E15: How to Survive and Thrive in a Competitive Industry: Interview with Ana Quintana

“We definitely
need to FOLLOW our
JOY”
- Ana Quintana Byrd

Ana Quintana-Byrd, Associate Minister at Unity of the Triangle and previous General Manager of a multi-million dollar family-owned distribution business in Puerto Rico is a very special person to me.  One of the many reasons is because she officiated our wedding.  She’s also been a great mentor and friend that happens to be from Puerto Rico, like myself!

I wondered where Ana’s drive and passion comes from so I asked her how she would describe her success.  In addition to the family business she ran for 23 years, she also started a complimentary business with some friends that took off like crazy, but when they could not keep up the market and competition, they ultimately had to file bankruptcy.  It was very difficult to have her amazing innovation and business not succeed.  But Ana measures success by the ability to keep progressing.  She likes the quote “Strive for progress, not perfection”.  She never gave up and continued to grow the family business within its industry.

ANA’S KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

• Your personal mission and the mission of the business should be in alignment.  Make sure what you are doing in your work has purpose and meaning beyond just making money.  There needs to be an internal passion.

• Abide by Conscious Capitalism, the idea that success is the result of bringing value to all stakeholders.  Challenge yourself to work in a way so that everyone wins - personnel, customers, vendors, and shareholders.

• Hire employees and do business with those whose values are in alignment with yours and that of the business.  Attempt to attract people with good values and work ethic.

• Spirituality and God are always the center of Ana’s life and her business.  In the midst of a crisis, sometimes being guided by a Higher Power is more valuable than education, connections, talent, and skill.  The perfect solution could come during a time of meditation or other spiritual practice. 

WHAT FAILING CAN TEACH US

Ana likes Marianne Williamson’s quote “A failure is only a failure if we are not willing to learn from it”.  She has always tried to learn from times when things didn't go as expected or desired.  Failure teaches you about yourself, life, your business, and gives you the precious lesson of experience.  Many extraordinary businesses have failure stories behind them so don’t let failure get the best of you...it’s part of the journey.  Winston Churchill said “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm”.  Failures are an opportunity for growth; they build endurance and make you more resilient, stronger, and wiser.

“Keep the faith, trust, and remember that this too shall pass.”
- Ana Quintanta-Byrd

PIVOTING CAREERS WHILE RUNNING A THRIVING BUSINESS

Ana took the bold move to follow her heart and attain her goal of following her spiritual path.  Her inner guidance told her she needed the experience that running the business would give her.  And it has paid off well as she has started a Spanish ministry at Unity of the Triangle and has grown a rental business for the church as well.

WHAT TAKEAWAYS FROM YEARS IN BUSINESS ARE USEFUL IN ANA’S SECOND CAREER AS A UNITY MINISTER

• To give your best, always.  

• The ability to bring value to her new position at Unity.  

• Treat others like you want to be treated.    

• Put God first and honor spiritual laws like serving and giving to others.  A Course In Miracles says to give it all, so you can have it all.

• There are always blessings in disguise if you don’t resist.  Everything we go through is for a higher purpose.  Even COVID-19 could be an opportunity for innovation, reinventing yourself, acknowledging the areas of your life that need attention - stay open to it. 

ADVICE FOR BUSINESSES FACING HARDSHIP DURING COVID-19

Be willing to let it be; full acceptance without resistance.  A lot of energy goes into resisting, so trust, do the best you can, and be open to new opportunities.  Everything we go through teaches us more about ourselves and our connection to the Divine.  We can expand to new levels of awareness that otherwise would be closed to us.  Keep the faith, trust, and remember that this too shall pass.

Be sure to check out Ana’s fun answers to my lightning round of questions at the end!

Connect with Ana:
On the web: www.revanaquintana.org
On Facebook: @RevAnaQuintana
On Instagram: @revana_quintana
On SoundCloud: @RevAnaQuintana
On YouTube: @RevanaQuintana