Meet Ana Goldseker, Founder of Soul Maté
Meet Ana Goldseker she is the founder of Soul Maté
What messages have you had to confront (internally or externally) to pursue your personal & professional path?
“There were many messages I have had to confront…I am a woman. I have entered a male dominated industry. What's more, the industry has it's roots in South America, a typically "macho" world. So, that has a million negative messages and connotations I have had to confront.-Growing up, drinking yerba mate was something to be hidden. My father always thought people would mistakenly think it was marijuana. So, I needed to jump over that hurdle and bring something that my family hid, into the light.-How about starting a business when I was over 50? Pivoting in my career and starting over as an entrepreneur. I don't know what was worse, the looks I got from friends, you see I had a nutrition practice before that, or the voices inside my head. Being a female, Jewish, Latina business owner kind of checks a lot of the "minority" boxes.”
What was the most difficult part of the path that you had to overcome?
“For me, the most difficult was hiring. I longed for a perfect fit or match, a woman that would kind of be my right hand "man" and help shepheard my beloved company. I did find though, a few women, to take different parts of this business and help develop those parts. I also hired many, many people in areas of expertise that were far outside my scope of knowledge. There, I found that I wasted a ton of money, time and pulled out hair. I hired many who said they knew far more then they did. I hired a few that started with a bang and slowly fizzled, sputtering along as I was still paying them. Just about all of them never came through. It is only withing the last 6 months that I found a match, a few people that care about what they do, integrity is at the heart and are actually accomplishing things. Mind you, I am paying through the nose for it.”
How do you stay motivated?
“This has never, ever been an issue. For some reason, it is the best talent I was born with.”
What tips do you have for tuning into yourself & tuning out external criticism?
“This may sound trite, but books on spiritual growth and personal mastery. Therapy, therapy, therapy. An acting or improv class. Getting your heart broken.”
What are you most proud of about your journey and/or where you are now?
“It is purely authentic. There is no part of me that is hidden in my business. The most tender part of my soul, the part that craves more time with my grandmother or my father, sitting and drinking yerba is here. I am fully myself. All jewish latina! All about touching your arm while I talk to you, laughing really loud, getting bored unless you go deeper then just small talk. This business is all me. It is all about ritual, connection and taking time with someone that means something to you. I am unabashedly and boldly declaring that relationships and connections with others are the only things that matter.”