesecretcocktail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesecretcocktail
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesecretcocktail
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVWTyES9a5krjD0Jt9_vFxg
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
