When Mariangelica turned thirteen, she didn’t make a wish as she blew out her birthday candles — she made a vow.
At the time, she was living in a shelter with her family. They were immigrants struggling to get by, and they lived there for six months. She had no friends to invite over that birthday, but even if she had, the shelter never allowed any visitors inside.
The vow she made?
That the way she and her family lived was only temporary — and that she would figure out a way in life to make sure that they would never live in poverty again.
Where is that determined little girl today, you ask…?
Right now, Mariangelica Forero is the CEO of a thriving small business, a mother of two beautiful kids (with a third one coming!), and a badass member of our community in We Should All Be Millionaires: The Club.
And we are so lucky, grateful, and proud to have her!
We talked to Mariangelica about how she grew her revenue by 706% in just one year (yes, we said seven hundred and six percent y’all!) — and here’s what she had to say…
How was 2021 for you and your business? If you could describe the year using just one word, what would it be?
2021 was EXPANSIVE. I started the year knowing I was ready for growth. Ready to feel uncomfortable, and get real with who I was along with who I truly wanted to serve.
My business, HonestHustle.ca, went through the biggest growth financially — I increased my annual business revenue by 706%!!
We went from 30k in 2020 to 212k in 2021 (I know, I'm still pinching myself!), and I went through the biggest growth in confidence, belief, and mindset.
What are three key lessons you learned in 2021 that you’ll be focusing on in 2022?
1) You can't scale as one.
Start where you can when it comes to hiring! I started with someone at 5 hours a month (because, let’s be honest — at the beginning it's hard to let others in), and worked my way up from there.
Honestly, the moment I hired my first assistant, I went to bed thinking WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS SOONER??
Scaling my business seems like a true possibility now that I have let go of my belief that I have to do everything on my own.
2) Simplify. Then, simplify again.
I started the year with about 8 DIFFERENT offers. No wonder scaling seemed impossible.
Imagine trying to cook 8 meals at the same time — you're bound to burn a few, forget ingredients in some, and the plating is going to suck because you're tiiiiired.
In 2021 I actually started saying NO to projects that did not feel aligned. And I replaced multiple offers with simple offers that I'm so passionate about.
3) Find your million-dollar squad.
Find people like you that are vibing high and shooting for goals beyond what society has told them they are capable of achieving! I have entrepreneurial sisters that I know have my back and support my growth.
You need people who get you, dream as big as you, and do the work. Get yourself a community of people like this and I assure you, you will never look back.
What did the Hello Seven Growth Scale™ reveal to you about your business and yourself as a business owner?
I found that although my business was growing at a RAPID rate, my mindset was having trouble keeping up.
As an immigrant myself, and the oldest child in a family of immigrants, hustle and grind are at the core of what you are taught to do.
You grow to believe that it has to be HARD to be worth it. That we deserve things only when we've all but killed ourselves to achieve them.
As I started to apply teachings from the Growth Scale, I began to attract my ideal client with ease, and it felt like money was knocking on my door begging to be let in. This made it hard to feel worthy, to feel like it wasn't just luck or being in the right place.
My mindset has been one of the things that has had the biggest and most positive change. I love that mindset is covered in EACH level of the Growth Scale because honestly, it's true what they say: “New level, new devil.”
Out of all the things you’ve learned from the Growth Scale, what has helped you spark the most growth in your business?
To reduce the number of offers in my business! I was splitting my brain, marketing efforts, and copywriting tactics all between so many offers that it was actually keeping my numbers, reach, and impact low.
Once I zeroed in on the things I truly felt passionate about — and let go of offers that I COULD do, but that didn't bring me JOY — I felt instantly more aligned and ready to take on more of what I loved.
Can you give us a teeny tiny sneak peek of your vision for 2022?
My financial goal for 2022 is $500,000. I declare it.
Do I know every single step in how to get my business to $500,000, right this moment?
No, but I know that I have made the first right step, which is being in The Club. I know that I will learn the steps and how to do this, as long as I follow the Growth Scale.
I'm also really excited to begin working on a curriculum of mindset and business workshops that I want to bring into shelters, so that I can help to inspire both the parents and the children living as new immigrants in this country.
I want to let them know that they are allowed to WANT to thrive, and not just expected to survive. That they're allowed to ask for more than what they need, to dream big, and to make it big. And that not only is that okay — but that it’s necessary to create positive change in their lives, their families lives, and the world.
You can learn more about Mariangelica on her website, connect with her on Instagram, AND (this is our favorite option) find her in We Should All Be MIllionaires: The Club, of course!
(Like Mariangelica said, “Get yourself a community of people like this and I assure you, you will never look back.” 😉 )
We hope her story inspires you to realize that no matter where you’re at, no matter your background, no matter what systemic injustices are stacked against you…
You can make more money…
You deserve to make more money…
And you know what? If this world is gonna become a better place, you NEED to make more money.
We can’t wait to watch you get that coin.
xo,
Rachel and The Hello Seven Team
