Life and Work with Lissa Bertalot

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lissa Bertalot.

Lissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My husband and I are outdoor lovers. Like most new parents, we feared that having kids would put a damper on our outdoor excursions. We made a promise to always try… no matter the extra work (and it’s A LOT of work), to continue to camp, adventure and explore with our children. While recounting the hours it took to go for a short backcountry ski earlier that day, we fell on the topic of goats (my husband has always had a huge love and respect for American mountain goats). We talked about their traits: adaptable, agile, social, climbers who can reach any peak but spend most of their time on the journey. And they aren’t afraid to go against the norm – they live life on the edge and experience the peaks! We joked that we wanted to raise little goats – fitting as baby goats are called kids! Add to the literal traits of mountain goats the modern acronym for G.O.A.T. = Greatest Of All Time… and Growing GOATs was born. Growing GOATs is about knowing and growing your greatest of all time – your GOAT. For some, your GOAT is your children and Growing GOATs is about raising your kids – your greatest of all time. For others, their GOAT is a goal or an outcome and using the visual reminder of a GOAT to get you closer to your goal. We have all heard and read that stats on the power of having a goal – it shapes your thoughts, actions and ultimately your outcome. Everybody deserves to know and grow their goal, their GOAT! On GrowingGOATs.com you can find everything from tools to discover your GOAT to tips to adventuring with kids and small insights to help climb your peak. And while we love the outcome, we know life is about the journey and finding joy along the path, no matter how windy or uphill it may be. We hope to inspire, support and celebrate with you on your path! We have a variety of GOAT gear available – so you can own your GOAT. We invite our herd to commit to knowing and growing their GOAT before they buy – so they can use the GOAT on their hat, t-shirt, coffee mug or jewelry as a constant visual reminder to ask, “What am I doing today to get me closer to my GOAT?” For the full story – check out: https://growinggoats.com/pages/about-us

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a business is like climbing a backcountry peak – it has its ups and downs, some bad weather and glorious views… it highlights weaknesses and insecurities while exposing yourself for all to see. I’ve always worked in corporate America. I didn’t realize how “safe” it was until venturing into the word of starting our own business. In launching Growing GOATs, I was not only sharing my creation (exposing my ideas for both support and criticism), but also sharing my hopes and dreams… which ultimately people can see if I make it or fail… or at least that’s how it feels. What I have learned is that there is great power in sharing your goals with others (a fundamental aspect of Growing GOATs: if you keep your goals to yourself, you have only you to keep yourself accountable, but if you share them, now you are accountable to others). We inherently want to help each other and the outpouring of support has been invigorating. The other lesson I have learned is that my unhappiness and frustration often stem from the difference between what I think we should have accomplished vs where we actually have done. While I am a fierce planner, and plans are important, I need to constantly adjust and adapt. A perfect example is when we designed our first two shirts. I thought they were awesome and would both sell… yet one didn’t. I felt frustration and disappointment as we weren’t hitting our sales goals. What I had to learn is that the only person who was disappointed was me. All I really had to do was learn – modify my direction, maybe just a couple of degrees and keep climbing! Clearance out the inventory, get what I put in out, and try something new… the only person being critical was me. I am my biggest obstacle – not to business.

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Growing GOATs is really about two things: 1. knowing and growing your GOAT (having a clear goal/outcome), and 2. finding joy in the journey. Growing up, every action had a calculated and strategic result. I remember touring the middle school when I was in 6th grade and the 8th-grade class president talking to the incoming kids. I distinctly remember wanting that role. Sure enough, I was the 7th and 8th-grade class president. From there, I was so laser-focused that I missed enjoying the experience and the connections. I had great results, but something was missing. I have struggled to find that balance… and a lot of it is tied to awareness. Allowing myself to plan for the future but live in the moment and be adaptable in the now. Even more important, having gratitude in the present. When I make sure to do this, happiness is near. I feel my breathing change and contentment increase! So remind myself often to find joy in the journey… and to that end, sometimes I have smaller segment intending GOATs like, “I will find joy in dining with our 2- and 4-year-olds and not just wish for it to be over ;)”!

Pricing:

• Hats and Tees start at $26.99
• Jewelry is hand-cut and stamped by local Wyoming Artisan and starts at $37.99
• Car Decals are available with additional “kids” for the family herd – GOATs are cooler than stick figures 😉

Contact Info:

• Website: www.GrowingGOATs.com
• Phone: 812-219-7575
• Email: Lissa@GrowingGOATs.com
• Instagram: GrowYourGOAT
• Facebook: GrowYourGOAT

Image Credit:
Lissa Bertalot

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