Terra BRUNS: GAP Business Academy – Innovations and More

Tell us something about yourself, your background:

I have been an entrepreneur most of my adult life, owning and operating as many as five companies simultaneously. I have travelled the world helping businesses establish and re-build solid foundations to both increase their profits and strategically implement marketing programs that really work to bring in more business! I have a bachelors in Business Administration and in September, will attain a masters degree in Strategic Management and Leadership.

List your ventures with a brief explanation of each:

The businesses I have owned were in general building contracting, printing, catering, organic mineral cosmetics, and a real estate firm. When I decided to travel the world and help businesses, I then established my current company which is a business consulting firm.

How/Why did you start as an entrepreneur? What set you off?

I had worked as a nurse for the first 12 years of my adult life, and when I was injured on the job, I had to re-think and re-tool my career and future. I went to business school, and it immediately ignited a fire that was there as a child (think lemonade stands, paper routes, dog walking services, etc). The idea of building something from scratch with my own blood, sweat and tears really appealed to me, so I studied entrepreneurs and what they did to build their businesses. I am a voracious reader and learner, so I loved the journey!

Tell us a bit more about each of your ventures:

I started a general contracting company because we were moving from Iowa to California, and I saw the potential for great revenues and future growth in the home building sector as well as in governmental contracts. Alongside the contracting, I personally obtained my real estate sales license, and went to work for the largest firm in our city. I worked there for 4 years, and then in 2008, when the housing market crashed, I left that company and started my own firm. Was that crazy, some say it was, but I just knew I needed to help families navigate the choppy waters of short sales, foreclosures, and all of the nuances that go along with it. Because I had the two companies, we were spending thousands on printing and marketing materials, so I obtained a printing business and grew that by marketing to all of my fellow real estate professionals, contractors, sub-contractors, and the like.

I then decided because I loved cooking so much and there were really limited choices for high quality catering in our area, that I would start a catering company. We were so busy at one point, I could charge $1,000 for a family size Thanksgiving meal, and people were paying it with pleasure!

Then, when in Las Vegas for a real estate convention one year, I was struck with the idea to create my own organic mineral cosmetics because I was sick of the low quality ingredients in very high end products, so I asked my daughter to create a logo, and our company was born!

Then, in 2013, my marriage ended, my world crashed down around me, and I was left reeling. I turned to my long-time mentor and coach, Tony Robbins, and I signed up for his Strategic Intervention program. I was so hungry for answers and the knowledge this program had, that I finished the entire 6 month program in 17 days! I then developed my consulting and coaching company and began working with families, individuals, firms, organizations, and governmental entities to assist them with everything from teenage defiance to marital challenges to how to get co-workers to truly work as TEAM members and not individuals furthering their own agendas.

In 2018, my youngest graduated high school and had moved to Washington, DC so I decided it was time to travel the world, and I set off on my journey!