We had the good fortune of connecting with Pat Chin and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Pat, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My first entry into entrepreneurship started with a bubble tea and coffee pop-up and catering business 9 years ago. We go to farmers markets and various events around town. Our longest tenure has been at the Parkland Farmers Market which runs from November to April, and we participate in many of the events hosted by the City of Sunrise. We just rebranded to AWA Drinks Company, previously known as Simply Perfect Java.
Six years ago, I found some amazing products that can help us create a healthy and thriving home environment. By creating a process to educate and evaluate what people have in their homes, I can show them alternatives that are available to help them achieve the same. The important thing is for them to understand what is harmful to them and to help them make a change, whether it is with the products I recommend or with similar alternatives. The products I recommend are the ones I have researched and use in my own home.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Tell us more about your business. With over 38 years at Citigroup and my background in operations and technology, I translated both into my calling for clean living in establishing Pat M Chin – Home Health & Wellness. I have researched the safest, environmentally sound products for my work and enjoy sharing my knowledge and educating clients on making simple changes toward creating healthier homes. Most people do not realize that many of the products in their homes are toxic; the average household, in fact, contains over 62 poisonous chemicals. I have partnered with Norwex and Nikken product lines which offer eco-friendly products, safe for the entire family. Norwex specializes in innovative microfiber technology and Nikken offers a range of complementary wellness products such as sleep, air, and water filtration systems.
What sets you apart from others?
I take the time to understand each client’s unique needs, identifying what area(s) the client wants to address via a comprehensive checklist and ultimately creating an individualized plan. I also provide information to clients on natural products that can support their goals. I specialize in combining daily living with tangible lessons and products. I love to give people the tools they need to create a clean, serene environment and a fresh start for their family’s wellness journey.
What you are most proud of or excited about?
My passion is to help my clients have access to the highest quality, most affordable and effective ways to breathe, sleep, and feel better. So, whenever I get the chance to speak and share my knowledge, it fuels my passion.
How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?
Anja Weinberg introduced me to Nancy Matthews and Trish Carr at Women’s Prosperity Network (WPN), where I shared my concept of combining the Norwex and Nikken product sets to create a business and they provided me with the encouragement, mentoring and tools to bring my vision to reality in 2019 with Pat M Chin – Home Health & Wellness. Once I set my mind to it, it wasn’t difficult to set up the framework. Since I am working a full-time job, I had to make sure I scheduled time to work on my business, so I had weekly planning meetings with accountability partners which was the best part of WPN. The hardest part for me was to step out of my comfort zone to speak up and share my knowledge and products. Even though I did vendor events, speaking one on one with customers, I had to push myself to sign up for speaking engagements and podcasts that would make me more visible.
I am now a seasoned speaker and enjoy discussing the benefits of holistic, healthy living in person, virtually, and via podcast. I am available for individual consultations as well as broader engagements. I am an active member of Business Network International (BNI), the Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC) – Fort Lauderdale East, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and Women’s Prosperity Network (WPN).
What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. This is something that I think a lot of people can relate to. It can be scary to put yourself out there and share your knowledge and products with others. But it’s also essential if you want to grow your business.
Another lesson I’ve learned is the importance of having a strong support system. Having people who believe in you and who are willing to help you achieve your goals is invaluable. WPN has been a great source of support for me and helped me to overcome many challenges.
It is also important to remember that you don’t have to be perfect at everything. Even though I don’t like to do videos for social media, I’ve still been able to grow my business despite that. It’s okay to focus on your strengths and to delegate the things that you don’t enjoy.
What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Creating this business has been exciting and eye opening for me at the same time. I did not intentionally seek out these types of products but as I found them, I tried them with an open mind, and it led me to the path I am on. I was inspired to start my business after learning about the dangers of toxic chemicals in the home.
It is important for me to provide personalized service and individualized plans in helping people achieve their goals and create healthier homes. These products have helped people improve their health and well-being. Some of the people I have met along the way have become good friends.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here is a possible itinerary for a week-long visit to Plantation, Florida:
Day 1:
After arriving in Plantation and checking into your hotel, head to the beach for some sunbathing and swimming.
Have dinner at The Capital Grille at the Galleria in Fort Lauderdale.
Day 2:
Go to Butterfly World, a butterfly sanctuary with over 3,000 butterflies from all over the world.
Take a boat tour of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Day 3:
Visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, a beautiful Japanese garden and museum.
Have dinner at Las Vegas Cuban cuisine.
Day 4:
Visit the Everglades National Park, a unique ecosystem of swamps and marshes.
Take a boat tour of the Everglades, a great way to see the wildlife up close.
Day 5:
Visit the Museum of Discovery and Science, a science museum with interactive exhibits.
Have dinner at Vignetos Italian Grill
Day 6:
Visit the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, a performing arts center with a variety of shows.
Go to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, a casino with a variety of games.
Have dinner at J. Alexander’s Restaurant.
Day 7:
Visit the Sawgrass Mills Mall, one of the largest malls in the United States.
Relax at the beach before your departure.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While working with my friend Anja Weinberg, Thrive from Home LLC, I was impressed at how she integrated the Nikken products into her own business helping others to create a healthy and thriving environment. Anja invited me to a Women’s Prosperity Network mastermind to help her at her vendor table. As I participated in the program and listened to the information shared by these amazing women, I felt inspired to take the leap to creating Pat M Chin – Home Healthy & Wellness.
Website: www.patmchin.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cleanwwaterpc/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/patmchin-home-health-wellness/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleanWwater
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patmchin01/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRtCUjhMAufHH5ACFhKR73A