Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivianna Smith.
Vivianna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After completing college and my four-year rowing career, I knew I was ready to take on the San Diego Community in one way or another. I wanted to work with people, and I also wanted to learn from those that I surrounded myself with. I naturally found fitness to be what I was drawn too, and those who also shared the same passions as myself. No matter what job I was working, I always found my excitement and knowledge to grow around anything that was physical. Strength and Conditioning, Crossfit, Breath-work, Ice baths, and even natural movement on my own property in North County: weeding, digging holes, and getting dirty outside. Anything that pushed myself and others to simply ‘move’ I found to be a passion.
Over a year ago, I was introduced to Fitspi. Fitspi is a local active clothing company based out of Carlsbad, CA. Through Fitspi, the founder Colton Duncan and myself created a business that gathers content for other fitness enthusiasts and we help them launch their various products through photo and video. We put a creative spin on filming their various needs and are able to create rare and memorable content in the fitness space. Slowly but surely we have built up our clientele and work with various people, groups, and companies all over. Colton gets ALL of the credit for filming. I am responsible for the organization of material, and the overall message we are aiming for when creating the content. I wear many hats, but love to work with different clients and help them reach their goals.
I never pictured myself working within the fitness community after college. I was fortunate enough to work a few GREAT jobs in which I held a lot of responsibility. I helped run operations and open up five restaurants in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas, I ran operations for a small school, and have now chipped away at operations within the fitness industry: my true passion.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have been very fortunate with all of the jobs I have worked in the past six years. I have run operations for very large groups, and for very small groups. My jobs were never wrong! I have no regrets and enjoyed them all. I just found my true calling along the way. It’s fun and exciting when you find your true passions hidden within where you think you are meant to be. It’s ok to try things and to fail. I suggest you make sure you are financially stable to make any major leaps so your stress doesn’t mask anything that is meant to be. Although it may take a little longer to make leaps of faith, you have plenty of time. Life is long! Be smart with your risks-but make sure you make them! It’s never too late.
Please tell us about Fitspi.
Colton and I create advertisements and videos for companies’ products, messages, or practices.
I have been fortunate enough to be the model or spokesperson for many of the companies that we work with!
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Get involved with as many events or organizations that you can that fall within your interests. I had to learn to say “yes” much more than I would say “no.”
Even though I love the fitness community, I was at an event for my previous job within the restaurant community where I was first introduced to Fitspi.
It’s crazy how everything coincides and is connected in one way or another.
Be open to new events, and people.
Network, network, network!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Fitspi.com
- Email: viviannaksmith@gmail.com
- Instagram: viviannasmith
Image Credit:
Colton Duncan
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