S1:E10 - From Corporate to CEO: Elizabeth Silva's Bold Journey

Alrighty. We are back with the Bold News Podcast, and I have a very special guest. I have Elizabeth Silva here with me today. And Elizabeth Silva, she is representing her brand, Silva Lining, which is really cool. I love that, by the way. Uh, but she has a wealth of knowledge with, um, health and wellness, and I'm really excited for her to get to share her journey, her story. Uh, but, um, Elizabeth. Liz. Would you like to hey. How's it going? Hi, Matt. I'm so happy to see you. Thanks for asking me to participate in this. I'm excited to share, and it's definitely you know, we're evolving and, you know, growing through it. So I'm excited to be here. Awesome. Awesome. Yeah. It's really cool because it's been, like, a year, I think we Yeah. When we when we first when you first came in. It's been a year since, like, I've seen you, which is awesome. Yeah. Um, but just so all of the listeners know, BNI again strikes again. Yeah. You know? Because so I'll fill in some of the audience a little bit. Um, we first met in a BNI group that we were trying to launch Mhmm. About probably a year or so ago, probably a little bit more. Yeah. And, unfortunately, it didn't launch. Um, just couldn't quite get the the numbers there because he the metrics they the way BNI had it set up. Right? You need, like, 17 to 20 metrics actually on the launch, and we just couldn't get there. Yeah. Close. I know. We were so close. And and, actually, um, because, uh, Nate, he was, like, running Oh, yeah. Everything, and he was telling us that a lot of groups don't form. You know? They start, and it's actually, like, a common theme. Yes. And it's just very difficult. But, yeah, that and and we tried to start our own afterwards and just kinda didn't work out, but we each found a BNI home. And you saw my podcast, and here you are, which is awesome. Yeah. Um, but Bold News Podcast, we talk about, you know, our journey, our bold news in life, uh, risks that we've taken to better ourselves, our lives, our our business, you know. Um, and it's it's just a very interesting concept. So I'm really glad that you're here to kind of talk about that that bold journey. Yeah. This was timely. It was timely because, yeah, we've had some shifts happening. Yeah. You know, so I'm excited to be here. Very cool. So let's kick things off with a moment that really that really captures the intensity of your journey. So what's one dramatic or, like, say pivotal moment that just sticks with you to this day? Something that made you just stop in your tracks? Well, you know, I, um, I really I take a lot of lessons from my kids from being a mother. Um, so many lessons from there. You know, I think, you know, you and I spoke briefly of, you know, our our kids at one point, and I have a son who's on the autism spectrum. And on that journey, I had to learn how to be flexible and how to just cross boundaries and put myself in spaces. You know? And so that's just kinda carried over with me as I, um, you know, think and want to start growing as an entrepreneur and growing a brand and growing our business. Um, you know, and so definitely, um, you know, just expanding. You know? It's it's a scary thing, but, um, I always take those lessons with me. Like, just go. Do it. How how old's your he could He's 20 he's he will be 26 in June. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. So it's been a long Yeah. Yeah. No. I think I remember we were talking about that because because my son, again, you know, also on the on the spectrum. And it's interesting, though, because, like, when you tell people that and they interact with him, they're like, really? Like, like and it's so interesting because I didn't really understand, like, autism until I really started, like, experiencing it with my son and going through all the the material and then and even realizing, oh, even, like, even I have. Like, I know I've I'm somewhere along that spectrum because Yeah. Everything that my son has, like, kind of encountered, like, I have experienced and kind of understand what he's going through. But Yeah. It's interesting because he's super, uh, uh, techie like me. He likes he likes robotics, and he's, like, really wanting to get into, like, the coding. And, um, even, like, when I do video editing, he's like, oh, can you give me a video to edit? And I'm like That's so great. So I I he has an old cell phone, and there's a, like, cap cut on there. And I'm like, here, go to town. Oh. Yeah. Yes. He's creating some funny stuff. Yeah. Just let them loose. Yeah. And they're amazing. You know? They're amazing. So So It's really cool. But I'm yeah. That's that's that's wild. Is your son into anything techie or anything? Oh, yeah. He you know, video games are his jam, and he's so good at them. And he's actually you know, it's funny. When he was little, my husband and I would we would just be very sad and cry about how his social life was gonna look for him as when he grew up. And that boy has a bigger social life than me, my husband, and my younger son put together. Um, but, you know, he really loves video games, and he's broken through, like, some of these YouTubers and has become part of their, like, little posse. And so it's really cool, but he has, like, this he doesn't like to hear himself speak or see himself on video. So, you know, you with autism. Right? It's little steps. Let getting them to buy in to whatever it is that you want them to do. And so I tell him, you know, you have such talent there, and we gotta use that. You know? We gotta do something bigger with that. And so we're just taking him through the steps, but he's so good. I think he could give lessons. Wow. That's awesome. You know? And he sees, you know, he sees, like, five steps ahead. Right? When I I see one step here. I'm here. You know? I'm playing checkers, and he's playing chess. Yeah. You know? The brain just works so differently for them. What game is he is his is he playing? It oh, he it's all the Mario. All the Mario. There's so many different Mario's I didn't even realize. Yeah. Um, but he creates, like, the levels and the games, and he gets really, uh, he creates these things, you know, these these games. There I guess there's a software for it that he uses, and he's actually creating games. And then he has these really top heavy players try to beat it, you know, so he creates these challenging, you know, path. Impressive. Yeah. Yeah. It's really cool. So it's a skill that's there. We just kinda have to, you know, develop it and hone in on it. You know? So That's cool. Yeah. That he's actually, like, developing Yeah. The games. That's really neat. Yeah. My kid's into Minecraft, and, uh, they've got things in there where you can, like, program stuff. Yeah. And I'm like, what the heck are you doing? And he's like, oh, yeah. The Switch does this and all this other stuff. And I'm like, oh, wow. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's so cool. Um, but before before you kinda really took a leap, you know, let's kinda rewind a little bit. What did your your life and and work look like before you made that that decision to kind of take that jump? Oh, man. It was get on the freeway, get into Phoenix, go to an eight to five, you know, eight to five job and just, you know, do it again five days a week. You know? Monday through Friday, had a good weekend. And, you know, and and I was, uh, you know, ironically, I was in the health field, you know, with that. So I think everything was kinda pointing towards where I'm at now. I just couldn't see it then. But it was just a very blah existence that I was having, um, just with that eight to five and didn't really feel challenged and excitement and, you know, I didn't feel like I was really serving. Um, you know, so just, you know, your basic eight to five and you know? And then the bold move happened. Yeah. You know? It was a progression. You know? I think that's funny. Like, the the eight to five, nine to five, you know, whatever the the tends to get a lot of people. Yeah. It's it's it's funny. Every most people that I talk to, it's that it's that mundane Yeah. Thing that's pushing people into, you know, taking these directions. And Yeah. It's like, wonder if the the norm needs to change, maybe. Yeah. I I I don't know. But I know I do my best work when it's not nine to five or nine to five when I'm outside. You know? Everyone works differently. Yeah. Yeah. You're just you're given that freedom. Yeah. You know? And there's nothing I mean, I have a my youngest is at ASU, you know, and he wants to go into urban development. And and I tell him, great. Go pursue that, but do something have something else in your pocket that's gonna fuel, you know, you in a different way. Yeah. It's interesting because when you're when you're doing something you you love, it doesn't feel like work. Oh, yeah. Right. Like so just to kinda give you a quick story, my job that I have now, which I sell insurance, but I also am a software developer and, like, AI automation, like, you know, wizard. Yeah. And my company that I'm at, the owner was like, we wanna do all this AI stuff. Didn't know I could do it. How about we we just have you do, like, AI and software stuff, like, all the time right now? And I'm like, okay. Let's do it. Yeah. And I go in my little corner, and I'm just, like, coding away and doing stuff. And they're like, where's where's Matt? Oh, he's in the corner where they're doing his thing. I'm like, no one. In heaven. Yeah. And and before you know it, it's, like, five or 06:00. And I'm like, it's when you do what you love, it doesn't feel like it's whole different frame of mind. Yeah. You wake up differently. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's it's very strange. I I I like it, and I'm glad people are able to kind of go in that direction. Yeah. But, I mean, when we when we look at taking big risks, I mean, it always comes with a little bit of pressure. So, like, what were what were the stakes for you? Like, looking at it personally and professionally, like, if this didn't work out, like, what were you looking at? Well, I mean, it you know, I guess the bold move that I made was leaving corporate. You know? We were a two income family. We needed two incomes, and we were raising two kids. And, luckily, my husband had a pretty good steady job, but we still needed, you know, my income. And so, you know, that was the bold move was to leave that. And what was at stake was financially. You know? We we took a hard hit. You know? We took a hard hit, um, and, you know, we got caught up in the o eight thing, and and you know what happened then. Right? So we had huge loss, right, with our property and and, you know, we had to restructure our lives. But, um, but if I wouldn't have made that decision, if we wouldn't have made that decision to do that, you know, I think our family would have suffered in the long run and and on so many levels, you know, and then I wouldn't be where I'm at today or or, you know, or starting what I'm doing Yeah. Today. You know? I'd still be stuck over there, you know, just being in an office. Yeah. You know? The o eight that did you ever see the movie The Big Short? No. Uh-uh. So the movie The Big Short is really interesting. So it has, uh, Christian Bale, you know, Batman. And he he's kind of like this you know, he he, like, he has I I think he's portraying somebody with autism and very into numbers and just can kinda, like, see patterns. And so he's, like, really good at, like, identifying trends. Mhmm. And then it has, um, Steve Carell in it, and I think there's some other people I can't recall, but those are the two big guys. And they kind of go through the development of the o eight bubble and, like, leading up to it and everything. And it's very interesting because in 02/2007, I worked as a loan officer, and I just started working as a loan officer. So I didn't really know much about it. And I remember going to this one company, and they were just like cowboys. You know? They were like, oh, yeah. You know? Uh, sell them this this option arm, you know? And, uh, it'll the bank will pay us, like, five to 8%. And I'm like, what? And, um, they were just making hand over fist. And it was it was so interesting because I knew nothing about mortgages. This is, like, the very first company. And they were telling me, like, oh, yeah. Um, just just say they make x amount of money. And I'm like, what? Mhmm. You know? And I here here I am. I'm like, what is going on? And I I went out and bought a book. I bought a book on, like, uh, loan origination, you know, because I was like, something don't feel right. Yeah. And I was, like, reading up on it, and I was, like, asking all these questions to my manager because I'm, like, well, the book says this, you know, and, like, why are we doing this? And Yeah. I asked too many questions, they fired me. So I'm, like, oh, okay. Um, I was asking the right questions. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And they were not doing things the right way. But Yeah. It was just funny because, you know, people like, I I remember this one guy, he had a, uh, like, a really nice car. I don't know what kind of car it was. And the license plate, I said, like, ScrewSection8 or something like that. Oh. And I'm like and I I think that was, like, one of the regulations or something. I don't know too many details about it, but, you know, about, like, lending and all this other stuff. And they were just basically defying the law. Yeah. And no one was doing anything about it. Right. Yeah. Which is so Yeah. It's mind boggling now. Yeah. But back then, it was, like, peep like And I remember, um, towards the end, I was actually working for a legit company, and I was trying to help people get out of these loans. And I would talk to people and go over, like, their their their statements and showing, like, look. You're on this interest only thing for, like, a couple years now. Mhmm. But next year, your payment's going up, like, five times because now you're a principal. And they're like Yeah. They're so confused. I had no clue. Yeah. It's just amazing too. I think, though, now the education level on mortgages Yeah. Is way up Yeah. Which needs to be there. Yeah. Absolutely. The licensing happened, which wasn't a thing back then, which is, like, really good because now loan officers, like, know about the products. Yeah. I go on and on forever. Yeah. No. No. No. No. It it it just you know, it was the perfect storm that happened with us, you know, making that decision and then that being right there, you know, about to happen. You know? So it it definitely was it was a huge loss, you know, that we that we, um, encountered. Yeah. You know? But, you know, I think the industry is better for it, though. Yeah. I think there's a lot of things that came out that made it Because now, like, when I talk to a loan officer, like, I know that they're they're not gonna try to be all slimy, because back then, you couldn't tell. Like, there were loan officers. You're like, what? Is this guy, like, legit? Because they they would just, like, fill out an application, take your money. Yeah. You know what I mean? It was the Wild West. It was. It was. So weird thinking about it, you know. But, yeah, that's crazy. Yeah. Um, just kinda wanna zoom in a a second on that on that, like, exact moment, like, you took that jump. So, like, where were you? You know, like, what was happening? I I I know you mentioned, like, the car and stuff, but was there another point where, you know, you were, like, in your zone, like, something was happening? And, like, what were you feeling in that moment, like, when you decided, yes. This is I'm doing this. So I was feeling I I was feeling really stuck. You know? I was just despair, just, like, didn't have a lot of hope. Like, where are we going? But, like, there has to be more. There has to be more out there. Like, I gotta feel some happy inside me. This cannot be how it's meant to be. You know? I just knew that there needed to be more that would bring me joy because I knew that if I had joy, that's gonna just radiate to those around me. You know? And so I think think that was my biggest thing. It's like find what makes you happy. You know? And I knew that wasn't making me happy. You know? But but it took a minute to find what made me happy. You know? I had to kind of test the waters out there. Like, were you afraid, or were you, like, gosh. What if this doesn't work out? Or you were like, you know what? This is gonna happen. I just I'm just gonna trust it's gonna happen. Like, what was going through? Then, I was afraid, um, but I'm a very impulsive person. I'm a very impulsive person, and I just kinda, like, go. But I was afraid, but I also you know, I was raised to suck it up. Yeah. Don't show the emotion. Just suck it up and go. And that's what I did. You know? And and I think both my husband and I were afraid. Yeah. You know? But what we found was, oh, there's some joy on the other side. This is good. You know? But, oh, absolutely. Back then, I was afraid thinking, like, I'm leaving this sure thing, insurance, steady paycheck, four zero one k. You know? I'm leaving this for what? You know? Um, but, yeah, definitely, there was definitely fear. Funny. I was in the walk it off, uh, era. My my dad was like, walk it it off and be fine. Right. Yeah. And I was like, are you then now it's like, are you okay? Like, do you need anything? Like, so it's all different. Like, this is kind of funny. Um, so, like, everyone, I would say, I mean, myself included, you know, sometimes we just kinda, like, just hit a brick wall, you know, when we're, like, trying to make progress. Was there any, uh, like, low moments or, like, basically anything that just kind of was a roadblock for you. And and how did it impact the way you saw yourself or the path that you were on? Like, did it change anything, or did it do anything to you, spark something? Like So, like, the first thing I dove into when I left, um, the corporate world, um, was I knew that I wanted to create something, and I knew that I wanted to serve somehow. And so I had I mean, this is kinda hokey, but I had, like, this, you know, this hobby of, like, scrapbooking. And we would the girls would get together, like, on a whole weekend. We take all of our supplies, and it was just like this bomb went off of scrapbooking supplies. And so we were sitting there one day, and I just started kinda putzing around and developing this little piece. And my girl friend said, why can you make one of those for me? I said, sure. Yeah. I'll make one. And she wanted to pay me. I'm like, no. Just so then that, um, I thought, okay. Maybe I can make a little business out of this crafting thing. Um, and so, again, you know, I jump into whatever. And my husband's my biggest supporter. He just will a % support me. So we kinda had things up and running, and we were actually doing subway art. Wow. And we had a really nice thing going with it, and we were working so much. We had put a we had put some time and money, um, and some blood and sweat into it. And then that fun, um, wasn't fun anymore. Yeah. And I was like, dang. What wait. I thought you wanted this. You know? What is this all about? Now now you don't want this? You know? And now it's not only me. Now it's my husband, and we have invested in, you know, some equipment and, you know, and the whole thing. Um, so, yeah, I hit a roadblock, and I'm like, dang. What am I supposed to do? This is not it. You know? This is not it. So that was a little defeating because, you know, uh, you're you know there's something bigger, but you're trying to find your your purpose. Yeah. You know? And and was it a failure? No. Because I left there with people still wanting it. I just didn't want it. So what exactly was it that you were creating? So it was subway art. Um, so kinda like what you see at Hobby Lobby. Okay. You know, it's art with quotes on it, but we were customizing them. And then then it was actual real wood and real hand painting versus, like, you know, now you can get it at Hobby Lobby for, like, $6, you know, and it's all mass produced. You know? So we were creating, like, custom, um, subway art, you know, made out of, like, you know, nice wood frames and and, you know, customized whatever they wanted on there. Wow. You know? What what kind of material or not material, like equipment did you have to invest in? Oh, gosh. You know, I felt pretty powerful because I was using, like, these table saws and and sanders and you know? So we had to invest in some, you know, some of that stuff my husband already had. Yeah. You know? Because just for his little play hobby stuff that he would do. But, you know, we invested in some equipment. Yeah. You know? Um, and then, of course, supplies. You know? Yeah. A lot of wood and paints and, you know, things like that. So were you, like, selling these, like, on Etsy or something? Or Yeah. It was when Etsy came around, and, um, and then, um, you know, and then I, like, uh, created some products, like, for kids for parents to help their kids, um, get into a habit of doing chores. And so I had this little block called the the chore stick block. You know? And we were selling those left and right. You know? Um, it was just like, you know, they had little sticks and he the you would put the chores on the little sticks, and the kids love that. Right? Especially, you could see, like, our special needs kids, they love visuals, and they love to, like, see that accomplishment happen. Oh, they would take a stick. This is the chore. Now I put it in the done little hole of the block. You know? So we were doing a lot of those on on Etsy. But, you know, it was a lot of work. Because you have to create all of this after the fact. Yeah. Yeah. And it was all custom. It was all custom, like their colors and whatever their chores were that they wanted, you know, that was specific to their family. You know? Do you ever see those videos on TikTok where people show, like, their business, and they're like, they got their garage full of stuff, and then they're printing labels, and they're, like, you know, stacking up stuff Yeah. Very quick. And I'm like, yeah. That's cool, but I don't wanna do that. I don't wanna do all that. Yeah. Yeah. Like, it was interesting because I got into Etsy a little bit. Have you, um, because you're really good at Canva, aren't you? Yeah. I love Canva. Have you ever thought about throwing up, like, Canva templates on there? Um, you know, yeah. But I what what's developing for me, Matt, is that I like a relationship with a person. You know? So, like, whether it's, like, this live one on one, um, and then we'll go into it a little later with this new venture that we're doing. It's all it's all live. You know? They could see me. I can't see them, but there's so much power Yeah. In that video. Well, I'm not I'm not, like, talking about, like, doing a full time thing. I'm, like, what's interesting here I'll show you what what I did. So I used Canva, like, all the time. Mhmm. And I was creating, um, like, a little certificate for, like, an LLC because I wanted like, I was having, like, a multi member LLC, and I was like, oh, make a little certificate. And I couldn't find one. I was like, oh, where why can't I find one? So I just made one in Canva. Yeah. And then I saw some TikTok video about, like, oh, just throw some templates up there or whatever. And I'm like, what the heck? So I created it, and I put a little PDF where they can share the thing and then threw it up there. Had AI create, like, a really nice description. You know? Like, just some chat GPT. I threw it up. And then, like, I don't know when it was. I think it was after I started posting, um, like, my podcast stuff, like, my videos and everything. Then I then I started getting, like, sales, and it was really weird. And not a lot. I'm not saying I'm getting rich. But, like, every day, like, maybe, like, one or two here, you know, like like, I'll wake up and, um, I'll see, like, oh, so and so bought a thing. And it's, like, I sell them for, like, $3, you know, like, $5 here. And and I was like, that's weird. And then it was, like, becoming more and more. So, like, every day, I was, like, seeing, like, $3. I'm like, oh, okay. Well, that's cool. You know? And then you look at your you go into the account, and it adds up. You know what I mean? But not gonna get rich off of it. But it was just funny because it was something I was doing anyway creating. Yeah. That I needed. And I was just like, I'll just throw it up there. You know? And then I created, um, a little mini, uh, website for Canva, like a Canva website. You know, you can create little templates and, um, threw that up there. And, like, some people were buying it. And I'm like Yeah. Okay. That's cool. Yeah. You know? So I I I'm not, like, devoting the time to, like, just purely create, uh, Canva templates, you know, which Yeah. I'm pretty sure you could do it and just totally get the thing. I'm using it more as just kind of like, hey. If it gives me a few bucks here and there, then Yeah. I'll take it. Well, I think there's definitely a place with, like, our second business where that can be incorporated because there is a lot up here Mhmm. That needs to come out. You know? Um, and I think, you know, with our second business, I think there's a definite, um, place where that will fit in, you know, because I do like creating. Yeah. You know? I do like creating, but I also love that social interaction Yeah. You know, and empowering people and inspiring them. And that could be done in a lot of different ways. So what are the the businesses that you're you're in and that you're that you're doing? So our first business, we've had, um, for for almost ten and a half years, and I partnered up with a health and wellness company. And, um, we found this health and wellness company because we were looking specifically for for some premium, good, clean, science back nutrition for our son on the spectrum. Mhmm. Um, and when I found the company Isagenix, they just hit all the all the marks for me. Um, you know, everything it it was simple. It was natural. But most importantly, it was proven. There was, like, real science, real studies behind it. And so, um, you know, and I knew with autism, right, my son had, like, gut issues, and I knew he needed really good nutrition for that and just to help, like, his cognition. He did good clean protein. And if you, you know, see in The States how they process, like, our cattle, it's very alarming. And so, you know, Isagenix just did it differently. And so I started him on that nutrition, and we started noticing some changes. And I've always tested whatever he's taken. Um, you know, I've always, you know, also like, anything natural, you know, that I can. And so then we just started seeing results with it, and we were like, oh my goodness. You know? So as a family, we got on this nutrition. And then, of course, you, you know, you can't keep something good to yourself. So we had to share it with others because, you know, there's so much bad health out there and people are suffering in silence. You know? And so so we, um, then dove in just serving and helping people and trying to spread the word, you know, and how easy you could just, like, bridge those nutritional gaps very easily. Um, and and then ten and a half years later, here we are. You know? And and it's been you know, we've helped hundreds and hundreds hundreds of people, and it's been such a a joy, you know, to see just to be a little part of their journey. Right? Because it's ultimately them that has to make the decision to do this, but we're just the catalyst for it, you know, and helping them and supporting them and giving them hope. Um, and so we've been doing that and then, of course, start feeling like there's something more. I need something more. I need to bridge a gap. This I need to bring this together with something else. Um, I love fashion. I love clothes. I love shopping. What woman does it? Right? And and do too. And and you do too. And and, you know, with, um, our health health and wellness, I built that business on social media. So I've been in training in social media for ten and a half years. I have no problem speaking to myself, you know, on Instagram stories or wherever. You know? And so, um, in October, we launched Silva Lining. And it's funny because I've been using that hashtag for probably twelve years, and I didn't know what it was for. I just liked the the the what it represented. Silva being our last name and then lining. And so it's like, you know, like silver lining. Mhmm. Silver lining. We just you know, like I, um, spoke about earlier with our son. We had so many lessons, and I've learned to always see the positive in things. Even when it's bad Mhmm. You just try to grab one little positive thing because you can build on that. Yeah. You know? And so in October, I had been been talking to my younger son already about doing a he brought it to me about doing a reselling business. And I told him, well, it has to be easy. It has to like, all the logistical parts, all that stuff, I cannot do it from point a to point z. I have to have something that helps me with that with, like, the shipping, the billing, and all of that stuff. Right? And so then in October of last year, um, a friend introduced me to, uh, an app that's out there that does all of that for you. All I gotta do is have the inventory, have the personality, and be able to come on live and connect with the audience. And so we launched that in October, and, uh, and it just I did not think it was gonna go as well as it did so quickly. Um, you know, so we closed up our first quarter our first solid quarter, like, January to March, and I was just kind of flabbergasted of the numbers that we did. And so what that is, it's a live reselling, uh, platform. And so I come on there with my product, and I am showing people you know, I could focus on women's apparel, um, from clothing to bathing suits. I could do jewelry, shoes. Um, and but what's happening in that process is you're building community Mhmm. With these ladies. And, Matt, I will building community Mhmm. With these ladies. And, Matt, I will have people on there. Like, a lot of my client base is from the East Coast. So we're in Arizona. If I'm on at 11:00 at night Mhmm. Here in Arizona, what time is it in the East Coast? These ladies are tuning in to me. Wow. You know? We're building community. We're building community in there and um, and just enjoying our time together. You know? And and I I you know, it's so important to be seen and heard. You know? And there's power in somebody, like, referring to you by your first name. Mhmm. You know? And when these people show up on this app, they have a username. They have a username. Um, but when I process their orders, I could see their first name. So I make it a point to remember these ladies' first name and then really just connect with them and remember the little things that they tell me about themselves. They share things, um, about themselves, about their family. You know, they'll send me photos of their grandkids through the messenger, um, area in that app. Um, and then, of course, the ultimate, like, ultimate goal is to get them to connect with me outside of that app on Instagram. Mhmm. And then that way, they could see the bigger picture of what I do. You know? And that's, um, and that's really just serving, like, just filling those health gaps, those financial gaps that people have, um, and just inspiring them, them, you know, to, you know, a better life, better wellness, you know, so they don't have to feel like I felt back in, you know, o seven, o eight, like, despair Yeah. What's out there. What's what's that app called? It's called, um, it's called Whatnot. Whatnot? Mhmm. Interesting. Can you kind of walk me through what that looks like? You have the app set up and and then you're you're interacting Yeah. With with these people and and then they're buying? Like, I Yeah. Yeah. So so I have some techie equipment, not quite like what you have here set up. So what that looks like on the equipment side of things, it I use my phone as my camera that's actually given the live feed, my camera, then I have an iPad, and then I have a computer. So I'm using three devices. And so it's on, like, they could see me. It's a video. They can see me. I cannot see them. All I can see is their comments on the chat. But what's so cool about that is that interaction happening as I'm selling, as I'm showing the garment and pointing out the points of the garment and the size and the color and giving them tips on, like, oh, you can wear it this way or you can do this. I'm interacting with them. They're chatting with me. And so and then and then I'm playing music, you know, and I might be doing a little jig or something. Just having fun with them because I I wanna give them an experience. You know? And so there's a lot of things happening in that process. My husband said, well, that that looks really easy to do, Liz. I I could do that. I'm like, oh, once you get here, you're on camera, you have to have personality, you have to run the garment, you have to run the bid button, you gotta see, you know, what's happening in the chat. Some you know, it's a chat. It's an open app. So sometimes you could get some weird people that find it fun to go in and create havoc. Yeah. So you gotta monitor that stuff, you know. And so but but yeah. Again, they could see me as I'm doing everything. Um, I can't see them, but it's so powerful what happens there. I mean, the power of a word, you know, it is it's just I I feel like I could hear them, like I could see them. You know? We just start developing this relationship through that. And then they could message me within the app, so they'll share with me, like, a picture of their grandbaby. You know? Because we're talking about their grandbaby there on the chat, and they're like, oh, Liz, I'm gonna send you a picture of the grandbaby. Or, Liz, this is the little piece that I bought for my grandbaby. Look at how cute they look. You know? And so so there's that interaction like that within the app. And, of course, like, my ultimate goal is to get them into my other platform so they could see the bigger scope of what I do. You know, I'm serving them on that end with affordable clothing, with, um, you know, with building community, but I you know, want them to see the other things that we have to offer. You know? So because Instagram, you know, I I do a lot of health related stuff, a lot of mindset, positivity. You know? So I just bringing everything together. You know? So That's cool. Yeah. Yeah. I'm having a blast with it. It it, um, you know, and and these ladies, um, you know, I I have so many repeat customers, um, that just keep coming back and because it's an experience that I'm creating for them. They're just resonating with me. Mhmm. You know? And, um, you know, if I'm on in Arizona at 11PM and I have somebody who's in New York at that time, I'm like, I honor that. I'm like, wow. They're finding value in this, so I'm gonna give them the best that I can give them because not only are they paying, right, for an item that they wanna purchase from me, they're up at that hour Yeah. With me. So I'm gonna show up the best that I can and give them something to serve them. You know? And they're and they serve me just as much. You know? I get just as much from them. Yeah. You know? So yeah. But it's really cool. Well, you're you're riding the right trend Yeah. Because that I know is expected to just blow up. Yeah. Uh, I don't know if it'll get to the point where China's at, but, I mean, I'm pretty sure it will take off in its own right. Yeah. Yeah. We're we're excited about it, and we we are very grateful and blessed. You know? That's cool. Was there because everyone has, like, this turning point. Was there, like, this breakthrough moment for you where, you know, things just started to finally click? You're like, okay. We're we're going. It definitely was, um, during my time with Isagenix. Once I got over the fear I don't know why there's fear. In order to serve somebody, you have to ask. You gotta you gotta ask. You gotta dig in to see what their needs are. You know? And and I don't know exactly when it happened. It might have been I think it was probably three, maybe four years into our health and wellness business when it just became less about me Mhmm. And more about what can I do for you? How can I help you? You know, there was a lot of personal development that had to to happen along the way Yeah. You know, to not, uh, to, you know, get rid of the money mindset issues and, you know, just like, oh, I'm embarrassed to pry or or ask or you know? And so along the way, it it just became my heart just started feeling like the pain that our society was in, you know, with health and seeing that it was starting much earlier with our our our younger generation. You know? And if you could change a parent's habit, you know, just a little a little thing that they incorporate every day, now you can get the kids on board. Because I saw it happen with my own family. Mhmm. You know? Where we I mean, it started with me and my son, and now this is such a big part of our life. You know? It's just incorporating nutritional products every day. But, yeah, yeah, it definitely once I got comfortable with me, then I just let me out the door, and then it just became, how can I serve you? Uh, I love listening to people. Like, just sit down with me. Tell me your story. I I mean, it's like candy to me. You know? I just wanna know about you because there's so much. Yeah. So many directions that you can go with a person. You know? And so, um, it's just that service piece Yeah. Giving back. I I think that's also reinforced in in BNI, you know, the whole givers gain Absolutely. Mentality, which is so true. You know? Like, if if you do what you can to try to help other people, it it comes around. It does. You know? Um, but that's that's that's really cool. Yeah. Um, staying in it takes a lot of, like, grit. You know? Like, was there what was it that just kinda kept you going through, like, the toughest times, like, whenever you would hit roadblocks or you would hit challenges? Like because a lot of times, we just kinda wanna throw in the towel. Oh, yeah. What just kind of kept you going? Oh, yeah. Gosh. Well, you know what? I mean, for sure, God. You know, I'm a faith based person. Our family is, and I know that God did not put me here to play small. Yeah. You know, he put me here to to make an impact. Um, and then having my husband's support, like, whenever I bring something to him, he's like a yes person. Let's go. Let's do it. You know? But definitely, I mean, I've had those wall kicking moments. It's like, oh, man. I suck. Who do I think I am? Who do you think you are? You know, um, to do this. And, you know, but I am, you know, I'm Hispanic. I'm I'm I'm, you know, I'm a little rebellious, and so I I just have that built in me. I think my parents just, you know, see my dad, you know, he he was an immigrant. He came here at 15 and seeing how hard he worked for his family and doing everything he could, like, that was perseverance, you know? And so that's what I have in me. I just persevere no matter what. If I get kicked down, if you know, I got a lot of no's. I got a lot of no's in our health and wellness industry. I got a lot of naysayers, but I'm like, okay. Next. Yeah. And my my skin got thick, and and I just you know, and always knowing that God put me here for a bigger purpose. What is it, Liz? How you know, you cannot stop Whatever it is that you do, you cannot stop. You know? So but, yeah, definitely have had those wall kicking moments. And then, you know, so I will definitely I'll tap into my faith, and then I I, um, you know, do a lot of personal development. You know? I read I read from, you know, just people that are gonna give me that you know? Like, I like reading Tony Robbins because he just, man, he just fires me up. He's just a brilliant businessman and just, you know, has come from such a hard place in life. You know? And so so definitely my faith and then just, you know, constantly personal development. You know? Nice. Just curious. What, uh, church do you go to? We go to twenty nine eleven, um, on Warner And McClintock. Yeah. Oh, interesting. Yeah. I so I go to Arizona Community Church, which is ACC? Yeah. Which is on rural in Warner. Yeah. Yeah. Like, right around the corner. Yeah. Yeah. We were this is another bold move that we made, um, a little over a year ago. We, um, you know, with our children, it's hard for them to go into mainstream Sunday schools. You know? Like, my son got kicked out a few times. We can't handle him. You know? And and during that time, we had found a small community church, um, called Hope Covenant, and and our kids grew up there. It was just small and enough for them to just, you know, to feel good and independent there. And we stayed there for many, many years, and we loved it. Um, but our boy our young boys started to become men. Why? They started to become men. So we knew that they needed that community. They needed to be able they needed a place where they can grow. And so that was a really hard decision, what, to leave our church hope. Yeah. Um, and then and then how twenty nine eleven came into our lives, it was really divine, you know, and and we were meant to be there. I don't think things happen by accident Yeah. At all. Yeah. And how we landed there was like, wow. I see what you were doing in the background, God. I see background. God, I see this work. And and so we're there now for a little over a year, um, and it was scary. But, again, like, we got over that, and then we see the positives coming out of it. You know? And our our men our young men now have a place where they can grow and get mentorship and and just develop as young men, you know, in that type of setting. You know? Yeah. That's cool. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. So weird. Like, they're right pretty much right next to it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. If you could sit down with a version of yourself from the past right before, you know, you were gonna, like, take your your leap of faith, you know, what would you say to that past version of you? I would say, Liz, eyes forward, block out the noise because there will always be people who have an opinion, and it's not necessarily in your best interest. Um, eyes forward and just go. Just go. Because I I think action is either gonna yield results or it's gonna yield lessons. So yeah. When we look at bold moves that we that we take, it often reshapes how we define what winning looks like, what success looks like. So how has your definition of success changed because of this journey that you've been on? That's such a good question. I thought success was money. I mean, money is nice. You know? We need it. But my success I define success relationships that I built along the way, like, real meaningful relationships. And I think you could cross these digital boundaries that we have. Like, that could happen. You know, you don't have to see somebody. Like, we're sitting here one face to face. You know, there's so much power in, you know, the technology that we have now to just really, like reach beyond borders. Yeah. And you could make such an impact on somebody with the spoken word that you could just change their life, you know, improve it or maybe stop them from maybe maybe they're in despair and they're at their last hope of however they're feeling. You could that could pivot. That could change. That's so powerful. To me, that success when you can have an impact on a human like that. Yeah. You know? That that's, I think, what we're here for. It's so interesting because I've been in sales, like, pretty much my entire life. But it's funny because in my twenties and even most of my thirties, like, I never really understood the emphasis on relationships. Like, I was always in jobs where, yeah, I guess I could have built relationships, but I didn't I it didn't click with me. And I kinda blame that on, like, you know, my my ADHD and autism because, like, you know, you're kind of, you know, a few years behind the rest of the pack in a in a manner of speaking. And, like, I have always noticed, like, I'm always, you know, just a little bit you know, like, seven years maybe is probably that number, I think, and then I catch up with the rest of my peer group. Um, but it's funny because it wasn't until like late thirties, early forties where you're kind of like, oh, and it kind of clicks. And and you really start at least I I know I have. I really started to value the the external relationships. You know what I mean? Like, the relationships outside of, like, your your family, you know, like, because there's a whole network out there, and it is so powerful. Yeah. It really is. Yeah. And it it does change lives. I mean, just the relationships that I've I've been connected connected with have already changed my life, and they're gonna gonna continue. Yeah. And it's just it's I just wish more people could understand the the effect. And Yeah. If you really just put the energy into it, like, it can make a really big difference. Yeah. Yeah. It's strange. If you can, um, you know, I mean, you know, people like like introverts, you know, it's it's a hard thing. You know, and I can remember, I have this one one episode that I always have in my head of my younger son. I think he was he must have been probably he was in elementary, so he was probably, like, eight years old. And we had just kinda moved into the neighborhood and all the neighborhood kids were playing out there. They were playing football. And he was looking out the window, and I said, go out there. He's like, no. I can't. He physically could not go out there. Like, he it was anxiety. Just he could not, and I pushed him. I just I pushed him to go out there, and and he went. Oh, and then he had a blast. He had a blast. Right? And and Yeah. But he had to he had to push himself through that and make that jump, and then and then a beaut beautiful things happened. He had a good football game, and he made friends. And you know? So I think and so looking at you know, like, as an adult, if you can push yourself to get out there, get into a networking group, go do something social, you're gonna find the joy in being around people and getting to know people like it and I wasn't always this way. Like, my husband, I think, was born that way. He just he's a people person. He just he's a people person. And I would look at him, and I'd be like, how do you do that? Yeah. How do you do that? Like, I get we'd get home from a party and my face hurt from the fake smile. Mhmm. And I'm like, how do you do that? Well, I get it now. You know? I I found the joy in in people. You know? Um, good people. Yeah. Yeah. That's that's that's the key because yeah. I was just I was telling you earlier, you can tell when somebody's motives are really not aligned. And that's where I've learned to really trust my gut instinct Yeah. Because there are times when my gut says one thing and I especially when I was younger, I'd be like, no. No. And I couldn't. Bam. I get slapped in the face. Yeah. And now every time my gut says something, I'm, like, giving it more more weight, more more emphasis. And, uh, it's so funny. Me and my wife talk about this all the time because the gut instinct is usually more times than than not Yeah. More correct. Right. And it's so funny. That's just always been, like, a saying. Right? Trust your gut. Trust your your gut. But what like, they're finding the gut is, like, really your Holy Spirit. Yeah. And it's your it's, yeah, it's the Holy Spirit. It's your that's like the stub. That's the command station. Yeah. You know? So yeah. It's it's very interesting. We can get up on a whole I know. I know. I know. Oh, goodness. Um, so just kinda quickly talking about what ifs. Like, would having a a safety net like insurance or a backup plan, would that have changed your whole approach on taking your your leap that you've made? If I had a backup plan, Probably not because my my impulsivity serves me well. You know, I sometimes I don't think of the maybe my husband is my safety because, you know, he he he's there to support me Mhmm. And he has the job, you know. So if I maybe if I was a single mom and doing this, it would definitely be harder putting out the money that I've put out for the second business. Yeah. I I would like, I gotta wire that much money. You know? Like, so so, yeah, I I guess, you know, if I think in those terms, my husband is my safety net. You know, it helps when you're not doing something alone that it, you know, it gives you a little assurance. You know? But but still, I mean, there's some scary moves that I have to make still, you know, and I have to kinda push him, like, nope. We're doing this. This is how we're gonna scale. And, yep, I'm writing that big check, hon. We'll we'll we'll get you know, it's gonna come back in many ways. You know? So So because I I think you kind of touched on it. So, like, what's what's the next big bold new for you? You know? And and are you still a little afraid to take it? And, you know, if you are, like, what's what's holding you back? The next big bold move is definitely centered around silver lining, the reselling. You know, just, um, definitely, you know, scaling that, developing some bigger relationships with suppliers, and that requires more bigger money. And am I scared? No. You know? I don't think I might have little moments of, like, my heart, but then I'm like, just go. You know? I, you know, I I kind I've I've learned to make friends with fear because it's just a feeling. It's a temporary feeling, and I know that if I make friends with it and and if I can just jump over her, there's so much good that's gonna be on that other side. And if it doesn't work out, there's gonna be a lesson, you know, a a lesson it's gonna you know, then I'll pivot and do something else. You know? Um, so, yeah, I don't, you know, I don't really I don't really fear it. You know? I I, you know, it's it's exciting to me. Yeah. You know? It it it just, like, fills me in a whole different way. I'm like, oh, what what you know? What's on that other side? Let's go check it out. Awesome. Alright. So I've got some quick fire questions for you here. So what is your favorite book, podcast, or resource that just ultimately inspires you to to be bold? That's hard because I I I have so many books. Um, I love this is this might be weird. But I do love, um, like, podcast around finances because I think there's so many lessons in that. Right? Because you kinda have to just when you're thinking about your finances and investing, you just you have to just go. Do and let it be. And so that's kinda the approach that I use with some of the things that I do also is just go, do, and then let it be. You know? Let it rest. Let it see. So I kinda get those lessons, like, from financial, uh, podcasts and, like, books. Like, I've read Tony Robbins' finance books, and then I listened to some financial podcasts. But I also, um, the one the one book that really made an impact on me this last year was the one by Ed Mylett, one more. One more. Just one more. Right? And so when you think you can't do something, try it one more time. You know? Um, when that person said no, let's get one more person. Let's try one more person. You know? So that just to me then, I think of that, it's like just break it down in little pieces. You know? If you look at this big thing, of course, it's gonna be overwhelming. You know? But if you kinda look at it in chunk bite sizes Mhmm. You know, it's kinda like somebody once told me, how do you eat an elephant? I'm like, what? You don't. What do you mean how to eat an elephant? I'm like, is this a trick question? I don't have time for this. You know? One bite at a time. You know? That's great. And and, um, so yeah. So Ed Mylett's one more. And then I love the energy bus. I love the energy bus because that because I think if you could, um, it's all about positivity, your outlook. I think it starts there. You know, if you wake up in the morning and you already have a crappy attitude, you're gonna have a crappy day. But if you wake up in the morning and you're like, who can I serve? Who can I meet today? Who who can I just give something back to? Yeah. You're gonna have a great day. You're gonna have an amazing day. That's true. You just will. You know? And and and that's one thing, like, the last ten years. I wake up in the morning, and I'm like, yeah. Let's go. You know? Just piggybacking off of what you said there a little bit. So I I like listening and following. Um, have you ever heard of Vanessa Van Edwards? I think it it is. She is, um, a really good speaker on, like, body language and charisma and all this other stuff. But she was saying that a lot of the, like, most successful people when they or the most liked people, when they enter like, see people, they're always giving them a really big introduction, like, a really big welcome. Like, um, like, if you were to walk in, you're like, hey, Liz. How's it going? It's, like, so great to see you. You know, like, not fake, but, like, very big. Yeah. And it's interesting because on the flip side, that person feels more, like, welcomed. Yeah. And I guess she was saying, like, you know, if you do that a few times, then it, like, mentally puts this connection where that person sees you as a very positive and welcoming person, and it kinda just, like, creates this this this bond. Yeah. Um, and so it's just it was just interesting. There's a lot of other stuff that she that she says, but it was just fascinating because, like, I think back to times where people have greeted me that way. Mhmm. And you really do feel special. You're like, oh, wow. You know? It's just interesting. You feel valued and seen and and that you matter. You know? And and and that's why, like and, like, I go that extra mile in with silver lining on the Whatnot app to learn these ladies' names. Yes. It's not a it's a difficult thing because my memory is not very good. You know? Me too. And and and I know there's so much power when you address somebody by their first name and in the greeting. It it oh, there it is. It is weird. Yeah. Like, I'm a people like, a visual person. So I have faces, I recognize. Names is really difficult for me. Yeah. Um, but there is, like, when you say somebody's name. And it's so weird because for me, it used to feel weird, like, to do that. Yeah. But on the again, putting yourself in the opposite play place, it does it's received Yeah. Like, very differently. And you're like, oh, interesting. Yeah. Um, gosh. Yeah. No. That's that's so strange. Yeah. I was just thinking, like, when you come into, like, an office or work and, like, when your manager or somebody, when they're just like, oh, hey. How's it going? You're you kinda, like, feel like, okay. But when they're like, hey. You know? Yeah. You feel like, okay. Let's let's get to it. You know? And it's okay if sometimes sometimes I'm a little bit much for people, and I'm okay with that Mhmm. Because it might take them a couple of times to be around me, and then then it's like, oh, okay. And then then their then their little, you know, other side starts coming out, and it gives them freedom to express. You know? So I'm okay. I'm okay if they think I'm a little cray cray. Well, I always I always think about when when I do acting because, like, I've I used to do a lot of acting. I'm still trying to get back into it. But, um, so when you're overdoing things a lot of times, in my mind, especially, like, this is for, like, theater stuff, You think you're overdoing it, but from the audience perspective, like, you're not. Like, it's very normal. And so because I was doing some theater stuff for my church, and, you know, I was, like, doing some for me, I I was thinking I was over exaggerating this and And then you look at the playback, you're like, oh, that looks pretty Good. I coulda went a little more. Yeah. Yeah. But on the flip side, when you see somebody who's just kind of, like, just thinking they're they're doing it normal or whatever, it looks so dull and boring. And it's so just on the other side, you just kinda, like, bring it down a notch for them because it's not as cray cray as you probably would think it is. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, no. And that's why, like, with the reselling, I just you know? I I I, uh, when I run clothing, I, uh, bring my disco, my Casey and the Sunshine Band and the Bee Gees and Donna Summer out, and we just have fun. You know? And then I have the country, the Patsy Cline, the, you know, Loretta Lynn days. You know? It's just it's it's what you create. You know? And and when you can create that, when you greet somebody, there there's so much power in that. You know? So much. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? Don't worry about what people think about you. So true. Don't worry about what people think about you. You know, as long as, um, you could put your head down at night and say good job. That's what matters. In one word, how would you encourage someone to be bolder today? In one word. Oh, man. Well, well, it's funny. Um, the word is expand. I pick a word of the year every year. And, ironically, that was my word that I picked last January Mhmm. Before we launched the second business. Um, it's expand. You know? If you can expand, like, things with your business, your heart, your mind, you know? That makes sense. Yeah. That's very cool. So it's been awesome for you sharing your story. Where can people find you? How can they connect with you? Best place is the central hub is my Instagram, Silva underscore Lining, and that's my Instagram. And in there, um, I have a link that just will take you wherever you need to. You know? Whatever you need, um, you know, there's inspiration, and you have the links to go to health or, you know, purchasing, selling, or, you know, just everything's there. I kinda keep it all there. So Silva underscore lining on Instagram. And we'll also have a special guest page for you on the Bold News Podcast website, which is boldnewspodcastaz.com. But all your links will be on there. You'll have a little bio, a little headshot. So if anyone gets how to get a hold of you, they can always go there and that will be Thank you. On there. That's so awesome. Thank you, Matt. Absolutely. Um, very cool. Well, this has been a phenomenal episode. I'm really glad we got to spend some time together to catch up and kind of share your journey. But, uh, this has been the Bold Moves podcast. And until next time, we out. Bye.