Your Name: Olivia Lizotte
Business Name: Brix22
Type of Business: Food & Beverage
Business Location: United States
U.S. State: California
Website www.brix22.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brix-22
Reason for starting
I was laid off from my job in 2007 and had been working 60-70 hours a week. I was exhausted and tired of working in the legal field so wanted something more flexible. I sat down and made a list of the 5 most important things I wanted in life. Once I made that list I was able to create a company that suited the lifestyle I wanted.
Biggest Success
My biggest success was realizing that I could create a business! Women’s Initiative gave me the tools and asked me the questions I needed to answer in order to really start a company. Graduating from their program was one of my biggest success’ along with starting the company, turning a profit and following my heart are all my biggest success’.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
I work in international trade as a middle man. Which can be challenging as people often want to cut me out of the deal. I work on developing my relationships with my buyers first and then my suppliers. If each party understands and appreciates my role they will see the value I have to offer. I have also started my own brand as a back up plan.
Who is your most important role model?
Timothy Ferris, I picked up his book “The 4 Hour Workweek” and thought that sounds like the life I need. He takes himself from a 40K a year job to making 30K a month. He lists his strategies and loads of tips on how to be an entrepreneur. His work gives you exercises to break out of social norms so that you can start a thriving business.