Name: Gianna Vallefuoco
Founder: Wisdom On Tap®
What do you do?
I transform depleted, high-stress workforces into resilient, deeply connected and creative teams, through mindfulness training.
What's your story?
In 2006, I found myself in the ER of a hospital with my youngest child who was a toddler at the time. The doctor told us it looked like her diagnosis was lymphoma, and then told me to "get myself together and be strong." This doctor had no idea that I had sat in that same hospital, 3 seats over and 4 years prior to find out my husband had cancer. All I could feel was fear and uncertainty. On the ambulance ride to the pediatric oncology unit at Georgetown Hospital, my mind became a popcorn popper of endless worst case scenario thoughts.
As I got off the ambulance, a nurse came to greet me. She put her hand on my shoulder, looked me in the eyes, and asked "How are you mom?" That moment of compassion, of having a caring human bear witness to my suffering, replenished me. I knew I could get through whatever this next path brought me. In the days that followed, we received abundant compassion. Each time my mind would fill with thoughts of dread and fear, I'd bring it back to the present. Just this moment. I'd try to be curious and not judge the situation based on fear. We found out later that my daughter did not have lymphoma. There was still uncertainty about her diagnosis, but I was beginning to recognize the patterns of my mind and how to control them. I shared my experience of compassion, curiosity, presence, and nonjudgment with a dear friend. She told me these were all qualities of something called "mindfulness." In that moment, I decided that I would bring mindfulness into my life. For the next 9 years I studied mindfulness modalities, and the science behind them. In 2015 I began teaching and speaking on it. As a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, I founded Wisdom On Tap® mental fitness training to help fellow humans reduce the suffering in our heads. I now work regularly with the police force and first responders on crisis intervention. I also train corporate executives, the construction workforce and other high-stress communities on mindfulness and creativity. I've been in construction for 27 years, and I have weaved mindfulness into this industry. I believe mindfulness is a skill set for thriving in all industries and communities.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Being part of a group of women who uplift and propel each other to do what we are put on this earth to do; share our unique genius as a gainful career path.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I purchase their products, attend their events or bring other women to them, share and gift their products.
Highlight their events. When I can, give them opportunities any time I can to speak with me at events. I host events highlighting them.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business?
Dear FoundHer, Mayim Bialek Breakdown, Huberman Lab
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
Mindset (On Growth Mindset, by Carol Dweck)
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
Barbara Guterman (TGIF). She is successful in everything she touches, and is equally generous in sharing the tools of her success with those around her. She stays true to her values, regardless of that others think. Her brand is built on meaningful service to others, not in a performative way, but in a deeply authentic way.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
I will use my construction business (started 27 years ago) because it has helped me do the same for Wisdom On Tap.
1. I took all the legal administrative steps (licensing exams, insurance requirements, business registrations in MD, DC, VA).
2. Built a website.
3. Worked for a company to learn and launch.
4. I educated myself on my trade and my competitors .
5. Nurtured relationships with our industry.
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
Sandy Abrams. Gave me support, confidence, the courage to charge for my services, gave me opportunity to speak at Canyon Ranch, has been a loving, caring, genuine uplifter.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
Wisdom On Tap is becoming a more full time gig. The hard part is that my other business (Vallefuoco Contractors - co-owned with my husband who is burned out) is very profitable and it is still incredibly meaningful to me. It is also a platform from which I have launched Wisdom On Tap, so both businesses are important. I just want Wisdom On Tap to be a full time gig. I will need to figure out the exit strategy for Vallefuoco Contractors.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
Don't give up and follow your heart! You can change things instead of quitting. You are capable of anything, unless you quit.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company (you, an internal team member, an outsourced solution?) and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
I am the everything. I do it all alone. That is the biggest challenge. I am not a social media expert. I would be amenable to paying someone, btu I want my words and my vision.
How did you land your first client?
I posted something online once on Facebook. Then word of mouth. Then surrendering to doing things I wasn't ready for. Then people started to know about me.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
I really love bringing self-compassion to tough-love industries where compassion is historically viewed as weakness (construction, police force, scary executives). A police officer says I'm the woman who makes officers cry. When I share practices and the research data, minds begin to open and cathartic tears form.
Did you raise capital? What was the process and avenue you chose to take?
No, but because I have another business that we built from zero for 27 years, I have some capital to spend.
I have only recently started investing in me and Wisdom On Tap.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
I would have gotten marketing help sooner.
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and generate bottom line growth?
Social media (which got shut down by meta so I had to start over), do events locally, use Vallefuoco Contractors platform to promote Wisdom On Tap.
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today?
My husband has never supported anything I do that is not Vallefuoco Contractors. Staying small and stagnant for him has been my biggest obstacle (in work and marriage). He was resentful of anything that took time away from our shared business, even though he would not admit it. Then I started getting speaking opportunities for Wisdom On Tap through Vallefuoco Contractors, and recognition for Vallefuoco Contractors from my speaking events. I grew confident enough to accept a Board position with National Tile Contractors Association and an opportunity to start the Thriving Minds series at Coverings, the largest tile convention in the country. I realized my two businesses were not competing for my time, they were two parts of me that I needed to nurture. That will mean hiring or outsourcing as they prosper. That will be an ongoing conflict with my husband, but I've gotten over the obstacle of needing to stay small. I can't stay small anymore. I'm a seed that just broke though the soil.
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
1. Create a routine with your dream career even before you have something to do. Create little habits of being who you want to become.
2. Don't be afraid to sound ignorant. You are only because you're new to this! Ask experts for their input, wisdom, guidance.
3. Surround yourself with people who inspire and believe in you. Your circle is who shapes you.
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