Vianesa Vargas, Take Care Project

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With ten years of active duty service under her belt, Vianesa Vargas was on track to be a commander in the military. But after the birth of her second son, she was given orders to serve in Iraq for another year plus three additional months of training. It was then that she decided to leave the Air Force and pursue her other call-to-serve, to help women be the best moms they can be and to lead confident, fulfilling lives.

A Woman on a Mission

Vianesa spoke to many military career women who were also struggling with the question of whether to serve themselves and their families first, or their careers. With 4 deployments to the Middle East already under her belt, Vianesa knew her personal decision to leave the military was one that she could pursue without regrets. She does admit that leaving was not without guilt but when she finally came to terms with the fact that her guilt was self imposed, she was able to move on and embrace her new career dreams and goals.

Her new mission is to show other busy moms how they can make time for their families, work, passions, and most importantly, themselves.  Vianesa founded the Take Care Project, an online health and wellness resource for busy moms. She is also a wellness coach and the author of an exercise and nutrition journal, written expressly for women who are struggling to juggle motherhood and their diet and exercise goals.

“The products I will launch are tailored to a mom’s wellness.  I listen to my market and create products to fulfill their needs.  My new exercise journal is now available online.  We’re also planning to also launch a toolkit for moms who are struggling with the transition to motherhood in 2010, as well as an exercise book for new moms.”

Although Vianesa is proud of her country and her military career accomplishments, her most rewarding experience is that of becoming a wife to a loving husband and mother to two wonderful boys.

“I know all too well how much of an experience it is to bring a child into this world and then to watch this experiment grow into what you shape it. The demands of motherhood on your body and mind can be intense, but the Take Care Project, will be with you along the way. My purpose is to give mothers the resources needed to take care of themselves FIRST!”

Long before her military career, Vianesa learned how to get into tip top physical shape and she enjoys maintaining this healthy lifestyle even now as a civilian. With degrees in biology and nutrition studies, Vianesa has developed simple and easy-to-remember strategies that mothers can use to improve their own health and wellness.

The Power of Transferable Skills

While she was ready to transition to a new career, post military, Vianesa says the Air Force provided her with some excellent transferable skills. She is flexible, able to adapt quickly to change and knows how to prioritize tasks. Vianesa’s Air Force career also afforded her financial stability and with her dedicated savings plan, she was able to sock away money over the years that gave her the nest egg to be ready for her new business venture.

But how do you transition from the military to launch a national online business for moms? Vianesa was a faithful reader of Entrepreneur Magazine and also utilized SCORE advisers in her community. She hired a web designer and built her business with the support and enthusiasm of her husband who shares in her vision to help others. The goal is to build a wellness company that empowers working moms with resources, products, and inspiration. Long term, Vianesa plans to open a wellness center and after talking with her, I am confident that she will make this goal a reality. But, every career has challenges and Vianesa was candid about sharing hers.

“A challenge is finding the time to effectively manage a business start-up.  It is extremely important for women to continue to exercise, eat right and rest, as I can attest to. I have made several mistakes by working all day, raising children, and then having to work on my business.  You are more effective when healthy and well-rested.”

Be Your Own Best Resource

The military taught Vianesa how to be resourceful and the Take Care Project shows women how to do the same. Vianesa encourages moms to find a support system in their communities. Look for mentors and seek out shared services like child care and car pooling to simplify your challenges. The messages of Take Care Project focus on health, spirit, fun, fitness, rest and green living.  Vianesa’s site features thoughtful and inspiring articles as well as a blog to help mothers achieve their personal goals, at their own pace.

While Vianesa was on her way to breaking through the glass ceiling in the military, she values her new career even more because it feeds her passion. Look for Vianesa on the national circuit as a motivational speaker and writer in publications such as Essence, Working Mother, Heart & Soul and Family magazine and check out Take Care Project online. http://www.takecareproject.com/

Vianesa’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Get clear and focused about why you want to start a business.
• Get mentored and listen to those who have already done what you’re trying to do.  Become a student of the trade so to speak, and read, read, read!
• Make it happen by getting a business plan written and decide if it is a worthwhile venture.  If not, go back to the drawing board.

Quote:

“Excellence is what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act but a habit.” Aristotle

Resources:

Take Care Project  http://www.takecareproject.com/

Entrepreneur Magazine http://www.entrepreneur.com/

SCORE  http://www.score.org/