Mona Lisa Ondevilla

Mona Lisa Ondevilla is a success coach and podcast host who made her mark on the internet for her love of the Universe and by being the top business coach for new introverted, intuitive and empath women. Through one-on-one consulting, programs, and free resources, Ondevilla has garnered international attention for helping women create both a business and lifestyle that feels rewarding and successful.

Mona Lisa specializes in guiding the introverts and the lightworkers down the right path; life coaches, wellness coaches, holistic health coaches, therapists, personal trainers, and yoga instructors, to name a few. They are intuitive, spiritual, and have a personal relationship with the Universe, but are uncertain as to how to get started, structure their businesses and show up online. Mona Lisa’s programs touch on everything from using your intuition, to ad sales, newsletters, click funnels, branding, social media planning, generating passive and automated income, and more.

She is the creator and host of the Love, Light and Business Podcast, another aspect of her business that allows her to have one-on-one conversations with her community. She brings on experts that provide invaluable insight on their businesses and strategies, and also records solo episodes where she shares deeply personal experiences such as her battle with anxiety and past financial struggles.

Mona Lisa grew up in a large, immigrant Filipino family that instilled hard-working values. After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Communication (emphasis in Interpersonal Communication), she moved to New York to pursue a career as a magazine writer. She quickly landed internships at the top outlets she had always dreamt of working for, but something did not feel right in her gut. She tested the waters at a wide-variety of other jobs, and deep down knew she could not work for someone else.

After a quarter-life crisis in 2013 that left her needing to build a profitable, soul-aligned business quickly, Mona Lisa transformed her passion for the Universe, internet marketing and transformation into the six-figure online business she has today.

Mona Lisa currently resides in San Ramon, California, with her husband Michaelangelo and their Persian cat Ella. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, cooking, sci-fi and fantasy novels, and immersing herself in nature.

To learn more visit www.monalisaondevilla.com or follow her Instagram page @monalisaondevilla.

Where did the idea for coaching and the Love, Light and Business Podcast come from?

I’ve always been a big dreamer, who wanted to live an exciting, aligned life that was both fulfilling and meaningful. Naturally, I found entrepreneurship! While I studied personal development and spirituality, I also studied business and online marketing. Two very different subjects!

What I found was that the majority of the trainings weren’t designed to support the way I wanted to show up in business as an introverted, intuitive and heart-centered woman. Instead of feeling fulfilled, I felt burned out and overworked.

So I created my own system that worked well and actually felt good, because it took into account the vital pieces that made up who I was. Today, I love giving back and helping introverted women who are trying to find their way in online entrepreneurship. On my platform monalisaondevilla.com, I offer free resources, private coaching sessions, and self-study courses, to name a few. Community support is everything, and those who join my tribe also gain access to an amazing group of women on Facebook, where we openly discuss our business ideas, struggles, wins, network and more. I also created and host The Love, Light and Business podcast. This is another platform on which I am able to share my own personal experiences, and bring on experts that provide invaluable tips and insight to my tribe.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Although every day’s work is different, following loose routines set me up to have an amazing day. I have a quiet, simple morning routine where I meditate, read, cook breakfast, make coffee, and gently ease into my work day. After work, I do something to transition out of “work mode” and into “personal time.” Usually, I move my body somehow, whether that’s by doing yoga, taking a walk or even shopping or doing grocery shopping. Having clear boundaries of morning, work, and evening time helps me enjoy my whole day.

As far as productivity, every day is productive in its own way. Some days, it’s more productive for me to take a nap, or take a day trip somewhere to get a fresh perspective. Some days, it’s more productive for me to come into the office and work on a new online ads campaign.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Bringing an idea to life is such a fun, co-creative process with the Universe. Seriously, the Universe is my planner, and I find that the best ideas usually find me! I’ll be somewhere – usually without a pen and paper, like taking a shower, walking, or driving – and an amazing idea will fall from the sky.

After I receive an idea, I don’t put it into action right away, unless it’s one of those ideas that feel urgent (when it feels urgent, usually all I have to do is bring up my computer and within a day, the whole idea is out there and in form!). Otherwise, I meditate, do yoga, talk it out with my husband (who is the Operations Manager at the company), and let the idea’s form take shape.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I really don’t know what’s trendy, because I tend to stay away from the newsfeed, headlines, and what everyone else is doing! I’m going to have to ask my husband what’s trendy, and get back to you. 🙂

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Taking regular time off. Like, a week off here, a month off there. It might sound crazy, but I wouldn’t be able to get anything done if I worked all the time!

What advice would you give your younger self?

I don’t know if she’d listen, but I’d tell her to enjoy every step of the process more, because everything will be ok! I’d also tell her that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the way she functions, and that everything that’s different about her will eventually become her strengths and inform the way she leads.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Wow, this is a tough one! Hmm, ok, I have one… I don’t believe that constantly putting out a ton of content online as an online entrepreneur is necessary. In fact, it can even be detrimental, especially if you don’t love doing it. Unless you love it, there are other more energetically satisfying and sustaining ways to be successful.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I am constantly asking myself, “how can I serve?” This is a question I learned from Russell Brunson, and it’s stuck with me. I’m always wondering, how can I serve my tribe of introverted, intuitive women? Knowing what I know now, how can I shortcut their learning process? How can I make this whole *new entrepreneur thing* less painful and more enjoyable? When you come from this place, it changes everything.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I focus on one thing at a time in my business, and I throw myself 1000% into whatever I’m focusing on. I get serious tunnel vision. Because there is so much out there, it’s easy to get sucked in to always trying the next sparkly new thing, but this NEVER works! You don’t get any traction in anything by having entrepreneurial ADD.

It’s all about picking a great business model that’s most aligned with you (tip: find a business coach or entrepreneur whose lifestyle and way of working resonates with you). Then go all in, and run with it – see what works, what doesn’t, and mold things to your liking – it’s a bit like cooking! You start with a good base recipe, then improve it every time you make it. You don’t just toss out the entire recipe because you added too much salt the first time!

And get used to failing – it’s simply an indicator that there’s something you need to tweak, and it’s definitely not personal.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

When I was a brand new entrepreneur, I picked a niche based on what I perceived was a hole in the market – bridal coaching! I thought it was such a good niche, and I threw myself in 100%. I apprenticed myself to a wedding planner, attended tons of wedding networking events, made a website, free gift, coaching program, business cards, the whole thing. Not only did I not get any traction, but I realized I didn’t love the wedding industry! After feeling like I completely failed, I took a break from my business and re-entered the 9-5.

The thing is, I could never completely get away from the idea of being an entrepreneur, because I felt an almost-obsessive desire for freedom, and to be able to do work that felt truly meaningful. That vision was strong for me.

I was able to overcome the sting of this failure when I realized that I was in this entrepreneurial game for the long-haul, that this was it for me. I found so much power and peace in simply making that decision, and stepping into being an entrepreneur from an all-in, no-other-option perspective.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Since I travel a lot, I’m always researching my next adventure and international stays. Where would be an amazing place to work and play? More than once, I’ve wished that there was a travel business that helped me plan my itinerary from a wandering entrepreneur point of view. Since I can work from anywhere, I want to know where the best long-term rentals are, where the best wi-fi is, the best food, pools… I’d pay to have someone help me get settled into another country for a month, or even better, to handle everything for me so all I’d have to do was show up!

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I actually just spent $100 at Lush for bath and body products, in preparation for a 5-day fall Ayurvedic cleanse. In addition to eating cleansing foods, I’m cleansing myself from tech and social media outside of work hours. Instead of default watching a movie or playing World of Warcraft with my husband after work, I’m going to take a ton of baths, read more, and try some new self-care practices.

This purchase is making me excited for my self-care time, instead of dreading the idea of “cleansing.” I’m always asking myself – “how can I make this exciting, fun, relaxing?”

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Meditation keeps me productive in the best possible way! I love the experience that the Insight timer app gives. It’s really simple – I use it to keep track of how consistently I’ve been meditating, and also because I love the sound of the starting bell before and after meditation.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

There are SO many… but the one book that has made the most impact on my entire business is ‘DotCom Secrets‘ by Russell Brunson. He introduces the concept of the funnel, which completely changed the way I do business. It’s a must read!

What is your favorite quote?

I have so many! But right now, what’s coming to mind is “Whatever you want, wants you, too.” I don’t remember who said that, but it’s influenced me a lot to realize that the things I want in my life aren’t random – they are there for a reason, and can in fact, become reality. It might sound out there, but I really do sense that whatever I envision for myself in the future has a kind of energy that pulls me toward it – and when I follow that energy and guidance, it moves me closer to it.

Key Learnings:

• Knowing yourself is everything! Take the time to find a business strategy and tribe that resonates with you.
• There’s power in focus and going all in. Decide to succeed no matter what, then watch the magic of your commitment unfold.
• Taking a break, whether it is for an hour, a week, or months does not equate to failure. It is a restorative and necessary process.
• Keep an open mind. Ask questions, wander and learn. The Universe has a way of bringing everything together.