We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Randle MSN, NP-C and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
The thing that I love most about my business is that it has a three fold impact. 1. I am helping individuals overcome their fears of becoming an entrepreneur by mentoring them through the process and giving them confidence to put a fearless foot forward. I was once them and understand what it is like to navigate entrepreneurship blind. 2. My clients go on to train some of nations most vulnerable population and empowers them with the skills they need to be self sufficient and compassionate caregivers. I was once that vulnerable population and becoming a CNA changed my life! 3. Those caregivers will go on to touch every part of the nation by providing the care that is needed to our aging population. One day both you and I will need that same care. I want that care to be available in an abundance
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is called The Secret Cocktail®. We aide individuals and organizations in obtaining approval for nurse aide training programs across the nation. Over 7 years ago I had the desire to start a nurse aide training program because that is where I got my introduction into the world of nursing. It changed my life! I wanted to help change the lives of others as well. As I started to research the process of starting a school I learned very quickly that it was not easy. As a matter of fact it was very confusing. There were all kinds of regulations from a state and federal level and no one really had the answers to help me through the process. After I figured it out and got my own school approved, many nurses started coming to me asking me for guidance. Before I knew it I had a YouTube channel devoted to the topic to answer some of the common questions I get and people from all over the nation started to reach out. It’s like my channel went viral over a matter of weeks. Before I knew it The Secret Cocktail® was born. I have devoted my self entirely to my business and it keeps me very busy! What make us different is that we have a very specific niche (CNA School start-up) and with in that niche we offer a tier of service options to meet our customer where they are. It is my goal to ensure I can help anyone looking for assistance. Whether it is my YouTube channel that provides free content, our mentorship program that provides step by step guidance or complete project management where we complete the entire project for the client, our goal is to provide assistance to help our clients get it done, and get it done right the first time. The process of building this business was not easy by any means but I don’t think I have ever heard an entrepreneur say that it was LOL. I have had to study my customers needs constantly. Just when I think I know what they need or that I have it figured out, something else pops up that makes me look at things in another light. I have revamped my offerings multiple times to better fit my customers needs. You have to listen to the heart of your business and that is your customer. Sometimes they don’t even know what they need. They may not be able to put it into words, but just listening to their frustrations will alert you to develop the solution that they need. I have learned it is not what I think they want, but rather what they tell me they need.
Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Honestly, I am a travel junkie myself! I would tell them instead of coming to Atlanta, meet me in Egypt. I love to travel . I choose a new destination annually and go! I love to immerse myself in the local culture so I can get the full experience. But to answer your question, in Atlanta? I would def take them to eat because I am also a foodie! But I would take them somewhere I have yet to be so we can both gain a new experience. One place on my list I have yet to try is Slutty Vegan. So we would def go there!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been countless nurses in my life who have pushed me to be the best me that I didn’t even know existed. So many that I cannot even name one without feeling guilty for forgetting to mention another. Those nurses saw something in me that I never even knew I has. They always challenged me to think bigger, seek knowledge, and never give up because our patients need us. I remember when I was 14 years old, my very first job was at a local soul food restaurant. The owner was a man who had own the location for over a decade and had been a pillar in the community providing a safe place for the community to come eat, skate, watch movies, have celebrations and so much more. I never forget asking him for a job and he gave me a chance. He paid me well and always held me accountable. As an employee he rewarded me when I went above and beyond or when I was wrong he let me know it. His name was Link Chapman and I often believe that if it were not for him taking a chance on a 14 year old to come in and wash dishes on the weekends, I am unsure of where I would be to this day. He provided a positive environment that taught me self- discipline and the power of doing things right the first time. At the time I did not realize it but he was an entrepreneur in my community that showed me that I too could be an entrepreneur too.
Website: https://thesecretcocktail.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesecretcocktail/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriarandle/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesecretcocktail/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVWTyES9a5krjD0Jt9_vFxg