Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Curtis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Raquel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Sure thing, after getting my bachelors in Criminal Justice I started a career in corrections as an officer. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there long. After breaking up an inmate fight while pregnant I was placed on bed rest until the birth of my daughter. Even worse, after she born I was not able to return to my job and began working at minimum wage. I realized pretty quickly that the cost of childcare made it almost impossible for anyone to work 40 hours, pay rent, day care, buy groceries, electric bill , gas bill , household necessities, ect. It was during this time I convinced myself that entrepreneurship was the only way I would be able to make a living and spend the time I wanted to at home. Still needing a source of income, I began working at a day care. I taught pre-k while she was in the nursery. My hourly wage was only $7.25….with a bachelors degree. While there, I started learning how to manage and run a daycare then began to use part of my checks to buy items for the daycare I was building. After about 6 months I turned my home into a small daycare and grew as an entrepreneur from there. Fast forward a few years, and I opened the first women’s only gym with childcare in Covington, Georgia. I feel blessed that overtime new and aspiring entrepreneurs began asking for my help. As the demand for how I grew my businesses without any loans grew I created courses, began to speak at seminars, unviersites, and on the radio to help aspiring entrepreneurs start their business and obtain business finance through learning to invest.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely was never a smooth road. Being a mother of three, my schedule revolved around my children and their dad. I struggled with finding myself and my passion for years. But, the one thing I have always had going for myself was that I didn’t fear to fail… I feared not trying. Not exploring the possibilities of what could become instead of the complacency of what was. I failed OFTEN but, I never gave up. I just regrouped and pushed forward. I would have never thought that by opening a daycare it would lead to me opening a gym with childcare. But it did. And it all started because I noticed a huge flaw in the traditional way that we were taught. While going to a good school and getting a career job works for some, the painful reality is that many graduates with degrees are working below their worth to stay above student loan delinquency. So, were there obstacles? Yes many! Paperwork, meeting regulations and clearances can run into the thousands for a business! Not to mention, competitive markets and I paid for everything out of pocket. That’s right. Zero loans and I did it with a daycare worker, life insurance salesman, front desk hotel workers wage. I worked constantly, functioned on little to no sleep, saved and found the best deals possible. Many long hours, tearful nights, and exhausting days were put into this. Even while owning those businesses I continued to work a regular job. Entrepreneurship is NOT an easy road but it is one thousand and ten percent worth the journey.
Please tell us about Be AnchorD: Branding & Investing.
Be AnchorD was created to help new and aspiring entrepreneurs be anchored in the success of their business and bank account through branding, marketing, budgeting and investment material. The focus is placed on webinars and material available on my website www.RaquelCCurtis.Com. There are some complimentary gifts on there as well for you guys!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I spent some time thinking about this question. The only thing that I would have done differently, is investing in Bitcoin back in 2011. I didn’t listen. But, best believe I have made some purchases since! Even though I’m grateful for the journey, the long hours, and the late nights, it’s still not over. And honestly, we can not change the past… there is no recourse there. I’ve learned to suck up whatever mistakes I make and push forward. So, focus on the end goal, everything else will work itself out. Your vision will change, your brand may change but, the entrepreneurial desire never dies. Just continue to tell yourself my favorite motto “IWNF” (I Will Not Fail) and you never will. You got this!
Contact Info:
- Website: RaquelCcurtis.com
- Email: Contact@raquelccurtis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raquelccurtis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/RaquelCCurtis
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