Name: Ashley Matejka
Business Name/Occupation: Wellevance
Website: www.wellevance.com
Tell us about your business! Wellevance is a social venture connecting people, community, and products to inspire others to live a balanced lifestyle and create positive change in the world.
Why did you choose entrepreneurship? Determined to find the right professional path for myself, I chose to enter the fitness and wellness industry. While all of my clients were drastically different, they all had one thing in common. Their lives were completely unbalanced. With this discovery, the idea of developing my own business put me into action; although, I was not sure that entrepreneurship was completely realistic as a military spouse. At the time, there were no resources for military spouse entrepreneurs that I was aware of. With ambition and passion as my driving force, I took a leap of faith and founded Wellevance. I am grateful to have found my sense of purpose and fulfillment through entrepreneurship.
Why do military spouses make great entrepreneurs? As Military Spouses we are adaptable. We are willing to change plans and adjust to new conditions. Adaptability is key to long term business success.
What is a "blocker" for you in business. What holds you back? Our transient lifestyle certainly brings additional concerns to business ownership, but I feel more confident and secure knowing that I have created something of my own.
How has being a military spouse changed your for the better? It has allowed me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people that I would not have crossed paths with if not for being a military spouse.
What strengths do you possess, that you did not know you had, until you became an entrepreneur? The courage to put myself out there and the willingness to learn from my mistakes.
What would you tell a milspo entrepreneur who is feeling discouraged? Don't be weighed down by fear of making a mistake. The biggest mistake you can make as an entrepreneur, is being afraid to make one. So go for it and transform mistakes into opportunities for growth.
What are your five favorite things that you can not live without as a milspo entrepreneur?
- Yoga - to relieve stress
- Adult Coloring Books - to relieve stress and spark creativity
- Journal - to jot down random thoughts and ideas
- Access to the Navy General Library - I read a lot so it has saved me a lot of money
- Milspo Project - to have a resource designed specifically for military spouse entrepreneurs is amazing but to be a part of the Milspo Project team makes it even better!!
What is the most amazing thing you have experienced in your business thus far? Being selected as 1 of 24 social entrepreneurs from around the world to attend Global Social Impact House 2016 in Costa Rica. The 7-day residential program provided an opportunity to explore advanced concepts in business models, design thinking and leadership, while building meaningful, global connections. It was amazing, challenging, emotional, and life changing. The entire GSIH experience, including all of my new found friends, will be in my heart forever.
How do you want to be remembered? My vision is that people who have happy and fulfilling lives will reach out to help others in their community. My social change theory is simple, yet powerful: people helping other people makes the world a good place. I want to be remembered as someone who helped make the world a good place, not just a better place.
Twitter: alowellevance
Instagram: @wellevance8
Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/wellevance