Vicki Gunvalson of Coto Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.

Today, we’ll hear from Victoria Gunvalson, better known as Vicki Gunvalson to viewers of the Real Housewives of Orange County. Vicki shares with us an inspiring story of how she turned turned her natural interests into a career she could be proud of and founded Coto Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.

Update: Vicki wanted us to let our readers know that her new book, More Than a Housewife, is now available!

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Vicki Gunvalson: I own and operate a full service life, health, and annuity insurance agency representing every major insurance company in the United States called Coto Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. Additionally, Coto Insurance provides existing or prospective life insurance agents with training to become successful in this business.  We provide exclusive internet life insurance leads, quoting software, weekly training calls featuring me and my team and our proprietary client data base system.

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Vicki Gunvalson: Since 1992

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in what that is now the basis of your job?

Vicki Gunvalson: I love people – I love working with people and I love helping people.  Being in the insurance industry has been a very natural way for me to use those people skills and turn it into a successful career.  I take pride in being a part of my client’s dreams – at all levels of their lifespan and business cycle.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your Once upon a time… What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?

Vicki Gunvalson: I learned the importance of insurance after my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 59.  In the process of helping to pay for his care, I realized that I could help others as well to provide security for their families so they do not have to carry the burden of paying for medical care.

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Vicki Gunvalson: The tools that I offer to my agents are all of the same tools that have made me so successful in selling life insurance (internet life insurance leads, quoting software, weekly training calls, etc.).   And of course, my laptop!

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job? Or any really cool moments that made creating your own job completely worth it?

Vicki Gunvalson: Being my own boss would be the best part about creating my own job.  I have always been able to determine my own success.  The harder I work – the greater the return.  I have been able to provide an amazing, rich, blessed life for my children that I always dreamed for them to have.  We have many lasting memories together through family trips and vacations that would never have been possible if I didn’t work as hard as I have.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Vicki Gunvalson: The toughest hurdle I have had in creating my own job is finding balance.  I tend to immerse myself 110% in my career, and sometimes I don’t take the time I need to for my husband and my adult children.  It’s still a daily battle for me in finding that right balance, but I’m fortunate to have found a career that I absolutely love and to me ….it isn’t work at all.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Vicki Gunvalson: I would say to never give up on yourself or your dreams.  There will be lots of lows but through hard work and determination, the highs will outweigh the lows.  When you are your own boss, there is no limit to your own success.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs? Products, supplies, tech tools, etc?

Vicki Gunvalson: For those interested in the insurance business, I have a fantastic book called “Internet Life Insurance Selling Made Easy” that I highly recommend.  Running an organized office is extremely important to me as well.  I am a big fan of label makers to keep all of my files organized.(TheCareerCreator.com note: Click here for more information about Vicki’s book!)

More About This Company:
Company name: Coto Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.
Founder: Victoria Gunvalson
Website: www.cotoinsurance.com

Awards & Special Recognition Received:
Victoria is a Senior Insurance Specialist and is an Ed Slott Elite IRA Advisor, member of American Association of Long Term Care Insurance, Past-President and Founder of LeTip of Coto de Caza  International, Member of the National Ethics Bureau, and a member of Saddleback Community Church.

Victoria has continually received national recognition as a qualified member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Top of the Table.  For more than 100 years, the Million Dollar Round Table has honored the very best individuals in the financial services profession from around the world. Less than 1% of insurance agents in this industry ever meet this benchmark of outstanding performance and service to clients and Victoria is a proud to be a member of this organization.

Vicki, thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to tell us how you turned your people skills and a desire to help others into a flourishing business!

More to Come…stay tuned!

~TheCareerCreator.com

Brendan Ciecko of Ten Minute Media

Today’s interview is with Brendan Ciecko, the founder of Ten Minute Media, a company that does media promotion for the music industry.

In this interview, Brendan talks about how his interest in computers and music led to him creating his own job!

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Brendan Ciecko: I’m the founder and CEO of Ten Minute Media, a company that specializes in design and development services for the music/entertainment industry.

We create anything a record label, music artist, entertainment brand would need to excel on the internet.

The world of music comes to us for websites, viral widgets,
branding, social networks, and other promotional tools.

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Brendan Ciecko: I started building websites when I was 12 years old. I’ve been doing this for almost a decade. But in 2003, I officially started Ten Minute Media.

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in what that is now
the basis of your job?

Brendan Ciecko: At a young age, I was mesmerized with computers and
the internet.  By around 7th grade, I realized I could combine all my
interests – art, music, design, computer – and started to build
websites for local bands.

Fast foward a bit… business started to boom.  Once I landed Capitol Records as a client, I knew it was time to step up to a whole new level and Ten Minute Media was born.  Now we work with the biggest names in the music industry.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job? (Or
any really cool moments that made creating your own job completely
worth it?)

Brendan Ciecko: I dig the everyday challenges and excitement of the
fast-paced field that I work in.  Being immersed in music, design and
technology is a dream come true.

Cool moments and perks have been working with record label executives, backstage passes, hanging out with Mick Jagger, and meeting some of the world’s most dynamic entrepreneurs.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Brendan Ciecko: Find something you’re passionate about and see if you
can introduce an idea or service to that field.  When you love what
you do, you’ll be far more devoted to your business/career and
motivated to learn and grow.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs? Products, supplies, tech tools, etc?

Brendan Ciecko: There are endless amounts of books, blog, magazines
that are great to pull inspiration from but I believe you’ll always
learn most by getting your hands dirty.

More About This Company:
Company name: Ten Minute Media
Founder: Brendan Ciecko
Website: www.tenminutemedia.com
Blog: brendanciecko.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/brendanciecko

Awards & Special Recognition Received:
- Inc. Magazine Cover feature – “Cool, Determined, Under 30″ (2008)
- Web Marketing Association’s WebAward (2008)
- BusinessWest “40 under 40″ (2008)
- Grinspoon Entrepreneurial Spirit Award (2008)
- ADDY “Best in Show” Award, Western MA (2008)
- GSEA New England Regional Finalist (2007)
- PC Magazine SMB Award (2007)

Thanks, Brendan for sharing your story with our readers! We really encourage you all to take Brendan’s advice and find a way to bring a new and exciting product or service to an industry you already know and love!

More to Come…stay tuned!

~TheCareerCreator.com

Pitch! Press

Shannon Estrada and Pam Roberts are friends who put their PR savvy together and formed Pitch! Press, a “strategic editorial” PR company that helps companies in the fashion industry get media coverage on a regular basis.

Their clients benefit from their years of combined experience, and Shannon and Pam have a good time in the process.

Shannon graciously offers up some advice about what went into getting Pitch! off of the ground and working with a business partner, and we think you’ll learn a lot from what she shares!

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Shannon Estrada: Pam Roberts and myself are publicists in the fashion industry.  We represent designers and brands in the accessory, apparel, beauty and children’s categories.

We created Pitch! because there was a need for an agency that focused their efforts exclusively on securing editorial in the lifestyle, beauty and fashion publications, weeklies, dailies and blogs at an AFFORDABLE monthly rate.  We are not a full service public relations firm, but a strategic, editorial one.  Editorial hits not only increase our clients’ retail sales but wholesale as well.

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Shannon Estrada: Pitch! has been pitching for five fabulous years.

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in ??? that is now the basis of your job?

Shannon Estrada: Pam and I both have public relations backgrounds.  Pam has had a lengthy and hugely successful career in broadcast, as well as running the Fashion Mart here in Los Angeles.  I came from a fashion marketing, branding and public relations background and was sole proprietor of a full service fashion public relations agency prior to launching Pitch!.

For me, editorial: working directly with the editors to get them the product they need, has always been the most fun and most rewarding part of the job.  So, when Pam and I discussed this void in the market for an agency that just, well, pitches, I jumped at the chance to be a part of something new, something needed and something that I love to do.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your Once upon a time… What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?

Shannon Estrada: Tenacity has always been a part of my genetic makeup.  Pam’s too.  It has never occurred to us, something ‘couldn’t’ be done.  I moved to Los Angeles 15 years ago with a dream of making movies.  I had always wanted to be in film production but after 2 short years became disenchanted with the industry.

I decided fashion was my true calling (which my entire family responded with a “Duh!”) and jumped from one fast paced industry to another.  I worked on staff at several key Los Angeles fashion companies before the fashion editors themselves urged me to go out on my own and start my first agency.

I have loved being an entrepreneur and Pam has as well.  We work stress-filled, long hours, are committed not only to our business, but to our clients, our contacts and to one another.  She is a terrific business partner to say the least.  Pitch! Press could not exist without her!

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Shannon Estrada: One of the beauties of Pitch! is that there were no start-up costs.  That is incredibly rare.  We were selling a service where people retained us for our media contacts.

Editors work consistently with publicists they know and like and publicists that make their jobs easier.  So from the start, we had the essence of our business in place.

We made a landing page for our website (www.pitchpress.com), created our name and logo in-house and designated pink as our branded color because it is memorable and recognizable.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job?

Shannon Estrada: Being your own boss is wonderful.  Both Pam and I have a work-aholic-work-ethic, so as much as we love it, we are tired, needless to say, at the end of our long days.

But it is rewarding, rewarding to work with clients that love and appreciate you and work with editors that love and appreciate you.  We truly care about each of our clients, their businesses and futures as well as our editors.

Some of these fabulous women I have known for 12 years.  We’ve gone from being single to being married to having children.  There really is a bond with so many of the people I work with.  And that is priceless.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Shannon Estrada: The biggest challenge the first couple of years was to learn how to best work together as business partners.  We were a team from day-one, but we work and communicate very differently.  So there were definitely tense times in the beginning.

BUT, we are both very open to constructive criticism and to learning and evolving a business, and as individuals.  I have learned so much from Pam.  So much.  And she from me.  We are a team.  And most importantly we are life long friends.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Shannon Estrada: Do what you love.  We as a society have created a rat-race in how we live and work.  If you are going to spend 8 to 10 hours a day at a job, make sure you LOVE it.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs?

Shannon Estrada: In this day and age, it is a necessity to have a professional, branded website.  Everyone Googles everything; it is imperative to have a positive and memorable first impression so invest in your site and evolve it with consistent updates, product, verbiage etc.

More About This Company:
Founders: Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada, Pam Roberts
Company Name: Pitch! Press
Products or service offered: A press service for fashion industry clients seeking ongoing editorial at an affordable monthly rate.
Website: www.pitchpress.com
Additional Contact Information: Editorial Offices: 310.791.0033.
More About Shannon & Pam: Guest Blogger at PRcouture.com and BusyBeeLifestyle.com

Thanks, Shannon for sharing your road to creating your own job with our readers! In addition to being hard workers who are committed to excellence for their clients, they also understand that creating your own job can be lots of fun and a way to build long lasting friendships!

~TheCareerCreator.com

Colleen's Cookies

For Colleen Thompson, baking was a hobby…until word of mouth spread about her shortbread cookies. Now she runs Colleen’s Cookies, a specialty cookie boutique that can create fresh, custom cookie art based on the client’s needs and the company’s motto: “It’s all about the taste.”
Colleen’s Cookies is a great example of how being passionate about things you make can turn into a new job, and in this interview she shares some tips about her unintentional path to becoming an entrepreneur.

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Colleen Thompson: Colleen’s Cookies is a special order cookie company.  Our house specialty is creating decorated shortbread cookies that match any occasion.
For instance, a friend had a moped accident and we created (once we knew she was not seriously injured) a crystal ball stating “we see you feeling better very soon”, some fun sayings like the old Batman “wham”, “pow”, “bam”, a moped cookie that we broke in half, her favorite beer – Stella Arteois, etc….we’ll you get it.  Fun…but very personal – that’s it in a nutshell.  It’s so enjoyable.

Colleen's Cookies

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business? Can you tell us a little about how you got started? What was your “Once upon a time…?”

Colleen Thompson: I started baking cookies in 2000 when a friend asked me to create 250 cookies for an event.  The guests enjoyed them, started calling, and that’s how it started.

In the beginning it was just a hobby – a few orders here, a few orders there and it all started word of mouth.  The hobby turned into a business a few years ago due to the growth in our client base.

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in ??? that is now the basis of your job?

Colleen Thompson: I have always been a “foodie”.  I grew up in Colorado and food was what happened in our house.  From my mother to both of my Grandmother’s – we all loved being in the kitchen.  My family also has a restaurant that is celebrating 51 years in business – very successful for such a difficult occupation.

My first solo baking was at 10 years old – a scratch strawberry cake with strawberry icing – the icing had chunks of cake in it, lopsided, and I was sooooooooo proud!!!  I was hooked.

Colleen's Cookies

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Colleen Thompson: When I began it was in my kitchen.  All I needed was a mixer, flour and sugar, some creativity and an oven.  It is more complicated now that we have a production kitchen.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job?

Colleen Thompson: The best part about my job is having the ability to create.  That’s fun.  We’ve sent out some amazing cookies.  Last summer we were selected as a winner for the A List – Best Gift Cookie in STL.  One of the comments in the write up was “if Amos is famous, someone should call Oprah”…Forever imbedded in my mind.

We also were selected to create cookies for a cartoon that launched last fall, Turbo Dogs.  The production company contacted us to bid on the project and create a cookie for the New York promotion and the LA promotion and we won.  These were works of art.  So very proud of them.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Colleen Thompson: The toughest hurdle…hmmm.  Had I chosen to start a business, It would have started out differently.  What was just a fun hobby became a business.

Colleen's Cookies

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Colleen Thompson: Be passionate.  It is an old adage but if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life….it’s all fun!

More About This Company:
Founder: Colleen Thompson
Company Name: Colleen’s Cookies
Website: www.ColleensCookies.com

Thanks, Colleen, for taking the time to encourage our readers with sound advice for starting a business from a hobby! Hopefully, Oprah will come calling soon!

~TheCareerCreator.com

Dan Pavlik

Dan Pavlik is a video producer who used his storytelling skills to move from video production to create his own job as a filmmaker.

But he didn’t stop there.  Dan also decided to help others by forming a non-profit organization to help other aspiring filmmakers get access to equipment to help make their film ideas become reality.

In this interview, Dan talks about his path to creating his own job and a non-profit.

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”?

Dan Pavlik: Writer/Director/Foundation President

TheCareerCreator.com: Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Dan Pavlik: I am a corporate video producer by day, writer and aspiring filmmaker by night (or the rest of the day).  I started Educational Films of America, a non-profit designed to get students who are aspiring filmmakers practical work experience of a movie set.  EFA will ultimately sponsor student projects, giving them an opportunity to start a career.

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Dan Pavlik: 13 years

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in story telling that is now the basis of your job?

Dan Pavlik: I’ve always enjoyed getting a reaction out of a crowd when telling a happy or sad story.  As a filmmaker, you thrive on the ability to lead your audience down a prescribed path.  When it works the way you’ve planned, it’s like a drug.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your Once upon a time…What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?

Dan Pavlik: I was going to school and working as a bartender at a restaurant. I started “producing” the holiday videos for the employee party.  I received such positive feedback that I was encouraged to pursue a career in video production.

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Dan Pavlik: When I got started all you needed was a camera and two VCRs.  Non-linear, computer based editing was not even available at the consumer level.  This put creativity at a premium.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job?

Dan Pavlik: The best part about creating my own job is that I don’t miss a school play or a soccer game of my kid’s.  I can be completely creative, and still have the freedom to enjoy all the great things about family.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Dan Pavlik: The toughest hurdle is the same ‘ol story – getting started.  The only way to overcome it is good planning and hard work.  People think they are gonna get rich quick and enjoy self-employment.  Such a mistake. In the beginning, it takes working a side job to supplement your income, working long hours and missing out on lots of fun.  But the rewards are great!

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Dan Pavlik: Just like I said above, plan, plan, plan.  Have a reserve of cash and/or a way to pay your bills in the beginning.  Don’t take no for an answer, especially when people tell you “It can’t be done”.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs?

The internet. You can find any answer there.  Use email and ask a lot of questions.  Experts love to answer questions from up-and-comers!
More About This Company:
Founder: Dan Pavlik
Company Name:  Private: SouthPaw Productions; Non-profit: Educational Films of America
Products or service offered: Writer and Director
Website:   www.NominatedTheMovie.com
Additional contact information: www.twitter.com/nominated
Awards and special recognition received by Dan Pavlik: Multiple “Telly” award winner; semifinalist in the 2008 Nicholl Fellowship for Screenwriting

Thanks, Dan, for taking time to tell us about your goals to tell your own stories through film and to help others do the same. We know future film entrepreneurs will find your advice very encouraging!

~TheCareerCreator.com

Lorenzo Borghese

Lorenzo Borghese is a pet enthusiast who comes from a family of entrepreneurs and wears many hats as an integral part of several companies his family created.

In this interview, Lorenzo talked about his road to starting his business, and we hope you’ll be as encouraged and inspired as we were.

Lorenzo began his career in a completely different field, but six years ago, necessity led Lorenzo to creating his own job in an area where he hadn’t anticipated being an entrepreneur.

We love hearing stories of people who start a business as they work toward finding a solution to a problem that they face in their own lives, and we like what Lorenzo has to say about finding a void in an industry: “If you see a problem, fix it.”

TheCareerCreator.com: What is your “job”? Please tell us a bit about your company and what you sell or what service you provide?

Lorenzo Borghese: Royal Treatment is a pet related company that I started six years ago. We sell pet toys, grooming products, supplements, bedding, etc.  I manufacture numerous private label cosmetic brands which are all manufactured in Italy.

Regarding cosmetics, we have about 20 different labels, including The Giving Tree, The Giving Earth, The Giving Sea and The Giving Bee which are made with 100% organic products and sold at Borders bookstores. I am also a part of my family business, Multi Media Exposure Inc. (MME), an agency that represents various products sold through HSN and infomercials .

TheCareerCreator.com: How long have you been in business?

Lorenzo Borghese: MME has been in business for 14 years, Royal Treatment for 6 years and I have been a part of the private label cosmetics company for 4 years.

TheCareerCreator.com: You had a natural interest in ??? that is now the basis of your job?

Lorenzo Borghese: I worked at AIG for 4 years and hated it. After I stopped working there, I went to business school because I had an interest in working for myself. My family has been in business with their cosmetics lines since the 1950’s and I wanted to do something on my own, so I started my bath and body line for pets.

TheCareerCreator.com: Tell us a little about how you got started…give us a bit of your Once upon a time… (What was the turning point where you decided to turn your interest or hobby into a career?)

Lorenzo Borghese: Well, I never thought I would be involved in the pet industry. I had a black lab, and she had really dry skin. You could see the dandruff on her coat, and I tried regular dog shampoos and it just made it worse. I used some of our honey based Perlier products, and it made it better, but it didn’t cure her dry skin.

Then I started to research why dogs could only be bathed every two months and why their skin was so different from humans. I worked on formulating the products for 2 years and I contacted the manufacturers I was working with and told them what was wrong with the traditional pet grooming products.

People spend so much time and money dressing their dogs in outfits, but I realized that the multi billion dollar pet industry was void of bath and body pet products. The way I see it, any problem creates opportunities. If you see a problem, fix it.

I presented the concept to HSN and asked them to do a pet show. They were hesitant at first because they had tried selling pet products in the past it had never really taken off. But they agreed to give me 12 minutes to sell my products and I ended up getting a one hour show.

TheCareerCreator.com: What were some of the materials or technology you needed to get started on a very basic level?

Lorenzo Borghese: I used the internet and my cosmetic contacts.

TheCareerCreator.com: The best part about creating your own job? (Or any really cool moments that made creating your own job completely worth it?)

Lorenzo Borghese: There are actually a couple of things.  1. When you get to see your products through from conception to completion, it’s gratifying. 2. Getting the testimonials from people who use the products. When people call into HSN and talk about how the products have changed their dog’s lives, it’s very rewarding.

TheCareerCreator.com: What’s the toughest hurdle you’ve encountered in creating your own job…and how you overcame it?

Lorenzo Borghese: Tough situations happen every day. There’s always something new that happens that’s a problem. With running my own business, the hardest part is separating my personal life and business life.

I’m working 7 days a week.  AIG was Monday thru Friday, and I never had to think about it on the weekends. Even if I’m on vacation, it can be difficult to relax because I can never let go of my company. Whether I’m approving art work or ingredients, I’m involved with everything.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any words of wisdom or encouragement to anyone wanting to create their own job?

Lorenzo Borghese: Just do whatever makes you happy and do what you like. If you don’t like your job, you’ll never be successful. Do what you’re good at doing. If you’re not good at numbers, don’t be an investment banker. I would never try for out the Olympics because I’m not an athlete.

People who complain all day and hate their jobs are not usually doing something that they love. I have a friend who recently decided to open a car wash and now he can enjoy it and grow his business because he likes what’s doing.

TheCareerCreator.com: Any favorite resources you recommend to other entrepreneurs?

Lorenzo Borghese: The internet is the only tool you really need. There is so much information online. When I started, I went to the library to research as the internet was not what it is today . But now you can find just about anything online – all at the comfort of your own home.

More About This Company:
Founder: Lorenzo Borghese
Company Name: Royal Treatment
Products or service offered: Bath, body, grooming products and supplements for pets.
Website: www.getroyaltreatment.com and www.nuzzleplanet.com

We’d like to thank Lorenzo for taking time from his day to answer our questions and help encourage future entrepreneurs, even as he delves further into entrepreneurial ventures.

In addition to the products he offers now, in the very near future he’ll be launching a new and exciting pet-related website and we’ll update you with more details at the time of the launch!

~TheCareerCreator.com