Inspiring Lives with Lara Falusi Founder & CEO OF MY LIFE For Fashion Gxd Magazine
Written BY: Samantha CEE
This week we sat down with Lara Falusi Founder & CEO OF MY LIFE . The rising brand has been taking over the internet. Take a look at our exclusive interview with the CEO of the rising brand.
Website: ceoofmylife.co & Instagram: @ceoofmylife_
facebook.com/ceoofmylifeinc
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How did the idea for your business come about?
Answer: For as long as I can remember, I’ve been entrepreneurial. My dad used to tell my siblings and me to “be the CEO of your own life.” It didn’t really click what he meant until I started my career journey in Corporate America. I have so many creative talents I don't use in that environment. In May 2019, I felt ready to start a business. Apparel was just one revenue stream I had in mind. Then, in a sudden turn of events, my mom became hospitalized, a double amputee, and wheelchair dependent that summer. My partner experienced the death of his close relative. It made me realize life is too short to sleep on my creative passions. I prayed a lot about the decision to start my business, but one day I just decided to go for it.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do? Answer: I juggle my business with my corporate job as a business strategist at one of the biggest companies in the world. I probably should have hired someone by now, but I haven’t. I suck at delegation until I really trust someone. That’s something I’m working at. When I get there, integrity and humility are at the top of my list. Integrity, meaning, can I trust this person to do the right thing even when I’m not around? Humility meaning, will this person be receptive if I give direct feedback?
Fashion Gxd Magazine: If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently? Answer: Treat every opportunity as if I am empowered to make a change. Being a Black woman in Corporate America is not easy. Check the statistics - you see us in entry-level positions, but not many of us are breaking through to the upper echelons of management. Early in my career, it was discouraging. Fast forward 15 years and I see myself as a change agent. When I am given an opportunity, I determined to excel not just for my own gain, but so it opens doors for someone else. When you approach situations from a place of empowerment, it can change things.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur? Answer: I’m not sure your skills matter as much as character traits like curiosity, creativity and consistency do. There are a lot of skills that can be learned. I don’t know how you teach someone to be curious or consistent.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?Answer: I’m still learning to walk in my entrepreneurial journey. From a career perspective, I had no concept of self-advocacy when I started working and it was frustrating to hear I was exceptionally smart but get passed over for promotion again and again. I learned a valuable lesson about personal branding - you can only get so far on hard work. If people making promotion decisions don't know what you’re capable of, how does that help you? This applies to entrepreneurship. Work hard, but make sure the right people know your business exists.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How many hours do you work a day on average?Answer: During the week I work a lot more because I have a corporate job in addition to my business. If I had to estimate I would say around 15 or so hours a day during the week. On the weekends I have a full plate with volunteering, my relationship, my family and managing things I can’t do during the week, so I work on my business more, but overall I work less.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: Describe/outline your typical day?Answer: I’m usually up 5:30/6:00. The first thing I do is pray/meditate. I’m in the gym by 6:00/6:30. I try to get 45 minutes to an hour workout in. I post and engage on social media before I go to work. I’m at my corporate job 8:30/9:00. And I’m on all day. When I get home I give myself an hour to decompress then I usually get about 3-4 hours in on my business. Whether that’s email, replying to social media comments, planning content, order management, or other admin tasks.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?Answer: To be honest I was always very active and involved in many things. If anything, all of the changes my family has been through and being an entrepreneur has made me more focused on quality over quantity. The biggest change is I don’t go out as much but honestly, I’m protective of the energy I allow around me these days anyway. To me, it’s worth it to build something I love that will be meaningful for my children one day. My partner, my family, and closest friends get it. Those that don’t…we're just not on the same frequency and that's okay.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What motivates you?Answer: I believe my God-given gift is inspiring and motivating people. I have always felt that I could do more than what the neatly defined boundaries of a corporate job require. I’ve always wanted to touch people’s hearts. I want people who relate to me, people who have dealt with hardship, to know that they can do this too. I also want to create multiple income streams and financial wealth to pass on to my children’s children’s children and beyond. CEO OF MY LIFE is just the beginning.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you generate new ideas?Answer: I talk to God a lot through prayer and meditation. People ask me what my secret is but the truth is I am a person who is deeply rooted in faith and that is a large force behind my success. I’m an introvert so I’ve always been a natural observer. Inspiration is everywhere - you just have to pay attention. On my commute or when I’m doing mundane tasks, I use voice notes or the notes app on my phone a lot to jot down ideas before they escape my mind.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?Answer: The biggest sacrifice is being comfortable. Being an entrepreneur is not comfortable! Daily you’re putting something out into the world and leaving yourself open to judgment and critique. At the same time, the desire and fulfillment I get from creating and impacting people outweighs my desire to stay in my comfort zone.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?Answer: I am just getting started! CEO OF MY LIFE is the first business under my umbrella company. I’m expanding beyond apparel. I just launched my first of what will be many e-books. I’m launching an affiliate program for apparel entrepreneurs in 2020 as well. 10 to 20 years from now, I’d love to say I have multiple businesses, that my businesses can run without me most of the time, and that my businesses grew to a point where I could give other people, especially women of color, opportunities to build multiple income streams. I just want to be a blessing to others. It's my purpose.
