See below to read all about their advice on entrepreneurship, spending quality time with family on a busy schedule, and how their Italian heritage has shaped how they do business!
* * * * *
1. Tell me a little bit about who The GG Sisters are and what you do:
Laura: Originally, the "GG Sisters" stood for "Glama Gals Sisters," as it was associated with our tween spa business, but we recently changed it to represent the "Goal Getter Sisters," as we feel that, that more accurately represents us now - we are all about reaching and attaining our goals, and inspiring others to do the same. Through social media, we show the ups and downs of entrepreneurship while being moms. We also like to showcase the people, places and things we love. We also show that since we work hard, we play harder! We like to show our kids that we are "mommy memory makers;" every moment with our kids we want to make memories, because we are constantly feeding this mommy guilt, because we are always working so hard.
Josie: We like to stress that it's not about the quantity of time, it's about the quality of time we spend with our kids. We try to do as much as we can when we are with them.
Laura: We also like to inspire those around us. Our platform is based on a lot of mom entrepreneurs, busy working moms, stay-at-home moms that are looking for a goal or direction, and we find our feed is the platform for that.
2. How did The GG Sisters begin?
Josie: Technically we began as sisters a long time ago...(lol), we opened our business together, and then two years ago we started with the social media.
Laura: We would meet moms that would ask, 'you guys own your own business and you're moms, how do you do it all?' 'How can I start my own business?' So we thought, we have all these questions and we can't meet with everyone, so might as well put ourselves out there and open up the line! We also wanted to show people the truth behind owning your own business - it's not as glamorous as it looks; it's the whole 'iceburg effect' - people just see the success part.
Josie: We wanted to show the real rawness of how it is to own your business, and we also did this because it was helping people who were going through similar things, or thinking of taking the leap to own their own business. Since we found it was giving individuals motivation we decided to start our 'momspiration' series which features local businesses, or moms doing interesting projects.
3. Both your brands, are aligned with a message of fostering positivity and being one's best self. Why did you choose this message?
Laura: We've been through some difficult times, and when you're faced with adversity the only thing you can do is dig deep and focus on the positive. You really have no choice. We just wanted to focus on positive vibrations and keep raising them.
Josie: Exactly, and then when we had kids, we wanted to shield them from some of the negativity and just allow them to focus on the positive. When you're faced with many challenges throughout your life, you can either decide to go the positive route or the negative - we chose the positive! The more positivity you give out, the better it is! What you give out, is what you get back.
4. Your message of having fun and living life to the fullest, aligns with Viva la Dolce's message of creating and enjoying a sweet life! While this is amazing, you do have children and run multiple businesses. What advice do you have for other mothers who want to pursue their passions, but just don't know how to get it done?
Laura: The first step is doing - just do it. When you're starting a business, the first steps are registering for a website and setting up your email. If you can do that - you're ready.
Josie: Don't doubt yourself; you need to have confidence.
Laura: Make your passion your pay check! My favourite song is, "What a feeling" from Flashdance - "take your passion and make it happen!"
5. Tell me about your Italian heritage.
Laura: My mom is from Veroli, in the region of Lazio, Italy, and my father was from Bari.
Josie: They were born in Italy, but came here in their early teens.
6. How has your heritage influenced your work life and family life?
Laura: Our heritage has influenced our core values of being positive, valuing family, and being respectful.
Josie: When we were young, our father worked three jobs, our mom was a stay-at-home mother, so we learned respect, gratitude, and humbleness.
We try very hard to instil those values in our kids. We try to teach them it's not about the tangible stuff - it's about the memories we create together.
Laura: It's a very difficult balance based on the world we live; you want to give your children everything, but you know that's not good. So it's a struggle, but we try very hard to instil those important values. We're very open with them about the fact that our father has passed, so we try to teach them about the value of life as well.
7. Speaking of your father, how do you think he has influenced your work ethic?
Josie: Our parents definitely have had a big influence on how we are, and how we do things.
Laura: Yes, but our dad was the biggest influence - he really believed in us. He was always so positive and encouraging. Whenever we doubted ourselves, and hesitated on doing something, he would always say, "No do it, or else when are you going to do it?"
Josie: He had the attitude of making the best of every minute. He was also a risk taker, so he encouraged us to take chances.
(what do you think he would say of all that you have achieved?)
Josie: He would definitely be proud of us.
Laura: He would probably say, 'keep going, don't stop, aim higher.'
8. As you may know, Viva la Dolce is all about celebrating what makes you happy in life. What's your "dolce" in life?
Laura: My dolce is being together with my family on a Sunday afternoon, with my mom cooking us pasta and meatballs, with the nice Italian sugo (sauce). I also have to say, my Nonna Pina's stuffed pasta shells!
Josie: I would have to say, my family trip to Tuscany, when we visited Cortona and had a relaxing evening - it was still, and quiet and we enjoyed a beautiful dinner. Also, another moment from another trip to Italy, when I was in Capri, enjoying a cappuccino while watching the water. Moments like those are my dolce!
Thanks for a wonderful chat ladies! Check out more from the GG sisters at www.theggsisters.com and on social media @theggsisters
No comments:
Post a Comment