I’m Reina and I’m the owner behind Reina + Co, the Life + Biz Success Coaching practice where I help creative entrepreneurs who are right brained and heart centered go from spinning their wheels to focused on the most important thing so they can become the go-to expert in their industries. I’m a mama to our active little pre-schooler who gives me all the feels (high highs and low lows!) and wife to my Marine hubby. I’m convinced that the world is a better place when women, who are the anchors of communities and families, are empowered and fueled up, so all the work I do is grounded in that mission. I co-host the Creative Empire Podcast with Christina Scalera where we talk business with the most incredible creative business owners!
How do you take care of yourself so that you’re physically and mentally prepared to be your best self for your loved ones?
I schedule non-negotiable play time for myself. That looks different every other week: sometimes it’s going on a solo date for a nourishing lunch, taking myself to a movie, just taking a nap, doing something creative (like painting), or going to wander through a store that I always have to zoom through with my son (hello, solo Target date!).
I also have a morning routine that I call the Grateful Heart exercise. I dump out my worries on one side of a sheet of paper then on the other side list out my gratitude. It centers me every day so I can start with a clear head.
I’m not great about this but I try to do non-client calls as “walking meetings” where I go outside and actually walk rather than just sitting in my office. The more steps, the happier I typically am.
What’s your favorite beauty secret?
I’m super low maintenance and love to keep it simple:
A low-key nail treatment (usually Revlon Gel Envy or Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel) every 10 days.
A quick pass through with my curling iron.
The best foundation that looks great on camera whenever I do Facebook Live.
What’s your favorite outfit for a quick, polished look?
If I want to feel confident, I have to feel comfortable. It’s usually a comfortable fitted blazer with a bright top and some skinny denim paired with Tieks. I wear a scarf or a long necklace to finish it off.
What’s your favorite quick-prep dinner for your family?
Spaghetti and meatballs. It’s a favorite with my family and sometimes, opening up a jar of sauce and defrosting the meatballs is all I can manage.
Tell us your favorite Instagram account to follow, and why?
Kristen of Thimble Press, Alisha Johns of LISH Creative – both because they are so darn creative and colorful and I want more of that in my life.
Brene Brown and Liz Gilbert – because they ground me in what actually matters in the world.
What tradition or routine is important to you?
To get the work day started, I grab a mug of coffee, light my candle in my office and before I start my computer, I dig into the grateful journal exercise (that I discussed above). I text a few people and let them know I’m sending them encouraging vibes and then get started on my day.
What’s in your purse?
It depends! On the simple day, I just have my tiny wallet with just my driver’s license and one credit card, keys and phone. On the bigger days, I’ve got my Kate Spade wallet, a few options of lip color, a few Papermate Flair pens, a Kind bar, an extra battery pack for my phone and my Kindle.
Where do you find your inspiration?
In business, I try to look outside my industry for inspiration. Innovation doesn’t come from copying somebody else’s work. Another way I find inspiration is by chatting with people who do different things from me. I am always interested in learning how people operate and hearing their opinions about how I could improve. Masterminds have been a huge catalyst in my business.
In life and general inspiration, watching kids play is a source of inspiration.
We know you’re a busy lady! How do you balance all of your work responsibilities along with your home and personal life? Any tips for our readers?
I need to get better at this but I have Monday morning set aside to do planning for the upcoming week and to know what’s on the horizon for the week after that I need to be mindful of. I do quick meal planning, then order the groceries or run to Trader Joe’s before noon.
I also have to have it in my digital calendar as well as a hand written one because one beeps at me through my phone and computer and the other is a way for me to write it down and commit it to memory.
What’s your favorite app (or other tool!) for helping you do life?
I LOVE the new calendar app Simpliday. I was so sad when Sunrise went away but now I feel like I have a suitable replacement. I’m also loving Slack and its app, it really helps me communicate better with my team.
Follow along with Reina:
Websites: Reinaandco.com and creativeempire.co
Instagram: @reinaandcompany and @mycreativeempire
Twitter: @reinaandco and @creativeempirep
Facebook: @reinaandco and @creativeempirepodcast
