Mama Minisode 05 With Chantel Bettencourt

Episode Transcript

[00:00:00] Melyssa: Hey, Hey. Hello. Welcome to the Mamas Making More Podcast. This is Minisode number five where I am interviewing mamas who are out there working in their VA businesses and just wanted to share a little nuggets of information with those of you who are just starting out. Today I have an interview with Chantel, who is someone who I met online, and she’s one of those VA’s who specializes in not administrative work, but she actually specializes in website work website design. And so that’s what I think is great about her episode is she’s talking about how she has that niched down area of expertise.

[00:00:44] Chantel: Hey everyone, I’m Chantel Betancourt, a website and branding designer just outside of Toronto, Canada. I help creative entrepreneurs transform their DIY websites to something they feel truly aligned with and get them booking more clients.

[00:00:58] Chantel: I had my daughter in May [00:01:00] 2019, and then, as everyone knows, March 2020, the pandemic happened. So, by that September, when I went back to work, quote unquote, it was work from home, and it was really challenging learning how to deal with having my daughter at home, part time at daycare, and while managing being at work.

[00:01:20] Chantel: So I was that mom that said, smell you later to my nine to five and transform my passion into a thriving career that let me create stunning online spaces and have that flexibility as a mom to take care of my daughter and manage the household.

[00:01:36] Chantel: At first, I decided to really figure out what I wanted to do in business. So I followed the Ikigai concept. The Ikigai concept is, four pillars and it helps you decide what you want to do in life. So the first one is what you love. The second is what you’re good at. The third is what the world needs. And the third is what you can be paid for, which yes, is very important. [00:02:00] So it came down to two areas. Art as an artist or a web designer. Now I know these intertwine, but very, very different going from e-comm based, business to a service based business. 

[00:02:13] Chantel: Ultimately, I decided to do art first and, Love my art career. I was in magazines and galleries and sold art through my website. But I always had the web designer in the back of my mind and did a couple websites for a couple of friends. And then August 2022. I decided to do web design full time and took my first client and then really dove into it January 2023.

[00:02:38] Chantel: My daughter is now five, so I’ve been in business for about four years now. So my advice to moms just starting out or in the newer phase of their business journey is: one, know that you actually can’t do it all and it’s okay. The world is not going to end. Learn to either time block either your days or your hours and let go of that perfectionism or else it’s going to eat you alive.

[00:02:59] Chantel: Two, [00:03:00] know when to delegate your work or home life, whether it’s hiring a VA or an area of your business that you’re not good at. And then for your home, try and find that babysitter or order your groceries or someone to clean your house.

[00:03:12] Chantel: Which leads me to number three. Know when you need to invest in your business. We all want the free things and we want to do things on the cheaper end because heck, it’s expensive being a business owner. But hiring a professional and investing in your business helps move the needle forward. You don’t know what you don’t know. So find someone that does. 

[00:03:32] Chantel: And then last but not least, number four, take the messy action. Not everything needs to be so calculated. Throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. As Drake says, better late than never, but never late is better. So just start that blog. Start posting the content. Start marketing your business. Get those clients. Just start and figure it out as you go.

[00:03:56] Chantel: So for the second question, what has your online business meant for you and your [00:04:00] family? I’m going to split it into two. So what it means to me is that as a woman and a mom, I get to go after my dreams and passions and make it into reality. I always felt that there was more in my life and I was meant to live a creative life and here I am doing it.

[00:04:14] Chantel: Now, it’s extremely hard work and I’ll be honest with you, entrepreneurial life is not for everyone. But I’m doing the best to make it work because I always felt called to this and I never felt more aligned when I started my online businesses. And helping other women and moms feel more confident in their business and branding websites makes me feel incredibly happy.

[00:04:35] Chantel: Now what it means for my family is that I get to be the role model for my daughter to show her it is possible to follow your dreams and your passions and what hard work looks like. I get to prove to past generations of women in my life that we can make a living and create the lifestyle we want. I’ve heard too many baby boomers wish they follow their dreams. So I hope I’m making them [00:05:00] proud as well. 

[00:05:00] Chantel: And lastly, and not so glamorously, it means to my family as the default parent that I get to be more flexible. So I can be home with my daughter when she’s sick. I can go on the school trips. I can do drop off and pick up. And that’s the real life that a lot of women business owners go through. 

[00:05:19] Melyssa: Thank you so much, Chantel. That was such great information. If anybody wants to reach her and learn more about Chantel, her information will be posted on the blog and in the show notes.