Some people think that the key to success lies within their daily routines. Do you agree with this, and if so, what is your daily routine?
I do believe in a daily routine, it keeps me grounded and is nice to have some certainty in my line of work. I work with clients from all walks of life, and they all have different needs and expectations that I have to be able to adapt to. Part of my daily routine is writing down my to-do-list, working out, cleaning my emails out by answering to all of them, memory games, Duolingo time, lifting up my energy level by reading or listening to my favorite podcasts, and it’s extremely important to me to connect physically- to hug my partner every day.
Looking back at your teenage years, did you have any entrepreneurial interests?
I always knew I wanted to be my own boss, no matter what I will be doing.
Is there a specific time of day when you feel most productive?
I like to go through my to-do list in the mornings, those are the musts. But I feel most productive throughout the afternoon and evenings.
Do you think there is one character trait/skill that is important to have in order to become a successful entrepreneur in today’s world?
Believe in yourself. If you cannot truly believe in yourself, then how will anyone else? Once you have the belief in your self-worth, in your abilities, in your product, that’s when things really start to happen. The clients feel that, and they will believe in you because you gave them no reason not to.
Has being a woman in the business world affected you positively or negatively, and how so?
It definitely goes in both directions. It’s almost always positive when working with other successful women in business, we want to support each other. There is mutual respect right away and acceptance. Some of the challenges I have faced are out of my control. Clients come from different backgrounds, cultures, and different age groups, which may make them less open to doing business with a woman. When that happens, I take it as a challenge to prove my worth, and I may have to work twice as hard to earn their respect. Once I break through to these people, it is the sweetest thing ever:) Now I have a client and friend for life.
What is one major goal that you wish to achieve by 2030?
Complete financial freedom. Where it’s just my family and I enjoying life in all parts of the world. Right now, I depend on real estate to pay the bills and allow me to live the lifestyle I’m fortunate to have, but my goal by 2030 is to be financially free.
Who is your biggest influence, and why?
It’s a tie between my mom and my partner, Jason. I hope to be half as wonderful a mother as my mom is. Jason pushes me every day to learn more, to be a stronger and a better version of myself. He challenges me while giving me the freedom I need. He reminds me to stay confident and believe in myself and not to look for outside approval.
If you could pick one female entrepreneur, who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
Brandy Gillmore, all the way!
What has been the most formative advice you have received and why?
It is the second agreement from the book “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It says that you won’t need to take things personally if you have a strong sense of yourself. The reality is that nothing people say or do to you is actually about you – it’s all about them.
What has been the most impressive/memorable question anyone has ever asked you?
Why Not? To me, it’s the perfect question, why not?
If you have siblings, are they also entrepreneurs?
My brother has a law degree but is working in logistics.
Do you think the drive to become an entrepreneur is born with or is learned?
Both. Some people have been an entrepreneur since childhood. Maybe they were selling lemonade at the corner of their neighborhood as a kid. Others I know were stuck at a job that made them unhappy, so they learned how they could go on their own and have become very successful entrepreneurs. The one thing that they all have in common is believing in themselves; that is where it all starts.
CONTACT INFORMATION & SOCIAL MEDIA Hastings & Novak Estates Founder Los Angeles, CA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henriett-novak-9a062431/ Address: 8560 Sunset Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90069 website: http://thehnestates.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henriettnovak/ YouTube:https://youtu.be/fdCF-qma6DQ email: [email protected]