We had the good fortune of connecting with Geretta Patrice and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Geretta, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For me starting my own business was a way for me to define and pen my own story. Growing up I often dreamed of the endless possibilities of what my life could be, but like many, I was simply taught to go to school, head off to college and get into a career that pays the bills. It wasn’t about finding your voice, living a dream or growing in the area of life that you were purposed to have an impact. Truth be told it was more about surviving and less about thriving. When I turned 30, I started to acknowledge how unfulfilled I was not only in my career but also in my daily habits, financial achievements or should I say lack thereof and my overall personal development. It was also around that time where I began to notice the never-ending complaints from family and friends about what their life might have been… you know, all those shoulda, coulda, woulda stories we spend countless hours daydreaming about.
So, it was in that season of my life that I made the decision that I was going to be the one in my family and in my circle to break the generational curse of poverty and lackluster living. It was that year that my entrepreneurial adventure began and here I am 4 years later living a life of gratitude, not because this has been an easy journey, but because I made the leap to believe that there was more. I took hold of the audacity to believe that my situation and upbringing does not have the authority to define my future and most importantly I increased my belief that God loves me so much that He desires for me to live in abundance in all areas of my life.
Over the years, it has been my absolute joy to grow with and serve my fellow women entrepreneurs. Helping them lay a confident foundation in their business with seamless processes and automated systems. I firmly believe that every one of these amazing and ambitious Boss Ladies deserve to run a business that positions their value, transforms their work habits, and sets them up to create an experience that leaves them more profitable.
In closing, I want to speak to every dreamer, trailblazer and creative wondering if they have what it takes to start a business. I challenge you to grab your notebook and a pen, sit in your quiet place and DREAM AGAIN!! Then ask yourself this short but simple question, “What’s the best that could happen if I simply believe in the beauty of my dreams and my ability to accomplish them?”… I can’t wait to see how you impact the world! Take the Leap…
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Absolutely, I’ll never forget a few years ago, after crying my eyes out about how stressful running a business was, God woke me up in the middle of the night and told me, “Daughter, you are purposed to pour BUT you can’t pour, poor.” I was shook, all I could do and think about was how I had been living this multifaceted life of a full time employee, business owner, servant in ministry, caretaker, friend and more. I was trying to constantly do all things but was constantly pouring from an empty cup. I was teaching others to build daily processes, workflows and systems to help them set boundaries for their business and life so that they could reclaim their time, energy and focus but I wasn’t doing the same.
It was shortly after that encounter that I renamed my business from Virtually G to Purposed to Pour and began to learn to pour back into myself daily and teach others to do the same in their life and business. I help them do this through implementation of simplified workflows and business systems such as Dubsado, a multifunctional business management platform that helps them cut out the busywork but still keep the business in motion with automation. However, often times as entrepreneurs we undervalue our time and forget that we can’t make an effective impact and pour back into our lives or that of our clients if we are poor stewards of our time, energy and efforts.
This is one of the main reasons I made the decision to not solely focus on helping my clients run a confident business but also becoming a confident business owner. I always say a confident you + a confident business = the perfect pour!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ooo Good Question! Since I’m a little extra, I’d probably put together a cute little note and itinerary like this… Hey friend!! I’m sure you know this but I’m a sucker for adventure, so I hope you’re ready! We are waking up to take a quick jump at Skydive Atlanta, then once our feet are back on the ground to help us calm our nerves, we are going to have an amazing drink and snack at Fin and Feathers. Now of course, it’s a nice day in Atlanta so we’re going to spend the afternoon at Panola Mountain State Park, we may even head over to the archery range for some target practice while we are there. I am so glad it’s Friday because after this nap and as the night begins, we’re going to head to Hanna Brothers in Fayetteville for their Friday night buffet and live music, I don’t eat crab legs but I heard that even those were amazing! (Listen, if we hide in the back overnight, we can enjoy their Saturday all you can eat brunch too). Whew friend, what a great Friday we had! After all of this fun I think, we might need to wake up in the morning and head downtown tomorrow to Treat Your Feet! You can thank me later.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my Mom, Patsy Benjamin who’s unfailing prayers and love have carried me throughout my life. My Dad, Gerald Benjamin, who has the biggest heart even on the toughest of days. I also want to send an abundance of love to my mentor/other mother Kelley Brown for never giving up on me. Lastly, a huge shoutout and tight hug to my best friend Nova Davis and SEEsters Chinique Hardison, D’Jhona Harris, Ola Kimble and Jasmin King who have all been a true example of being big dreamers and fearless action takers. They all daily remind me to keep God first and everything else will follow.
Website: www.gerettapatrice.com
Instagram: @gerettapatrice
Image Credits
Visual Direction: The Chloe Branding Co. Photography: Lloyd Mack