Blanca Vergara
Hustle Amsterdam (HA): Where are you from? And what brings you to Amsterdam?
Blanca Vergara (BV): I was born in Mexico city. I moved to the Netherlands more than 20 years ago to study my MBA at the Rotterdam School of Management. Right after finishing business school the world opened to me and I could have gone everywhere, but I chose to stay in the Netherlands as the coolest project was here. Then a series of jobs and love kept me in the country. Some 15 years ago, I considered leaving the country. A friend of mine asked me: have you lived in Amsterdam? At that point the answer was no. He said: you may leave this country, just after you experience Amsterdam. Needless to say I fell in love with it. Now I consider myself an Amsterdammer. I love raising my children and growing my business here.
HA: Tell me about your business? What is your mission?
BV: My mission is to accelerate the emergence of the Heart Centered Economy: when we balance the best of the masculine and the feminine, when we include compassion and intuition in our decision making, and we are well paid. So I empower female entrepreneurs to awaken their feminine power to do business in a more authentic and heart centered way.
HA: How are you handling our new “normal” due to the coronavirus outbreak? What impact has it had on your business? How was the transition to working remotely been for you? Are you being strict with a routine or taking it day-by-day?
BV: The Coronavirus has been like an awakening force for me. It brought a massive sense of urgency: if not now, when? If not me, who? That has made my business flourish. I’ve never been busier than now and I don’t see it changing. It seems to be that I was not alone in the awakening. It seems to be that humanity is realizing that including the feminine and the power of love in our day to day is the one thing that will change the future: the economy, the ecology, education and more.
HA: Why Your Looking Glass? What brought you to coaching?
BV: The first chapter of my career was very successful in the masculine way. I was successful in academia and in the corporate world by adapting myself to what I thought were the expectations of “them” (my father, university, the bank, the system). So I became massively dissatisfied with what I had created by 35 years old. I was successful on paper, but I couldn’t explain to myself why just 2% of my life was full of joy.
So I chose to go into the world of entrepreneurship through meaningful conversations. That was the only plan. Coaching was the first tool I found that helped me answer the important questions: purpose, values, meaning, and more.
Coaching opened the doors to many other tools that I now use to support the transformation of all my customers. Now my toolbox is very well equipped to support the renewal of people who would like to move from corporate into entrepreneurship, most importantly from pleasing and drifting into being her own person.
HA: What is the current state of Your Looking Glass? Do you have six and 12-month goals for your business?
BV: Your Looking Glass is my vehicle of self expression and service. This fundamental is not to be changed. Yet it will expand as I grow as an entrepreneur and reality changes.
My plan for the coming 12 months is to sell out all my programs and close during the summer. Even more important than that is to enjoy every single moment of this process: to be present, to grow in grace and joy.
HA: What kind of obstacles do you face in your company? How do you handle them?
BV: None! Well, you see, I don’t see obstacles. I see opportunities of expansion. I see divine redirection. I don’t believe in the concept of obstacles. This would imply that I know where I’m going and how I will get there. I believe life and entrepreneurship are more magical. I agree with D. Eisenhower. “The plan is nothing. Planning is everything.” We as entrepreneurs have a definition of success and a context. Our work is to move towards success considering the context, in other words, avoid at all costs arguing with reality.
HA: What has been your most successful moment so far? And how do you celebrate your wins?
BV: A couple of years ago I was in a profound depression. I took a sabbatical. After that I offered my services for free. My ego was so damaged that I didn’t see value on my services. After deep work, I dared to ask 20 euros. From Friday to Monday I sold out that event. This unleashed me. From there on I’ve been able to expand my reach and raise my prices.
I celebrate constantly. Every evening I review my day and give myself a 10. I appreciate the daily successes, no matter how “bad” the day was. I do that also every Sunday when I review the week. This process is repeated every month and every quarter and finally in December. For big wins I even have what I call “bounty budget.” I buy myself flowers or a book or invite myself for tea. I have made this a ritual that keeps expanding me and my results.
HA: How have you accomplished what you have? Did you go to business school? Did you wing it? Fake it till you make it? Get really lucky?
BV: Education is very important for me. I went to university twice: MSc in Information Technology and MBA. Learning didn’t stop there. I’m an avid reader. Also I continuously invest in myself with online courses and business mentors.
Winging it is not efficient. We must walk on the shoulders of giants. We must be humble to listen and learn from those who have gone before us.
HA: Did you fundraise for your business? If so, tell me about your experience.
BV: I don’t believe in fundraising. I believe that companies should prove their concept with real customers. That’s the best funding a company can have.
HA: How big is your team? And where are your team members located?
BV: My team is growing. I have a VA and diverse freelancer that work on specific projects. It’s my plan to grow my outsourcing. 2021 will be exciting in this side of the business.
HA: Do you have a favorite motivational quote?
BV: “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” - Unknown
We tend to be upset about other’s behaviour. Compassion always offers a new perspective that will allow for many possibilities.
HA: What 3 tips would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? What do you wish you had known before you started?
BV:
The limit of your business is your own psychology. Invest in a mentor/coach. As you expand your sense of possibility, your business will grow.
Make marketing a priority. You could create the best product in the world, but if no one knows about it…
Be customer centric. Be obsessed with your customer. Know them better than they know themselves. Listen to their needs, wants, dreams, fear, words…
HA: How would you describe your working style?
BV: I creatively combine very feminine and very masculine ways for working. I love working with plans and structure. At the same time I deeply care for my customers and associates. Meditation and frameworks, art and scheduling…
HA: When you’re not working on Your Looking Glass — where can we find you?
BV: I’m a mom and a wife. I enjoy my family immensely. I love playing with them all the time. With my son I play football and lego. With my daughter I bake and paint. With my husband I talk about philosophy, history, and enjoy very romantic moments.
HA: How do you find work-life balance while being an entrepreneur?
BV: I’m very structured. There are working hours and play hours. I’m very disciplined about this. My kids know when mama is not there. My customers know when their mentor is not there. Also I schedule time just for me. My daily walk is fundamental for my mental and physical health.
HA: What is your passion?
BV: I’m passionate about the Heart Centered Economy. I see a future of oneness, where we reconcile the feminine and the masculine. When we are able to bring feelings to business. When we are able to forgive the “toxic masculine.” When we are able to include all what makes us human in business.
HA: What inspires you most about Amsterdam? Do you have any favorite spots to work or hangout?
BV: I love Amsterdam!!!! So much! I would say Vondelpark. I love to go for walks there, to cycle, to picnic. It’s indeed a great place to write. Very inspiring.
HA: Anything else you’d like to add?
BV: Is entrepreneurship calling you, but don't know where to start?
According to a survey by Inc. Magazine, 63% of people want to start their own business. But the reality is that only 2% of people will ever follow their dream.
Are you part of that 63%?
Are you feeling a great desire to serve and create massive impact, but something is stopping you. You don't know where to start. You don't know what kind of business would be best for you. Even worse you doubt if it would fly.
I created a framework that will allow you to take the first and most critical decisions to set up your business. Even more, I also share with you powerful questions that will guide your most strategic choices.
Wishing you great success in your Heart Centered Business future.
