[quote style=”boxed”]I write them down. That might seem overly simplistic, but if my ideas aren’t written down somewhere in my to-do lists or on my big wall calendar, then they don’t happen.[/quote]
Nathalie Lussier is an online business triple-threat, as she brings together a combination of tech expertise, marketing know-how, and make-it-happen wisdom. She’s the creator of the Website Checkup Tool, which zeroes in on what tweaks your website needs to improve conversions and make more sales.
Nathalie’s been creating web sites since she was 12 years old. After graduating with a degree in software engineering and a job offer to work on Wall Street, she turned down the posh job offer and started her first online business teaching nutrition classes. She was happily creating dessert recipes for her audience when they started asking her how she created her website and if they could hire her for her tech expertise. Today she consults with business owners to take advantage of the opportunities available on the web, and educates others, through her hands, on tech and marketing training programs.
She’s been featured on Inc., Mashable, ProBlogger, The Huffingon Post and Under30CEO, and has spoken numerous times at BlogWorld Expo and PodCamp about technology and online business. She’s working on her next book, which is focused on the female advantage that women have in the business and technology field.
What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m working on redesigning and creating new training material for my signature “Launch It Yourself” program, which helps online business owners launch their first digital product in 60 days or less. I love it because it takes care of all the technical headaches that come with putting together a product launch, and it walks you through the steps necessary from a marketing perspective to really reach your launch goals.
Where did the idea for Nathalie Lussier Media come from?
My business has really evolved over the years; it started out as a healthy eating website called RawFoodsWitch.com, and then I started getting a lot of questions about how I was running my raw food site. To answer those questions, I set up a consulting and training website at NathalieLussier.com and started creating free, weekly videos that answered the most common questions I got asked. So ultimately, the idea came from my audience asking me for it.
What does your typical day look like?
I wake up and make a green smoothie for breakfast. I do my best not to check my email first thing in the morning, and I take a nice walk with my dog, Millie. Then I dive into creation mode, which might involve filming a video, writing copy, writing my book, or planning my upcoming projects.
In the afternoon I have client calls, interviews, and other communication-focused time. Sometimes I skip right through lunch and need to take a break to refuel. After another nice, long walk with my dog at the park, I do a little more work, and this is when I usually catch up with all the emails that came in during the day. Then it’s time to absorb and relax, and I love to do that by reading in the bath.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I write them down. That might seem overly simplistic, but if my ideas aren’t written down somewhere in my to-do lists or on my big wall calendar, then they don’t happen. I also have to take time out to evaluate what’s realistic in the current time frames I have, so I do have projects that are planned for future years. I feel that not trying to do everything at once helps me make ideas realities.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
The trend that more women are starting businesses! It’s just so exciting to see women taking back their freedom, whether that’s because of the economy, the job market, or because they feel called to start a business. I think it’s totally empowering, and I see a trend especially among younger women who are taking this business path by choice early in their careers.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
The worst job experience I ever had was working at a startup and experiencing the company lay off half of their staff in front of my eyes. The job itself wasn’t bad, and I learned a lot. But my biggest takeaways from this job experience were that there’s no such thing as job security and that no matter how much “seniority” you have, you’re on your own even if you work for another company. That means building your own brand and continuously pushing your personal development is primordial.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would have attended some in-person conferences earlier during my business startup phase. The connections and advice I got from leaving my home office were absolutely priceless. They definitely grew my business in new ways and helped me see things from a much clearer place, too.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I invest in myself. I believe that your business is only going to grow to match the level of your personal growth. There’s also something amazing about investing in your own training, because this education can never be taken away from you (unlike physical investments). I also think that being challenged to go outside of your comfort zone helps you to really think differently about ways to expand your business.
What is one problem you encountered as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I touched on this earlier; one of my problems is that I love new ideas. I’m always coming up with them, and the reality is that if I were to chase all of them, I wouldn’t have a solid business. I’d be all over the place. The way I deal with this is to write all of these ideas down into an idea garden and then revisit that idea garden regularly. That way I never feel like I’m going to miss something if I don’t use the ideas, but I’m staying focused on my main objectives for the immediate future.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A business where people could choose what types of meals they’d like to eat for the week. It would automatically order and deliver the fresh fruits and vegetables to your door. All you’d need to do is prepare the food. I’d totally sign up!
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
I would turn vacant lots of land into wild fruit tree orchards. I feel like there’s too much emphasis on growing things like corn, soy and wheat–and there is lots of land that would benefit from returning to a more natural ecosystem. I would go about doing this by first identifying which places have the most vacant lots, and then start buying them or having the owners educated about the benefits of fruit trees and natural habitats for other wildlife.
Tell us a secret.
I’m a black belt in the Korean martial art Taekwondo. Most people don’t believe me when I tell them because I’m quiet and unassuming. I also competed in national competitions and won gold and silver medals back in my young teen years.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
- Evernote. I love Evernote to jot down ideas, grab screenshots, and keep track of inspiring sites. I love that it’s available on all devices too, so I can jot down ideas when I’m on the go.
- Google Apps is what I use to manage my calendar, my email, and all of the documents I need for my business. I love that everything is in the cloud, so I can use it from anywhere, too.
- Basecamp is our project management system, and it’s how we communicate with clients, share files, and just keep everyone on a team in the loop.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Blue Ocean Strategy. So many people avoid starting a business or growing the business they really want, because there’s so much competition. I hear it all the time: “There’s already someone doing what I want to do.” This book helps you create your own market space, so you’re not competing anymore.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
- @DanielleLaPorte. She provides lots of inspiring and thought-provoking mini-poems.
- @Kyeli is super sweet, from the heart, and shares lots of great photos and prompts.
- @AmberCadabra keeps it real, and she’s one of the most conscious business speakers I’ve ever heard.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
I went to a Russell Peters comedy show a few days ago, and his jokes make me laugh the most because they’re based on the truth. I also love when he makes fun of his upbringing and his experience integrating into Canadian culture.
Who is your hero?
I don’t have an easy answer for this one, but I’ll go with Mama Gena, the creator of The School of Womanly Arts. She’s leading a pleasure revolution, and I just admire her for how she shows up in the world, fully turned on with a metric ton of power.
What do people thank you for most often?
Most of the time I get thanks for making technology simpler, for having the ability to see and set the big vision of a project, and for knowing what to say to help people get unstuck. I’ve also gotten some awesome compliments on my voice in videos (thank you!), and on my ability to break things down in a very digestible and learnable way.
What role models inspired you when you were growing up?
My martial arts teacher was a huge inspiration for me. She taught me that it was possible for women to kick butt–both literally and in business. I also had other amazing teachers and mentors, and I believe that we can’t be what we can’t see. That’s why I think a site like IdeaMensch is so amazing for inspiring people to live into their lives fully.
Connect:
Nathalie Lussier on Twitter: @nathlussier
Nathalie Lussier on Facebook:
Nathalie Lussier’s website:
Raw Foods Witch book’s website:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.