Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Vismaya Rubin.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
On 11/11/11, I went to a Women’s Circle. A young woman shared that she kept a box by her bed that carried her dreams, wishes, and worries.
A few days later, my friend called me complaining about work (something she rarely did). I thought… if she had a GRATITUDE bag, she could read about everything she as grateful for. My stepdad taught me how to sew drawstring pouches. My friends encouraged me to find someone to sew for me, so I ran an ad on Craigslist.
The last person to respond was the only one I called. She was a designer from NY. I had no idea why she would be interested in sewing pouches, but I went. After a long conversation, she told me that she taught a woman to sew while they were incarcerated. When they got out, she hired them. These women were sewing my GRATITUDE bags.
At the time, I taught at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior high. I was there for 20 years. During that time I had my students keeping GRATITUDE charts. Each month they had to document 20 unique things they were grateful for. They thought I had lost my mind, but they did it anyway.
Now, I teach about GRATITUDE… How to find GRATITUDE during life’s challenges.
Has it been a smooth road?
Time management… The biggest challenge I face is getting it all done. As a creative entrepreneur/solopreneur I am still learning what to do and when to do it.
How do I get my message out there?
During the day, I need to be on the phone or at a networking event even though I have to do inventory for my next show.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I founded a Movement. I’m not a Pollyanna, I don’t jump out of bed and throw my hands in the air and scream, “I’m so happy to be alive.” I wake up and declare today is going to be a magical day! I get to choose it.
My gift is getting people to find their GRATITUDE W.I.N.S. on a regular basis, I’m known for finding things to be grateful for in the middle of a crisis. That doesn’t mean that I don’t get angry or sad, or frustrated.
Today is a perfect example. My mother is in the hospital due to an infected cut. An hour after I left, the nurses called because my mother was having a meltdown and she wouldn’t let them put in a new IV.
A few minutes later it dawned on me… They had not given my mother her meds. She’s bipolar and had probably gone almost 24 hours without them. I was furious.
I called back, and within 30 minutes, she had her meds and started to calm down. I was extremely grateful to the nurses who listened to me and took immediate action. I was grateful that I called backed and asked the questions I asked.
I was grateful that I was able to advocate for my mother. What I know to be true is that we can train our brain to look for the good even in the worst situations. We just have to start.
There are many things I am proud of. I know my stories have helped others heal their pain. I’ve created a product line that not only looks great, it makes people feel great.
I get such joy when I walk into a workshop and see a room full of people wearing my shirts or when someone calls me because of a shirt sitting.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I was born and raised in Miami and taught at a Miami-Dade high school for 20 years. Now I live in Hollywood but, I am still a Miami girl at heart.
I love Miami’s diversity, the culture, the people. What I don’t love is the cost of living, the traffic, and the litter.
Pricing:
- Shirts $20
- Journals $25
- Affirmation bracelets 3 for $5
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LivingInGratitudeToday.com
- Email: info@LivingInGratitudeToday.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/vismaya_rubin
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/LivingInGratitudeToday
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/vismaya_rubin
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/livingingratitude
Image Credit:
Vismaya Rubin
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