Gina Cloud is a deeply devoted teacher, author, speaker, and advocate of all things women. Using the extensive body of work she has developed over the last 25 years, Gina — who considers herself a rebel and a revolutionary — is determined to free women from the societal, biological, and personal prisons that they have endured for millennia. She is passionately committed to spearheading the evolution and revolution of the ideologies that “define” and confine women, while at the same time further empowering men. GinaCology, the overarching concept behind all her work, teaches Gina’s self-created and self-lived principles for women to live authentic and empowered lives. And her book “W.O.M.A.N., A New Definition,” imparts a new and liberating perspective to them, free of media stereotypes, myths, and the oppression brought to bear by the “definition” of who they should be. We caught up to Gina to talk female entrepreneurs, her thoughts on gender pay gap, and more.
Q: What’s your advice to female entrepreneurs starting their own businesses?
A: Follow your own inner voice, wisdom and direction. Trust yourself. There are so many success gurus out there telling you how you should do things, but we are each our own person, with our own visions, our own ideas and voices. If you take time to center and connect with yourself in the morning, I believe you’ll find your own unique path to success. Be consistent and disciplined with your practices that make you feel connected from within. Seek advice from people who are doing what you do and are successful at it, and then still follow your own wisdom. There’s no other you, and your business should be a reflection of that originality. Don’t share your dreams with just anyone, as there are many who will try to talk you out of your vision or point out why it won’t work. Keep it to yourself, and only share with those that you know are 100% pulling for you. And once again, trust yourself!
Q: There has been a lot of talk about the gender pay gap. What is your take on that?
A: I believe that we should ask for what we feel we are worth, and not settle for a penny less. There is a gap because most women accept what they are offered initially, instead of asking or negotiating for more. Until we take a stand for our worth, we will be settling. I believe the gap in large part still exists because of this tendency to settle. We are worth so much more than we allow ourselves to believe. Be bold enough to ask for more and see what happens.
Q: Do you have any tips for entrepreneurs working with their spouse/partner?
A: I think it’s dicey to work together, but can also be amazing if you are two strong and communicative people who can also, first and foremost, respect each other, listen without tearing the other person’s ideas down, and take enough time apart so that familiarity doesn’t breed contempt. If you’re a really good partnership person, then you’re probably more likely to be able to spend oodles of time together. But if you’re not, think twice or three times about it. If you value your personal relationship with each other, just be honest. And if the professional part starts to compromise that, then find a way to transition to more separate ways of working. Or if it happens that you’re better business partners than lovers, then be willing to make that transition, too.
Q: Writing a book is a daunting task. Do you have tips and tricks on how you discipline yourself to get that done?
A: I had a rather unusual and unorthodox approach. I went off to Joshua Tree, California for three days and I wrote nonstop until I finished it. I wrote without thinking, meaning I didn’t edit myself as I wrote. Rather, I allowed what was coming from my intuitive self to come through onto the page. Of course there was some editing after the fact, but the content flowed out uninhibited by the judgment from my conscious mind. It was an incredible experience. We all know what we know, yet really doubt ourselves when it comes to things as “big” as writing a book. But if you see it as an extension of your voice, your expertise — and you write it for yourself, not even for your audience — then you can’t “fail.”
Q: How did you get into this line of work?
A: When I was in my 20s I really became aware of how much women hated their bodies. I also became aware that I was not one of those women. I really felt that I had something to share. I wanted to help remind women about the gift of being a woman and being in a woman’s body, and all that goes with that. I had wanted to teach formally, but didn’t make it happen until after the birth of my daughter, who inspired me to make a difference in the biggest way possible for all women — because I wanted to make the world a better place for her.
Q: Running a home business, how do you manage to decompress/find balance?
A: Now you’re talking about one of my favorite topics: self-care. In the U.S., we suck at this! It’s not built into our way of doing things, because there is the erroneous notion that we need to “work harder” and push, and go, go, go. I don’t believe in this at all. It’s one of the reasons I split my time between the U.S. and Europe. Europeans focus on quality of life — playing and relaxing is just as important as what we strive to achieve, if not more so. Every day I meditate, I exercise, alternating between walks in nature (including beach walks) and going to the gym, doing Pilates, yoga. I unplug from technology at least an hour before bedtime, because I believe our phones and all the technology is zapping our biology in an unhealthy way. I don’t eat in a hurry, and I eat really clean, organic, non-GMO food. I get weekly massages to nurture my body. I limit alcohol, drink lots of water, and dance as often as possible! It’s a great way to have fun and decompress. I also spend time with friends, family, community, and I make time to do nothing. Stillness and nothing is a primary component in self-care, and also in success, in my humble opinion.
Q: What’s your morning routine like?
A: My schedule varies daily and isn’t set in stone, though many people recommend getting up every day at the same time. I believe in flow. Sometimes there are parties and events to go to and you’re out late and need to sleep later. Or you’ve been doing too much and need extra sleep. Sleep is so important in our stressed out world! I wake up and take my time to get dressed to head out or to work from home. I have a gratitude journal and every morning I write down at least ten things I’m grateful for and why. The why is very important as it amplifies the feelings of gratitude and makes you start your day feeling really open and blessed. I read something inspirational, if only just a few pages, and/or listen to some law-of-attraction audio. Then I meditate for 20 minutes. After that, I feel ready for my day and anchored in myself with peace and calm and really connected to my intuitive self, which allows me to make better decisions throughout my day.
Q: What are you currently working on? What’s next?
A: There’s another book itching to get out of me, so that’s on the not-too-distant horizon (hopefully!). More speaking gigs, as live audiences are my favorite way to give my gifts. And I’m interested in more collaborations with women. I’d love to partner with women with power, position, and prominence so that I can get my important message out there on much bigger platforms.
To learn more about Gina Cloud, please visit: https://www.ginacloud.com/
