Sonia Narvaez on Launching Operation QQL to Provide Exceptional Support to Her Clients

Hi Sonia! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

Hello! I am the owner and Operations Strategist at Operation QOL, a BIPOC- and women-owned and operated business that supports altruistic entrepreneurs on their path to greater impact and a higher quality of life. My approach is to assimilate with an organization as a Fractional COO in order to gain a clear understanding of its needs and goals, and then create a customized strategy which, when implemented, results in the entire organization efficiently and cohesively moving toward those goals. I am a a first generation Latina in the U.S. who holds both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Public Health, and has combined my background in Public Health with my skillset in Operations. My aptitude for efficiency paired with my background in healthcare allows me to not only effect change, but also provide exceptional support throughout the process.

So Sonia, what excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?

Being a part of an organization that has fostered such a strong sense of community amidst various levels of entrepreneurs is an impressive achievement that I am excited to be a part of.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

My highest core value is autonomy, and I work best when I can be my own boss, and create my own challenges.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I worked in the Public Healthcare industry doing research and program management.

Did you always have a feeling you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Absolutely not! This option had not occurred to me until I was let go from a job that brought me no joy, which pushed me to do what I love.

When you first launched your business, what was your main means of spreading the word?

When I first started, my marketing strategy was to utilize social media and cold reach-outs – which both failed miserably!

As an entreprenista, would you say you have had to overcome more physical or emotional roadblocks?

The mental obstacles – like Imposter Syndrome – that occur as you start to achieve growth in your business.

What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?

My most accomplished achievement is that I was able to scale my business to 6 figures within one year.

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

Work/life balance has always felt false to me; I believe in work/life integration. Some tips are:

1. Be aware that each day is different, and requires adaptation.

2. Understand that there will be changing seasons within your business; some will be more work focused, some will be more life focused.

3. Your mental and physical health are your most important assets to protect.

Advice from other new entreprenistas is such a great resource when first launching a biz! What’s a piece of advice you can share that you wish you’d known when you first started your Entreprenista journey?

Set a healthy limit on your financial output when it comes to investing in your business – don’t put yourself too far in the hole.

Sonia, you have lots to celebrate! What have you achieved recently that you’d like to celebrate with our community?

We recently took a huge risk in re-setting our boundaries by closing-out clients whose missions and visions were not aligned with ours.

What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Over the next few years, our goal is to expand our services to include professional development courses available to be completed independently by budding entrepreneurs.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!