Viv invested 1 million dollars of her own money and started creating her new venture, but what she didn’t expect was to launch and be met with zero sales. She shares the real heartache of going through major ups and downs in business and how she came out the other side.

We also talk about a company that’s been critical in her success, Wayflyer. They offer revenue based growth financing for commerce brands of up to 500,000 to support inventory purchases and scaling through performance marketing without taking any equity. It’s a great solution for brands who are doing well and need cash injections on an ongoing basis.

So, let’s rewind to October 2019. Vivian had just launched Joie de Viv, and she was bursting with excitement. But, as fate would have it, the first few days were a bit of a letdown. She had no sales—not on day one, not on day two, and even into the second month, things weren’t looking so hot. Talk about stressful! With around a million dollars of inventory just sitting there and a hefty overhead of $150,000 a month, Vivian was feeling the heat.

But here’s the kicker: everyone kept telling her it was just a matter of time. "You need to give it time, Vivian. You’re targeting a brand-new audience!" But Vivian was like, "Time? I don’t have time!" Despite the challenges, her passion for her brand kept her going. It was her baby, and she truly believed in it. Plus, she knew she had the skills and talent to make it thrive, even when everyone else doubted her.

After a challenging start, things started to shift. December rolled around, and Vivian typically saw sales skyrocket during the holiday season. However, this year, it was a different story. January hit, and she had to make a tough decision—she temporarily threw in the towel on Joie de Viv and pivoted to the financial sector, where she quickly found success. Within just two months, her new venture was thriving!

But, as fate would have it, in March, she decided to host a massive 50% off sale for Joie de Viv to clear out her inventory. At first, it felt like giving away her child, but she had to let go. Surprisingly, things took a turn for the better. With no marketing spend, her sales exploded, bringing in $50,000 in just a week and a half!

“Whoa, what just happened?” she thought. As more orders rolled in, Vivian realized the power of mindset was key. She tapped into the excitement of the pandemic as everyone was home, and suddenly, her premium-quality jewelry made with 18K gold and diamonds was flying off the shelves!

With the success of the sale, Vivian decided to bring her team back, but she was now running Facebook ads herself. Talk about a multitasking queen! Despite the ups and downs, she was committed to her brand. And by May, they sold over $280,000 in jewelry—talk about a glow-up!

Vivian also discovered Wayflyer, a company that provides funding without taking equity, which helped her scale her inventory. This partnership allowed her to grow without the burden of traditional loans. With Wayflyer, she could access the capital she needed based on her sales, which made a world of difference for her business.

Now, Joie de Viv is not just back in business; it’s thriving! Vivian’s story is a testament to resilience and the importance of believing in yourself, even when others don’t. She’s working on launching new collections, including sustainable engagement rings made with lab-grown diamonds, all while focusing on creating affordable luxury.

As Vivian reflects on her journey, she radiates happiness and gratitude. She’s been through the storm and come out stronger on the other side. For anyone out there feeling overwhelmed or lost, take a page from Vivian’s book: when you believe in yourself and your dreams, amazing things can happen.